foliage - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-28T10:03:54Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/foliageIn the USA this Fall, Combine Foliage With Adventurehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/united-states-usa-autumn-fall-foliage-adventure-travel2020-09-11T17:30:00.000Z2020-09-11T17:30:00.000ZVictor Blockhttps://tripatini.com/members/VictorBlock124<div><p> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481095,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481095,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009481095?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>Dan and Mary Stroudt oooh and aaah at the multicolored scenery below the hot air balloon in which they’re riding. The journey is very different for Mark and Marylee Sutherland as they help to paddle a rubber raft along a stretch of whitewater in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Betsy Goodman and Tom Cross are traveling at a slower pace, strolling across a glass-bottom observation deck.<br /> <br /> These disparate experiences may seem to have little in common, but they do. They provide opportunities to enjoy the annual fall foliage display of color in new and different ways.</p><p>“Leaf peepers” seeking to relish Mother Nature’s annual technicolor extravaganza have a variety of choices beyond driving along a traffic-clogged road. There are countless places around the United States to enjoy the changing foliage, and imaginative ways of doing so.<br /> <br /> The ride that the Stroudts enjoyed is offered by aptly named <a href="http://www.goneballooning.com" target="_blank">Gone Ballooning</a>. It conducts gentle float trips over the colorful rolling landscape of western Connecticut with vistas that take in unique barns, graceful colonial homes and other vestiges of New England history. Flights are followed by the traditional toast of champagne and snacks.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481285,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481285,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009481285?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> Mark and Marylee Sutherland have to work harder for their fall foliage fix. They’re participants in one of the whitewater rafting adventures (above and top) operated by the <a href="http://www.noc.com" target="_blank">Nantahala Outdoor Center</a> in North and South Carolina and Georgia. The rivers thread their way through the yellows, reds and oranges of the changing foliage that blankets the shorelines.</p><p>Rather than passing through the autumn color, Betsy and Tom chose to walk above it. When it was built in 1882, the Kinzua Railroad Viaduct in Pennsylvania was the longest and highest such structure in the world. After the last trains crossed it in 1959, it was reinvented as the <a href="http://www.visitanf.com" target="_blank">Kinzua Sky Walk</a>, where a glass-bottom observation deck provides views of the support towers and the foliage below and around them. </p><p>Trains of the <a href="http://www.thecog.com" target="_blank">Mount Washington Cog Railway</a> continue to carry passengers to the highest peak in the Northeast, as they have since 1869. After climbing grades that approach a 38-percent incline, riders are rewarded with panoramic views over the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire and, if they’re lucky, sightings of moose and bears.</p><p>The slow pace of the cog railway is a far cry from the adrenalin-boosting ride on the Runaway Mountain Coaster at Mountain Adventure Park in <a href="http://www.explorebranson.com" target="_blank">Branson, Missouri</a>. As the track dips, turns and corkscrews through Ozark woodlands, riders may choose to pass by the foliage at speeds over 30 miles an hour or use the brake to slow the descent for a more leisurely look. </p><p><br /> Other Branson foliage-watching opportunities include thrill rides like the “Outlaw Run” and chill trips aboard the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train. An added fall bonus at Silver Dollar City is a seasonal array of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors that are scattered about the park. </p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481684,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481684,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009481684?profile=original" /></a></p><p>An experience which combines both thrills and chills <a href="http://www.aspenparagliding.com" target="_blank">is paragliding over the multihued Aspen and Snowmass mountains</a> in Colorado. Tandem gliders carry pilot and passenger several thousand feet high for a gentle ride and bird’s-eye view of the vibrant display on the ground below. While flights may vary depending upon the conditions each day, the experience usually lasts about two hours.</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482485,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482485,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009482485?profile=original" /></a><br /> Those who rely on pedal power to enjoy fall foliage also have options. <a href="http://www.backroads.com" target="_blank">Backroads</a> offers bicycle trips through Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons mountain range, and plans to schedule fall foliage rides as areas and cities open for tourism.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009482862?profile=original" /><br /></a></p><p>Meanwhile, The fall foliage biking tours operated by <a href="http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com" target="_blank">Great Freedom Adventures</a> in Vermont and New York’s Hudson Valley include lodging, meals, bicycles and other features. Side excursions can range from mansion tours and wine tastings to kayaking and sunset sails.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009483260,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009483260,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009483260?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>Folks who prefer to take in fall foliage from the deck of a ship may wish to check out the Hudson River voyages of <a href="http://www.americancruiselines.com" target="_blank">American Cruise Lines</a>. The eight-day sailings, round-trip from New York City, pass the color-clad Catskill Mountains on one shoreline and the Taconic and Berkshire Hills on the other. Towns along the route date back to English and Dutch colonization, and passengers alight for guided tours of grand mansions and historic sites.</p><p></p><p>This provides an introduction to, but hardly a complete list of, some alternative ways to enjoy the seasonal change of color. At this time of uncertain travel arrangements, it’s best to check ahead to make sure your preferred mode will be available.<br /> <br /> Happy adventurous leaf peeping!</p><p></p></div>Favorite Fall Foliage Drives in New Englandhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/new-england-fall-foliage2014-09-22T18:30:00.000Z2014-09-22T18:30:00.000ZDavid Paul Appellhttps://tripatini.com/members/DavidPaulAppell16<div><p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/NewEngland_Fall.jpg/800px-NewEngland_Fall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/NewEngland_Fall.jpg/800px-NewEngland_Fall.jpg" class="align-center" alt="800px-NewEngland_Fall.jpg" /></a><br /> Oh yes, it's that time of year again - when a region already one of America's loveliest kicks it up a few Dix Notches and rolls out the flaming reds, yellows, and oranges. Whether it's Indian summer or crisply autumnal, there's nothing more delightful than a ramble through <strong>New England</strong>'s countryside in its glowing glory, the better to appreciate all the historic landmarks, inns, restaurants, eco attractions, and more. Here's my very personal list of the best mixes of leaves and other allures in each state: <br /> <br /> <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2468/3717348552_0e4fed4956_m.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2468/3717348552_0e4fed4956_m.jpg" class="align-right" alt="3717348552_0e4fed4956_m.jpg" /></a><strong>Connecticut</strong> You'll find the <strong><a href="http://www.mystic.org/browse/what-to-do/driving-tours/connecticut-river-loop" target="_blank">Connecticut River Loop</a></strong> in the lower half of the state roughly midway across, between New Haven and New London on the Atlantic coast to the south, and state capital Hartford to the north. If you're coming east from New York on I-95, you'd exit at <strong>Old Lyme</strong>, a charming town, with among other treasures the <strong><a href="http://florencegriswoldmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Griswold House</a></strong>, an 11-acre estate including a museum, gardens, and 1817 manse that became a famous artists' colony. Other lovely towns on the loop include <span><strong>Centerbrook</strong>, <strong>Deep River</strong>, <strong>Chester</strong>, <strong>Haddam</strong>, <strong>East Haddam</strong>, and <strong>Essex</strong>, all with their own charming shops and eateries, and the last also home to the <strong><a href="http://essexsteamtrain.com/" target="_blank">Essex Steam Train and Riverboat</a></strong>, which takes charming to another level. T</span>hen as long as you're in the area, you can pop over to Mystic, with its wonderful aquarium and historic seaport; the submarine museum in <strong>Groton</strong>; and check out <strong>New Haven</strong>, home to Yale University and its Peabody Museum of Natural History. <br /> <br /> <strong><br /> <a href="http://s3.freefoto.com/images/1214/20/1214_20_6_prev.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://s3.freefoto.com/images/1214/20/1214_20_6_prev.jpg?width=250" width="250" class="align-left" alt="1214_20_6_prev.jpg?width=250" /></a>Maine</strong> To me, truly classic Maine is all about the shore (I'm sorry Presque Isle and Rangeley and the rest of you guys - I love you, too, though!). Foliage in America's most northeasterly corner should come with bracing doses of sea air and nautical flair, provided by the <a href="http://www.visitmaine.com/things-to-do/sightseeing-and-tours/windjammers-and-water-views/" target="_blank">drive up the craggy coast</a>. A good place to start is <strong>Brunswick</strong>, 25 miles from Portland - home to Bowdoin College, and as quaint and as nautical as you could want. From there, worthy stops include <strong>Bath</strong>, <strong>Fort Popham</strong>, <strong>Boothbay Harbor</strong>, <strong>Damariscotta</strong>, <strong>Newcastle</strong>, <strong>Bristol</strong>, <strong>New Harbor</strong>, <strong>Waldoboro</strong>, <strong>Rockland</strong>, <strong>Camden</strong> (left), and <strong>Belfast</strong>. Honestly, with all the offerings and side trips of these towns and villages, you could be at it for weeks (not to mention if you wanted to add in one of the marvelous Windjammer sailing cruises off this coast through mid-October). <a href="http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage/index.shtml" target="_blank">More on Maine foliage.</a><br /> <br /> <strong>Massachusetts </strong>This is a tough one. The <strong>Berkshires</strong> out west provide the requisite majestic sweep for all that color, as well as some great history, culture, and other stuff, but on the other hand there are few drives more quintessentially olde Massachusettse as Route 6A through <strong>Cape Cod</strong>, winding through little towns and villages dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The 62 miles from the Sagamore Bridge up to <strong>Provincetown</strong> takes just an hour and a half or so of straight driving, but you can definitely spend the better part of a week soaking it all in along the way. There's <strong>Sandwich</strong>, with colonial-era building including the <span>Heritage Museums and Gardens of Sandwich, the <span>Thornton W. Burgess Museum, and the <span>Dexter Grist Mill, along with a marvelous Glass Museum. Other highlights include <b>Hyannis</b><span> (home of the </span><b><a href="http://www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org/">Cape Cod Maritime Museum</a>, </b><b><a href="http://www.jfkhyannismuseum.org/">John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum</a></b><span>,</span> <b>Brewster</b><span> (whose nearby </span><b><a href="http://www.ccmnh.org/">Natural History Museum</a></b><span> includes not just indoor exhibitions but 80 acres, of marshland, ponds, and woods full of wildlife, with trails and guided walks), and </span><b>Woods Hole</b><span> (home to one of America’s most distinguished oceanographic facilities, with a </span><b><a href="http://aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov/">Science Aquarium</a></b><span> open to the public). Then of course there's P'town, queen of the cape, with a livelier and larger vibe than the rest, plus its vibrant LGBT scene. <a href="http://www.massvacation.com/fall/" target="_blank">More on Massachusetts foliage</a>.</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/New_hampshire_in_autumn.jpg/320px-New_hampshire_in_autumn.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/New_hampshire_in_autumn.jpg/320px-New_hampshire_in_autumn.jpg?width=250" width="250" class="align-right" alt="320px-New_hampshire_in_autumn.jpg?width=250" /></a><strong>New Hampshire </strong>There are several classic foliage driving routes in the Granite State, but if I really had to choose one, I supposed it would be the one centered around craggy <strong>Mount Monadnock</strong> in the southwest of the state. There's about 80 miles' worth of loop along Routes 12, 101, 202, and 123, with quaint, historic towns along the way like something out of Currier and Ives, including <strong>Keene</strong>, <strong>Peterborough</strong>, <strong>Marlborough</strong>, <strong>Marlow</strong>, <strong>Troy</strong>, <strong>Jaffrey</strong>, <strong>Fitzwilliam</strong>, <strong>Gilsum</strong>, and <strong>West Rindge</strong>. Highlights include the Cathedral of the Pines; the <span>Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery, Horatio Colony House Museum, and Swanzey Historical Museum in Keene; Peterborough's Mariposa Museum for kids and Peterborough Historical Society; several marvelous nature reserves; and seven delightful covered bridges. </span><a href="http://www.visitnh.gov/4-seasons/fall-harvest/foliage/" target="_blank" style="font-size:13px;">More on New Hampshire foliage</a><span style="font-size:13px;">.</span></p>
<p><br /> <span><strong>Rhode Island </strong>You would think foliage route options in a state as wee as "Little Rhody" would be more limited than in neighbouring states, but turns out less so than you'd expect. Here I'm also going to cheat and mention two routes, because one is very short: the 10-mile <strong>Ocean Drive</strong> in fancy, manse-y <strong>Newport</strong> - which besides gorgeous ocean views and mansions also offers the options of stopping to visit vineyards, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and Fort Adams State Park. If you want to spend a longer time, it's a less than an hour's drive upstate for the 40-mile route through the <a href="http://www.tourblackstone.com/s/" target="_blank">Blackstone River Valley</a> north of <strong>Providence</strong>, with a plethora of historic colonial and 19th-century mill towns (one of which, Slater Mill, is a "living history" museum), with major towns including Woonsocket and Pawtucket. Then of course there's dynamic nearby Providence to enjoy before or afterward.</span> <a href="http://www.visitri.com/foliage.html" target="_blank" style="font-size:13px;">More on Rhode Island foliage</a><span style="font-size:13px;">.</span></p>
<p><br /> <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6890870295_ccc0076fc4_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6890870295_ccc0076fc4_n.jpg?width=250" width="250" class="align-left" alt="6890870295_ccc0076fc4_n.jpg?width=250" /></a><strong>Vermont </strong>The green mountains of the Green Mountain state go gloriously multihued everywhere you look, but nowhere more so than its southern half, where Route 9's "<a href="http://www.mollystarkbyway.org/" target="_blank">Molly Stark Byway</a>" gets my vote as fave driving route - just 48 miles but a superb mix of chromatically lusicous leafiness and engaging historic villages, towns, and small cities such as <strong>Bennington</strong>, <strong>Brattleboro</strong>, <strong>Marlboro</strong>, <strong>Wilmington</strong>, <strong>Woodford</strong>, and <strong>Searsburg</strong>. Brattleboro is one of the states larger, artsier, and crunchier communities, with Bennington not far behind, and all of the above boast various museums, monuments, and architecture that is New England to a T. <a href="http://www.vermontvacation.com/fall.aspx" target="_blank">More on Vermont foliage</a>. </p>
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<p><br /> <br /> <em>images: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NewEngland_Fall.jpg" target="_blank">pdbreen</a>, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jackvinson/3717348552/sizes/s/" target="_blank">JackVinson</a>, <a href="http://www.freefoto.com/preview/1214-20-6/Camden-Harbor--Maine--USA" target="_blank">freefoto.com</a>, <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_hampshire_in_autumn.jpg" target="_blank">Someone35</a>, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jcbwalsh/6890870295/sizes/n/" target="_blank">jcbwalsh</a></em></p>
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<p> </p></div>Pocono Mountains Fall Foliagehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/pocono-mountains-fall-foliage2011-10-09T21:30:00.000Z2011-10-09T21:30:00.000ZEd Wetschlerhttps://tripatini.com/members/EdWetschler<div><p>PECKS POND MEETS AUTUMN LEAVES</p>
<p>Yes, Pecks Pond. What ever happened to apostrophes? But it's too fine a day to agonize about that; besides, I was looking for fall colors, not grammar. So I took a walk around this pond -- a lake, really -- on Rte. 402 in Pike County, part of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. That's Pike, as in the general, not the fish. </p>
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<p>Rule #1 about fall foliage: It's often most colorful around lakes. In part that's because of the nice contrast between the blue of the lake and the leaves' warm gold, orange, and red hues. But there's another reason, too, which brings us to...</p>
<p>Rule #2 about fall foliage: Rainy years are better than dry years. And God knows, this was a rainy year in the Northeast.</p>
<p>There were three kayakers on the water, but I encountered no other walkers on the road around the lake except for my wife and Best Friend Benny, who came with me.</p>
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<p>Why we saw no other walkers is a mystery, given that this is a three-day weekend in the Northeast because of the Columbus Day observance. A three-day weekend, moreover, with spectacular weather. </p>
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<p>There's an inn at Pecks Pond, a rather brilliantly named inn, in fact. I know this area as well as anyone but I've never stayed at the inn. I am rather infatuated with the shark in its backyard, although the odds that this shark came out of these waters are not overwhelming.</p>
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<p>The shark is, if nothing else, a reminder to keep your eyes open in this neck of the woods. For example, the Pocono Mountains region has a colder climate than New York City, so it's intriguing to stumble upon the last of the season's <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296556101,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" width="360" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296556101,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9296556101?profile=original" /></a>wild asters and some bumble bees making hay while they still can.</p>
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<p>But in the end, foliage is the name of the game this time of the year. This part of the Pocono Mountains is full of oaks, so you see a lot of gold and orange. The real punctuation, though, the prize, the wow factor, comes from the maples. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008660089,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" width="245" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008660089,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008660089?profile=original" /></a>You may consider that Rule #3 about fall colors.</p>
<p>The Pocono Mountains foliage is not quite at peak yet; that will begin some time this week or next weekend, so if you're in the New York or Philadelphia metropolitan areas, you can still make it. For the record, know that it's easier to get to Pike County and the northern Pocono Mountains from New York City than from Philadelphia; figure two hours vs. three hours. Counter-intuitive, I know, but once upon a time, humans built roads, and around here, they built more of them going east-west than north-south.</p>
<p>Here's a regularly updated <a target="_blank" href="http://www.800poconos.com/visitors/fall-foliage-forecast/">foliage map for the region</a>. Rule #4: The peak colors are going to be way, way above average this year.</p>
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<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Photos by Ed Wetschler.</em></span> </p></div>Leaf Peeping from Above in North Carolinahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/leaf-peeping-from-above-in-nc2012-10-13T17:30:00.000Z2012-10-13T17:30:00.000ZLaurence Shameshttps://tripatini.com/members/LaurenceShames<div><p><span class="font-size-2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296571270,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296571270,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="480" alt="9296571270?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008732701,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008732701,original{{/staticFileLink}}" height="532" width="612" alt="9008732701?profile=original" /></a>For sheer pleasantness, there isn't much that beats looking up at October foliage in the forests of western North Carolina--unless maybe it's looking <em>down</em> at the autumn colors from strategic perches in the trees themselves. This was my privileged perspective on a recent outing with Navitat Canopy Adventures, located around twenty miles north of Asheville. <a href="http://www.navitat.com/" target="_blank">(http://www.navitat.com)</a> (1-855-628-4828)</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Top billing at Navitat goes to the zip-lines. And fine zips they are: ten in all, the longest stretching for more than a thousand feet. A couple of the zips are screamingly fast; one crosses over a ravine more than 200 feet deep; another, nicknamed the Zen Zip, features a near-level section that tunnels right through a webwork of branches and leaves and is about as leisurely and contemplative as a zip-line can possibly be. All fun. But, speaking as someone who is decidedly not an adrenaline junkie (not anymore at least) and feels some measure of discomfort on the fourth rung of a ladder, I regarded the zipping as primarily a great excuse to savor the <em>other</em> aspects of the Navitat experience.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">The first of these is simply the chance to spend several hours in some really gorgeous woods--over 200 acres of oaks, beeches, and hickory from which not a road or a single structure can be seen. The pleasure of being there was deepened by the expertise of our guides, Michael and Jen--fresh-faced, capable, good-humored and intrepid--who shared both knowledge and enthusiasm about the ecosystems that changed with every slight blip of altitude.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">We learned about medicinal herbs, Cherokee trade routes, foolproof techniques for droving turkeys to a distant market. (Walk backwards, drop one kernel at a time for the tom, and the hens will follow.) And we kept warm by doing a decent amount of exercise--a few short but bracing walks, including two across delicate hanging bridges; some climbing up very cleverly designed stairways to the zipping platforms (my favorite reminded me of that perfect treehouse I never had as a kid); even some easy rappelling back to terra firma. <br /></span></p><p><br /> <span class="font-size-2">At the end of the circuit, I was invigorated enough to do the whole thing over...but with the pleasures of Asheville less than half an hour away, it was time to start thinking about cocktails and dinner.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">(Navitat operates from April through November. Rates are $89 for adults and $79 for kids 10-17.) <br /></span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"><br /></span></p></div>Finding Fall along Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkwayhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/finding-fall-along-virginia-s-blue-ridge-parkway2013-09-02T19:11:49.000Z2013-09-02T19:11:49.000ZMary Ann DeSantishttps://tripatini.com/members/MaryAnnDeSantis<div><p>Soon t<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008648094,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008648094,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="9008648094?profile=original" /></a>he leaves will be starting to show tinges of red, orange, and yellow so now is the time to plan for a spectacular peak season drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic highway that connects the Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina.</p><p>Ride awhile, then stop awhile: the two-lane Parkway is designed for leisurely journeys.Turn on your favorite Bluegrass music, make sure your camera battery is fully charged, and come along with me to some of my favorite stops along the first 200 miles of one of America's most scenic drives. </p><p><b>Mile Post 2.8: Shenandoah Valley Overlook</b></p><p>The Shenandoah National Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a variety of events, so it's appropriate to begin your trip with a sweeping view across the Shenandoah Valley. From this overlook, you will see Signal Knob, a Civil War communications post on the right side of Massanutten Mountain. Get the tripod out and take some panoramic photos... or just take a deep breath and enjoy the relaxing sounds of nature. </p><p><b>Mile Post 61.6: Virginia's Natural Bridge </b></p><p>The size alone of the 20-story Natural Bridge is jaw-dropping, but the sense of history is awe-inspiring when you realize just who walked through the solid rock portal hundreds of years ago. Surveyed by George Washington and deeded to Thomas Jefferson by King George III two years before the Revolutionary War, the natural wonder was also spiritual place for Monacan Indians. Indeed it's still known as nature's cathedral, and if you are there as darkness falls be sure to catch the choreographed light show, "The Drama of Creation," which transforms the bridge into a natural theater. </p><p><b>Mile Post 115: Roanoke River Gorge & Explore Park</b></p><p>Even if you are afraid of heights, bite the bullet and pull over at the Roanoke River Overlook. It's hard to take a bad <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008649090,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008649090,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" alt="9008649090?profile=original" /></a>photo of the breathtaking scenery of the Roanoke River Gorge below. When you are ready for a break, take the nearby mile-long road off the Parkway into Virginia's Explore Park. The BRP Visitors Center has three galleries with exhibits, including a miniature model of the Parkway that shows just how long 75-year-old road is.The 1,100 acre park contains a living history museum, a 17th century Indian village, and an 18th century frontier fort. </p><p><b>Mile Post 120: Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain</b></p><p>This stop is a sentimental favorite because my late father pointed out the Roanoke Star whenever we'd travel through Virginia. Back then, it was about the destination and not the journey, so we never stopped long enough for me to get a close-up look at the immense star that can be seen from 60 miles away. The 100-ft. tall structure was built in 1949 to attract people to Roanoke Valley for holiday shopping but has since become an iconic symbol of Roanoke. By now, you are probably ready to stretch your legs. Walk along Mill Mountain's beautiful Star Trail or the Greenway Trail. Both<br /> the Mill Mountain Zoo and the Discovery Center offer a nice break for any kids along for the ride.</p><p><b>Mile Post 121: Peanut Soup and Spoonbread</b></p><p>After all that walking on Mill Mountain, you need to eat. Don't leave Roanoke Valley without sampling Peanut Soup and Spoonbread at the historic Hotel Roanoke, built in 1882. The combination has been the hotel's signature dish since 1940. Before heading back to the Blue Ridge Parkway, be sure to take a look around the National Historic Landmark's many murals and paintings as well as the Pine Room Pub, which was an Officers' Club during WWII. </p><p><b>Mile Post 165.2: Floyd Country Music Store</b></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008649485,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008649485,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="9008649485?profile=original" /></a>Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, also known as The Crooked Road, weaves in and around the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Appalachian and Bluegrass music is definitely woven into the roots of this region. The Floyd Country Music Store, six<br /> miles off the BRP at Highway 221, is a fun place to join the locals as well as world-travelers for the famous Friday Night Jamborees. Even if you can't make it on a Friday night, still plan to stop for hand-dipped ice cream and all things music-related. The store recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and is a perfect place to shop for unique, local merchandise. </p><p><b>Mile Post 176: Mabry Mill</b></p><p>Most likely you've seen photos of Mabry Mill, one of the Parkway's most photographed locations. The grist mill operated from 1910 to 1935 and was a landmark for locals who needed a load of corn ground into meal or horses shod. Folks said owner Ed Mabry was a "man who could do anything." Today, his spirit is honored with milling and wood-carving demonstrations, blacksmithing, and other mountain skills. And the restaurant serves a Virginia breakfast of country ham, buckwheat cakes, and blackberry preserves. </p><p> </p><p><b>DRIVING THE BLUE RIDGE:</b></p><p>Speed Limit: 45 miles-per-hour</p><p>Gas Availability: None on the Parkway itself. Exit at the US or State Highway intersections </p><p>Number of Overlooks: 275</p><p>Elevations: 650 feet at Virginia's James River to 6,000 feet in North Carolina's Pisgah Range</p><p>Road Condition Information: 828.298.0398</p><p>Info: blueridgeparkway.org</p><p><br /></p><p> </p></div>5 Ways to View Fall Colors in Ontario, Canadahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/5-ways-to-view-fall-colors-in2010-09-18T14:30:00.000Z2010-09-18T14:30:00.000ZJudy Hammondhttps://tripatini.com/members/JudyHammond<div>5 ways to see fall colors in Ontario, Canada<br /><br />Ontario Parks 2010 fall color report is now LIVE <a href="http://www.parkreports.com/fall/">http://www.parkreports.com/fall/</a>. The report has a map that shows where colors are reaching their peak across the province. The darkest reds indicate the best fall colors. Check in often. The report is updated as conditions change. Rick Stronks, chief naturalist at Algonquin Park says, "Trees need a balance of sun and moisture then clear September days, cool September nights and frost at the right time. In Algonquin Park, the trees are not stressed at this point so, this year's colors look promising."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are five unique ways to view the fall colors in Ontario Parks:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Cycle a park trail.</span><br /><br />Algonquin Park was one of the earliest parks in Ontario's provincial park system to have designated mountain bike trails. The steep Minnesing Trail packs plenty of rock, roots and obstacles into four loops ranging from four to twenty-three kilometres. Byers Lake is another Algonquin trail that mountain bikers like. Thirteen kilometres round trip, the trail is moderately difficult and can be accessed from the Kingscote Access Point. A short side trip to Gut Rapids, a scenic canyon on the York River, is worth the time. The park's Old Railway Bike Trail follows ten kilometres of abandoned railway bed and is perfect for families. Algonquin Park is one of twelve provincial parks that offer bike and helmet rentals. Over thirty parks have off-road cycling. To search for both, see <a href="http://www.parkreports.com/locator/search.php">http://www.parkreports.com/locator/search.php</a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Climb to the highest point of land.</span><br /><br />In Ontario, that would be Ishpatina Ridge in Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park, 90 kilometres north of Sudbury. It rises 693 metres or 2,274 feet above sea level. It is possible to access the ridge by foot, but the timeliest way is to canoe to Scarecrow Lake and then climb the clearly marked trail to the top. The rock dome rises roughly 300 metres above the surrounding terrain and has a magnificent view. Ishpatina Ridge is one of many lookouts found in Ontario Parks. For a list of others, see "Fall colorr vantage points in Ontario Parks" at <a href="http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=1097#more-1097">http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=1097#more-1097</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Take a photo workshop.</span><br style="font-weight:bold;" /><br />Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is hosting a "Giant Landscapes" photography workshop this weekend, September 17-19. The park is one hour east of Thunder Bay. It has the greatest trail network of any Ontario provincial park and stunning Lake Superior views. Park cabins can be booked in the fall or you can camp. <a href="http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=1140">http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=1140</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Paddle a lake or river.</span><br /><br />Silent Lake Provincial Park is one of many Ontario Parks that have canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals. Tent rentals are also available. No motorboats are allowed on Silent Lake, which makes it a safer bet for less experienced paddlers. The park is near Bancroft, Ontario, half way between Ottawa and Toronto. It has a wonderful beach, well-spaced campsites and yurt accommodation. <a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/sile.html">http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/sile.html</a><br /><br />and<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. Take an Ontario Parks circle tour.</span><br /><br />Circle tours are popular in fall. An Ontario Parks permit lets you to stay in one park and take day trips to others in the same region. Day permits allow the same. Driving distances between provincial parks along Lake Huron and Lake Erie make circle tours in these regions easy to plan. Lake Huron has five parks along 178 kilometres of shoreline. Nine parks are found on Erie's north shore. <a href="http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=1109">http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=1109</a><br /><br />Campsite reservation information, individual park details and more at <a href="http://ontarioparks.com/%20%C2%A0">http://ontarioparks.com/</a> ;</div>The Best Foliage Town in New England? Yankee Magazine Picks Kent, Connecticuthttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/the-best-foliage-town-in-new2010-09-17T19:30:00.000Z2010-09-17T19:30:00.000ZJanet Serrahttps://tripatini.com/members/JanetSerra<div><p style="text-align:left;"><img width="721" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008554884,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Kent, Connecticut has many claims to fame—two state parks, a 250-foot waterfall, rural beauty combined with sophisticated shops, galleries and museums. But this fall there is new reason to boast. Yankee Magazine has named this charming<br /> village in the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut the peak spot for leaf-peeping in all of New England.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>In one day in Kent, says Yankee, you can drive through rolling hills beside a twisting river, stop for thick hot chocolate and an authentic Belgian pastry, hike the Appalachian trail, picnic with a panini by a waterfall, shop for Buddhas or modern art and bite into a crisp native Cortland apple, perhaps in the shade of a historic <span style="font-family:Times;">covered bridge.</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family:Times;"><br />This praise is no surprise to those who know Kent and its unique blend of attractions. A newly published free color brochure with map will help newcomers find their way around.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Foliage watchers who like their leaves close-up on a hiking trail should head for Macedonia Brook State Park, where 2300 acres offer extensive leafy trails. For views, the Blue Trail is hard to beat with its fantastic vistas of the Catskill and Taconic mountains.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>In Kent Falls State Park you can admire the falls from the bottom or hike a quarter-mile up the hill and feel the mist on your face as the water cascades down 250 feet on its way to <span style="font-family:Times;">join the Housatonic River.</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>The Appalachian Trail runs through this area, and hikers who want scenery without stress will enjoy the Housatonic "river walk," a peaceful stretch beside the river that is <span style="font-family:Times;">the longest essentially flat section along the entire trail.</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">For more worldly diversions, take a walk along Route 7, Kent’s Main Street, lined for miles with irresistible stops. Five antiques<br /> shops beckon, including Pauline’s Place, known for its antique jewelry. Among the many shops and galleries,<br /> Heron American Craft Gallery shows the best work of American craftsmen, Foreign Cargo offers unusual clothing, jewelry and art from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands and the Kent Art Association is just one of five fine art galleries in town.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Take out the camera for Bulls’ Bridge, one of three remaining covered bridges in Connecticut dating from the 19th century. George Washington crossed the Housatonic River near the site of the present bridge in <span style="font-family:Times;">1781.</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Just north of town is the Sloane-Stanley Museum. Eric Sloane (1905-1985) was a prolific artist, author and illustrator and an avid collector of Americana. The museum includes the artist’s studio, examples of his art and his extensive collection of early American handmade tools, beautiful objects of wood that are virtual works of art. On the property are the remains of the Kent Iron Furnace and a diorama explaining the once-booming local iron industry. Next-door is the Connecticut Antique<br /> Machinery Association Museum, a unique display of steam and gas tractors, a working narrow gauge railroad, an industrial hall with working steam engines and mining exhibit building.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">When hunger pangs strike in Kent, the Panini Café is the place for a tasty picnic sandwich, and for a treat Belgique Patisserie and Chocolatier, a Belgian-owned shop in a Victorian Carriage house, features exquisite European desserts, handmade ice cream and sorbets and rich Belgian chocolate made on site. Belgique vies with the Kent coffee and Chocolate Company for the title of “best hot chocolate in Connecticut.” For dinner, the Fife & Drum is a long time favorite for continental dinners with nightly music, Bull’s Bridge Inn has a choice of fine dining or pub fare, and Doc’s Trattoria<br /> serves excellent Italian fare and has a pleasant patio for fine fall days.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">For a copy of the new free guide and map of Kent and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging and dining and other regional attractions in all of the Litchfield Hills contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, <a href="http://www.litchfieldhills.com">www.litchfieldhills.com</a>.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p></div>Amazing Mazes Beckon Autumn Visitors to Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills and Fairfield Countyhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/amazing-mazes-beckon-autumn2010-09-24T21:00:00.000Z2010-09-24T21:00:00.000ZJanet Serrahttps://tripatini.com/members/JanetSerra<div><p style="text-align:left;"><img width="721" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008554861,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="" /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">The mazes are amazing. Imagine acres of tall corn cut into twisting paths in whimsical shapes from crossword puzzles to bumblebees. Finding your way amidst these mazes of maize is a fun-filled adventure for all ages at four beautiful family farms in western Connecticut. Located in Litchfield and Fairfield Counties, the farms also offer hayrides, animals for petting, and apples and pumpkins ripe for picking to make for a perfect fall weekend outing.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Ellsworth Hill Farm in Sharon may take the prize for originality this season with a crossword puzzle<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">maze covering four acres. Pick-your-own apples is another favorite activity at this berry farm and<br /> orchard. On hayrides at Ellsworth Hill “Farmer Mike” shows off the glowing foliage-covered hills of northwestern Connecticut and tells about the fruit varieties he grows on the farm.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">One of the most elaborate maze designs is the bumblebee at Plaskos Farm in Trumbull. Plaskos is known for the imaginative designs cut each year through four acres of ten-foot-high corn. Crazy Cows, Spider Webs, and Lady Liberty are among the past creations. The twisty mazes provide some 15 miles of trails, but frequent escape hatches mean everyone can choose their own<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">distance. Once again, hayrides are a scenic way to the fields.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Littlest guests will find a new treat this year at March Farm in Bethlehem, where a new Sunflower Maze designed for children is ready for action along with the traditional five-acre<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">corn maze. This year’s main maze theme is designed to teach the value of composting. Along with the chance to pick your own apples, treats at this family-friendly farm include hayrides, and an animal farm where pygmy goats, lambs and llamas can be visited. An expanded Hayloft Playscape invites youngsters to enjoy a mini-hay loft, school and farmhouse, slides, a climbing wall and a tractor-themed sand play area.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Families also enjoy the six-acre corn maze in a unique triangle shape and the four-acre pumpkin patch <span style="font-family:Times;">awaiting visitors to Castle Hill Farm in Newtown. As an added treat, hayrides at Castle Hill bring visitors through a stream to the corn and pumpkin fields. Farm animals for petting and<br /> pony rides provide more treats for youngsters.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">All of the mazes are open weekends through October, some into November. For exact hours and admission fees, check with each farm listed below or contact the Western Connecticut<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, <a href="http://www.visitwesternct.com/">www.visitwesternct.com</a>.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Information:</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Castle Hill Farm 40 Sugar Lane, Newtown, 203-426-5487, <a href="http://www.castlehillfarm.biz">www.castlehillfarm.biz</a></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Ellsworth Hill Farm, 461 Cornwall Bridge Road (Route 4), Sharon, <a href="http://www.ellsworthfarm.com">www.ellsworthfarm.com</a></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">March Farm, 160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem, 203-266-7721, <a href="http://www.marchfarms.com">www.marchfarms.com</a></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Plaskos Farm, 670 Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull, 203-268-2716, <a href="http://www.plaskosfarm.com">www.plaskosfarm.com</a></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><br /></div>