Vermont Fall Travel Ideas

Article and photo (views from mid-Burke Mountain, Northeast Kingdom Vermont) by Eric H.

Vermont is one of those "You had to be there" states.

Vermont's incredible mountain and lake scenery is almost impossible to fully describe, and has to be seen to be fully appreciated. The laid-back lifestyle, the quaint, quintessential small towns with tall white church steeples, and the long winding country roads bring back previous travelers, attract new ones constantly, and even prompts many to move to the "Green Mountain State" for its wonderful quality of life.

What better time to see Vermont than the colorful fall foliage season? The feeling of staying at a Vermont country inn surrounded by marvelous mountain and lake scenery, taking a leaf peeping driving through the Green Mountains, or going for a walk through the cool crisp fall air, rustling through the leaves, and having a nice warm cup of apple cider makes for a pure New England fall experience.

Vermont features myriad attractions any time of the year, but, to us, is especially impressive in the fall -- we can't help but fall in love with the fall foliage colors. To fully appreciate the area, VermontVacation --one of New England's most visually appealing and content-rich travel Web Sites -- offers a wealth of information for the Vermont traveler and the media. Given our media background and presence here at The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette, we thought we'd share the following press release "story ideas" documents for you, the traveler, courtesy of VermontVacation's Vermont Online Press Room:

Vermont has some of the best foliage in the world. Autumn is the perfect time to hop in the car and take a drive through the country lanes, winding streets, and scenic byways. With the backdrop of blue skies and a myriad of fall colors on the horizon, Vermont is ready for exploration.

Have Car, Will Travel; State Recognized Scenic Byways

Vermont has a number of roads that have stood out for their historic, recreational, and natural wonders. To jump-start your foliage viewing, try these routes during your travels. All have easy access parking and/or pullouts for photo opportunities or impromptu rest stops.
• Scenic Route 108, the Smuggler’s Notch Road, attracts hikers and rock climbers as it passes through Mansfield State Forest and near the Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort.
• Scenic Route 131, Cavendish Road, runs through the town of Cavendish and follows the well-stocked Black River where anglers can be found casting for fish.
• Scenic Route 125, Middlebury Gap Road, is an ideal location to view autumn colors as it passes through the Green Mountain National Forest, a popular camping spot.
• The Lake Champlain Byway offers outstanding views of the state’s largest lake, surrounding Green Mountains and Adirondacks, as well as the area's working landscapes.
• Route 9, the Molly Stark Trail, is named after the wife of New Hampshire's General John Stark who was the victor of the August 16, 1777 Battle of Bennington.
• The Connecticut River Scenic Byway is the natural bridge that unites New Hampshire and Vermont for over half of the waterway's 410-mile journey from the Canadian border to the Atlantic Ocean.

Vermont: The Best Way to Enjoy the Best Foliage

Vermont has the highest percentage of maple trees of any of the New England states, a tree with foliage that turns vibrant orange and yellow in the fall. Foliage progresses from the north to south and from higher elevations to lower elevations. Therefore, the earlier in the season you visit, the more northerly you want to focus and the later you come, more southerly. If you want to do more planning before your arrival, research your trip on www.vermontvacation.com/seasons/fall.asp. Here you can find suggested drives, read foliage reports, learn the insider’s tips, and watch the Foliage Forecaster which helps you strategically plan where and when to visit Vermont based on the natural progression of foliage in a typical year. It is a handy tool if you've never been to Vermont before or come from an area where foliage doesn't change so dramatically.

Winding down with Wine Tour: Vermont Vineyards and Wineries

Starting in northern Vermont, begin your wine tour at Boyden Valley in Cambridge for a September Harvest Festival. Continue west to the Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero, a leader in the Vermont wine field establishing the first commercial grape vineyard. At the Grand View Winery in East Calais, sample something decidedly different like elderberry or dandelion wine. Try a few award-winning organic grape wines at Shelburne Vineyard in Shelburne. At the Ottauquechee Valley Winery housed in the Historic Dewey Mill near the Quechee Gorge, enjoy any of their seven wines. End the tour at the southern tip of the state with the North River Winery in Jacksonville, which offers Vermont Harvest dessert wine containing cinnamon and Vermont maple syrup. For contact details, visit www.VermontBrewers.com.

An Apple a Day: Farms, Festivals and More

Vermont’s cool climate is perfect for producing apples. Almost 70 percent of the apples grown in Vermont are MacIntosh, a variety good for eating fresh picked, fresh pressed or fresh baked. When apples are harvested in September and October, there are a number of festivals with apples as the centerpiece. These celebrations feature diverse entertainment including music, crafts, cider pressing, pie baking and more. Apple picking at an orchard is a unique Vermont experience and taking home fresh cider makes for a tasty souvenir. For a complete listing of orchards and apple events, visit www.VermontApples.org.

The Vistas of Vermont: Accessing the State’s Many Mountaintops

Many of Vermont’s mountain peaks offer panoramic views, especially breathtaking in fall. Killington Resort has a gondola ride to the state’s second highest peak, where a clear day can provide views into Canada. At Killington and Bolton Valley, you can bring your mountain bikes along for the ride and bike a trail back to the base. In the Northeast Kingdom, rise to the top of Jay Peak in a sixty person capacity tram. In southern Vermont, Bromley Mountain, Stratton Mountain and Mount Snow both have lift services to their summits. The 3816-foot Mount Equinox peak can be reached via a winding drive with views of the Green Mountain range.

Take it From the Top: Viewing Foliage from Another Angle

For an entirely different perspective of Vermont foliage, take a hot air balloon ride, go skydiving, or ride the air currents on a sailplane. From the faint of heart to the hearty adventurer, there is a bird’s eye view opportunity for everyone. Soar over the treetops in a romantic sunset balloon ride over the Quechee Gorge. Tandem, static line, and accelerated free fall jumps all are available with professional instructors within a setting of mountains, valleys, and lakes. Enjoy the views on a quiet sailplane tour or take a day lesson and learn to pilot the air currents on your own. Contact the Vermont Outdoor Guide Association at www.VOGA.org for information on any of these activities.

The Bridges of Addison County: Covered Bridges in Vermont

Sure, Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep and Robert James Waller can make anyone’s bridges famous. However, without a New York Times bestseller and a big budget movie to back it up, Vermont has managed to carve out a reputation for itself as the place to come for covered bridges. Vermont is home to more than 100 covered bridges and each one has a story to tell.

Treasure Hunting in Vermont: Shopping for Antiques

Vermont’s countryside is dotted with a treasure trove of collectibles and antiques. Given the richness of history, Vermont has an abundance of interesting artifacts and unique bric-a-brac. Pieces are often displayed on the roadside to lure shoppers inside where hunting among the rooms and rafters is part of the experience. In autumn, there are a number of expos, including the Annual Vermont Antique Dealer’s Association gathering and the Annual Weston Antiques Show. These shows and others make antiquing easy by assembling vendors to display, highlight and sell their wares.

Editor's note: We personally love Vermont's Northeast Kingdom for its pristine and largely unspoiled scenic small town communities. Also at the top of our list is Stowe, perhaps Vermont's best example of a quintessential village that has retained its charm but still has lots of things to do. For more information on Vermont, we recommend logging onto VermontVacation, or reading Vermont: An Explorer's Guide (Explorer's Guides)

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Readers' Favorite New England Scenic Fall Destinations

Article and 2008 late October photo of Cumberland Reservoir, Cumberland, R.I., by Eric H.

Recently, we have received some wonderful feedback on readers' favorite New England fall destinations. We must say that we agree with the choices, as stated below, as each area resonates with traditionally wonderful fall foliage. Readers, we appreciate your feedback, and encourage you to further add to this list with your own comments!

Here is the latest fall foliage destinations feedback:

From our Facebook New England Vacations Fan Page:
Debbie says, "Crawford Notch is gorgeous. I love going through Franconia Notch, too." Debbie adds that the "Kanc'"(Kancamagus Highway) is another favorite, as is Bear Notch Road (near the Kancamagus) and... "everywhere in northern NH!"

Marc says, "Route 100 in Vermont (also, the Thirteen Mile Woods section of Route 16 in NH)."

Kristie adds, "Quechee & Woodstock VT area, too!"

Our NewEnglandInfo Twitter followers have additional valuable feedback on prime New England fall foliage destinations:

Gil Simmons, morning Morning Meteorologist for WTNH 8 ABC , New Haven, Conn. (Twitter name: gilsimmons) recommends, "Rte. 169 in Eastern Connecticut.....Rte. 44 form Rhode Island to the NW hills of Connecticut, as well!"

Carol Casey (Twitter name: CarolCasey) says, "Ditto to what @gilsimmons said, as well as RT 214 in SE CT."

Erica Bates (Twitter name: erica_bates) states that "Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park (ANP, Maine) is gorgeous! All of ANP gorgeous!"

I'd like to add a New England area that doesn't get a lot of press: the Wrentham, Mass./Cumberland, R.I. pocket. Pleasantly rural (for Cumberland, that means on opposite side of town from the densely-populated Valley Falls area), fall foliage really starts to pick up around mid-to-late October, further enhanced scenically by area lakes and ponds, as well as local farm stands like The Big Apple and Phantom Farms.

For more information on scenic fall foliage destinations, we recommend reading our "Best New England Fall Foliage Travel Destinations, Vacations and Scenic Drives" article at VisitingNewEngland.com. For a great photo tour of the New England fall foliage, we recommend reading The Colors of Fall: A Celebration of New England's Foliage Season

We look forward to reading your comments here on your favorite scenic New England fall destinations!

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More New Hampshire Fall Foliage Updates!

Photo of Echo Lake, Franconia Notch State Park, N.H., by Eric H.

When you hear the words and phrases "spectacular," "vibrant," and "near peak," that means New Hampshire fall foliage is virtually on your New England travel doorstep.

With the Great North Woods and White Mountains Regions showing the most vibrant colors, make no mistake that the rest of the "Granite State" has shown increasing amounts of tremendous foliage. Even the Seacoast Region (Portsmouth, Dover, Rye, Hampton Beach area) -- typically the last to display optimal fall foliage colors -- has shown some brighter moments.

Here is the latest New Hampshire fall foliage press release update, courtesy of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism:


Great North Woods Region: Spectacular fall colors are taking over the Great North Woods region. Maple trees which were still green last week are now becoming splashed with bright oranges and vibrant reds. The colors are changing at all elevations now, and it will just be a matter of days before this area reaches peak fall foliage. Moose are being sighted frequently along Routes 26 from Errol to Colebrook and also along Route 3 from Pittsburg to Canada. The area overall is nearly 75% changed.


White Mountains Region: More beautiful foliage awaits you in the White Mountains region. Most roads throughout the area are coloring up nicely, including Route 302, especially through Crawford Notch; Route 2, which provides panoramic views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range; and Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway, mostly on the western end. Waterfalls are framed in splashes of yellow, red and orange right now, and covered bridges are surrounded with color. The towns of Franconia, Easton and Sugar Hill – all accessible by Exit 38 off Interstate 93 – are drenched in bright fall colors right now and are worth exploring.


Lakes Region: Some parts of the Lakes region are beginning to change into fall color, while other areas are still very green. Our leaf peepers here are reporting beautiful reds and oranges along Route 3 from Ashland to Meredith, and on Route 16 from Union to West Ossipee. The colors here are bright and beautiful, with lots of clear oranges and golden yellows. The trees are green with splotches of red, orange and yellow – it looks like the leaves were spray painted with dots of color. Although the area is not at peak yet, the views are pretty, and the mountain ranges are starting to show change, too.


Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region: The leaves in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region are showing some established color among the green. Covered bridge lovers will want to travel Route 12A north from Claremont to pass three covered bridges: The Dingleton Hill Bridge in Cornish Mills, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge, and the Blow-Me-Down Bridge just south of Plainfield. This road also brings you by the St. Gaudens National Historic Site, home of the celebrated artist. Route 4 from Lebanon to Canaan and Route118 through Orange and Dorchester is displaying nice fall color, also.


Monadnock Region: Parts of the Monadnock region are nearly 40% changed right now, with the lowlands and waterways almost at peak color. Other areas haven’t begun to change yet, so there’s plenty of time left for this region to move into the height of foliage color. Mount Monadnock is just beginning to show some yellow and orange with a speckle of red, mostly on its eastern side. Route 202 from Peterborough to Route 119 in West Rindge to Route 12 in Fitzwilliam is a nice scenic drive, as is Route 10 from Keene.


Merrimack Valley Region: It’s still pretty green in the Merrimack Valley region of the state. Despite bright reds in lowlands, the rest of the region is just beginning to change here and there. Milford and points south is in the beginning stages of fall, with low lying areas displaying a great assortment of deeps reds and golden yellows. Burning bushes are ablaze in dark reds. Route 101 between New Boston and Manchester is nearly 50% changed.


Seacoast Region: It’s beginning to look a lot like fall in the Seacoast region. Route 88 in Hampton Falls is a favorite drive, and it’s getting brighter and more beautiful every day. Route 108 from Exeter to Durham is showing some spotty color, while Route 1 is maintaining its lush summer greens. A scenic drive along Route 1A from Seabrook to Portsmouth is a must-do right now – the beaches are less crowded, and the ocean glitters in the sunlight like a cache of sparkling diamonds. Look for migrating water birds and wild hares along this road.

Editor's note: For recorded report of the latest New Hampshire fall foliage updates, please call 1-800-258-3608. For a great photo guide of New England fall foliage, we recommend reading The Colors of Fall: A Celebration of New England's Foliage Season

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Apple Pie in the New England Fall Time

Article and photo (of Andrea DiReda Tabor, Ever So Humble Pie Company) by Eric H.

Fall time in New England and apple pie have always seemed like a perfect autumn duo.

Picking apples at the local farm and then coming home to start the process of apple pie-making truly brings out the best in fall. The unmistakable sweet apple pie aroma resides quite harmoniously with the outside fall colors, the slight chill in the air, a football game on the television, and a roaring fireplace in the living or dining room (in our case, an electrical version).

For those who would rather buy an apple pie than make one, we recommend shopping at your local farm stand or bakery over the supermarket -- generally, the fresh taste comes out more when shopping locally. At the top of the pie chain, however, is the local pie shop -- if you are lucky enough to have one near you. In the southwest metro Boston suburbs, we recommend the Ever So Humble Pie Company's, of Walpole, Mass., all-natural version of apple pie. Freshly-peeled apples tossed with brown sugar and spices, and heaped high beneath a delicate, flaky crust make this apple pie a "you just can't eat one slice" concoction.

Andrea DiReda Taber, owner of the Ever So Humble Pie Company Apple Pie, creates this remarkable-tasting ready-to-bake pie, made out of all-natural ingredients, at her East Walpole production and retail shop. This is certainly not your basic healthy-but-cardboard-tasting apple pie! While some other pie-makers include trans fats, monosodium glutamate, artificial colors and flavors, and and other offending, unhealthy chemicals, Tabor crafts her hand-crimped apple pies with a slower production process, paying close attention to using quality ingredients.

"Mass produced products use more seasonings than fruits, so customers know they are tasting the 'real thing' with our pies," said Taber.

For a detailed article on the Ever So Humble Pie Company, its products (some really innovative pie flavors here!) and where you can purchase these gems, we recommend reading our VisitingNewEngland.com article on the Ever So Humble Pie Company.

Ever So Humble Pie Company Contact Info:
Retail Location: 153 Washington St., East Walpole, MA 02081
Telephone: (508) 660-9731
Retail Hours: Mon. - Fri., 9-6 and Sat. 9-3 (pie sampling is offered during these weekend hours, also!)
Web Site: http://www.eversohumble.com

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Maine Fall Foliage Traditionally Ranks Amongst New England's Best

Article by Eric H. Photo left: A mix of evergreens and hardwood trees creates a colorful display on Songo Pond along Route 5 south of Bethel. Credit: Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce

Maine boasts 7 million acres of forest and more land covered by trees than any other state in the country, so it's no surprise that fall foliage has traditionally held a popular presence amongst locals and travelers.

Granted, Maine has a lot of pine trees, but the reality is that you'll find foliage colors in the myriad other tree species that's every bit as good as the prime-time New England fall foliage players, New Hampshire and Vermont. You just have to know where to go, and when. Additionally, Maine shines colorfully, not only with its inland fall colors, but also at the coast. Any part of the state is capable of turning out vibrant yellow, orange, red and purple hues -- great news for those who prefer the Maine coast. Depending upon location, you can expect the best Maine fall foliage from the last week of September (now!) to the third week of October.

For the latest updates on Maine fall foliage colors, we recommend you check in often at MaineFoliage.com, a state-run site that prides itself on being up-to-date and detailed in its information. For added perspective, we feature a VIsitingNewEngland.com article centering on our take on Maine coastal and inland fall foliage. If you like New Hampshire and Vermont fall foliage, we have no doubt that you'll enjoy Maine's, too!

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Autumn Art Fair, Oct. 3, at Briggs Nursery, North Attleboro, Mass.

One of our favorite local art stores, Village Artisans Collaborative, of North Attleboro, Mass., just sent us a message that they will be sponsoring a fall arts and crafts day at Briggs Nursery, 295 Kelley Blvd. in North Attleboro, Sat., October 3, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the beautiful atrium at Briggs Nursery in North Attleboro.

The show will feature many works by local artists along with a free raffle for a $50.00 gift certificate to the Village Artisans Retail Store at 21 North Washington St., in downtown North Attleboro (Tel. 508-695-1010). We encourage you to stop by the event to support what we feel is a model not-for-profit organization -- Village Artisans showcases more 30 local artisans at its retail store while working closely with local organizations to foster creative programs. This local cultural vision helps make North Attleboro even that much better than it's already impressive presence as a close-knit, community-oriented town!

The Oct. 3 event should be a lot of fun. In addition to the wonderful service Village Artisans provides, Briggs Nursery remains one of the most impressive of its kind in the southern Massachusetts/northern Rhode Island area with an impressive array of plant and flower, gardening, tree and shrub, outdoor decor, home and gifts, lawncare, and landscape design merchandise and services.

Briggs Nursery
295 Kelley Blvd.
North Attleboro, Mass.
Tel. (508) 695-4721

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Gatlinburg: A Tourist's Haven

Looking for fantastic vacation? Gatlinburg, in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is the most perfect destination for you to have a romantic getaway or rather a family vacation. The area has become a year-round vacation destination that boasts the myriad of attractions for the entire family.

Definitely you have this thinking of the adventures that you'll be able to experience during such vacation and of course the usual thought of availing cheap Gatlinburg cabins. Well, it is in Gatlinburg that you'll be able to find cheap cabins of great quality that you'll never regret. It's like paying for something less but getting something more of the value you have paid. Aside also from paying less, you will be able to enjoy a lot of activities and a lot of sceneries along in this area. These are just few of them:

• Hiking
• Rock climbing
• Biking
• Golf
• Tennis
• Racquetball
• Basketball
• Fitness center
• Shuffleboard
• Miniature golf

These are just few of the activities that one will be able to experience if you/'ll choose to spend a vacation in Gatlinburg. The place to stay is of course not a problem. A lot of cheap Gatlinburg cabins are there for you, your special someone, or your family for that matter. Several cheap Gatlinburg cabins are well-built homes that are pre-depression mid-30's inspired.

It has been said that in a vacation it is more ideal if you'll rent a house rather than a hotel. Right, there are lots of cheap Gatlinburg cabins or houses that are of great and affordable value for your family. It is a package for everyone to enjoy everything. And Gatlinburg has it all for you!

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Country Store, Vermont-Style!

Article and photo (of Bailey's and Burke country store) by Eric H.

Everyone loves a good New England country store with the exception of those who don't love a good New England country store.

Not exactly a statement of Mark Twain-caliber there (more like Yogi Berra, perhaps), but the reality is that many country stores remain quite popular in an otherwise modern, "superstore" retail generation. Most people we know especially love going to country stores in Vermont, with the fall being the most popular time to visit these "trip-back-in-time" destinations -- given the accompanying fall foliage colors, community events, a little apple cider and that unmistakable great-smelling autumn mountain air. Yes, some people would rather go to the shopping mall for convenience and love of the modern retail trend of the week, but we believe most New Englanders embrace a country store as part of a New England way of life. It is just part of our traditional fabric.

In Vermont, the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vt., stands out, arguably, as the most popular country store in the state (and probably New england) with its rustic, rural presence and "everything but the kitchen sink" variety of merchandise. The Vermont Country Store is best known as the "Purveyors of the Practical & Hard to Find" with thousands of items that you'd thought you'd never see again -- that could mean anything from a manual typewriter to Lifebuoy soap! It's a great experience, one that could take up the better part of a morning or afternoon.

Country store life in Vermont does not end at the Vermont Country Store, however. We particularly like Bailey's and Burke in the high and lonesome Northeast Kingdom town of East Burke. Another quintessential country store, Bailey's and Burke carries a lower profile but with no less the charm and character of the best Vermont country stores with two stories of delightful "nooks and crannies." Built in 1897, the look and feel of an old country store resonates at Bailey's and Burke with each step on the creaky, narrow hardwood floorboard. Downstairs, you'll find fresh baked breads and pastries, Vermont specialty foods, homemade pizza, deli sandwiches, homemade fudge, more than 40 varieties of bulk candies, and a very unique wine cellar. Upstairs, you'll come across casual clothing, Vermont crafts, baskets, country linens, kitchen treasures, pottery and Christmas inspirations. Lending authenticity to the store is the work of many Vermont artisan's handcrafts for sale.

Of course, all of Bailey's and Burke indoor country store glory would be no good if it was located in a crummy-looking town. East Burke, on the other hand, is scenic, quaint,small-town in nature, and with beautiful views nearly right outside its doorstep with Burke Mountain and other Northeast Kingdom vistas (along with nearby beautiful Lake Willoughby). Why, you'll feel like you're in Vermont! Once again, not exactly a Mark Twain-caliber statement of wisdom, but you get the picture, and it's a beautiful one -- Vermont/New England country store-style!

Bailey's & Burke
466 Route 114
East Burke, VT 05832
Tel. (802) 626-9250

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Cheap Family Getaway Ideas

Having good bonding and family activities need not to be expensive. The enjoyment of every family trip will not depend on how much you have spent for such vacation but on how you made everyone enjoy every bit of the said recreational activity for the family. As they may quote that “going away for the weekend doesn't have to cost a fortune.” Yes it is very possible to have lots of fun as a family at a very little expense, a cheap family getaway. As long as the family is willing to explore and take your time to see what is around, a family getaways can be enjoyed any time of the year and the entertainment can be found both in indoor activities or exploring the outdoors.

Many family vacation ideas is focused on attractions such as Disney World, or some other resorts such as Mexico and many others. These may make for what is considered a great family vacations but honestly they can be crowded, too expensive, and overwhelming. Here are some family vacation ideas that are rated and accepted to be affordable, relaxing, and refreshing. These suggestions connotes a cheap family getaway.

Road Trips

There is enjoyment and family bonding that can take place during a road trip. This is actually one of the best way to have fun especially to people who are said to be adventurous. Road trips will make the journey more exciting before the destination. Fun places like museums, landmarks, or out of the way things you notice in passing, may bring a lot of good fun and excitement. Never forget to look into tours of things such as factories, walking tours, or historical buildings, that can really be fun and interesting. And to make all things cool and funky, bring your ipod or any music device. While driving, you can enjoy great music too. A cheap family getaway is not as boring as one could imagine. It can be more fantastic but less expensive, or not at all.

Scenic Spots

Grab a map and look for an area nearby that will give you and your family a beautiful scenery. That could be a forest, lake, or rolling field. Give the children with a cheap camera, binoculars, and a journal. Let them act like researchers and stuffs like that. Some may protest that such kind of activity is boring, but I tell you, once they'll get there, they will feel the urge of adventure and be curious about the things that could actually be done. This is one way of having a cheap family getaway.

Camping

There are numerous places or areas that have cabins where you can get the experience of camping and the fantastic feeling of being part of nature. What makes camping exciting and fascinating is the fact that there is really a lot to do that incorporates the whole family while getting rid for a certain moment the fast paced life. You can do anything you wish to do in camping, play, swim, and all the things that manifests enjoyment.

These are just few of the good ones that would definitely make one family getaway cool but not so expensive. Really, a cheap family getaway is possible.

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New Hampshire Fall Leaf Peeping Bike Rally for a "Wheel" Good Time, Oct. 3-4

Photo: New Hampshire fall leaves (by Eric H.)

One of our readers, Madeleine Clark, recently wrote in to tell us about a fantastic-sounding motorcycle-related Lakes Region, New Hampshire, fall event:

Leaftoberfest, a leaf peeping bike rally, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, at Laconia Harley-Davidson, 239 Daniel Webster Hwy (Rte 3), in Meredith, N.H. Escorted leaf peeping rides will take off on both days at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.. Live music starts at noon and Laconia Harley-Davidson will be offering demos on the new 2010 Harleys. Participate in The Bike show also offers, on Oct 3rd, the chance to win a $1,000 in prizes. Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant, of Meredith, N.H., will be offering some great food!. For more information on the event, please log onto www.laconiaharley.com

What better place to see the New England fall foliage than New Hampshire? Colors have become more vibrant in most sections of New Hampshire as of late, and will continue to do so, especially with some of the more recent cool-to-cold nights throughout the "Granite State." Additionally, we have heartily recommended Hart's Turkey Farm through the years for its phenomenal turkey dishes. Hart's has seemingly been around forever, and is deservedly a household name to Lakes Region residents. Laconia Harley-Davidson chose well on choosing the right restaurant to cater its event!

Editor's note: For another great motorcycle-related New England fall tour, please read the "Scenic Motorcycle Fall Foliage Ride in Central Massachusetts and Northeast Connecticut" article, here at The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette. If interested in a book on motorcycle travel in New England, check out Motorcycle Journeys Through New England.

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"Gourd" Vibrations at Sunshine Farm, Sherborn, Mass.

Article and photos by Eric H.

Sunshine Farm in Sherborn, Mass., is never out of its gourd(s).

Excuse the play on words, but come fall time, gourds play a prominent retail role alongside their famous cousin -- the pumpkin -- at this peaceful road side farm stand, minutes from the more hectic retail shopping pace of Route 9 in Framingham and Natick. Gourds can be used for fall decorations, or for use as sculptures, baskets, masks or musical instruments. Some people even give out gourds for Halloween. Growing up, we had neighbors that gave us hungry kids non-edible gourds instead of candy bars. Place that brilliant 1970s-style idea alongside orange shag rugs, pet rocks and Ford Pintos.

If you are so inclined to buy a gourd, Sunshine Farm offers one of the biggest selections in the area. If you are not so inclined, the third-generation, family-owned 100-acre Sunshine Farm offers a wonderful little fall destination experience with a farm market (including a bakery, and a wide variety of on-the-premises or locally-grown produce (including bags of apples), many rows of pumpkins for sale, and squash, mums (from a terrific gardening center) and corn stalks. A fantastic ice cream stand features tasty flavors like pumpkin, apple crisp, mango, pomegranate chip, and coconut.

Sunshine Farm is open May through December, offering fields of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and peaches at various times of the year. It's really the quintessential road side farm stand, looking like one and acting like one with its relaxed, rural presence, merchandise and friendly help.

Sunshine Farm will be featuring a fall event, come Columbus Day (Oct. 10-12): with "U-Pick" raspberries and pumpkins. Weekend Fall Foliage Hayrides start from noon-4pm. ($3.00 per person). Specials at the market and gardening center include pumpkins and mums and cornstalks, pies, breads, apples and cider.

Sunshine Farm really hits on all roadside farm cylinders -- produce, bakery, gardening, "u pick" fruits in the field, ice cream, pumpkins -- and yes, gourds for the biggest fans of this unique member of the Cucurbitaceae family!

Sunshine Farm
41 Kendall Ave.
Sherborm, Mass.
Tel. (508) 655-5022

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New Hampshire Foliage Updates, Sept. 24

Photo by Eric H.: Woods in Franconia Notch State Park, N.H.

Just received an update from Betty Gagne, of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, that more vibrant fall foliage colors have graced many parts of the "Granite State." The Fall Foliage Report for Sept. 24 states that "It’s autumn splendor in the Great North Woods region," and the "White Mountains Region is showing a blast of color in and around the area of Waterville Valley." Leaf peepers from The Lakes, Dartmouth-Sunapee, Monadnock and Merrimack Valley regions are also reporting more color, while the Seacoast region (usually the last to reach peak foliage) is showing greater progress than in past years, at this time.

For fully detailed fall foliage reports, we recommend calling the New Hamphire Division of Travel and Tourism Development Fall Foliage Hotline at 1-800-258-3608. Follow the prompts to check out the latest reports in each New Hampshire region.

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Looking for Your New England Fall Foliage Travel Ideas

Article and photo (corn maze, Adam's Farm, Cumberland, R.I.) by Eric H.

This is your site. We are merely the facilitators!

With that in mind, we are looking for your feedback, ideas, suggestions, etc., on where to go and what to do during the New England fall foliage season. Some topic ideas: best leaf peeping spots, apple picking, corn mazes, country stores, scenic drives, hikes, restaurants perfect for an autumn day, and road side farm stands. We also welcome ideas on seasonal events.

Whether it's Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, we'd love to hear from you on what you consider the best of New England fall foliage season travel. Please feel free to post a comment here, or send us an e-mail. Thanks for helping make The Weekly New England travel and Vacation Gazette a community to exchange New England fall travel ideas -- we truly appreciate you visiting our site!

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Bright Future for 2009 Maine Fall Foliage

Photo: Early foliage color Tuesday on Munsungan Lake in Piscataquis County north of Baxter State Park. Credit: Maine Department of Conservation

Editor's preface: While New Hampshire and Vermont are household names when it comes to fall foliage leaf peeping, we suggest keeping in mind the other four New England states -- that Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have some traditionally mighty fine fall foliage. To keep up to date on fall foliage colors in New England, we recommend calling all the following state hot lines: Connecticut 888.288.4748 , Maine 1.888.MAINE.45,Massachusetts 800.227.6277, New Hampshire 800.258.3600 , Rhode Island (Department of Tourism) 800.556.2484 , Vermont 800.837.666

And now back to our regularly scheduled program... Fall Foliage in Maine!

Just got some great news from our New England neighbors at the Maine Office of Travel and Tourism in Augusta, Maine, that fall foliage color in the northern half of Maine is ranging from 30 to 75 percent peak.

That's the word, according to the state Department of Conservation. Aroostook County and Piscataquis and Somerset County forest rangers observe 50-75 percent peak color in the northern sections and low leaf drop, the report states.

Aroostook State Park Manager Scott Thompson states that the low-lying areas surrounding the park are 50 to 60 percent toward peak, and the ridges of hills and mountains are nearing peak. He expects peak color to develop during the next two weekends if overnight temperatures continue to drop in the Presque Isle area.

Color in Northwestern locations-- including Jackman, Eustis and Greenville, and northeastern locations like Millinocket and Houlton -- have moderate color, or 30 to 50 percent toward peak according to the report. Leaf drop in both regions is still less than 10 percent, according to the report.

Rangers report 10 to 30 percent color change in the western mountains region from Bethel to Rangeley, central locations from Augusta to Bangor, and the downeast coast from Belfast to Eastport. Leaf drop is less than 10 percent in these regions.

Southern coast foliage color is still very low, or less than 10 percent toward peak, according to the report.

In related news, the Department of Conservation announced that Aroostook State Park will host the first in a series of state park guided foliage hikes on Sunday, Sept. 26. For information about the hike and to register, visit http://take-it-outside.com/hike.shtml.

Maine's fall foliage conditions are updated every Wednesday through Oct. 21 and posted on www.mainefoliage.com. Web site visitors can sign up to receive the weekly reports by email and post comments about Maine foliage adventures on the Foliage Forum page.

Other fun fall events happening this weekend include the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, the Punkinfiddle National Estuaries Day Celebration in Wells, and the Family Arts Festival in Brunswick.

For more information about events and activities happening in Maine this fall, log on to http://www.visitmaine.com.

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Readers New England Fall Travel Tips #1: Windy Ridge Orchard, Haverhill, N.H.

Editor's note: The Weekly New England Travel Gazette is interested in your feedback for New England fall travel tips. Please feel free to e-mail our crackerjack New England news team with your autumn travel suggestions for the six-state region!

Today, Jennifer L., from the Hanover, N.H., region writes us with the following New Hampshire fall travel tip, this one focusing on a special roadside farm stand:

"We just LOVE apple picking at Windy Ridge Orchard in Haverhill, N.H.. They have a little store that sells apples, apple cider, cheese, cafe with great food and fresh apple cider donuts and an area where the kids get to play. Really nice family-oriented place!"

Thanks so much, Jennifer, sounds like a wonderful New England fall destination!

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Cruise Ships: An Opportunity For Good Employment

If you're eager and an adventurous type of person who wants to explore the world, have courage to go beyond the limits such as working away from home, and if you have that determination to succeed, then you are definitely one of the people who fits in working in a cruise in the high seas.

The cruise ships industry is one of fastest growing and most exhilarating travel and leisure industry in the world. Whether your professional background is in Childcare, Retail, Customer related or any other Service Industry, it is not a hindrance but rather somehow an advantage for you to be able to get a job in any of the cruise ship.

Working on a cruise ship will give a myriad advantages. This includes:

• Saving a sufficient amount of money for a short period of time
• Traveling around the world
• Being exposed with people from many different nationalities and cultures
• Developing professional skills and gaining work experience

Today, there are several job opportunities with regard to working on a cruise ship. There are a number of sites that list some of the important informations about certain jobs offered on cruise.

And if you are really eager and determined to get a job on a cruise ship. And if you are really eager and determined to get a job on a cruise ship, International Crusie Ship offers tips on how to send you resumes to several cruise ship companies. One of the best strategies for you to be able to apply is through resume posting.

You could find so many ways on how to apply on cruise ship companies. Always make sure that your resume is interesting and attractive. To achieve such, you could always use the system “GIB”. You know what that means? Google It Baby!

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Best New England Fall Foliage Travel Destinations Resource

Article and photo (2008 photo of Big Apple Farm, Wrentham, Mass.) by Eric H.

If you're overwhelmed on where to start when traveling the six New England states during the fall foliage season, we have a resource to make autumn trip planning easier. The VisitingNewEngland.com "Best New England Fall Foliage Travel Destinations, Vacations and Scenic Drives" offers tips on places we have been to and regard as scenic, fun and relevant autumn New England fall travel spots.

We cover a wide variety of New England fall foliage season information, including our favorite vacation destinations and hotel getaways, dining spots tailor-made for autumn, best leaf peeping spots, driving tours, hikes, day trips, apple picking and apple cider recommendations.

Realizing that you might have a limited amount of time to travel -- like, perhaps, a weekend -- we feel that our "New England Fall Travel Guide" acts as sort of a "greatest hits" of New England fall foliage season travel. Of course, New England offers so much to do in the autumn that we'll constantly update this section, as we experience more great spots in the fall.

To access the article, click on the link above.

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The Long and "Wining" Road in Connecticut

One of our Twitter followers, http://twitter.com/RuthieB2, just gave us a great autumn tip, stating the "Connecticut Wine Trail is a fantastic trip for a cool fall day."

The Connecticut Wine Trail takes visitors through 20 vineyards in some of Connecticut's most picturesque towns. This eastern and western Connecticut excursion offers award-winning wines. All wineries are members of the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association.

The wineries include:
Bishop's Orchards Winery and Farm Market, Guilford
Chamard Vineyards, Clinton
DiGrazia Vineyards, Brookfield
Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford
Haight-Brown Vineyards. Litchfield
Heritage Trail Vineyards, Lisbon
Hopkins Vineyard, New Preston
Jerram Winery, New Hartford
Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington
Jones Winery, Shelton
Land of Nod Winery, East Canaan
Maugle Sierra Vineyards, Ledyard
McLaughlin Vineyards, Sandy Hook
Miranda Vineyard, Goshen
Priam Vineyards, Colchester
Rosedale Farms & Vineyard, Simsbury
Sharpe Hill Vineyard, Pomfret
Stonington Vineyards, Stonington
Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen
White Silo Winery, Sherman

For more information on to create your own wine tour, we recommend visiting the Connecticut Wine Trail Web Site.

Editor's note: If you have any fall tips, please email us at The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette. To access our New England travel tips and updates on Twitter, visit our New England Info page.

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Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is referred to as the oldest and the largest of the three pyramids in Giza Necropolis and the only surviving marvel in the Seven Wonders of the World. It is constructed around 2500 BC and tagged as the tallest building until the inception of Eiffel Tower in Paris.

There are over fourteen million of sandstone blocks that assembles the pyramids. Originally, these blocks are covered in limestone and thanks to Native Egyptians for not stealing it. Instead, they mainly used it as a building material for the pyramid.

What’s inside the Great Pyramid?

Get inside the Great Pyramid and you’ll see its ascending and descending passages. There are three known chambers inside.

• The lowest chamber is the unfinished part that lies 27.5 meters below the ground. Some Egyptologists claim the chamber is built to be the original burial chamber.

• The King’s Chamber is a designed with red granite and its passageway is too short to accommodate a medium height person without bending his knees.

• The Queen’s Chamber is located at the middle part and it’s the smallest chamber of the three. It’s designed in fine limestone blocks and its pented roof is made of large limestone slabs. The real purpose of Queen’s Chamber remains unknown.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Great Pyramid of Giza is not the biggest pyramid in the world. The biggest one is located in Mexico City.

• The Great Pyramid of Giza covers 13 acres.

• The Great Pyramid of Giza is extremely large and even visible from the Moon.

• The height of Great Pyramid of Giza melts down to 139 m. due to erosion and the loss of pyramidion.

• The Great Pyramid of Giza is called as the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.

• Total Mass of Great Pyramid of Giza roughly clocks at 5.9 million tons and 2,500,000 cubic meters in volume.

• Other names of Great Pyramid of Giza: Khufu’s Pyramid, Pyramid of Khufu and Pyramid of Cheops

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Welcome to the Start of the New England Fall Season!

Article and photo (2008 photo of Adams Farm, Walpole, Mass.) by Eric H.

Fall begins at 5:18 p.m. today in New England!

Although the past few weeks have brought us fall-like activities like apple picking, some pockets of impressive northern New England fall foliage and local, traditional autumn-related community events, we can now officially say that summer is in our rear view mirror. In the past few weeks, in preparation for your fall travel, we have presented you some fall travel and vacation ideas. We will continue to do so until late October on virtually a daily basis. For the start of fall today, we bring you a "sampler" of some more autumn travel ideas with many more New England fall travel tips on the way:

The Century House bed and breakfast in Nantucket, Mass., tells us that Restaurant Week 2009 will take place, Sept. 28-Oct. 4, in Nantucket, and will feature "special pricing and unique menus" from 30 different local dining spots. Presented and organized by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce and The Nantucket Magazine, Restaurant Week will feature events and specials like three-course-meals ranging from $25-45 offered by local restaurants, a food and drink tasting event, junior chef competition, a course on how to make bloody Marys, and chowder contest. For dates and times of the event, please log onto http://www.nantucketrestaurantweek.com, e-mail at info@nantucketrestauranrtweek, or call 508-228-1700.

The Maine Office of Tourism and Travel reports that The 25th Annual Harvestfest in York and York Beach, Maine, will take place from October 16-18 and includes a parade, pumpkin carving, craft fair, ox roast and bean hole baked beans, live music and fireworks.

Max Sabrin, special events coordinator with the Old Saybrook Fire Department, says that the Old Saybrook Fire Department will hold its 12th annual Haunted Hayride 2009 in Old Saybrook, Conn. for several days in October. Dates include Friday, Oct 16th, Saturday the 17th, Thursday the 22nd, Friday the 23rd, Saturday the 24th, Wednesday the 28th and on Thursday the 29th at Clark Memorial Field (Fireman’s Field) on Elm St. For more information, log onto the Old Saybrook Fire Department Web Site.

By the way, the photo above of Adams Farm on North St. in Walpole, Mass., creates a nice fall scene, doesn't it? If you like solitude in the suburbs, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better spot to stroll without noise around the Boston area. About a mile in, you cannot hear any modern-day noise annoyances -- just the pleasing sounds of Mother Nature. With about 700 acres of town-owned land connected with the New England Forestry Foundation and the Norfolk County Agricultural High School, Adams Farm makes for a perfect low-impact fall hike. Colors generally reach their peak here in mid to late October.

We'll be featuring many more New England fall events, attractions, travel tips and vacation ideas. Stay tuned, and check back in often! If you have a fall travel suggestion, please e-mail us at The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and we'll consider it for publication.

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Phantom Farms Fall Fun!

Article by Eric H.

We've posted before on Phantom Farms in Cumberland, R.I., and will do so periodically in the future. The reason: like everything else we write here, Phantom Farms is a New England destination we love to visit and recommend (without any vested interest, of course). Why write about anything else? That way, we pass along straight-from-the-heart travel recommendations along to you!

Phantom Farms is a quintessential New England year-round farm stand that is best visited in the fall, in our opinion. With its apple picking, freshly-squeezed apple cider, pumpkins, and cornstalks, Phantom Farms, for many, seems synonymous with autumn fun in the northern Rhode Island, Blackstone Valley region. Add pies, pastries, jams and jellies, more native produce, a garden center and a beautiful rural location and Phantom Farms is truly a "one-stop" shopping roadside farm destination.

Fall events make Phantom Farms even that much more fun. For the rest of this month and October, Phantom Farms will be featuring events like an antique tractor and truck show, live music, "story time," a Jack-O-Lantern illumination and pumpkin harvest festival, car show, chili cook-off, and "family farm day." For specific dates and times for the events, please click on the flyer in this posting! We'll be there a few times, and hope to see you!



Phantom Farms
2920 Diamond Hill Rd.
Cumberland, RI
Tel.: (401) 333-2240
Fax: (401) 334-479

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Latest Lodging Review: 123 Inn and Restaurant, York Beach, Maine

Article and photos by Eric H.

Our latest VisitingNewEngland.com travel review centers on The 123 in York Beach, Maine. Located directly across the street from Long Sands Beach, this oceanfront inn and restaurant features amazing views from each room's own private balcony. The 123 also fulfills a rare York Beach travel feature, offering lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner under one roof.

Formerly the Inn at Long Sands, The 123 carries on the tradition of high quality lodging at this address and, in many cases upgrades over the former facility, including an expanded dining menu and indoor and outdoor dining, as well as memory foam mattresses and wide screen televisions in each room.

York is often thought of as a summer destination, but we have always found the community to be a wonderful travel destination in the fall where the crowds lessen and many attractions stay open through Columbus Day. We consider The 123 as a great lodging choice when vacationing in York.

For a full review on The 123, please click on the link above.

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Apple Picking and Beyond at Belkin Lookout Farm Makes for a Fruitful Day

Article by Eric H.

If you're looking for an apple picking experience that goes beyond just picking apples, then Belkin Lookout Farm in Natick, Mass., is the place to "pick."

In the same town that brings you the densely-populated commercial stretch of Route 9 with just about every store imaginable -- and a seemingly continuous traffic jam -- Belkin Lookout Farm resides on 180 acres of beautiful farm land in a truly quiet rural section of South Natick. Belkin Farm is also one of the oldest continuously working farms in the country, having some form of farming operation since the mid-1600s! It's simply a beautiful fall New England destination, and a true oasis from growing suburbia. You'll feel like you're hundreds of miles away from the shopping mall and center craziness of Natick and neighboring Framingham -- also a bastion of shopping frenzy on Route 9.

Not that Belkin Lookout Farm doesn't become overcrowded itself, given its high level of entertaining things to do on a nice New England September day, like today. This "Metrowest" outdoor, family fun destination, a half hour from Boston, features not only fields and fields of apple picking, but also train rides to your fruit picking spot, a terrific farm market and garden center, a petting zoo, hay pyramid, caterpillar rides, a burlap maze, moon bounce, a farmed-themed children's play area and, on the weekend, live childrens' entertainment, face painting, a barbecue snack bar and pony and camel rides (additional charge).

This weekend (Sept. 19 and 20th), the Belkin Lookout Farm fall celebration continues with a magic show and a contest with the chance to win Red Sox tickets, according to the Belkin Lookout Farm Web Site. At this writing, Gala and Mac apples are ready to pick as well as Asian pears, yellow peaches, nectarines and plums. For updates, directions, hours and any possible changes in schedule, we recommend calling the Belkin Lookout Farm hotline at (508) 653-0653.

We also recommend checking out the "Hey, everyone, let's go apple picking" article on Belkin Farm at VisitingNewEngland.com for additional perspectives on this landmark New England farm.

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The Latest New Hampshire Fall Foliage Updates

(2008 photo of Concord, N.H., by Eric H.) Fall Foliage report source: New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism)

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development just sent us an update on the latest fall foliage reports across New Hampshire. As could be expected, this is the time of the year when trees start to turn over an "old leaf," many transforming into bright colors. While we still have a ways to go to reach peak fall foliage in the "Granite State," areas like the Great North Woods, the Monadnock and Merrimack Valley regions and, surprisingly, the Seacoast Region have sectors of impressive colors, according to New Hampshire Travel and Tourism.

Regardless of level of fall foliage color, anytime is a great time to visit New Hampshire. Personally, we simply can't get enough of the pristine, small lake towns in the Lakes Region (Wolfeboro and Meredith, in particular), the rugged and scenic White Mountains, the charming coastline splendor of Portsmouth and Rye, the "Courier and Ives" communities of the Monadnock Region, and the classic New England Towns of Hollis, Amherst and Milford in the Merrimack Valley region. So, yes, fall foliage brings out a special element of New Hampshire. But even if the colors aren't brilliant, New Hampshire certainly is when it comes to scenic travel and vacation destinations!

We highly recommended calling the State of New Hampshire recorded fall foliage report hotline at 1-800-258-3608. For now, here is the latest report, thanks to the New Hampshire Divison of Travel and Tourism:

Great North Woods Region: The warm days and cool nights are pushing a little more color into the Great North Woods region, and the most color change is taking place along the banks of the Connecticut River, and on exposed trees that stand alone. Mountain views provide occasional reds and yellows among the green. Bull Moose and bald eagles were spotted this week near the Pontook Dam on Route 16 in Dummer. The area overall is less than 25% changed, but with a frost expected this weekend, that could change by next week. The Balsams is hosting the Grand Lumberjack Challenge on Saturday – watch the wood chips fly as lumberjacks compete in this one-day challenge where strength, skill and determination will decide who wins. For more information, please call 603-255-3122.

White Mountains Region: There hasn’t been much change in the foliage in the White Mountains region since Monday. The area remains mostly green with sprinkled oranges and reds along waterways and swamps. Some cold nights will push this area into colorful autumn glory soon. The weather is looking fine this weekend for a scenic drive; you can photograph waterfalls, walk across covered bridges, visit roadside farm stands, see panoramic views, and explore years of history in this part of the state, so take your time and enjoy these last traces of summer. Loon Mountain in Lincoln is the site of the 34th Annual Highland Games, the largest Scottish cultural festival in the northeast, from Friday through Sunday. For information, please call 1-800-358-7268.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region: The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region remains draped in green right now, with just hints of color change in watery parts of the area. Some of the trees have that iced look that takes over before changing to bold orange and blazing red. Travelers may want to drive Route 4A, which runs along Mascoma Lake, and visit the Enfield Shaker Village Museum. Nature lovers will want to visit Rollins State Park and Mount Kearsarge State Forest this weekend. Take exit 8 off Route 89; follow Route 103 about one mile and turn right onto Kearsarge Mountain Road. Follow signs to the state park. This time of the year brings hawk migration, where thousands of broad-winged hawks can be seen flying over this small mountain. The upcoming cold nights should push some color into this region soon.

Lakes Region: A few more pockets of color have appeared in the Lakes Region this week, but overall this area is green. Route 25 toward Tamworth is a colorful ride, and Route 3 up through Weirs Beach, Meredith, and Holderness will be spectacular once the color strikes. For a real taste of New Hampshire’s fall-time heritage, a visit to the 134th Annual Rochester Fair is a must-do. This lively festival has livestock shows, motor sports, live entertainment, rides, tons of food, and lots of fair exhibits, including massive pumpkins and other prize-winning fruits and vegetables. Please visit www.rochesterfair.com for more information.

Monadnock Region: Low valleys and swamps are colored with vivid reds in the Monadnock Region of the state. Some developed color can be seen along Route 124, also. Our leaf peepers in this region tell us that Route 101 through Marlborough has the best overall color so far this season, and Route 202 south is showing some definite change. This “Currier and Ives” corner of the state has much to offer visitors, including quiet back roads, farm stands, apple orchards and country stores. The Stone Arch Bridges of Hillsborough are worth a trip to see – these marvels of yesteryear were constructed simply of stone blocks cut to fit perfectly without any mortar to keep them together. For information about these bridges, please visit www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com. The town of Antrim is holding a Home & Harvest Festival this weekend. Food, arts & crafts, children’s activities, music, and a pumpkin regatta will be featured, topped off by an awesome fireworks display on Saturday night. Please call 603-588-4835 for more information.

Merrimack Valley Region: More and more of the maples are starting to turn their familiar reds in the Merrimack Valley region. Peak colors of blazing reds and sunny yellows are alive in some bogs and meadows, while other swampy areas still have a way to go. Some of the tops of trees have turned bright orange, but the area overall is predominantly green. If you travel to this region during the weekend, you may want to attend the Hollis Old Home Days. This small-town gathering really demonstrates a slice of New Hampshire’s heritage. Enjoy music, a parade, rides, a barbecue, a dunk tank, crafts – even a pet parade – and more. Please visit www.hollisoldhomedays.org for more information.

Seacoast Region: The Seacoast region, usually the last to herald fall, is showing colors already! Our leaf peepers in this area are reporting beautiful reds and oranges along Route 27 from Hampton to Exeter, and vibrant red maples coming to life in the lowlands that surround the marshes. Route 88, a beautiful country road, is beginning to display some fiery reds and blazing oranges. Even the Spaulding Turnpike is coming alive with spotty reds and oranges here and there. Families will want to visit Portsmouth this weekend for the 5th annual Fairy House Tours. The tours are held Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm, starting at Pierce Island and meandering through various Portsmouth gardens and historic homes. Everyone is invited to bring natural materials to help build a Fairy House village. For more information, please visit www.fairyhouses.com.

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Cheap Romantic Getaways: More than luxury and style

You need not to be a big spender to enjoy a romantic weekend; there are really many and myriad ways to find cheap romantic getaways that will have you on the road or that would lead you to a wonderful relationship in no time.

Giving up luxury and style in finding a cheap romantic getaway is but a myth. There are many bed and breakfast in smaller towns that offer some wonderful and extra-ordinary amenities, plus the cozy rooms that are more beautiful and special than one could ever and actually imagine. These smaller country town bed and breakfast are definitely away from the hustle and bustle of the very busy city life. These kind of places offer a secluded quiet time for the couple that desire some time alone.

There are lot of ways to enjoy a getaway, one of which, that for you to attain the so-called cheap romantic getaway, is to look for some cabin rentals. Many of these cabins, that are of good quality, can be rented for a weekend or even the whole month, depending on what you really desire. You can bring all the things you need to enjoy your retreat, like food and other needed things. This will save you a bundle of money, that instead of eating out and spending that special time with stranger in a restaurant, you can be eating in the privacy of your own cabin with just that special someone. These definitely can help make your retreat a very relaxing and special one.

You can also find a state park that allows you for a camping in tents. This is one very interesting and secluded way to get cheap romantic getaways. Have everything you need like hot dogs and marshmallows that you can cook over an open fire. Have a tent just large enough for both of you to be comfy and cozy. Enjoy an evening under the stars in one another’s arms. Now this is romantic.

Cheap romantic getaways can be very special and really interesting. You could also accept these suggestions like find a location where you can walk along the beach, hike, or stroll on a river walk. All of these are exciting scenes when walking hand in hand with the one you consider the love of your life and it will not cost a cent. Now that is not too expensive, but definitely romantic.

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