maine white water rafting: March 2010

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Save Gas This Summer - "Staycation" in Boston!

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Gas has gotten more and more expensive over this past year. I'm sure that we can all remember, even 6 months ago, our horror at the possibility of a gallon of gas hitting $4.00. As prices stand today, the average is currently $4.00 here on the East Coast and there is no end in sight. For those of us who love taking summer vacations with our friends, family, and loved ones, this is a depressing thought. It's impacting not only the price of filling up our own personal gas tanks, but also the price of airfare, cruises, and all other forms of transportation to get us out of town on our vacations.

However, there is no need to worry! Here in Boston, we live in a world-class city, and in all of our travels around the country and world, we have really taken that fact for granted. Mayor Menino himself feels our pain and has created a campaign called "Visit the Pin" and he has chosen 10 attractions around the city at which to place giant, 12-foot, red "push pins". The pins have been created to grab our attention and alert us to all the wonderful attractions that Boston has to offer. However, while the places he has chosen are pretty great, they are also very touristy and if you have lived here for a while, you have probably already been to them - maybe even several times.

I have created a list of some of the great, under appreciated spots in Boston that you should visit for the first time, or visit again! I've organized them into 10 can't-miss "day" trips. This list is chock-full of ideas. You may find that each "day" trip contains more than you would be able to accomplish in one day, so you might have to choose the attraction(s) that appeal most to you. Be sure to visit the websites for each of the suggestions for more information. I have tried to choose cost-effective suggestions so that your week off won't break the bank. All you need is your T pass (and not an ounce of gasoline) for a wonderful "Staycation" week in Boston!

1. Day Trip #1: Fine Arts and Culture

If you live here, you have probably spent time at the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall at some point, but there are MANY other ways to explore arts and culture in Boston. Stop by two or three of these lesser known spots for a very enriching day! I would suggest an art museum or two in the morning and afternoon and a performance in the evening. You could even head over to the waterfront to have lunch at the Channel Cafe (food and drink/art gallery). Be sure to click below and visit the various websites ahead of time for hours, special show and exhibit info.

* Take in some art at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

* Visit the new Institute of Contemporary Art now on the waterfront

* Get tickets to a show at or take a tour of the newly restored Boston Opera House

* See a show at Emerson College's Cutler Majestic Theater...

* ... or at Harvard's American Repertory Theater

* ... or at Boston University's Huntington Theater

* ... or at the exciting Boston Center for the Arts

* Watch some Shakespeare on the Common presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

* Catch some amazing music at the Berkelee Berformance Center

* Support music of the 20th century through the Boston Modern Orchestra Project

2. Day Trip #2: Sports Appreciation

It seems that Boston is the center of the sports universe at the moment - the Red Sox moved into the All-Star break in first place after winning two World Championships in the past 4 years. The Patriots had an undefeated regular season this year after winning the Super Bowl in '01, '03, and '04. This year, the Celtics won the NBA Finals in dramatic fashion. Even the Bruins and the Revolution made great showings in the playoffs. When thinking about what to see in Boston, sports appreciation is at the top of the list! While watching a major sports game might be out of your price range, there are countless ways to appreciate sports in this city. Check out a few of these options:

* Take a tour of historic Fenway Park and check out the famous Citgo Sign

* Run the Boston Marathon (or at least up Heartbreak Hill!)

* Visit the Sports Museum (in the TD Banknorth Garden)

* Attend a game at BC, BU or Northeastern (some are easier to get tickets to than others!)

* Visit the site at Northeastern that was once Huntington Avenue Grounds (original Red Sox home)

* Stop by the historic Boston Braves Field (Now BU's Nickerson Field)

* Catch a horse race at Suffolk Downs

* Visit Harvard Stadium

* Watch a Boston Lobsters Tennis Match

* Visit the Science Museum's current Exhibit: "Baseball as America"

I would suggest lunch/dinner at the Sports Depot, Game On, The Fours, or Boston Beer Works for the full Boston sports experience!

3. Day Trip #3: City of Learning

Above all else, when people think about Boston, they think of the rich academic culture that our city embodies. Boston has more colleges per square mile than any other city in the world. Naturally, we are a city that is overflowing with learning opportunities. Why not spend some time appreciating those opportunities? Here are some wonderful ways you can spend the day learning in Boston. Break for lunch at Novel, the Boston Public Library restaurant!

* Visit the historic and beautiful Boston Public Library

* Stop by the Boston Anthenaeum

* Take a free walking tour of Harvard University or MIT

* Spend an afternoon in one of many used book stores in Boston or Cambridge

* Take a class at the Boston Center for Adult Education

* Learn about how beer is made! Take a tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery

* Visit the Mary Baker Eddy Library and it's famous Mappariam

After your intense day of learning, you'll need to kick back - stop by the Thirsty Scholar Pub for some dinner and a drink and give your brain a break!

4. Day Trip #4: History

It can easily be argued that there is really no city in the United States that is more historically significant than Boston. The city wears this identity well while still looking toward the future, mixing centuries-old beautiful buildings with modern towering skyscrapers. If you work downtown, unless you walk slowly and read the signs you pass each day (and who does that around here?) you may not realize the significance of the buildings around you. I'm sure that if you grew up around here, you have walked the Freedom Trail once or twice, but there may be more obscure historical landmarks that you have never even noticed! Take a day to walk around a little more slowly, visit some of these interesting landmarks, and look up once in a while! While you are at it, stop by Boston's oldest restaurant, the Union Oyster House, for dinner.

* Learn about the lives of a well-to-do family in historic Boston at the Gibson House Museum

* Visit the headquarters of Historic New England at the Otis House Museum

* Pay your respects to our forefathers and foremothers at Granary Burying Ground and King's Chapel Burying Ground

* Visit the Museum of African American History and take the Black Heritage Trail

* Talk a walk along the Boston Women's Heritage Trail

* Tour the historically and architecturally significant Trinity Church

5. Day Trip #5: Island Hopping

If you are anything like me, you have never taken full advantage of the fact that we have an amazing National Park right off the coast of Boston. The park is comprised of 34 small islands (11 of which are open to the public) just minutes away by boat. The islands vary as far as what you can do on each of them, so use this list as a guide to get you started. The National Park Service recommends picking no more than two islands to visit in one day, so take a look and choose one or two that look interesting to you. Concession stands are available at Georges and Spectacle Islands, but why not bring a picnic lunch for your visit to the islands! It's a perfect excuse for a picnic!

* Camp overnight on Grape, Bumpkin or Lovells Island - Permits are required

* Visit Lovells Island for the day for trails that pass by dunes and woods, picnic areas, an unsupervised swimming beach, and the remains of Fort Standish

* Visit and explore Deer Island and learn about its fascinating history

* Visit popular Georges Island, the transportation hub for the system of islands, its open fields, paved walkways and gravel beach - be sure to tour historic Fort Warren while you are there

* Check out Little Brewster, home of Boston Light, the country's oldest continuously running light house

* Experience a wide range of natural beauty and check out historic Fort Andrews at Peddocks Island

* Visit Spectacle Island, which features a marina, visitor center, cafe, a life-guarded swimming beach, and five miles of walking trails that lead to the crest of a 157 foot-high hill, offering panoramic views of the harbor and the city

* Take a tour and enjoy nature at Thompson Island, which is a particularly good choice if you have a large group (like a company or school)

* Picnic, fish and enjoy walking trails at Webb Memorial State Park

* Enjoy Hingham Bay, rocky beaches, ledges, cliffs, patches of salt marsh and an area of freshwater marsh at Worlds End Reservation

6. Day Trip #6: Beach Bum

If the only great vacation you can imagine is one in which you are lying on a beach for at least a day, there are many great options for you around here! You might assume that you have to drive down to the Cape or up to the North Shore for great beach experiences, and if so, you will be pleasantly surprised by the following recommendations. There are several great options easily reachable in or very near the city by subway or bus. A day at the beach requires beach food, in my opinion, and so I suggest a stop at Sullivan's at Castle Island or Kelly's Roast Beef in Revere. I've also suggested a few options that are outside the city, but easily accessible from the commuter rail, if you really want to get out of the city for the day.

* Take the Blue Line to America's First Public Beach, Revere Beach

* Throw on your swim suit and take advantage of The Boston Harborwalk

* Take the Red Line to JFK and visit Carson Beach, L & M Street Beaches, Pleasure Bay and Castle Island, which are all connected

* Take the Commuter Rail north to Ipswich Station, then board the Ipswich-Essex Explorer Shuttle to Crane Beach

* Take the Commuter Rail north to Manchester-by-the-Sea and walk a short way to Singing Beach

* Take the Amtrak Downeaster to Old Orchard Beach in Maine

7. Day Trip #7: Appreciation of Unusual Things

If you are someone who enjoys exploring the unique and unusual aspects of a vacation destination, you have plenty of options to appreciate the quirky - right here in Boston! As you are exploring a few of the following unusual spots in Boston, a couple of well loved, but certainly unique, Boston restaurants worth your time during this day would be Fire & Ice Improvisational Grill for a fun, interactive experience and the Beehive, for some great food, atmosphere and live jazz.

* Visit America's oldest car collection at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum

* Learn history from a unusual perspective on New England Ghost Tour!

* Experience Boston's most interactive entertainment at Tomb by 5Witz

* Appreciate some art that's too bad to be ignored! Visit the Museum of Bad Art

* Explore invention, ideas and innovation (including holograms!) at the MIT Museum

* Visit the Harvard Bridge and count how many Smoots long it is!

* Take a Duck Tour (come on... you know you want to!)

* Visit the spots where your favorite movies were filmed on one of the Boston Movie Tours

* Discover the secrets of Boston through an Urban Interactive sight-seeing adventure

* Find out what is so special about the Scarlett O'Hara House

8. Day Trip #8: Nature

If you are stuck in Boston, but prefer a more serene, natural vacation, there are many options for you, even within the city limits! There are many opportunities in the city that will allow you to spend time appreciating the nature around you. I recommend exploring some of the following recommendations. If you want a fully natural day, take a break and visit Grezzo Restaurant for lunch, Boston's 100% organic, raw food restaurant.

* Take a ride on the Swan Boats while visiting the Boston Public Garden

* Hang out with the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo in the heart of Franklin Park

* Visit Arnold Arboretum, the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants

* Spend some time at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (especially great if your "nature" themed day turns out to be a rainy one!)

* Go for a peaceful and quiet run in the Fens nature trails

* Visit the Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

* Find a Boston area State Park near you for everything from hiking to mountain biking

* See "Day Trip #5" (Above) for info about the Boston Harbor Islands - spend a while at one!

9. Day Trip #9: On the Water

We are so lucky to be living right on the water here in Boston. As I mentioned above, this opens up many possibilities as far as enjoying wonderful beach days, as well as visiting the Boston Harbor Islands right off the coast. However, a huge benefit to having so much water nearby is the opportunity to get out on it for the day. Whether you are an accomplished sailor or have never stepped food in a boat, there are options here for you. Read through this list and choose an adventure or two just for you! During the day or evening, if you are hungry, stop by Tia's On the Waterfront for a bite, a drink and a chance to enjoy the view of the water!

* Contact Community Boating, Inc. to find out how you can learn to sail - Use your vacation day to get started on the Charles River

* For a relatively inexpensive chance to spend time in a boat on the water, take an Inner Harbor Ferry or Commuter Boat or the Rowes Wharf Water Taxi

* Take a sunset or sightseeing cruise through the Charles Riverboat Company

* Take a Boston Light Tour and experience first-hand the oldest lighthouse site in the U.S.

* Join in on a sail aboard the 125' Schooner Liberty Clipper

* If you can't bear to actually get out on the water, you can enjoy WBZ's Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell - enjoy the breeze of the Charles from safely ashore, and watch a movie under the stars!

10. Day Trip #10: Festivals

Summer in Boston always reminds me of all the neighborhood parties and celebrations in the city. Every weekend throughout the summer, there is at least one festival somewhere in the city that is an excuse to enjoy Boston and its cultural diversity. A day at any of these festivals would be worth building into your "staycation" week schedule. I don't need to recommend a restaurant for you, since the mark of a great festival is the amazing food it serves. Enjoy!

* Choose a weekend this summer and stop by the North End for the North End Festivals of Saints

* Stop by Government Center on August 2 from 4:00-8:00 for the Peace Hip Hop Festival

* Spend August 17 in Chinatown for the August Moon Festival

* Head to Dorchester on August 23rd for the Caribbean Carnival Parade & Festival

* Show off and add to your ink from September 12-14 at the Boston Tatoo Convention

* Settle in from September 12-18 for the Boston Film Festival

I hope that you enjoy all my suggestions and that they inspire you to rediscover our great city in these times of high gas prices! These are also great suggestions for you if you are visiting Boston from out of town. If you are stuck in another city, and these suggestions sound fun to you, look for similar ideas near your home. I bet you will be surprised by what you will find!

Please respond and let me know what you love to do when you are spending time in Boston - I am very interested to hear!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Maine Adventure Travel

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Maine is a surprisingly exotic vacation destination. It provides the tourist with more than just a refreshing and honest exchange for his money. Each season has distinct sports that are played as a part of the seasonal attractions and witnesses the active participation of both, the visitors and the local populace, in full gusto. These sports offer the visitors the unique opportunity to bond with the locals. This makes the holiday unforgettable and different.

There is a variety of wildlife in the forests and hiking and spotting the varied fauna is a wildlife enthusiast's dream come true. Maine also boasts of a Wildlife park in Gray, which is home to more than 25 species of wild animals, native to that region. There are moose, black bear and mountain lions that spot the woods and forests.

The main tourist attraction in spring is the annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. It is ideal for the adventure sport lovers. It takes canoeists and kayakers, from the small town of Kenduskeag to Bangor. It is reputed to be the most exciting paddling competition in this area.

Outdoor adventurers find spring- time the best, with the annual race. This sport takes canoeists and kayakers from the tiny town of Kenduskeag Village, through Kenduskeag and into Glenburn, before finishing in Bangor. It has the reputation of being one of New England's most exciting paddling competitions. Maine also caters to the swimming enthusiasts and those who adore snorkeling and scuba diving. All the water sports can be pursued at leisure in Maine, along its unending, winding coastline.

Winter sports are well-loved events. There are major ski competitions held in the snow-laden mountains of Maine. All the four major disciplines that include slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill are actively participated in by the local populace and the tourists.

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Whitewater Rafting Trips

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There is a wide array of whitewater rafting trips to choose from. Some of the attractive tourist destinations are the Merced, Tolumne and American rivers in Central California, the Ocoee in Tennessee Valley, the New and Gauley rivers in West Virginia, the Kennebec and Dead in Maine, San Juan, Yampa and Green in Utah, the Snake and Salmon Rivers in Idaho and the Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon.

The peak season begins in April and continues until the end of October. A half day trip in California could cost around $100 and a 2-day trip is likely to cost around $300. An 8- to 13-day trip to the Grand Canyon could cost anywhere from $2000 $3000 respectively. Some places have different rates for weekdays and weekends, with the prices for weekends being higher. Some even offer packages based on your expertise and familiarity with the sport.

Each rafting group has its own pricing policy and duration for a trip, so interested vacationers should research the organization's web sites for specific details. Most places offer discounts when reservations are made for large groups. It is advisable to watch for special packages and make reservations well in advance. Most destinations provide arrangements for other recreational activities like hiking, biking, fishing and even golf. They aim to provide an environment of wholesome entertainment.

It is advisable to travel light for these trips. Extra T-shirts are a good idea in case of emergency and a wet suit might definitely come in handy. It is also a good idea to carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

Whitewater Rafting Trips

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Maine Adventure Travel

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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Whitewater Rafting in Maine

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Whitewater rafting is a great activity for the whole family to enjoy. You can even share this experience with your close friends. Rafting is most commonly done on whitewater rivers and other types of rough bodies of water so that you, your family, and your friends get to feel all of the thrill and excitement that you expect. Doing this sport became considered a recreational activity in the mid 1970s. Since then, it has become more common for people to take part in this sport, and it has changed much since then.

In Maine, whitewater rafting is considered an experience that will stick with you for a very long time. This adventure, however, used to mean that you had to camp out in the wide outdoors. This made it a great experience, because there is nothing like sitting with the people you care about the most around a campfire, talking through all hours of the night. However, not everyone was interested in that particular part of the adventure. So now, in this day, you are given the choice to camp out or stay in a lodge, private home, or cabin. Although it may not seem like you are getting the whole benefit of the experience to some people, others beg to differ and will agree that the adventure is just as much fun without the camping.

Even though there are things that have changed, there is still one thing that will always remain unchanged, no matter how you decide to slice it. The thrill and excitement will always be as extreme as when it was in the 1970s when people first started rafting as a leisure sport. Your day will begin when you leave from the shuttle that takes you to the beginning of the river. Your guide will go over all of the basics of your day, and they will review anything that you will need to know about whitewater rafting, the language and commands, and of course, the safety. Then you will get into the raft where you will begin the adventure of your life. At times you will get to drift along the river while you enjoy all of the serene nature and wildlife of your surroundings. You may even be able to see a bald eagle flying above in the sky. Then all of sudden, you will come upon the rough waters of the river, and you will find yourself paddling through the rapids. You are guaranteed that you will not be thinking of any of the things that are your long to-do list at home anymore. Everyone deserves this once in a lifetime experience of the serene and peaceful moments of the river and the heart pounding excitement of the crashing rapids.

There are many whitewater outfitters in Maine that offer trips on three of the main rivers. These are the Kennebec, Penobscot, and Dead Rivers. In the Northeast, Maine is the only location that you will find that, even during the driest parts of the season, will guarantee good water levels in the rivers. This is all thanks to the daily hydropower dams. The beginning of rafting season is on May 1st and keeps going through until the middle of October. So if you are thinking of taking a trip to go whitewater rafting, do not think about it any longer. Make your trip arrangements now, and don't miss out on this once in a lifetime thrilling experience.

A Tourist Guide to Western North Carolina

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1. Asheville

Western North Carolina is topographically the most diverse part of the state and therefore offers one of the richest travel experiences. Asheville, some 125 miles from Charlotte, is the area's gateway.

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers, it had been settled in 1794 by John Barton, who had originally named it "Morristown" after Robert Morris, a financier of the American Revolution, but it had been later changed to honor Governor Samuel Ashe. With the 1880 arrival of the Western North Carolina Railroad, it had developed as a livestock and tobacco market, and is today the economic and recreational center for western North Carolina and a tourism base for the area's Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee Indian culture.

Second only to Miami in art deco architecture, Asheville offers several interesting sights.

The Basilica of St. Lawrence, for example-jointly developed by Spanish architect Rafael Gustavia and Richard Sharp Smith-is a Spanish Renaissance design in brick and tile with a self-supporting dome and Catalan-style vaulting. It had been completed in 1908.

The early life of Thomas Wolfe, Asheville's famous novelist, can be gleaned from a tour of the 29-room Queen Anne-style house in which he had grown up. It is now a designated state historic site.

Nucleus of the arts, Asheville is the cultivation point of painters, sculptures, and potters, who perfect their crafts in the Riverside Arts District.

Asheville's-and all of North Carolina's-most famous and most visited sight, however, is Biltmore Estate. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt and landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted (of New York's Central Park fame), the 255-room, French Renaissance chateau, having required a five-year construction period during the height of the Gilded Age and some 1,000 workers, had been the result of George Washington Vanderbilt's trips to the area in the early-1880s and his decision to have a summer residence, reminiscent of the chateaux's lining France's Loire Valley, built there. It is today the US's largest private residence and is still partly used for that purpose by Vanderbilt descendants.

The Vanderbilts, one of the country's wealthiest and most prominent families headed by Cornelius Vanderbilt, had amassed their wealth through railroads, corporations, and philanthropic activities. Passing the torch to the second generation, headed by William Henry Vanderbilt, he had been able to perpetuate his success, while William Henry himself had fathered the third generation, having four sons. George Washington Vanderbilt, one of them, had been the least active in developing the family's business.

Opening Biltmore House on Christmas Eve in 1895, he had engaged in scientific farming, stock breeding, and forestry, and brought his bride, Edith Stuyvessant Dresser, there, three years later. His only daughter, Cornelia, had been born in the house in 1900, and thirty years later, it had been opened to the public.

The massive house, accessible by both escorted and unescorted tours, offers a glimpse into this century-old, opulent lifestyle. The entrance hall, portal to this era, had been the same access point used by the Vanderbilts and their guests and leads round the glass-roofed winter garden. Perhaps the most grandiose room on the ground floor is the banquet hall. Stretching seven stories to the wooden ceiling, it features huge tables, three massive fireplaces, Flemish tapestries from the 1500s, and a 1916 Skinner pipe organ mounted on its own loft. It had been the location of the estate's parties, galas, and affairs.

The private sitting and bedrooms of George and Edith Vanderbilt are located on the second floor, although, of particular note, is the Louis XV bedroom, location of Cornelia's birth and the subsequent birth of her own two sons.

Most of the servants' bedrooms are located on the fourth floor.

The house's basement, location of additional servant bedrooms, features several kitchens and pantries and the recreational facilities, inclusive of a gymnasium, a 70,000-gallon indoor swimming pool, and one of the country's first private residence bowling alleys.

Sitting on 8,000 acres of land, Biltmore Estate features several other facilities of interest.

Fronted by a grass esplanade inspired by the gardens of the 17th-century Chateau de Vaux-le-Viconte in Melun, France, it features Italian, shrub, walled, spring, and azalea gardens, and a full conservatory.

Self-guided tours of the Biltmore Winery can be made, followed by a visit to the extensive wine and delicacy gift shop, while the nearby River Bend Farm, once the center of the estate's farming community, is comprised of a barn, a farmyard, and the Kitchen Garden, where its "field-to-table" program items are grown, before being used in the dishes served in all of its restaurants. Aside from this produce and its wines, the dairy division of Biltmore produces its own ice cream.

Adjacent to the Biltmore Estate entrance is historic Biltmore Village. Also co-designed by building architect Richard M. Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, and constructed between 1897 and 1905, it had been intended as a picturesque residential prelude to Biltmore Estate itself with a fan-shaped layout leading to the church, the railroad depot, and the estate's entrance, its focal points. Its cottages had first been occupied in 1900.

Today, it offers the quaint atmosphere of an English country village with tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, period architecture, some ten restaurants and tearooms, and 30 shops and galleries. In 1989, it had been declared an historic area and local historical district.

Aside from Biltmore Estate, the Grove Park Inn, overlooking the city, is another opulent building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ruggedly beautiful, 512-room hotel, made of boulders hewn from the nearby Sunset Mountains, opened in 1913 and features massive stone fireplaces, four dining rooms, indoor waterfalls, a 40,000-square-foot spa, and beautiful views. It has hosted an endless list of prominent people, from politicians to movie stars.

Two small, but interesting museums are located on its ground, and their buildings can be directly traced to the Vanderbilts. Mrs. Vanderbilt, particularly, had been very interested in homespun fabrics, and ultimately established Biltmore Industries, a craft education program, which had later been sold to Fred Seely, son-in-law of Edwin W. Grove, himself architect and manager of the Grove Park Inn. Its weaving activities had been relocated to the small buildings currently on its grounds, whereafter it had achieved worldwide recognition for its hand-loomed fabrics.

In 1953, Henry Blomberg purchased the business from the Seely family and continued it until 1980. The daughters and sons-in-law of Blomberg, who had died 11 years later, restored the six English cottages and their surrounding landscapes, and created the two museums.

The first of these, the North Carolina Homespun Museum, had been opened to depict the history of Biltmore Industries originally founded on Biltmore Estate, but relocated to the present site in 1917, and exhibits examples of handiwork by North Carolina natives. America's heritage of handiwork, which is now more than 200 years old, still thrives in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The museum itself displays a four-harness loom and examples of homespun fabric.

The second museum, the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, once housed 40 looms, but currently displays four horse-drawn vehicles and 19 automobiles, including a 1913 Ford Model "T," a 1926 Cadillac, a 1929 Ford Model "A" with a rumble seat, a 1940 Packard "120" Coupe, and a 1959 Edsel, all in still-running, pristine condition.

The Grovewood Gallery, housed in a 1917 English Cottage next to the two museums, sells handmade furniture, ceramics, jewelry, glass, and artwork.

2. Chimney Rock Park

A popular day trip from Asheville is that to Chimney Rock Park. Located 25 miles away via winding, scenic Route 74-A, it had had its origins in 1900 when Dr. Lucius Morse, a physician from St. Louis in search of a better climate, had been entranced by its wall of stone and had envisioned a park incorporating it. Purchasing 64 acres of Chimney Rock Mountain two years later, he had taken the initial step toward that goal, but had elected to build an elevator inside it so that all could access its summit.

In 2007, the state of North Carolina had purchased the park from the Morse family, which had continued to own and administer it since its 1902 acquisition.

The 198-foot-long tunnel, leading from the parking lot to the elevator, had been created by blasting through 509-million-year-old rock designed "Henderson Gneiss," which had formed as magma deep within the earth and had crystallized as igneous rock called "granite." During the later formation of the Appalachian Mountains, it had metamorphosed into its present Gneiss form.

The 30-second elevator ride, which ascends 26 stories, could only be constructed after proper surveying had been conducted from its top and a 258-foot-high hoistway, requiring eight tons of dynamite and an 18-month construction period, had been drilled and blasted.

Completed on December 23, 1948, it had been North Carolina's tallest elevator at the time, and today still uses its original, 3,500-pound capacity, stainless steel car, which ascends at 500 feet-per-minute.

A wooden bridge, 258 feet above the parking lot and spanning a water-carved gully, connects the Sky Lounge and Gift Shop, terminus of the elevator, with Chimney Rock, whose views, afforded by its 2,280-foot elevation, encompass 75 miles over Hickory Nut Gorge.

A recent visit, on a slightly cloudy day, had revealed multiple shades of green velvet-appearing, wave-like mountains based by the silver, reflective surface of Lake Lure.

Five hiking trails, varying between a half to one-and-a-half miles, and between "easy" and "strenuous" in gauge, afford equally beautiful vistas.

Hickory Falls, 404 feet in length, had provided the site for the filming of "The Last of the Mohicans," "Firestarter," and "A Breed Apart."

Chimney Rock Park is a National Heritage Site.

3. Cherokee

Cherokee, located 50 miles from Asheville, can either serve as a day trip destination or an overnight location. An introduction to the highly developed Cherokee culture, it offers an opportunity for Las Vegas-style gaming and is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

As a people, the Cherokee had called these southeastern mountains home for some 11,000 years and they are one of the few Native Americans to have continued to occupy their original territory, designated the "Qualla Boundary," a 100-square-mile sovereign nation. Several significant sights within this area enable the visitor to learn about their history, traditions, art, and culture.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, for instance-depicting its 11,000-year history-commences with their own beginning in the area's mountains, before detailing their struggle for early survival amidst harsh climate and huge, now-extinct animals, such as the mastodon. Their later, sedentary lifestyle, centered round agriculture, had enabled them to refine their culture and enjoy increased leisure time.

After the Europeans had arrived and claimed their land, the Eastern Band of Cherokees had been forcibly exiled to Oklahoma in 1838 in an historic movement known as the "Trail of Tears." Some, however, had been detoured and remained, ultimately preserving their customs and re-establishing the sovereign nation of today.

This culture can also be experienced in the nearby Oconaluftee Indian Village, which depicts mountain life in 1759. Amid the subtle, but ever-present wafts of smoke, traditionally dressed Cherokee demonstrate beadwork, pottery, finger weaving, basketry, weaponry, animal trapping, canoe burning, and wood and stone carving. A warrior house, waddle and daube houses, the village council house, and cabins from 1790 and 1800 surround the Village Square, where performances are periodically given.

The village is characteristic of the 64 towns spread over 40,000 square miles during this time.

A more extensive performance, entitled "Unto these Hills," takes place during the summer months at the outdoor Mountainside Theater, and portrays the European arrival and Trail of Tears chapters in its history. Since its July 1, 1950 debut, it has played continuously, during which time more than five million have experienced it.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel, a 576-room complex in two, 15-story towers, thresholds the town and features 3,300 games in an 80,000-square-foot casino, five restaurants, and name entertainment in a 1,500-seat pavilion. It is adorned with the largest collection of Eastern Cherokee contemporary art.

4. Bryson City

Bryson City, located ten miles from Cherokee, is another mountainside community which serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains with their diverse, outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, white water rafting, camping, and climbing.

Incorporated in 1887, and named after Colonel Thadeus Dillard Bryson, it is located on the Tucksagee River and had been linked to the outside world for the first time when the rail line between Asheville and Murphy had been completed. Along with the Nantahala and Little Tennessee Rivers, the Tucksagee River itself had formed nearby Fontana Lake, while the small town, with a population of 1,400, had been laid out in accordance with the ancient trails and roads of the Cherokee.

Its most major attraction is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Tracing its origins to the Murphy Branch Line completed in 1891, it had been intended as the first leg of an eventual rail connection between Asheville and the Midwest; nevertheless, it had exposed the isolated North Carolina communities to the rest of the world for the first time, introducing hitherto unknown lifestyles and ideas to them.

During the 1900s, the railroad had operated up to ten daily trains from Alabama and Georgia to the western North Carolina Mountains and hauled materials, equipment, and workers instrumental in the construction of Fontana Dam.

After the line had been obviated by road travel, the Southern Railway had discontinued passenger service in 1948, and the Andrews-Murphy stretch had been altogether closed by Norfolk Southern in the 1980s.

The tracks, purchased by the state of North Carolina, had provided the foundation for the current Great Smoky Mountains Railroad intended for tourism and sightseeing purposes, after a group of investors had sketched out a plan for it in 1988. Engines and coaches had subsequently been acquired from several US rail lines and extensively refurbished.

In 1999, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad had been purchased by American Heritage Railways, which operates sister lines in Colorado and Texas, and in 2007, the North Carolina branch had carried some 200,000 passengers.

All trains depart from the Bryson City depot. Of the two primary itineraries, the first is a 32-mile, eastbound, round-trip "Tucksagee River" excursion to Dillsboro, while the second is a 44-mile, westbound, round-trip "Nantahala Gorge" run, with price depending upon one of four car types: open car, coach, Crown Coach, or Club Car, the latter of which includes train attendant service, drinks, and snacks. There are also railroad and rafting packages, dinner trains, and several theme trips, depending upon season.

The Fryemont Inn, in wooded surroundings overlooking the town, is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers either overnight accommodations or an opportunity for excellent dining, even for non-guests.

Constructed in 1923, it features a bark-covered exterior; a rocking chair-lined, outdoor porch; a wooden lobby with a huge stone fireplace; chestnut-paneled guest rooms; and a dining room with a peaked, wooden roof supported by tree trunk beams, a second large fireplace, and polished, hardwood floors.

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, receiving some ten million annual visitors, is the most popular park in America.

The Great Smoky Mountains themselves, formed almost a billion years ago, had been created when the ancient sea had flooded what is presently the eastern United States, submerging a mountain range. Sea-deposited layers, exerting progressively greater weight upon each other, ultimately compressed the material into metamorphic rock, while a secondary layer of limestone, itself comprised of fossilized marine animals and shells, provided an upper covering some 300 million years ago.

Fifty million years later, the collision between the North American and African continents resulted in tectonic plate shifting and the older, metamorphic rock tilted upward, sliding over the limestone and creating the Appalachian Mountains.

Massive boulders, the result of ice age freezing and thawing cycles, gradually appeared, while erosive, water sculpting forces shaped the mountain's rounded peaks over the millennia.

The area had first been populated when Paleolithic hunters and gatherers had crossed the frozen Bering Strait and then migrated down and across North America. A dissenting branch of the Iroquois Indians, later designated Cherokee, had arrived here from New England 11,000 years ago, and in 1540, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, ventured into the mountains, discovering a sophisticated Cherokee culture and religion. The Ulster-Scots, escaping repression in Belfast, Ireland, had also settled here because of the North Carolina Mountains' resemblance to the Scottish Highlands.

Rural life can be gleaned at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, and its adjacent Mountain Farm Museum, which had been created to preserve the cultural heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains at the turn of the 20th century.

Several original, relocated structures depict this era.

The Davis house, for instance, had been moved from the Indian Creek area, north of Bryson City. Completed in 1900 after a two-year construction period, it is made of split, chestnut logs and is divided into three rooms, including a living room with a fireplace and a piano and a kitchen with a hearth and a heavy block table.

The meathouse, relocated from Little Cataloochee, North Carolina, had always been positioned closest to the main house for convenience and security and preserved one of the most important food sources during this period. Although it could have theoretically housed several types of meat, pork, which had been standardly butchered during the autumn because of its characteristically lower temperatures, had been the predominant type and had usually been salted or smoked to protect it against bacteria and insects.

Chickens, stored in the chicken house, had provided both meat and eggs, and their feathers had been used for pillows and mattresses.

Apples, equally stored in earth and stone wall-insulated apple houses, had been a staple of rural, mountain farm diets and were eaten raw or used to make cider, vinegar, apple sauce, apple butter, and pies. Heartier winter apples had been stored in ground-level bins, while the more delicate summer variety had been stored above them.

Corn, the most important, multi-purpose crop, had been used for cornmeal, livestock feed (as leaves), kindling for fires (as cobs), and stuffing material for chairs, mattresses, and rugs (as shucks). The corncrib, the storage location, had protected it from weather and animals.

In the sorghum mill and furnace, sorghum cane had been converted to molasses, which had then been used for syrup and in cooking.

Hogs, the main source of meat on mountain farms, had also been formed the basis for lard and soup. Excess meat had been sold for profit.

The barn, the only structure original to the site, had housed livestock in the stable and feed, hoes, plows, and wagons in the loft above it.

The blacksmith shop, complete with a forge, an anvil, and a bellows, had been relocated here from Cades Cove, North Carolina, and had been used for ironwork forging and repair of existing tools.

The springhouse, purposefully located near a stream in order to provide a source of drinking water, had also protected food from animals, and cooled and preserved it by means of rock-line channels or elevated wooden troughs through which it had flowed.

The entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just beyond the Mountain Farm Museum. Established in 1934 to protect the remainder of the Appalachian Forest, which had been severely depleted due to fires and rampant logging, the park itself, covering 500,000 acres, had been the 21st in the national system and the first to have been assembled from private land. Sixty percent of it is located in North Carolina and 40 percent is located in Tennessee. It features 800 miles of hiking trails, 700 miles of rivers and streams, and 200,000 acres of virgin forest. Its lower section of the Appalachian Mountains, the oldest in the world, are characterized by densely-forested, curving peaks once described as "blue, like smoke" by the Cherokee.

The Appalachian Trail, which stretches 2,174 miles from Maine to Georgia, runs along the crest of the Smoky Mountains and marks the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. There are three visitor centers: Oconaluftee in the former state and Sugarlands and Cades Cove in the latter. US Route 441, alternatively designed "Newfound Gap Road," provides internal automobile access and crosses the Appalachian Trail midway through the park. The hiking trails, however, provide the best connection with nature and lead to 1,008 developed campsites and 100 primitive ones.

The park is comprised of five classifications of forest, depending upon elevation: "Spruce-Fir," "Northern Hardwood," "Cove Hardwood," "Hemlock," and "Pine-and-Oak." It contains 60 species of mammals, 200 of birds, and 1,500 flowering plants.

I had recorded the following observations during a recent, late-May drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

"Clouds, hovering lower than the mountain peaks and nestled in their valleys, seemed to sheath the green-carpeted facades before rising like smoke tendrils, as if the entire mountain had been smoldering. The winding, ascending road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park seemed mired in thin mist. The multiple peaks, standing one behind the other and assuming dark blue, gray, and forest green profiles, appeared like ever-unfolding waves frozen at their upward-cycle apogees. The dense trees, providing tunnel-like walls on either side of the road with their extended limbs, formed canopies where they met in mutual handshakes, exuding an artist's palette of greens: dark for fraser fir and light for oak--a green blur periodically interspersed by the brown shale rocks which appeared like vertical monoliths and from which these live tree sentinels grew, although I do not quite know how. Tiny trickles of water, gravity-induced downward over auburn and charcoal-hued rock and glinted by the afternoon sun, appeared like thin veins of liquid silver."

"Atop Clingman's Dome, the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643 feet, the air is thin and cool and the only view to be had is down, to the almost green-velvet facades of the rolling peaks, as if one had been rendered the high and exalted one of North Carolina and of all of the Appalachian Mountains which thread their way down the eastern portion of the United states. With this view comes the realization that the Rocky Mountains in the west, although higher, have a reflection in the Great Smoky Mountains in the east. And with this view comes the realization that it is not the relative size of the reflection, but that we reflect at all..."

5. Conclusion

Western North Carolina's topographical diversity offers a rich travel experience encompassing the art deco city of Asheville and its opulent Biltmore Estate, the geological sculpture of Chimney Rock, the introduction to the highly-developed culture of the Cherokee, the beautiful vistas afforded by a journey with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and the pristine, almost-ethereal experience of visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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&#65279;Oregon Salmon Fishing For King Salmon

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While not as well known as many of the other salmon fishing spots in the United States such as Michigan, Washington and Alaska, Oregon salmon fishing offers an amazing virtually year round fishing experience. One of the most known Oregon salmon fishing events is the annual return of King salmon to the area. The south Oregon coast has over one hundred and eighty miles of coastline that is easily fished for huge fall King salmon, many weighing over thirty pounds. It is estimated that approximately 65,000 King salmon will be caught during the Oregon salmon fishing season.

Some of the most popular Oregon salmon fishing hot spots are:

o Rogue River - divided into three sections the Upper, Middle and Lower, the Rogue River is considered a sports fisherman's delight. The Rogue River is over 200 miles in length and originates from high in the mountains of Crater Lake National Park. The Upper sections of the river provide both salmon and trout fishing, as well as white water rafting, camping and hiking opportunities. The Middle Rogue River section is less rapidly moving water, and provides great opportunities for family rafting and fishing. Fly fishing and spinner fishing is very popular in the deep, rock bottomed ponds and eddies that dot this area of the river. July to October are the key months for Oregon salmon fishing in this part of the river. The lower part of the Rogue River has excellent opportunities for spring and fall King as well as Silver salmon fishing.

o Rogue River Canyon - More known for the amazing white water rafting and the dramatic water movement throughout the canyon than the fishing, it is still a great place to see and experience. There is some fly fishing opportunities at the lower end of the Rogue River Canyon.

o Oregon coast - this is the most frequently fished area in Oregon for King salmon. The coast is home to many different guided tours and charters, but typically the ocean is relatively calm and can easily be fished without the need of a guide, however one is generally recommended for your first few outings. The area of the Chetco River at Bookings Harbor is particularly well known for fall King fishing.

o Gold Beach - this is the area where the Rogue River empties into the coastal waters. King salmon fishing is typically done all year round, with the heaviest runs being in March to July. Fall Chinook or King salmon typically run from August through to October. Silver salmon are also present in the fall from September through October.

One of the great features of Oregon salmon fishing is the populated areas along the coast that are ideal for hotels, accommodations or just to pick up supplies. There are many day camping and long-term camping areas located along the coast for those anglers that want to experience the great outdoors of Oregon.

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Maine Vacation Travel

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Across the United States, there are some tourists destinations that are very popular during certain seasons of the year. Some examples of these include Hawaii, which is very popular during the summer, and Aspen, which is very popular during winter. However, there are places in the United States that are popular all year long, as these places offer visitors different and unique experiences all throughout the four seasons of the year. One of the best examples of such a place is the state of Maine, which offers its visitors four-season recreation and beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons. Moreover, the different ways by which tourists can travel through the state, which includes traveling through the state using an RV, adds to the excitement of every Maine trip.

What Maine offers to its visitors

Any trip to some of the most notable places in Maine, which include traveling through Portland, Rockport, York, Newcastle, Acadia National Park, and Naples, can offer travelers with a number of recreational activities. Some of these activities include fresh and salt-water fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, whitewater rafting, and wind sailing. In addition to these, Maine also offers its visitors with a chance to see the beauty of nature, through camping trips and the excursions that tourists can take to see moose, whales and other wildlife. For sports enthusiasts, they can also expect to be able to enjoy the excitement of snowballing, skiing, snowboarding, dog-sledding, ice fishing, and golf.

In addition to these, people who visit Maine can also look forward to being able to enjoy good shopping and dining experiences, as there are a large number of shopping centers, antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants in the state. Moreover, Maine visitors can also get a glimpse of the culture in Maine by participating in the different festivals that are celebrated throughout the year.

Maine has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. This is because Maine is a good example of a place that can offer something to those who visit it all throughout the year. This is because the state is home to some of the most beautiful sites and it offers myriad activities that tourists can enjoy across the four seasons, which can make any trip to Maine very exciting and memorable.

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Family Vacation Ideas - 4 Fun Places To Go On Vacation

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You don't have to settle for the same boring trip every year. Try some of these travel destinations for some fun family vacation ideas.

The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is simply awe inspiring and most definitely a fun place to visit. Remember that this is quite a popular destination so make your reservations in advance. Don't wait till the last minute, especially if you want to do some of the really interesting activities such as one of the mule trips. Remember that the South Rim is open year round but the North Rim is only open from around May to October. I've been to the Grand Canyon once and I really think everyone should experience this scenic wonder. Be aware though that many areas do not have guard rails, so do not venture too close to the edge. Several people fall to their deaths each year.

North Carolina's Outer Banks comprise a series of barrier islands which are linked by bridges and ferries. This area is popular for its magnificent beaches. Weather on the Outer Banks is relatively mild year round, but remember that August and September are peak months in the hurricane season so plan accordingly. You may find some off-season rates September to May, so take advantage and enjoy this lovely area.

Miami, Florida, is most definitely a fun place to go on vacation. With its great shopping, festivals, street fairs, beaches, farmers markets, museums, attractions, parks, concerts, and even a zoo, this is a city that requires some time to explore. Not only will you find great places to explore, but also many activities such as biking, boating and sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, golf, tennis, and lots of walking! Many consider shopping an activity as well, and you can do plenty of that. In fact, there are a true bounty of choices as far as shopping in this city, on par with those found in world-class cities anywhere. Just about any taste can be catered to.

The Maine Coast. You'll find hard-packed white sand beaches (with icy cold water!), beach cottages, hotels, and oceanfront restaurants. Kennebunkport is a classic old New England port town of stately white clapboard houses, lusciously green lawns, and beautiful rambling Victorian summer homes (or cottages as they are referred to). Then of course there is the shopping Mecca of Freeport. July and August are peak season, but the best time to go is after Labor Day. Leaves begin turning in September, and what a beautiful sight this is!

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

&#65279;Oregon Salmon Fishing For King Salmon

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Some of the most popular Oregon salmon fishing hot spots are:

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Family Vacation Ideas - 4 Fun Places To Go On Vacation

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You don't have to settle for the same boring trip every year. Try some of these travel destinations for some fun family vacation ideas.

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Why You Should Seriously Think About Making Canada Your Next Vacation Destination!

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Canada vacations can provide some of the most enjoyable breaks from work. Especially if you're in a warm country, the colder climate can make a nice change for once; you might not want to live there, but as a vacation destination Canada can really deliver. The way the world is with so many countries at war, the socially indifferent and politically free Canadians can be a very welcoming community. And Canada has so much to offer, what with all its history, places to visit, cultural activities and sport activities such as White water rafting. Then there's its spectacular countryside offering all kinds of activities for all.

So where could you visit during your vacation in Canada?

There are so many great places in Canada to visit, that you'd have to make a number of trips just to see the most interesting parts. Canada is the second biggest country in the entire world after all, from Alberta to Quebec to Ontario to British Columbia, there is plenty to see. Then add to that Manitoba, Vancouver Island, and Newfoundland (not actually a part of Canada, but very close by). Probable the first places on your list to visit should be the best known internationally tourist attractions; the incredible Niagara Falls, the equally grand Jasper National Park and the spectacular Banff National Park.

Ok, so what activities will you be able to participate in while in Canada?

Obviously hiking in such a grand environment would be spectacular, but if you're one of those people who need a little more action you definitely won't be disappointed. Some of the best locations for white water rafting can be found here and then there are other water sports such as kayaking and boating to consider. One of the best places to participate in these activities would be the longest river in Canada, the Mackenzie, which begins in the Northwest Territories and eventually ends at the Hudson Bay.

If water sport isn't for you, you could always visit some of the wilder regions where fishing and hunting activities bring in an abundance of pro and non pro sportsmen. And you could also go and see a hockey game at one of the most well known Canadian hockey Stadiums. Then there's the French Canadian cuisine, you just have to try some of the specialties like the gallettes, the maple syrup and galumpkies.

If all this doesn't interest you, why not consider actually getting away from all the tourist attractions and sporting activities and take a closer look at the Canadian culture. Meet the people, participate in their cultural activities, take a look into their history (interestingly free from international trouble). This is something few tourist actually do, but it is the only way to really get to know a country and its culture.

Whether it's just the pure beauty of the Canadian wilderness that interests you or it's the pure adrenalin you seek from speeding down a river in a raft or the challenge of climbing Canada's highest mountain situated in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, in British Columbia, Canada has something to offer all of us. The only question is will you let the opportunity pass you by?

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Fall Foliage Scenic Drives in New England - Introduction

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Fall foliage in New England really begins in August. The shortening daylight hours trigger the deciduous trees to begin the process of shedding their leaves. It happens all around North America, and all around the world.

But in New England it's special.

Why is fall foliage in New England so different and special?

It's a factor of many things but mostly an abundance of different types of deciduous trees, warm autumn days, and cool - but not freezing - nights. When these and a few other conditions are all mixed in the right proportions, then you get the world famous stunning shades of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns on the hills and mountain sides of New England.

Between mid-September to late-October, visitors flock to New England to see the fall foliage. These six scenic drives offer some of the best autumn views available from anywhere on the planet.

This is an introduction to a series of six articles that provide details and routes on each of these scenic drives.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - MOHAWK TRAIL MASSACHUSETTS

The most popular fall foliage scenic drives in Massachusetts are along the famous Mohawk Trail. This trail rolls out through the northwestern part of the state on route 2, and winds through the hills and mountains of the Berkshires, touching picturesque towns like Williamstown, Deerfield, Shelbourne, Colrain, Charlemont, and Shelburne Falls.

Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and Mohawk Trail.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire has many scenic drives in the White Mountain National Forest but at the top of the list has to be the 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Highway that runs along route 112 from Conway to White Mountains Visitor Center in Lincoln. This drive is considered by many to be the top fall foliage New England scenic drive. It has beautiful forests ablaze with autumn colors and plenty of photo opportunities with walks along gorges and streams, and with views of the highest mountains in the Presidential Range.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CENTRAL VERMONT AREA

In Vermont nature planted all the high peaks in the south - although the North Kingdom has great color as well. But arguably Vermont's best loved fall foliage drive is in the Central Vermont area, around Killington, and the towns and highways of Woodstock, Rutland and Ludlow. This is deep in The Green Mountain National Forest area, and not surprisingly offers spectacular fall foliage color and scenery.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - LAKES AND LEAVES MAINE

Parts of Maine are the first to display peak fall foliage color in New England. With Maine's many driving loops to choose from, it's difficult to single out one. But the Lakes and Leaves drive that touches the shores of Moosehead Lake on Route 15 before heading south on route 201 is ever popular. You'll see unparalleled fall foliage views of the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River, and the surrounding mountains on this Maine Scenic Highway.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - RHODE ISLAND COAST

Fall vacationers in Rhode Island have open roads and coastal drives to satisfy their leaf peeping. The 61-mile Rhode Island Coast Scenic Drive follows the coastline east from Westerly before turning north along Narragansett Bay, and eventually over Newport Bridge on route 138. The drive finishes over the breathtaking Ocean Drive in historic Newport. A pleasant seaside twist to a fall foliage drive.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CONNECTICUT ROUTE 169

Not to be outdone during fall foliage the state of Connecticut has in its own little corner of popular autumn leaf spotting sites, with some of the most stunning scenic drives being on Route 169 in the glacial plains which are part of Quinebaug River bottomlands.

5 Best National Parks to Take Your Dog

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The welcome mat in our National Park System rolls up when we drive in with our dogs. Very few national parks allow dogs on hiking trails. In Yellowstone National Park dogs are not allowed more than 100 feet from roads, parking areas and campgrounds. In Yosemite National Park dogs can walk the paved paths of the Valley floor but are not permitted on any trail or slope. At the Grand Canyon dogs can walk along the South Rim in developed areas but can not go on any trail below the rim. At Zion National Park Dogs are allowed on a mild stroke.

And so on. Thus, while most of America plans to visit our national natural treasure, we must dog owners a bit 'more creative. Here are the top 5 national parks, your dog in America.

1. Acadia National Park Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park is definitely one of the crown jewels of the National Park Service and dogs do not disagree bark - this is the best national park to get yourdog for outdoor adventure. Except for the swimming beaches and ladder hiking trails like the Precipice Trail, dogs are allowed throughout the park.

Much of your time with your dog in Acadia will be spent on its intricate network of carriage roads. Mount Desert Island, named by French explorer Samuel Champlain in 1604, was once the summer

playground of America's rich and famous. When John D. Rockefeller, Jr., no great fan of the horseless carriage, visited the Maine coast he enjoyed outings with his team of horses and open coaches. He painstakingly directed the construction of wide, motor-free carriage roads twisting through the island mountains. Forty-five miles of rustic broken stone roads were eventually built between 1913 and 1940 and the hand-built byways are the best examples of the construction technique still in use in America. In addition to the stone roads and stone guardrails, irregularly spaced granite slabs known locally as "Rockefeller's Teeth," there are 16 stone-faced bridges - each unique in design.

One of the wealthy elite, George B. Dorr, devoted 43 years and much of his family fortune to preserving the island. He offered more than 6,000 acres to the federal government and in 1916, Woodrow Wilson established the Sieur de Monts National Mounment. Three years later Lafayette National Park became the first national park east of the Mississippi River. Honoring its Acadian heritage, the park became Acadia National Park in 1929.

Several park highlights come with little purchase for your dog. The Jordan Pond Nature Trail is a mile-long loop leading to views of glacial mountains reflecting in the pond waters. The rounded mountains, known as the Bubbles, can be climbed on short trails. Other easy hikes include the Ocean Trail to Otter Cliffs that clings to the edge of lands' end over the Atlantic surf and exploratory walks atop Cadillac Mountain. The 1530-foot summit is the highest point on the Atlantic Ocean north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and sunrise hikes here will be the first to be illuminated in America. The Great Head Trail loops across Sand Beach and most people go right at the head of the loop. But going left into the maritime forest saves the spectacular coastal views from one of America's highest headlands until the end. All these trails are easily accessed from the Park Loop Road and can get busy. Seek out trails across Somes Sound - America's only fjord - in the western reaches of the park to find fewer paw prints.

2. Shenandoah National Park Luray, Virginia

The Blue Ridge Mountains that host Shenandoah National Park are the oldest rocks on earth. A billion years ago these mountains were higher than the Rockies when they were created. Time has weathered and rounded the peaks and valley that we see today. But what we see in Shenandoah has not been left to the hand of nature, as we have come to expect in our national parks.

Shenandoah is very much a planned national park. Herbert Hoover established a Summer White House on the Rapidan River (the park is only 75 miles from Washington DC) helping to trigger wilderness development. During the Great Depression Shenandoah was officially designated a national park and Franklin Roosevelt's "Tree Army" planted hundreds of thousands of trees on slopes that had been cleared for farms and firewood.

At the same time construction began on the 105-mile Skyline Drive that is today the only public road in Shenandoah National Park. Your dog is welcome at just about every stop along the way - only 20 of the more than 500 miles of hiking trails are off-limits for dogs. These are usually trails involving awkward passages and rock climbs. Unfortunately one such trail is on Old Rag Mountain that is considered by many to be the best hike on the East Coast. But generally your dog will be able to visit the best views and waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park.

3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park Brecksville, Ohio

Raise your hand if you knew that America's first national park of the 21st Century was created in...Cleveland? To the first people who came here 12,000 years ago the Cuyahoga was the "crooked river." Its steep valley walls inhibited settlement as easterners poked into the region in the late 1700s. But a navigable water link between Lake Erie and the Ohio River was a priority in the early American Canal Age and in 1832 the Ohio & Erie Canal became a reality. Ohio boomed and settlers poured into the area. The canal was put out of business by the Great Flood of 1913 and the Cuyahoga Valley was left to recreational purposes. The 33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River were protected as a national recreation area so the heavy lifting for creating the park was done before its designation as a national park in 2000.

As befits its history as a recreation destination, Cuyahoga is a national park that permits dogs on its trails. It doesn't have the feel of the grand American national parks but instead evokes an intimate feel on the trails that are squeezed between highways, farmlands and neighborhoods.

The main trail through the park is the nearly 20 miles of the Towpath Trail along the route of the historic canal. Ten trailheads make it easy to hike the crushed limestone path in biscuit-size chunks. The trail is a mix of meadows and forests and the remnants of locks and villages. Another long distance trail through the park is the Buckeye Trail that circles the entire state of Ohio for over 1200 miles. About 33 miles of the blue-blazed pathway wander the ravines and ridges of the valley.

Some of the best outings with your dog in the park are in the north end of the Cuyahoga Valley, in the Bradford Reservation. A five-mile all-purpose trail traverses the Tinkers Creek Gorge area, exploring Ohio's most spectacular canyon. The gorge is a National Natural Landmark, noted for its virgin hemlock forests. Short detours off the main trail include an easy walk to Bridal Veil Falls and the Hemlock Creek Loop Trail.

Other highlights include the dark and mysterious 2.2-mile ramble around the Ledges (from the Happy Day camp) and a short 1.25-mile loop through the Brandywine Gorge that takes your dog to the lip of Brandywine Falls and 160 feet down to the water level.

4. Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, Arkansas

The water that bubbles to the ground at 143 degrees Farenheit fell to earth 4,000 years ago, percolating deep into the earth and heating four degrees every 300 feet before seeping out of the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain. Spanish explorers and French trappers visited the springs for centuries. In 1803 the United States acquired this land in the Louisiana Purchase and in 1832 the Federal Government reserved land around the springs - the first "national park" to protect a natural resource. There was little done to administer the reserve, however, and private bathhouses sprung up to cater to tourists visiting to relax in the "healing" waters. Finally in 1921, Hot Springs became a true National Park, a unique blend of a highly developed small city set in low-lying, rounded mountains.

There are more than 30 miles of top-notch hiking trails available in Hot Springs, mostly on short, inter-connecting jogs on Hot Springs Mountain and West Mountain that flank the city. Many of these paths were carved for visitors who were encouraged to walk daily in addition to their baths as part of an all-encompassing healthy routine at the spas. Most were constructed wide enough to handle carriages and are still roomy today. Although the mountains only top out at little more than 1,000 feet expect to find some climbs that will leave you and your dog panting. Also, there aren't many streams so make sure you carry plenty of cooling water for your dog on a summer afternoon's outing.

For extended canine hiking head out on the Sunset Trail that leaves West Mountain and tags Music Mountain at 1,405 feet (the highest spot in the park) before doubling back onto Sugarloaf Mountain. This trail doesn't loop and is a good candidate for a car shuttle. Back in town you can take your dog on a tour of Bathhouse Row with a half-mile saunter down the Promenade, vsiting several of the 47 springs that flow at an average rate of 850,000 gallons a day.

The one place you can't take your dog in Hot Springs is in the centerpiece bathouses but across from Bathhouse Row you can catch a ride on a Duck Boat, an amphibious vehicle that drives south of town for a cruise on Lake Hamilton. Dogs are allowed to ride on the top deck.

5. Mammoth Cave National Park Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Not named for extinct wooly elephants but rather the length of its passageways, Mammoth Cave is by far the longest known cave system in the world. There may be no traces of mammoths in the vast underground world but archeologicalists have unearthed evidence of human occupation in Mammoth Cave from as far back as 4,000 years ago. In the early days of the country, Mammoth Cave was used commercially to produce saltpeter needed to manufacture gunpowder and in 1941 the cave was protected as a national park. In 1981, Mammoth Cave was named a World Heritage Site.

Your dog won't be able to sniff around the 336 miles of underground passages in Mammoth Cave but there are more than 70 miles of trails above ground to explore in the park. A variety of leg-stretching hikes less than two miles are available around the Visitor Center, including the Green River Bluffs Trail that snakes through thick woods to a promontory above the Green River. For prolonged canine hiking head for the North Side Trails. A half-dozen mid-length day hikes launch into the dark hollows and hardwood forests from the Maple Spring Trailhead (North Entrance Road). This labyrinth of trails cuts through rugged terrain that has been left in its natural state. In the Big Woods (Little Jordan Road), you can hike the White Oak Trail through one of the last remaining old growth forests in Kentucky.

Along Highway 255 (the East Entrance road) is a small parking lot for a short trail to Sand Cave. For several weeks in the 1930s, this remote section of woods was the most famous spot in America. A local cave explorer named Floyd Collins became trapped in the cave and the nation became fixated on the rescue efforts that were meticulously detailed in newspapers and radio reports. Rescuers were ultimately unsuccessful in freeing Collins from a leg-pinning rock. The incident spawned books and a movie starring Kirk Douglas, Ace In The Hole. The small entrance of Sand Cave is wired off today and there is little to remind visitors of the drama that once gripped America here.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Save Gas This Summer - "Staycation" in Boston!

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