Fall Foliage Scenic Drives In New England - Six Of The Best
Fall foliage in New England provides a showcase for Mother Nature. Perhaps nowhere else in America, and maybe even the world, are the fall colors as stunning and spectacular as October in New England. 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 results in a display of special landscapes painted with fiery autumn colors. 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. Many take special bus tours or even train rides. But most take to the road and these six scenic drives offer some of the best autumn views available from anywhere on the planet. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - MOHAWK TRAIL MASSACHUSETTS In Massachusetts the most popular fall foliage scenic drives are along the famous Mohawk Trail, and the area known as The Berkshires. The Mohawk 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. The road follows an ancient foot path used to move between Massachusetts and New York by Native Americans. Mount Greylock, the highest point in The Berkshires and Massachusetts, offers stunning views of the surrounding area and Mohawk Trail. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY NEW HAMPSHIRE The White Mountain National Forest is home to many wonderful scenic drives but the most popular - and rightly so - 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. You?ll see beautiful forests ablaze with autumn colors and plenty of photo opportunities with walks along gorges and streams, and with breathtaking views of the highest mountains in the Presidential Range. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CENTRAL VERMONT AREA Vermont is a popular destination state in the fall. With many fall foliage scenic drives to choose from, the Central Vermont area, around Killington, and the towns and highways of Woodstock, Rutland and Ludlow, offer up some of the most dazzling. This area is deep in The Green Mountain National Forest area, and not surprisingly offers dramatic fall foliage color and scenery. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - LAKES AND LEAVES MAINE Maine is a vast wilderness and given its proximity is the first New England state to display peak fall foliage color. Maine has many unparalleled scenic drives to choose from, and it?s difficult to single out one. But the Lakes and Leaves drive that skirts the shores of Moosehead Lake on Route 15 and then heads south on route 201 provides an amazing view of this empty, but beautiful backcountry. You?ll see incomparable 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 Rhode Island provides open roads and coastal drives for fall vacationers and leaf peeping. The 61-mile Rhode Island Coast Scenic Drive follows the coastline east from Westerly towards Point Judith passing nature reserves and secluded beaches, until turning north along Narragansett Bay, and eventually over Newport Bridge on route 138. The drive finishes over the breathtaking Ocean Drive in historic Newport. Always close to a picnic stop along this short drive it begs to be taken slowly and to stop occasionally and breathe in the crisp fall salt air. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CONNECTICUT ROUTE 169 Far from being the forgotten step child of the other fall foliage scenic drives in New England, Connecticut is full of its own collection of scenic drives. One noteworthy trip to take in autumn is Route 169 in the eastern “Quiet Corner” region. Here the backdrop is rolling farmland, stone walls, and picturesque towns and villages that line the route. New England is littered with fall foliage scenic drives, and look at those mentioned here as springboards to visiting other country roads that lead to surprises and discovery at every turn. The backroads of New England are where the gems are located, so don’t be afraid to explore. For more details on these and other <a href="http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/scenic-drives-in-new-england.html">New England scenic drives</a> and to pick up your free travel reports go to Cliff Calderwood's <a href="http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/">Vactions in New England travel site</a> at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/
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Experience The Quest: Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race
Known as the ?Toughest Sled Dog Race in the World,? the annual Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race annually covers over 1,000 miles between the Yukon and Alaska. Alternating starting and finish lines between Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and Fairbanks, Alaska, this sled dog race is not for the faint of heart! The terrain is some of the most difficult on the planet and the demanding trail constantly keeps sled dogs and their mushers on their toes as potential disasters wait around every turn. This race takes place each February, with the date exact date wavering depending on the weather conditions of the brutal Yukon winter. The trail for the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race is as historic as the sport itself. Originally part of the original Gold Rush trail and the Mail Delivery trails dating back to the turn of the Twentieth Century, the trail is steeped in lore. Most of this trail cuts through untouched wilderness, thought to be some of the last on the entire continent. Lasting approximately two weeks, the mushers enter the race with his or her 14 dog sled team, striving to reach Fairbanks first. The field is diverse and features entries from all over the world, but all the entries have one thing in common?they came to win! If you find yourself in the great state of Alaska or in the beautiful territory of the Yukon this February, do not miss an opportunity to attend the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race! Individuals of all ages are sure to enjoy this unique experience and will remember seeing the running dogs, hearing the crunch of snow, and feeling the overall air of excitement for years to come. Whether you send off the competitors in the tiny town of Whitehorse in Canada?s Yukon territory or welcome the heroic mushers and sled dogs into lovely downtown Fairbanks, Alaska, there are many opportunities to see this race. Many of the race?s checkpoints are accessible by major roadways, allowing visitors from all corners of the globe to experience this race first hand. Discover what goes on behind the scenes at a major dog sled race. This race requires a whole crew of individuals to work diligently while the competitors fly over snow banks. From veterinarians to care for the sled dogs to doctors to care for the mushers to talented chefs to provide all competitors?both animal and human?with quality food, it truly takes a village for the event to get off the ground. Make a trip to Alaska to experience the nonstop action and excitement of the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race! Bring the entire family to cheer on all the competitors and watch as one talented musher and his (or her!) sled dog team crosses into Fairbanks first to be declared victorious! A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards invites you to come and see Alaska. Consider visiting Alaska to experience unique adventures. A great way to see Alaska is by taking an affordable <a href="http://www.findanalaskacruise.com">Alaska Cruise</a>.
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Top Vacation Destinations For Busy Parents
It is a fact that in most families, the vacation might not be a relaxing opportunity to get away from the stresses of your job and unwind for a couple of weeks, worry free. Busy families often that a vacation that is not well planned will mean that they feel, if anything, more stressed during and after the vacation than they did during the months when they were working. The keys to planning a vacation that will be fun for the whole family is taking your kid?s needs and abilities into account as you plan for your vacation, and finding the right spot to ensure that your vacation is a truly relaxing experience. Here are some great ideas for vacation spots for your busy family. 1) There has been a significant rise in recent years in the type of campground that specifically caters to the family. This type of campground is far removed from the traditional pitch you tent, and start your fire sites of years passed. Instead, they tend to be well-developed facilities that offer week-long retreats known as family camps. These camps will often provide a large number of activities for the whole family to partake in together or separately, catered to individual tastes. There is often babysitting available for families with young children, in order that he parents may take some time out and enjoy it together or with friends in the knowledge that their kids are being taken care of, included in the cost of the week. Best of all, these camps will also provide meals and snacks for the families, which eliminates the hassle of planning, preparing, and cleaning up from three meals a day for each family member. 2) Many families are beginning to retreat to rented cabins on the shores of oceans and lakes for a great and relaxing summer vacation. These cabins offer all the comforts of home, with the bonus of being located in a spot where there is ample opportunity for recreation. There are also stores close by cabin resort areas, in order to maximize the convenience of shopping for the individual family. These cabin retreats are a huge step over camping outside, even in campgrounds which offer all of the modern facilities. It is easy to cook in your own kitchen, store your own food, and you do not have to worry about the added inconvenience of purchasing and transporting dinnerware and cutlery. 3) Ski hills all over the continent are becoming increasingly family-friendly, for families with kids of all ages. Condominiums can be rented at good prices, and the hills themselves are offering babysitting services more frequently. Often, these services will include lessons for your kids as well as lunches and snacks. All you have to worry about for the day is clothing, breakfast, and supper! With villages growing up all over the top ski areas, it is also very easy to take care of these needs quickly and within walking distance of your cabin or condo. The old stalwarts of family vacation still remain, of course. Zoos and attractions specifically designed for children continue to offer some of the best experiences when it comes to the busy family?s vacation, while major players such as Disney World continue to set yearly records for attendance because of the range of activities they offer. When planning out your family vacation, remember to think about convenience and range for your whole family in order to ensure it is as relaxing as possible! Dexter Stoakley is the webmaster of a website focusing on <a href="http://thevacationday.com">fun family vacations</a>.
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