When it comes to finding out the nicest places to camp, the best tips always come from people who have camped at the places they recommend.

And who better to share some great campgrounds in Minnesota than a park ranger who works there. After having worked as a park ranger for 35 years, he should definitely know the best places to camp.

He posted a 4 minute video on YouTube, which is below, showcasing his 4 favorite places to go camping in Minnesota. He is an avid outdoorsman and photographer so his top picks are great places for outdoor lovers and shutterbug enthusiasts.

His picks are:

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with over 2,000 campsites but his favorites are on Clearwater and West Pike Lake.

Split House Lighthouse

Moose Lake

Itasca State Park

Even if you don’t plan to go camping in Minnesota, watch the video for the gorgeous scenery in it!

The United States Forest Service sells thousands of holiday tree cutting permits every year to thin out trees in the forests which helps prevent forest fires.

But don’t think taking a trek through a national forest to find a tree is going to be the same as going to a tree farm to cut down a tree because unlike those nice tree farms, the trees in the national forest are not in perfect straight lines with all other brush and trees removed; nor are you provided with a saw for cutting the tree down or a way to haul it back to your vehicle.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun family outing. A person just needs to be prepared. When cutting a holiday tree in a national forest be sure to pack water and food (and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate) because you may take quite a long walk to find the “perfect” tree in the snowy woods. You’ll also need a hand saw to cut down the tree; along with a a tarp and rope for hauling it back to your vehicle or campsite; and rope for securing it to your vehicle. Snowshoes might also come in handy.

Remember that every national forest has different rules and regulations but many of them issue holiday tree cutting permits through the middle to latter part of December. To find out if the national forest in your area sells permits and to find out the cost and dates you’re allowed to participate, go to the US Forest Service website, use the drop down menu to find a national forest in your area and then either use the “contact us” button to contact officials at the forest or check out its home page to see if it has any information about holiday tree cutting.

I checked to see if permits were available at the Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin. I went to the forest’s home page and then clicked on “winter activities” where I found out they sell permits for cutting down holiday trees for just $5 per tree (the cost does vary but I think a permit costs less than $15 in most parts of the U.S.).

You could turn a tree cutting expedition into a camping trip as well. Check to see if the national forest in your area allows winter camping and turn your tree hunting excursion into a memory making camping weekend!

For the last destination in the series we are heading all the way across the county to the west coast and the state of Oregon.

Did you know Oregon has over 150 state parks (187 if I counted correctly), 53 of which have campsites or overnight lodging? Plus it is also home to Crater Lake National Park. That’s a lot of nature to enjoy!

To enjoy the best fall colors call their fall foliage hotline at 800.547.5445 or visit them online at TravelLaneCounty.com. There are weekly updates. The fall color season typically starts in mid-September and can last through October but varies depending on the amount of precipitation the area receives.

Champoeg State Heritage Area is a great place to watch the oak and ash trees change colors and shed their leaves. It is located on the south bank of the Willamette River near St. Paul and is less than 30 miles from Portland.

The park has 12 full hookup campsites, 67 electrical campsites, 6 yurts, 6 cabins, 3 group tent areas, group RV area, group RV camp with meeting hall; 6 walk-in tent sites and a hiker/cyclist camp. So it pretty much has a campsite for every type of camping enthusiast.

Pets are welcome. They need to be on leash no longer than 6 feet in most areas of the park but there is a designated off leash area for pets where they can run around and get rid of their excess energy (or at least a little bit of it). The park is open year around although loop A closes from November through March, the group camps are closed October 1 through May 24 and the yurts are going to be closed October 27, 2008 through March 22, 2009 because of A loop restroom construction. Reservations for Champoeg are available through ReserveAmerica.com.

The park is a great place for history buffs. It is where Oregon’s first provisional government was formed in 1843 and has museums and historical markers so visitors can learn about what life was like for people who lived there in pioneer times.

Also located in the park is the Butteville Store which was founded in 1863 and is considered the oldest operating store in Oregon, although sadly it is closed this time of year (it’s open from Memorial Day weekend until the last weekend in September).

Other activities to do in the park include walking hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, playing disc golf or my favorite activity while camping - just relaxing and enjoying the view!

If you visit the park on Saturday, October 4, 2008 you can enjoy the Apple Harvest Festival being held there from 1 pm to 4 pm. There will be cider pressing, dutch oven baking, apple ornaments, music, garden produce to purchase, plus fresh-pressed apple cider to drink, yummy apple butter to eat, and desserts from the dutch ovens to gobble up.

For a great scenic fall drive, take a day trip to Cottage Grove (about 2 hours away) and drive the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route where there are 7 covered bridges to view. It’s a 20 mile drive but allow a couple hours to enjoy it. For more information including the specific driving route, click here to go to the TravelOregon website.

If you enjoy wine, check out some of the wineries in the area. The Williamette Valley (which is where Champoeg is located) is the one of Oregon’s major wine growing regions. Click here for information on 16 wineries located in the area. The trip to visit all of them is 37 miles when starting from Eugene, Oregon, but that’s a lot of wineries to visit even for me and I’m a wine lover!

Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint, with a 1,629 foot elevation is nearby and worth a visit just to see the view. Try to go on a clear day because you’ll be able to not only see a gorgeous view of the Wilamette Valley but of 5 peaks of the Cascade Mountains - Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Ranier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Jefferson.

And, if you are golfing fanatic like my brother-in-law is, there’s a golf course just 5 miles away - the OGA Golf Course near Woodburn, which in addition to being named one of the most affordable golf courses in America by Golf Digest, it’s a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

To find more things to see and do in the Willamette Vally in Oregon, such as enjoying area festivals, visiting a pumpkin farm or visiting an apple orchard, check out the TravelOregon website.

And, if you a “foodie,” autumn is a great time to visit Oregon because it’s when Oregon highlights the bounty of the state during Oregon Bounty, October 1 to November 30, 2008.

This concludes my fall camping destination series. I sincerely hope you are able to get out and enjoy at least one great fall camping trip. Thanks to the miracles of modern technology, while you are reading this post I am enjoying a 10 day camping trip in Northern, Wisconsin (or at least I hope I’m enjoying it because the weather forecast I checked just before I left on Saturday had a chance of rain all week and cool temperatures). I’ll post pictures of the trip, rain or shine, when I get back the second week of October.

Happy Fall and Happy Camping!

When this post goes live on the blog, thanks to the magic of technology, I will be on a camping trip in northern Wisconsin where I get to be outside in the wonderful fall weather for 10 whole days! I just hope the weather is nice and not too stormy and rainy.

But today, day 4 of my 5 day series (day 1 was Vermont; day 2 was Michigan, and day 3 was North Carolina) on great fall camping destinations, focuses on a state several hundred miles from northern Wisconsin. It’s Georgia, with a focus focus on Vogel State Park and Amicalola Falls State Park.

VOGEL STATE PARK
Vogel State Park is one of Georgia’s most popular state parks and is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is a popular fall destination because the trees in the Blue Ridge Mountains turn from a sea of green to a gorgeous vista of reds, oranges, and golds.

The park has 103 tent/trailer/rv campsites, 18 walk-in campsites, 35 cottages (3 are dog friendly!) and primitive backpacking campsites.

There are 17 miles of hiking and backpacking trails and the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail is nearby. There are also opportunities for fishing in the park’s 22 acre lake and miniature golf.

A fall hoedown is taking place at Vogel State Park during its prime fall foliage viewing season. The hoedown is on Saturday October 18, 2008 from 2 pm to 9 pm and will feature hayrides, campfire and dancing, a professional storyteller around a bonfire, with chili and drinks available for purchase.

Some of the nearby attractions include the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Trail I mentioned earlier; the Dahlonega Gold Museum which features an award winning film telling the story of the beginning of the gold rush in North Georgia along with exhibits that include a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle that was used to blast soil from mountainsides; and the Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland General Hospital where they are celebrating their 25th anniversary (remember when Cabbage Patch Kids were so popular that people were fighting over them in the stores?).

If being up as high as possible without leaving the ground is your idea of fun, visit Brasstown Bald Mountain, which is the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet above sea level. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Vogel State Park and on clear days you can see 4 states (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina) from the top of the mountain.

And, if you’re looking for a nice scenic drive to take while in the area, drive the Richard Russell Scenic Highway - Highway 515. It’s a 40.6 mile drive that the NSBP (National Scenic Byways Program) suggests allowing three hours to enjoy.

Plus there are ample opportunities for antiquing in the area plus, fall festivals, rafting, fishing, and golf.

Other nearby state parks include Moccasin Creek State Park (55 tent/trailer/rv campsites, wheelchair accessible fishing pier, lake fishing, 1 mile interpretive trail, and 2 mile Hemlock Falls hiking trail); and Unicoi State Park and Lodge (82 tent/trailer/rv campsites, 34 walk-in campsites, squirrel’s nest camping shelters, 30 cottages, tennis courts, hiking, biking, and fishing) are also nearby.

AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK
Amicalola Falls State Park is another popular Georgia State Park and is less than 50 miles from Vogel State Park, so you could split your trip into two segments and camp at both parks.

At 729 feet tall, Amicalola Falls State park has the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River (pretty easy to figure out how the park got its name isn’t it?); gorgeous views; 12 miles of hiking trails; trout fishing; great scenery for “shutter bugs;” and several lodging options with 24 campsites, 14 cottages, 56 lodge rooms, and the unique Hike Inn.

What is the Hike Inn? I wondered that too. It combines getting out into the wilderness and hiking with having creature comforts like soft beds, hot showers, and a family style meals you don’t have to cook!

That means no lugging of food and sleeping gear while on your hike. All you need to bring is water to drink while on the trail, clothing and socks, hiking boots, rain gear, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, a first aid kit and a flashlight - things that you’ll either be wearing or able to fit in a normal sized backpack.

And, if you don’t mind heading there after the color has peaked, consider visiting the park for their Appalachian Thanksgiving on Thursday November 27, 2008 for a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with Appalachian cultural demonstrations, or visit them on Saturday December 6, 2008 for their Christmas Open House where there will be choir performances, gingerbread houses on display, winter hayrides, and visits with Santa!

FOLIAGE REPORTS
Peak fall foliage viewing in north Georgia where Vogel State Park and Amicalola Falls are located is typically from October 15 to October 31, but check the fall foliage report for the area to see for yourself what the color is like before heading there to avoid disappointment like I experienced several years ago when I planned a visit to Vermont but ended missing the best color for that year by a week. Fall color updates for Georgia and the rest of the United States can also be obtained by calling the National Forest fall color hotline at 1.800.354.4595 or by visiting their webpage.

Quote from Elizabeth Lawrence (writer and garden designer born in Marietta, Georgia in 1904) “Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.”

If you are a fan of taking scenic drives in the Fall, then a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must. It is a 469 mile road that connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with 250 miles of the parkway located in North Carolina.

Yes, I know it is a long drive and gas prices are sky high, but it isn’t necessary to travel the entire distance to see great views, but if you do plan to traverse the entire parkway the NSBP (National Scenic Byways Program - sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation) recommends allowing 4 days.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is called “America’s Favorite Drive” and has been designated as an “All-American Road” because of its scenic beauty. It is an extremely popular fall destination because of its stunning fall foliage.

Construction of the parkway started in the 1930’s and took over 50 years to complete. It was finished in 1987 when the last stretch of road around Grandfather Mountain was completed.

Because the parkway goes through mountainous areas it is susceptible to periodic closures from storm damage. Always check on the National Park Service’s road closures website page to see if there are current closures on the Parkway; or call the park information line at 828.298.0398. In addition to listing the current closures, the website provides detour information (as of 9/22/08 milepost 367.7 to 355.3 and milepost 285.5 to 291.8 in North Carolina along with milepost 105.8 to 112.2 in Virginia are temporarily closed).

Sadly I have not personally driven the Blue Ridge Parkway or camped in the area yet, but it is definitely a trip I plan to enjoy within the next couple of years. But even if you are not familiar with the area, there is tons of information available to help “newbies” plan a great trip and maybe even help seasoned travelers of the area find a new thing or two to check out.

There are nine campgrounds on the parkway that are open early May through the end of the fall color season. Camping is $16 a night for all campgrounds. For a list of all nine campgrounds, along with their location and reservation information click here to go to the National Park Service (NPS) website. BlueRidgeParkway.org also has information about the nine campgrounds.

Julian Price is the largest campground along the parkway with 129 tent sites and 68 RV sites. It is near Boone, North Carolina and is adjacent to Price Lake.

Mount Pisgah Campground is at milepost 408 near Asheville, North Carolina. It has 70 tent sites and 70 rv sites. It is the most secluded campground on the parkway and also the highest with an elevation of 4980 feet so the views are spectacular. Keep in mind though that its high elevation mean that temperatures are usually moderate to cool during camping season (don’t forget to pack your long underwear, cozy sweatshirts and warm socks!).

For a list of 60 things to see and explore along and near the parkway (that should keep you busy for a while!), go to BlueRidgeParkway.info. The list is sorted by milepost number (for example, Linn Cove Viaduct is on the list at milepost 304.4) and has a handy key that lists available resources at each one such as G for gasoline, H for hiking, C for camping, F for food (all that sightseeing and exploring is going to make a person hungry) and FEE - fee charged.

And for one more suggestion, how about taking a trip back in time and to a place where money was no object - the historic Biltmore Estate. It’s near Asheville, North Carolina and is only 4 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway (take the U.S. Highway 25 north exit).

To stay up to date on when and where color is at its best along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina or anywhere else in the state, check out VisitNC.com’s fall foliage reports or call them at 1-800-VISIT NC (1.800.847.4862).

If you’re still not sure whether or not you want to grab your camping gear and head to North Carolina, check out this great photo slide show of some of the sights along and near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina to see for yourself “what all the fuss is about.”

North Carolina Fall Scenes

Today the focus is on the Midwest and the state of Michigan. Although the New England area boasts great fall color and scenic drives, the Midwest is gorgeous and colorful in the fall too.

Color starts peaking in parts of the Upper Peninsula in mid-September and into early October. There is typically good color in parts of Michigan until the end of October. The Michigan Travel and Tourism website has fall color updates and a list of several color driving tours all around the state to help make sure you don’t miss the great color no matter what part of the state you want to visit.

For color reports specifically in the Northern part of Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula, go to the NewsUpNorth website. They also feature some great fall driving tours, one of which features Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS STATE PARK - THE UPPER PENINSULA
Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has a lot to offer. It has two of the best waterfalls in Michigan, 40 miles of hiking trails, and 13 inland lakes amidst its 45,000 acres. It’s a great place for camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, fishing, viewing the colors of autumn and a great place to take pictures (sounds like it would be pretty hard to get bored there doesn’t it?).

There are 4 campgrounds in the park with rustic sites to modern sites that have electrical hookups. The park is open year round and there are heated restrooms by the modern campsites. For more information on camping or to make a reservation go the Michigan DNR website.

For a fun fall activity at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, attend the Harvest Festival at the park on October 17 and 18, 2008. There will be pumpkin carving, hayrides, costume contests, trick or treating and a walk through the “Haunted Trail in Paradise.”

And, to see what the park is like for yourself without having to leave home or spend a penny on gas, check out this Webshots slide show on Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Michigan fall colors

TRAVERSE CITY
Traverse City Michigan is a popular destination in the summer and is also a great fall destination.

There are two great scenic drives in the area recommended by the Michigan Heritage Route Program . One is 64 miles long and goes from the Village of Empire on M-22 to the junction of M-72 just north of Traverse City. The second is easy on the gas tank at a little over 17 miles long and goes from the north city limits of Traverse City (just northeast of the Peninsula Drive and Center Road Intersection) to the northern terminus of M-37 at the Old Mission Lighthouse.

For more information on both drives visit the Michigan Highways website and look under the “Scenic Heritage Routes” section.

For a place to “park your wheels” check out Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Area at 4050 Hammond Rd. Traverse City, Michigan. They have camping facilities for for RV’s, tent campers, and cabins for those that don’t want to bring their camper or RV with them. They also have several miles of trails for hiking and biking.

On October 10 and 11, 2008 they are having a guided mountain bike ride where cyclists can enjoy the crisp fall air and colorful scenery on the Timber Ridge trails. Click here for more information.

While in the Traverse City area, why not take a side trip to visit a Michigan winery or two and to sample some wine (sounds like fun to me!). Chateau Chantel is just 12 miles north of Traverse City on M-37. They are open daily, year round (except for some holidays) and offer complimentary wine tastings.

And, to bring back carefree childhood memories, kick off your shoes and run down the sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan.

And to learn more about camping and rv’ing in general and to discover more great destinations to visit in Michigan check out the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds website (MARVAC.org).

Truly immerse yourself in everything Michigan has to offer and make a point of experiencing all 10 things on their “Top Ten Michigan Experiences.” I’ve done a few of them (crossed the Mackinac Bridge - a scary thing because I hate bridges, tasted a Michigan tart cherry - yum!, biked Mackinac Island - lots of fun because we rode a tandem bike, and watched freighters pass through the Soo Locks).

While Michigan isn’t at the top of most people’s “places to visit,” it should be. There’s so much to see from the gorgeous lakeshores, to the many rivers and lakes, to the vast forests, to the cities like Detroit (the hub of American automobile manufacturing), and to places like Mackinac Island where visitors take a step back in time when there were no motorized vehicles.

Transportation on Mackinac Island is via horse, bicycle, or your own two feet (no noxious gas fumes found there!). While I admit Mackinac Island has gotten “touristy” it’s still a great place to visit. To get away from the crowds so that you can enjoy the beauty of the island, get away from town and onto the state park land trails (80% of the island is park land).

And, if you’re a history buff and enjoy getting a glimpse back into days gone by, check out this video from YouTube that I found while researching this article. It’s a circa 1949 documentary about Michigan (a short one - less than 9 minutes long). It’s a neat trip back in time (check out the hairstyles and the don’t miss the segment on the “bear man of Michigan”).

For a more modern day look at Michigan and its beauty check out this video from a former Michiganite who misses it (snow and all).

And one last picture (taken at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)

Then reality hits when one of those yellow jackets that seem to be everywhere this time of year stings me. Then I start to think about how I have to start getting out sweatshirts to wear at night and how it won’t be long before fall will be over and I’ll start seeing that four letter “s” word stuff - snow.

But even though Fall brings to mind both good and bad things (doesn’t almost everything?) it’s still my absolute favorite time of year to go camping.

With that in mind, this week’s posts are going to be a series of some great fall camping destinations where you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery and partake of the bounty of fall (aren’t fresh crisp apples one of the most wonderful things?), but also enjoy a few more days outside in the fresh air, and get cozy around a few more campfires before winter arrives and many of us pack our camping gear away until next year.

The states featured in this 5-day series will be: Vermont, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and Oregon.

First up is my favorite - Vermont.

VERMONT Vermont is considered the crown jewel of states to visit in the fall. Pictures don’t do the area justice even though the pictures of the fall colors are breathtaking!

My husband and I took our first trip to Vermont 8 years ago and even though we planned the trip a little late in the season when color was past peak, the color was still breathtaking. We took the trip just before we were bit by the “camping bug” so it was a car trip with nights spent in local hotels.

I’m hoping to go on another trip to Vermont in the next year or two, this time with my camper. Since I have a pop-up I shouldn’t have problems towing on the roads in Vermont, but if you are towing a large trailer, 5th wheel or have a Class C or Class A Motorhome, keep in mind that some roads in the state are little more than rugged dirt paths and some of the mountain roads are narrow, steep, and kind of scary (scratch -the “kind of ” - some of them were really scary to me but I’m kind of a wuss).

So if you’re camping with a bigger rig, or any tow vehicle, my suggestion is to find a campground to stay at for the the duration of your stay in the state or maybe pick 2 (one in the Northern part of the state and one in the Southern part of the state, splitting your trip into 2 segments) and take day trips around the area with your car, truck or motorcycle.

Now, let’s talk about the gorgeous fall colors. If you’re wondering why the color is so much better in Vermont and the other New England states it’s because the area has many more deciduous trees that turn colors and shed their leaves each year (hardwoods like maple, oak and beech) than coniferous trees which usually stay green and don’t shed their leaves (pine, spruce and cedar trees). That means when the leaves start turning the area is awash in the brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds we typically associate with fall with few “green” trees breaking up that colorful view.

That is why Vermont is considered the number 1 destination in the United States to view spectacular color and why reservations are highly recommended during the peak viewing season (Columbus day weekend is typically considered the peak foliage weekend and falls on October 11 and 12 in 2008) although color starts showing around mid-September and goes as late as the first part of November.

The northern parts of the state have peak color earlier than the southern portions but instead of guessing when to go, check out the color forecast at Vermont Vacations and click here for their current fall foliage report. If you’ll be away from an Internet connection, call 1.800.VERMONT (1.800.837.6668). As the fall color season gets into high gear, the hotline will have updates twice a week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays).

The great news for 2008 is that color is expected to be great because of warm weather and rain in the early part of summer that helped the trees develop healthy and strong leaves.

A few tips about fall travel in Vermont from Vermont Vacations:

1 - the first two weekends in October are the busiest of the entire year so make reservations (including campsite reservations) as early as possible.

2 - consider a visit during the week instead of the weekend

3 - think about staying in another state and driving to Vermont. Vermont is not that wide - only about 80 miles. Vermont has many residents who commute daily to either New York State, New Hampshire or Massachusetts for their job. East to west driving in Vermont can be a little tricky though. I remember when we were there we thought a trip was only going to take about 30 minutes because our destination was only 25 miles away but we forgot about the mountains we had to drive through to get there.

Where to stay - Sue from the Addison County Chamber of Commerce was kind enough to provide information on area campgrounds. View the list by clicking here (it includes both private and state campgrounds).

If you’ve read my blog posts in the past you know I’m a fan of the campgrounds at state parks because they are typically roomier, have more nature themed amenities like hiking trails, bike trails, and fishing, and most importantly to me - they are almost always cheaper. The downside is that they often don’t have as many amenities as private campgrounds (such as electricity and water hookups) plus there may not be many sites large enough to accommodate large RV’s (if you’re curious about why that is, it’s because most state parks were built over 50 years ago when campers and RV’s were smaller). Several of the state campgrounds in Vermont are already closed for the season, with many more closing by mid-October so call ahead if you want to stay at a state campground to be sure it’s open and to be sure it will accommodate your camping rig. Otherwise, there are plenty of great private campgrounds as well.

Mid-Vermont’s most popular state campground is Little River State Park, 30 miles south of Burlington. It’s open through Columbus Day weekend and has 81 tent/trailer campsites and 20 lean to sites. It was named Park of the Year. As a bonus, it’s not far from Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory! I went there on my trip to Vermont, took a tour, and had some delicious ice cream. And if you’re a cheese fan, it’s only about 34 miles from Ben and Jerry’s to Cabot Farms for their factory tour (yes, I know they are 2 very “touristy” things to do but I was a tourist when I was there and was happy to play the part - I took a tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company too).

Beautiful Fall Drives In Vermont
Sue from the Addison County Chamber of Commerce says that any drive over the Green Mountains in Vermont is beautiful in the fall. There are 4 gaps that can be driven in a day or two and they all pretty much run between Rte 100 to the east of the mountains and Rte 7 to the west of the mountains.

Here are 5 recommended drives (4 gap drives through the mountains and one non-mountain drive):
1 - Rte 73 which runs west to east between Brandon, Vermont and just south of Rochester, Vermont, going over the Brandon Gap. Take a break in Brandon to walk around their downtown and have lunch at one of their restaurants. Brandon is also one of the gateway villages to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area which is in the heart of the 400,000 acre Green Mountain National Forest. The Moosalamoo Recreation area has over 70 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding but a flood in August damaged some trails and roads so check the Green Mountain Forest Conditions web page for closures or call the forest office at 1.802.747.6700 before heading out.

Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore is near Rte 73. It has 22 tent campsites and 6 lean-to campsites. The park is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend.

2 - Rte 125, west to east from E. Middlebury over Breadloaf Mountain/Middlebury Gap to Hancock. The views are great but the road isn’t so great. Because of flooding in August there is dirt and gravel along some of the road surface edges although the road is open, but only to passenger vehicles in some areas.

The Robert Frost Interpretive Trail is just off Rte 125, about about halfway between Ripton village and the Breadloaf School of English. It’s an easy walk through a woods a little over a mile long where people can pause to read markers with Frost’s poems written on them. The walk is meant to show people what one of the walks in the woods was like when Robert Frost took them while thinking about his writing. Maybe the walk will inspire the inner poet in you!

3 - Rte 116 from Bristol east over the Lincoln Gap to Warren. Both Bristol and Warren have nice downtown areas. Note that some of the road surface at the peak is dirt.

Bristol is celebrating their annual Harvest Fest on September 27, 2008. The festival offers family fun with music, horse/wagon rides, children’s activities, a craft festival, the “Taste of Bristol”, a kid’s area, and bandstand music. Car enthusiasts should stick around the next day, September 28, 2008 for Bristol’s 4th annual Better L8 Than Never Car show that will features 26 classes of vehicles to drool over, 10 “best of” trophies, muffler raps, music and lots of delicious food.

4 - Rte 17 from Bristol over the Appalachian Gap to Waitsfield is an especially beautiful day drive with lots of scenery. The road is completely paved but it does have lots of twists and tight turns.

5 - For a nice drive that’s not in the mountains but has nice views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, drive along Vermont’s “coast” (Routes 17, 22A and 125 all skirt along the edge of the shoreline of Lake Champlain). Start at the city of Vergennes where there are nice shops and good restaurants. If you’d rather stay at a cottage than camp, check out the Basin Harbor Club (click here to take a photo tour of their cottages)on Lake Champlain where you’ll have a front row seat to watch the migration of waterfowl that are heading south to a warmer climate for the winter.

For great camping with a view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, check out Button Bay State Park. It has 73 campsites, and 13 lean-to’s. The campground is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day weekend.

Getting Some Exercise in Vermont
Walking on a treadmill or being a gym rat may be some people’s idea of great exercise but many others would rather be active outside in the fresh air. There’s plenty of opportunities for great outdoor activity in Vermont. Click here for some great bike trail guides. There are lots of choices including: Lake Champlain Region Bikeways Map and Guide, Heart of Vermont Bikeways, Adirondack Coast Bikeways, Northern Adirondack Coast Bikeways, Cycle the City (Burlington), Island Line Trail, Champlain Islands Bikeways, Northwest Dairyland, Franklin County Bicycle and Walking Guide, Guide to the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail and Bicycling Along the Richelieu River. Whew! I got tired just typing out all those choices.

For hiking trail information visit VTLiving.com.

How About Something Delicious
All that biking and hiking in the crisp fall air is bound to work up an appetite. How about some fresh, juicy, crisp apples? Click here for a list of Vermont apple orchards.

If you prefer something even sweeter, like delicious, pure Vermont maple syrup (and other maple products), stop at one of the numerous roadstands in Vermont or click here for a list of sugarhouses that are open year-round.

Lastly, this article about Vermont wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the covered bridges. I saw several when I was there and enjoyed every one of them. Many have weight restrictions so you may not be able to drive over them if you have a large RV or trailer, but you can still stop, look, and maybe ask other people also looking if they’ll take your picture. My husband and I did that while we were there and we had the good fortune to hand our camera to a professional photographer. We got a great picture but that was before my “digital camera” age so I’m unable to share it here.

But most of all, no matter what you do while visiting Vermont, relax and enjoy yourself - and see if you can catch a glimpse of a moose. That’s the one thing I never saw while I was there even though I kept my eyes on the lookout for them(at least while I wasn’t watching for falling rocks!).

And, for a great “armchair tour” of Vermont to give you a taste of how beautiful the area is, watch the Webshots Vermont slideshow below.

VERMONT REVISITED - Autumn 2004 (Hi-Res)

For more information on Vermont, visit Vermont’s official tourism site, VermontVacation.com

I just happen to have an answer for that! It’s a Ho-Chunk Indian phrase that pretty much means “Let’s Have Some Fun!”

The festival signifies the end of the summer season in Wisconsin Dells and the beginning of Autumn with 3 days packed full of things to do and see.

There is an arts and crafts fair, an antique flea market, a parade, a street carnival, live entertainment, and the 41st annual Wo-Zha-Wa Run where participants can choose to run a half marathon or do a less taxing four mile run (even a four mile run would do me in!)

There is also a Maxwell Street Days event where many local businesses have great deals on merchandise they are hoping to sell before they lock the doors and pull the shades until next Spring. Although more and more businesses are staying open all year long in Wisconsin Dells due to the huge popularity of the indoor water parks there, many still only stay open during the summer months.

Here’s the full event listing for the weekend:
Friday, September 12
Concessions all day
Maxwell Street Days, 7 am - 5 pm
Antique Flea Market, 7 am - 7 pm
Arts & Crafts Fair, Noon - 5 pm

Saturday, September 13 >
Concessions all day
Maxwell Street Days, 7 am - 5 pm
Wo-Zha-Wa Run, 8 am
Antique Flea Market, 7 am - 7 pm
Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 am - 5 pm

Sunday, September 14
Concessions all day
Maxwell Street Days, 7 am - 5 pm
Antique Flea Market, 7 am - 3 pm
Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 am - 3 pm
100-unit Parade, 1:30 pm

Why not attend the festival and camp for the weekend? There are more than 2 dozen private campgrounds in the area; plus Devil’s Lake State Park with its awesome scenery and great hiking trails is nearby, as well as Mirror Lake State Park.

Sherwood Forest Campground, right in Wisconsin Dells and just a short walk to downtown Wisconsin Dells, is offering a special for Wo-Zha-Wa days. Campers who spend Friday and Saturday (September 12 & 13, 2008) night at the campground, get to stay free on Sunday night (September 14, 2008).

There are also several golf courses and plenty of fishing in local lakes and rivers and even at a fishing park that is great for families because everyone catches a fish and no license is required.

There is also horseback riding at 2 local stables .

Plus Cave of the Mounds national natural landmark is less than an hour from Wisconsin Dells and is worth the trip to see the crystal formations and underground pools.

And, it wouldn’t be a trip to Wisconsin Dells without a tour of the Wisconsin River on the unique Wisconsin Ducks, amphibious land to water vehicles used during World War II.

Of course, it’s always fun to just hang around the campfire and relax, maybe reading a book or taking a nice nap.

If you’re wondering about Lake Delton, which broke through its banks in June during heavy rains and flooding, completely emptying the lake, reconstruction is underway and the lake is expected to be full of water again by next spring. But don’t worry. Even without the lake, there is plenty to do and see in Wisconsin Dells this time of year.

There are national parks, one of which is Channel Islands National Park in Ventura, California; state parks, one of which is Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island; KOA campgrounds, one of which is St. Augustine Beach KOA in St. Augustine, Florida; and two resorts, one of which is ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort in Mesa, Arizona.

The list doesn’t have many private campgrounds on it because Reserve America primarily handles reservations for Federal/National Parks and State Parks. The private campground it handles reservations for are Encore/ELS, KOA, and Thousand Trails.

Of the 100 campgrounds on the list I’ve only been to one, Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. It’s a nice state park but the downside is that the campsites are pretty far from the lake and if a family wants to enjoy a day at the beach it’s a long way to walk - especially when loaded down with food, beverages, sunscreen, towels, and flotation toys for the water.

Here’s the complete list of Reserve America’s top 100 family campgrounds for 2008.

LASKA
Brooks Camp Campground-Katmai National Park & Preserve-King Salmon, AK

ARIZONA
Mather Campground-Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon, AZ

ARKANSAS
Hot Springs National Park KOA-Hot Springs, AR

CALIFORNIA
Channel Islands National Park-Ventura, CA
Columbia State Historic Park-Tuolumne, CA
Forks Campground-Sierra National Forest-Bass Lake, CA
Laguna-Cleveland National Forest-Mt. Laguna, CA
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park-Shasta, CA
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park-San Diego, CA
Richardson Grove State Park-Humboldt, CA
Van Damme State Park-Mendocino, CA

COLORADO
Steamboat Lake State Park-Clark, CO
Glacier Basin Campground-Rocky Mountain National Park-Estes Park, CO

CONNECTICUT
American Legion State Forest-Austin Hawes Campground-Pleasant Valley, CT
Hammonasset Beach State Park-Madison, CT
Housatonic Meadows State Park-Sharon, CT
Rocky Neck State Park-Niantic, CT

FLORIDA
Fort Clinch State Park-Fernandina Beach, FL
Oscar Scherer State Park-Osprey, FL
St. Augustine Beach KOA-St. Augustine, FL
St. George Island State Park-St.George Island, FL

GEORGIA
Watsadler Campground-Hartwell, GA

KENTUCKY
Barren River State Resort Park-Lucas, KY
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park-Burkesville, KY
Green River Lake State Park-Campbellsville, KY
John James Audubon State Park-Henderson, KY
Nolin Lake State Park-Mammoth Cave, KY

LOUISIANA
Cypremort Point State Park-Cypremort Point, LA
Grand Isle State Park-Grand Isle, LA
Bayou Segnette State Park-Westwego, LA
Hodges Gardens State Park-Florien, LA

MARYLAND
Greenbelt Campground-Greenbelt Park-Greenbelt, MD

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Harbor Island National Park Area-Hingham, MA
D.A.R. State Forest-Goshen, MA
Pearl Hill State Park-West Townsend, MA
Tolland State Forest-East Otis, MA
Wells State Park-Sturbridge, MA

MICHIGAN
Petoskey KOA-Petoskey, MI
Sand Lake Campground-Huron-Manistee National Forest-Manistee, MI

MISSISSIPPI
John W Kyle State Park-Sardis, MS
Lake Lincoln State Park-Wesson, MS
Paul B Johnson State Park-Hattiesburg, MS
Percy Quin State Park-McComb, MS
Trace State Park-Belden, MS

NEBRASKA
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park-Ashland, NE
Fort Robinson State Park-Crawford, NE
Ponca State Park-Ponca, NE

NEVADA
Hilltop-Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest-Charleston, NV

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bear Brook State Park-Allenstown, NH
Crawford Notch State Park-Crawford Notch, NH
Franconia Notch State Park-Franconia, NH
Lake Francis State Park-Pittsburgh, NH
Pawtuckaway State Park-Nottingham, NH
Umbagog Lake State Park-Errol, NH
White Lake State Park-Tamworth, NH

NEW YORK
Brown Tract Campground-Raquette Lake, NY
Buck Pond Campground-Onchiota, NY
Cedar Island State Park-Clayton, NY
Coles Creek State Park-Waddington, NY
Delta Lake State Park-Rome, NY
DeWolf Point State Park-Fineview, NY
Hearthstone Point-Lake George, NY
Keewyadin State Park-Alexandria Bay, NY
Keuka Lake State Park-Bluff Point, NY
Mongaup Pond-Livingston Manor, NY

OHIO
Shelby/Mansfield KOA-Shelby, OH

OREGON
Nehalem Bay State Park-Nehalem, OR
Pine Meadows Campground-Cottage Grove, OR

PENNSYLVANIA
Seven Points Campground-Raystown Lake-Hesston, PA

RHODE ISLAND
George Washington Memorial Camping Area-Glocester, RI
Burlingame State Park and Campground-Charlestown, RI
Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground-Narragansett, RI

SOUTH CAROLINA
Aiken State Natural Area-Windsor, SC
Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area-Calhoun Falls, SC
Hamilton Branch State Recreation Area-Plum Branch, SC
Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area-Sunset, SC
Paris Mountain State Park-Greenville, SC
Table Rock State Park-Pickens, SC

TENNESSEE
Bristol/Kingsport KOA-Blountville, TN

UTAH
Bear Lake State Park-Garden City, UT
Fremont Indian State Park & Museum-Sevier, UT
Goblin Valley State Park-Green River, UT
Red Fleet State Park-Vernal, UT

VIRGINIA
Chippokes Plantation State Park-Surry, VA
Claytor Lake State Park-Dublin, VA
Douthat State Park-Millboro, VA
Fairy Stone State Park-Stuart, VA
Lake Anna State Park-Spotsylvania, VA (click here to view the Lake Anna webcam)
New River Trail State Park-Foster Falls, VA
Occoneechee State Park-Clarksville, VA
Smith Mountain Lake State Park-Huddleston, VA
Westmoreland State Park-Montross, VA

WASHINGTON
Central Ferry Park-Pomeroy, WA
Takhlakh Lake Campground-Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Trout Lake, WA

WISCONSIN
Roche-A-Cri State Park-Friendship, WI
Buckhorn State Park-Necedah, WI
Devil’s Lake State Park-Baraboo, WI
Wisconsin Dells KOA-Wisconsin Dells, WI

ENCORE RESORTS
Tropical Palms Resort - Orlando, Florida
ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort - Mesa, AZ

Have you been to any of these campgrounds? Do you have a different suggestion for one of the top 100 campgrounds? If you have, please share your thoughts about its ranking as one of the top 100 family campgrounds in America in the comments section below.

Personally, I think the best campground in Wisconsin, which is where I’m from, is Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. It has campgrounds very close to the beach, bike rentals, boat rentals, level hiking and biking trails, an outdoor ampitheater, a nice nature center, a lighthouse, a 75 foot high lookout tower, and a fun night-time Halloween walk in October.

The volunteer vacations are a week long, and combine camping with building and maintaining trails in various parts of the United States.

Participants can choose the type of volunteer vacation that is right for them based on what state they would like to volunteer in, how challenging they would like the work to be, the type of accommodations they prefer, the age range of the participants, and what month and year they would like to go.

Currently, volunteer vacations are available in 25 states some of which are Alaska, Washington, Texas, Florida, Maine, and Colorado, and also in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The difficulty level of the vacations range from easy to very strenuous.

Accommodations vary from primitive tenting, improved tenting, shelter, and cabin.

Plus there are volunteer vacations that are suitable for families, for people ages 18-21, and for people 21 and over.

For example, there are currently two open projects in the US Virgin Islands Nation Park in November 2008. The work being done is restoration of historic trails, with the work being moderate to difficult. Participants will be driven to a trailhead work site each morning and will have to hike up to an hour to their work site. Four to six hours will be spent working on the trail. Participants will be able to spend their non working hours enjoying the beaches, water activities, or touring historic ruins.

The cost of the trip is $245 for American Hiking Society Members or $275 for non-members. There are additional costs for food and lodging.

For more information, click here.

Another volunteer vacation that is currently accepting volunteers is at Crowleys Ridge State Park in Arkansas from November 2-8, 2008. The work level is easy to moderate and work may consist of bridge repair, erosion control, constructing an interpretive trail, signage, tread work, or clearing work.

For more information on the opportunity in Arkansas, click here.

To check out all the opportunities, click here for an interactive map and for more information on what to expect when taking a volunteer vacation.

To learn more about the American Hiking Society, who organizes the volunteer vacations, click here.