Vermont Fall Foliage and More

Today is Labor Day and its time to plan this falls activities. Fall Foliage Trips are perfect for this year’s economy. For most of us, there are great Fall Foliage destinations within a tank of gas. Here are some favorites:

New England Fall Foliage

• Cruise up the Kennebec River or take the local ferries for Maine Coast Fall Foliage.
• Almost any road and any town will reward you with views of the world-class Vermont Fall Foliage.
  
• Massachusetts Fall Foliage with some history, in Concord, MA or at the seashore in Halibut Point.
  

Mid-Atlantic Region

• Hudson Valley and Catskills Fall Foliage -Drive to Woodstock, pick up antiques and stop for the views at the Ashokan Reservoir. Visit the mansions overlooking the Hudson.
• Further north, opening up the season is Adirondack Fall Foliage, definitely a place to get away from the crowds.
• Combine the harvest festivals with Pennsylvania Fall Foliage near Lancaster in Amish country.
• Bike along the Potomac for DC and Maryland Fall Foliage.
  
• Central Park is pretty obvious for New York City Fall Foliage , but each borough has its own show. Combine with a medieval castle at the Cloisters.
• Tour of some of the historic Gold Coast gardens and mansions for Long Island Fall Foliage
• Cruises out of Pittsburgh for Southwest Pennsylvania Fall Foliage.

Rockies

• Colorado Fall Foliage is about adding 14,000 ft snow covered peaks to your orange, purple, red, green and brown pictures.
  
• Closer to Denver, enjoy Colorado Rockies Fall colors in the mining town atmosphere of Georgetown.
• Canoe trips on the Rio Chama in New Mexico.

And last but not least, for our fans in the South – Virginia Fall Foliage is at its best in the Western part of the state, in the Shenandoah, Blue Ridge and (further south) Smoky Mountains.

Home Sweet Home – back in Phoenix, Arizona, and happy!

I had such an amazing trip, but it is good to be home. I was away for a month—do you believe it?! It flew by so quickly.

Last I left you, I was in Portland, Oregon, museum and park hopping, meeting interesting people, and relaxing. You know, when I used to travel, I’d always come back home a few pounds heavier; but this time, I’m proud to say, that I’ve actually lost a few pounds. For once food wasn’t my focus, but movement and activity. I must’ve walked from one end of Portland to the other, several times! I even went ice skating (at the Lloyd Center Mall) – something I hadn’t done in years! The Oregon Zoo was another blast from my past—when’s the last time I was at a zoo? I can’t even remember!

But it wasn’t all bustle and activity—staying at the Avalon Hotel & Spa, I ended up getting my second, third, and fourth massages of my life. Oh, dear—I really indulged, didn’t I?

But the highlight of it all was Smith Rock State Park, as I knew it would be. Robert was an amazing guide and showed me all there is to see. He’s a rock climber, as are many of the Smith Rock locals, and while he knew there was no way anyone was going to tie me to the side of a mountain, he showed me where some climbers were rappelling and it was quite a sight! The things people can do with (or TO!) their bodies is sometimes breathtaking.

And now I’m back home, and it’s like I’m seeing Phoenix for the first time. It’s not like I went off to see these beautiful things, great cities and the great outdoors, from a place where that doesn’t exist. On the contrary—I’ve got those things so close to my very own home, and rarely even notice them. Well not anymore…Phoenix, Arizona, here I come!