I have made 3 attempts to see the foliage, two of which were tacked onto other trips where I hoped the fall colors would be there.
In 2007, I was in Atlantic City in mid-September and decided to drive to northern Vermont and New Hampshire to catch the foliage. It was too early, so there was very little. However, when I went up the Kancamugus Highway (which has elevation), the colors were beautiful and that was my only real look at full fall foliage. Unfortunately, this only lasts for a short time until it descends again, so I was back to the green/yellow trees after about 30 min.
In 2012, I took an east coast road trip that was specifically built around the foliage, in mid-October -- the expected peak time for the foliage. And color-wise, it was peak time that year, but a few days before I got there, a brutal wind storm blew down most of the leaves. So I didn't get to see much, except bare trees. I did find a little strip in extreme western Maine which was protected from the elements, so I saw some nice foliage there.
In 2015, I finished a cruise in Quebec City on September 18. I attempted to find foliage in Quebec, but came up completely empty, as unseasonably warm weather kept the leaves from changing.
One day I will finally hit the foliage at the peak time when rain/wind hasn't blown down the leaves.
I hope my attempt to see the northern lights in Fairbanks (coming in 2016 or 2017) doesn't meet equivalent futility.