Fall Foliage Scenic Drive in Maine

Fall foliage scenic drives in Maine are varied and include coastal drives around Acadia National Park and the rocky coastline of upper Northern Maine to Baxter State park region, to some of the larger lakes in the state. Many of the scenic drives emphasize the rugged wilderness of thick forests and impressive mountain terrain of the Maine backcountry.

Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the nation, containing over 17 million acres of natural beauty, hikes, and magnificent summer scenic drives. One of the drives is nicknamed "The Lakes and Leaves" and I've chosen it because it's especially stunning in fall foliage season.

The "Lakes and Leaves" route follows a 218-mile loop through central west Maine along the lower western shore of Moosehead Lake, and then runs parallel with the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River. It's best experienced over a few days rather than a one-day excursion trip, and lodging reservations are recommended during the popular fall foliage season.

Let's get you started ...

In the first part of the tour you'll wind your way towards the town of Greenville on the southern tip of Moosehead Lake. Begin the tour in the town of Skowhegan by taking Route 150 to Route 151 in Athens. Follow Route 151 west to Newport where you'll pick up Route 7 to Dover-Foxcroft. Take Route 6 to Guilford, and then follow Route 6/15 north to Greenville.

At Greenville stop and relax for a bit. Greenville is a center for those seeking the pastimes of hunting, fishing, hiking and boating in the area. It's also home to a number of attractions in the area. One such attraction is the 110-foot SS Katahdin, a popular steamship that cruises on Moosehead Lake during the summer and through fall foliage. It leaves from the center of Greenville. The views from the ship are dramatic and worth the extra scheduling preparation.

A 20-mile excursion east of Greenville takes you to beautiful Gulf Hagas. This is a stunning 3-mile-long gorge, with waterfalls, water chutes, deep pools, and vertical walls 300 feet tall in places. The hike is especially scenic during fall foliage. For those spreading this scenic drive over multiple days this is a must-do side trip.

The Greenville area also boasts splendid hikes along the close-by Appalachian Trail, and is the preferred stop over town in the area if you're intending to do any of the excursions over multiple days. Like most lodging in New England during the fall season ... book early.

The scenic drive continues along Route 6/15 passing Big Squaw Mountain and Ski Area on the left, and winding along the Moosehead Lake shore to the village of Rockwood. Once at Rockwood you'll see across the water the imposing Mount Kineo with its sheer cliff face rising over 700 feet from the deepest point in Moosehead Lake.

Stay on Route 6/15 and head west to Jackman. This 30-mile portion of the scenic drive is all about Maine wilderness. You'll find plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the fall foliage views in the hills and on scenic lookouts across the lakes and ponds along the road.

Just south of Jackman Route 6/15 will connect with Route 201, and you'll follow Route 201 south towards The Forks along the National Scenic Byway. Jackman is a canoeing center, famous for the 42-mile Moose River Bow Trip. The canoe trip takes two or more days and is a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. It's one of the few remaining wilderness canoe trips in the Northeast, and organized tours are run by local operators.

Continue on Route 201 south to The Forks where the Kennebec and Dead Rivers meet. The Forks is base for popular and awe-inspiring whitewater rafting trips on the two rivers. A few miles west of The Forks is Moxie Falls, at 90-feet one of the tallest waterfalls in New England.

The scenic drive continues south on Route 201 to Bingham. This stretch of the road follows the Kennebec River through Caratunk, offering magnificent views of the river and surrounding hills, and is one of the best fall foliage sections on this tour. Stop on occasions and marvel at the way the river has carved out such wonderful scenery for us to admire. If you've got a camera - use it!

Follow Route 201 back to Skowhegan to complete the tour.

Unlike other scenic drives in New England this one's main attraction is the natural rugged beauty of the Maine wilderness, rather than villages and towns or other historic monuments. This is a drive to build an outdoor vacation around, but it also makes an ideal fall foliage weekend jaunt.

Shopping For A Mountain Bike

When you were a kid, the anticipation of showing off on your shiny new bike was almost too much to bear. Then, on shopping day, you were on top of the world as you sped down the sidewalk in a blur of red enamel, chrome and handlebar tassels. Can buying a new bike be that exciting now that you're all grown up? It can be, if you know what to look for.

Shopping for a mountain bike can be time consuming, and a bit frustrating. But if you follow a few guidelines and make sensible choices, you'll make it the exciting experience it should be.

Set Your Price

There is a vast price range for mountain bikes. You can spend under $100 for a bargain bike at a department store, or lay down thousands for a professional model. Set your budget and try to stick with it. There are good bikes available at reasonable prices, and there are some overpriced stinkers. Know how much you can afford, and keep your spending under control. Remember that in addition to the bike, you're also paying for quality and service. With this in mind, you should consider buying from a local bike shop, rather than a mass merchant store that can't provide follow up service or repairs.

Sales and seasons

Like any product, prices will fluctuate based on the market demand. The price will naturally be higher during prime riding seasons in spring and summer. If you can wait until winter, you'll likely cash in with a lower tag price or even find a few good off-season sales. Waiting until the market quiets down can save you hundreds of dollars. To save more money, check to see if your bike shop offers discounts on additional parts and accessories purchased with your bike.

Find Your Style

Mountain bikes are built to accommodate different riding styles and terrains. Before you can shop for a mountain bike, you need to know what type of riding you will be doing. Mountain cruising, cross-country racing, smooth riding or lift access downhill are all riding styles available to you. Decide how and where you want to ride, then choose a mountain bike that fits your personal style, rather than that of the sales staff.

Hard Tail or Suspension

If you can afford it, a full suspension mountain bike is definitely worth the price. Lightweight hard tail bikes without rear suspension may pedal more efficiently, but full suspension models provide better control and more comfort. Your riding style, price range and choice of terrain will help you decide between suspension and hard tail bikes.

Pick a Few Favorites

If you were to compare mountain component to component, you 'd spend the entire biking season going over notes instead of taking on the trails. There are far too many combinations available. The best way to narrow down your options is to determine the components that are most important to you, such as the forks, rear derailleur and wheels. When you've created your wish list, find a few models that meet your needs and fall within your price range. Now do your comparison-shopping based on five or six available bikes.

Find a Good Dealer

More often than not, dealing with a reliable bike shop is more important than saving a few bikes. Try to find a dealer that cares about helping you find the right bike for you, rather than just trying to sell you an expensive bike. Great bike dealers have friendly salespeople and a clean, organized repair shop. Sooner or later you will need a tune-up or repairs, so be sure to deal with someone you trust to provide dependable follow-up service.

Try it before you buy it

Test-ride as many different bikes as possible to find your comfort zone. Even if you're not crazy about the way one model looks, it might be a dream to ride. If a bike is in your price range, take it for a spin. The more bikes you test, the better you'll understand what works and what doesn't. Again, choose a reputable dealer that will allow you to try the bikes before you buy. Mega department and hardware stores will not give you this option.

Do your Research

There are many great resources to help you compare and choose a mountain bike. Read product reviews and cycling magazines, research online, and ask for advice at your local bike shop. Find out as much as you can about the reliability and performance of each model. Look at what other riders appreciate about their bikes. Know your options and understand the differences before you make your final purchase.

Take the time to think before you shop for a mountain bike. Making the right choice may take longer, but will pay off when you have a bike that suits your perfectly and will perform season after season. You'll be on top of the world as you speed down a mountainside in a blur of red enamel, chrome and toe clips.

The Best Ski Vacations

Looking for a great way to please the family? Consider a ski vacation. Everyone loves to ski, and there are many great locations to take the family to for a good time. Take a look at these locations.

Sugarloaf, in the great state of Maine, is a ski resort sure to please your family. Located on a mountain named, appropriately, Sugarloaf Mountain, it has a grand history. In 1951 the first trail was cut by a group known as a The Bigelow Boys. It is today a premier ski area of the Northeast United States, second in elevation onto to the highest mountain in Main, Mount Katahdin. At the summit of Sugarloaf is a life to take the skier above treeline.

New Hampshire offers fine skiing at Cannon Mountain, home of the New England Ski Museum, which contains the most extensive collection of historical ski equipment, literature, film, clothing, photographs, and artwork on the East Coast. The extensive archive is renowned by scholars and historians across the U.S., and the Museum is officially recognized by the United States Ski Association as a Regional Museum, one of only four in the country, and sure to please a ski enthusiast.

On the south short of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, Blue Mountain prides itself on being the largest ski area in the province. The resort offers several six man chair lifts and a pedestrian village is under construction. Enjoy your visit to Blue Mountain for a fantastic and unique experience.

In upstate New York, Whiteface Mountain reigns king among ski resorts. The fifth highest mountain in New York State and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack range Whiteface Mountain offers a 360 degree view of the mountains and on a clear day a visitor can see both Vermont and Canada. Near Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain has a ski area with the greatest vertical drop in the eastern part of the country. In 1980 Whiteface hosted the alpine skiing competition of the Winter Olympics.

Aspen Mountain in Colorado is world famous for fine skiing. Still called by the old name of Ajax by the locals, Aspen is a skier's delight, as are most Colorado resorts, including Vail. Another world famous western state resort is in Park City, Utah, home of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. All of the resorts listed provide great skiing.

Modern skiing evolved gradually from snow shoeing, and a Norwegian, Sondre Norheim, is thought of as the father of modern skiing. In the 1800's he invented the form of skiing he called Slalom, but which we know today as Telemark skiing. While skiing has practical transportation value in many colder climate countries, and many militaries train troops in skiing, most people think of the sport involving taking a ski lift to the top of a mountain for a fast and fun downhill ride. When engaged in this activity most people prefer to wear warm clothing and follow runs, trails or slopes-- patrolled ski routes that are checked for safety. Skiers also enjoy cross country skiing, but for safety sake most stay within the boundaries of the resort. In fact, most European countries have laws against cross country skiing outside of the resort's boundaries due to the danger of avalanche and the high cost of search and rescue operations.

Skiing enthusiasts report a euphoria that comes from skiing, a feeling they liken to flying and many more people are engaged in the sport today than ever before, with many fine ski schools teaching the basics. Even if you've never skied before, the basic skills can be acquired quickly and you'll be on the slopes enjoying yourself in a way you've never experienced before. Skiing is a great way to get in good physical shape, and at the end of the day, sitting around a fireplace in the lodge, bundled up with a warm blanket, and your spouse sitting next to you, holding a cup of hot cocoa in hand for sipping. This is the perfect ending to a wonderful day, which you'll experience at any of the six great ski vacation resorts listed. So give a ski vacation a try, and be very glad you did.

Mountain Biking Has The Slickrock Bike Trail In Moab

Every mountain biker worth his or her salt will want to try the Slick Rock Trail, located in Moab, Utah - one of the most challenging mountain biking trails in the world.

Every sport has its "ultimate" challenge. Golf has the Augusta National - host of the Masters tournament, Tennis has the grass courts of Wimbledon, car racing has the Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500.

Mountain Biking has the Slickrock Bike Trail in Moab, Utah.

The Slickrock Bike Trail is a 9.6 mile trail which most experts consider to be "the ultimate mountain biking experience." There's plenty of "easy and scenic" bike trails as well, but for the ultimate ride, Slickrock is it.

Moab is located in eastern Utah, about 230 miles east of Salt Lake City, or 350 miles west of Denver, Colorado. The origin of the name of Moab for this once small town (incorporated in 1902) are unclear, but now the name is iconic for great mountain biking.

Moab isn't a big city - only about 5,000 people live there, but they get plenty of tourist traffic - so much so that you'll find over thirty hotels and motels, ten bed and breakfasts, two resorts, 26 guest houses, and fifteen privately owned campgrounds. There are also over a dozen public campgrounds in the national parks nearby.

Tourists don't just come for the mountain biking, of course. There's off-road jeep trails, hiking, camping, and motorcycling ... there's even the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail, on which you can walk and see traces of dinosaur bones of a variety of species.

The first thing any visitor to Moab should do is visit their Visitor's Center, which will have brochures for every activity under the sun, trail maps and more. If you're new to Moab you do not want to go anywhere without a selection of trailmaps, and you should never go anywhere without letting someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back. Better still, always hike or bike with a buddy who can help you out in case of trouble.

If you're a beginner, there are plenty of tour operators - mountain biking, white river rafting, skydiving - who can take you to the right places and ensure you have a good time.

As you ride along on your bike you may see others littering or misbehaving, and wonder why you are supposed to have the "least possible impact" on their environment ... but that's just the way things are. Be responsible for your own personal "footprint", even if you can't control what other people do.

Moab biking trails consist of what's called "Slick Rock." I'll get to that in a little bit. For now, here's the list of good practices.

1) Ride only on open roads and trails

2) Learn to recognize and preserve cryptobiotic soil crusts. Okay - that's going to be tough. Wait until you get to Moab and then have someone point them out to you.

3) Avoid skidding your tires

4) When it's wet, avoid clay- like surfaces. Stay on the rocky, slickrock or sandy areas

5) Don't ride along the sides of streams

6) Don't pollute the water resources

Mountain Bike Trails

1) Over 100,000 people a year ride on the Slick Rock Trail - so named because its a trail of "naked" sandstone - stone that can hold onto your bike's tires at "gravity defying angles." The trail is rated a "Class 4" - 4 being the hardest class.

The trail is twelve miles long, and if you weren't concentrating on the ground in front of you 'd see that it crosses an elevated platform of sandstone surrounded by cliffs – – cut by the Colorado River over millions of years. You'll be able to view canyons, see Arches National Park across the river, and the La Sal Mountains on the eastern skyline.

The trail is a 12-mile long loop (if you don't take any side trips) and will take at least four hours. Make sure you bring a lot of extra water with you. You can bike on the trail from mid-February through November, but of course is most popular through spring and fall.

The trail is in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, and there is a small fee enter. The fee pays for the maintenance of the entire area.

2) The Porcupine Rim Trail, also located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, is also rated a Category 4. This is a one way trail and takes about half-a-day to ride.

However, if your family is full of both skilled mountain bikers and beginners, don't despair. There's plenty of other easy mountain biking trails in this beautiful area.- such as the Bar M Loop.

Les Houches - The Hidden Gem Of The Chamonix Valley.

In the heart of the French Alps, in the north east of the Rhone Alps region lies the village of Les Houches. Nestled at one end of the Chamonix valley in the Mont Blanc region of the Haute Savoie Les Houches had long been the considered a mere satellite village of its much more illustrious neighbour Chamonix - the world capital of skiing and mountaineering. Of course the locals knew better and many high mountain guides, ski instructors and pisteurs had long since migrated to this quite and peaceful corner of the Chamonix valley - drawn as much, perhaps, by it's magnificent setting at the foot of Mont Blanc, it's peace, tranquillity and traditional ambience as its more affordable property. However, it wasn't long before the resort became recognised as a little gem in the centre of the Mont Blanc Massif and tourism bloomed due in a large part to Les Houches' incredibly easy access to and from Geneva airport.

It wasn't always so. It was only with the construction of the new road between Le Fayet and Chamonix during 1860-70, and then with the arrival of the train in 1901, that Les Houches began to open up to summer tourism. It was then that Les Houches became a small holiday retreat and the first hotels and holiday homes began to appear. Les Houches first started as a winter destination with the construction of the Bellevue cable car in 1936-7. From the 1960s the growing tourism development led to the construction of new lift systems. But, it was with the digging of the Mont Blanc tunnel (1959-65) and the completion of the Route Blanche motorway in 1990 which opened up the village of Les Houches to the rest of Europe.

Situated at a height of 1000 metres Les Houches is a pleasant family resort with an exceptional panorama of the Chamonix Aiguilles which encircle the Chamonix valley. The village is made up of a number of small hamlets, with numerous old farms and chapels and enjoys fantastic 360 ° views, some great tree lined skiing along trails winding through the woods (perfect for bad weather days) and two of the best on mountain restaurants in the valley.

Les Houches also has the widest variety and greatest number of runs in the Chamonix valley, offering everything from gentle greens and blues for practising your newly acquired turns on, to the world famous Kandahar - a regular feature on the FIS Men's World Cup downhill circuit. Indeed, the Kandahar is considered by many racers to be second only in difficulty to the Streif on the Hahnenkamn in Kitzbuhel. The run is 3343 metres in length with an impressive 870m of declivity and the winning time is sub two minutes. With its series of technical passages and jumps, including La Cassure and Le Goulet, the Kandahar is also considered to be one of the most beautiful downhill slopes in the world.

Les Houches offers a myriad of activities throughout the year to suit all tastes and inclinations. During the winter season, in addition to the skiing and snowboarding, Les Houches offers dog sleighing, outdoor ice skating, snowshoeing, indoor climbing, paragliding and local markets offering fresh regional produce. During the glorious summer months you can climb, trek, mountain bike, paraglide, play tennis or simply relax and enjoy the fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. Combined with a variety of bars and restaurants, shops and museums to visit and explore there should be enough to keep you occupied throughout your stay.

Kopaonik in Serbia

Skiing in Kopaonik, Serbia is becoming a growing trend for skiers looking to move away from the commercial skiing facilities of Central and Northern Europe in search of more naturally occurring skiing trails. With a snow range of 1770-2017 metres and a village positioned 5,000 feet above sea level Kopeonik in Serbia is seen as the answer to many skiers' dreams. With a three hour journey from the nearest airport Kopaonik is surely worth the effort, having cross-country skiing, night skiing, skydiving, sleigh rides, ice-skating, indoor tennis and many other activities for the winter sports enthusiast to enjoy.

The mountain climbs 35,000 feet into the cold Serbian sky, whilst ski lifts only climb to 6,617 feet. The skiing facility is yet to host a major skiing event; despite being home to several international snowboarding competitions and cross-country skiing as well. The living quarters are apt for pricing that would delight the weariest of tourists. Skiers can experience national cuisine such as Burek (pastry, cheese, spinach) and Pljeskavica (grilled mince) for well under $10 a meal. The old favorites such as burger, chips and pizza are still on the menu, and the price of $1.50 a beer might delight some holiday makers looking to do slightly more than just ski! The living area can handle over 5,000 tourists at the same time, whilst the bars and clubs around the area make the holiday destination more suited to the younger holiday-maker. Another issue that is quite prominent is the mistake that many make in travelling to Kopaonik to celebrate Christmas - the celebrations are of slight comparison to western culture, despite its labelling as a winter heaven.

With different piste types Kopaonik caters for beginners, intermediates and experts with the following ratio.

? 15 beginner

? 8 intermediate

? 6 expert

Having 21 lifts and an uphill capacity of 15,000 (an hour) Kopaonik is more than capable of catering for its millions of visitors each year. With slopes facing N, N/E and N/W you can be sure to experience the densely populated villages that surround the region. Thriving from the tourism the mountain provides, Kopaonik has recently became home to a 4 star luxury hotel providing entertainment and accommodation to skiers and executives alike.

With the longest run covering 3.5 KM and expert tuition on hand, Kopaonik has recently benefited from its appointment of English speaking instructors across skiing and snowboarding disciplines. The advanced runs down the Kopaonik mountain-face are a primary incent

ive for many skiers to choose Kopaonik as their skiing holiday destination. The 6 runs that fit into this category must be epitomised by the Konaci - which a local holiday village was recently named after.

The Konaci has an angle of 79 degrees at a certain point, which it is said that - if you go too slow, and fail to position yourself correctly, it would be perfectly feasible to fall forwards merely travelling in a straight line. The Konaci sees skiers travelling at speeds of over 50 MPH and jumps that allow airtime of over 8 seconds. The Konaci is praised and feared by the top skiers from Europe and further a field. Despite this, the run featured in the 2005 snowboarding event that took place in the Kopaonik mountains.

With snow falling on the slopes between August/September all the way through to early March, skiers should plan their trip with that in mind. The slopes of Serbia and the warm generous nation make Kopaonik an ideal holiday destination for any traveler looking to have a good time on a set of skis. The package deals start from around $400 a week, whilst amazing savings can be made through booking online.

The destination expects 10, 000 visitors a week by 2009, and with its intention to develop further runs across every piste you can be sure that Kopaonik, Serbia will be a skiing location that will stay firmly on the map.

Traveling To Alicante Made Simple

It may be business or pleasure that has you travelling to Alicante, Spain, but whatever the reason is you are going, getting there is a breeze. Tourism is making its way to this once mostly industrial working city. As a result, more traveller friendly resources are becoming available. Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the southeast region of Spain, Alicante is a bustling port and a well-populated region. That doesn't take away from the beautiful mountains to the west or the fact that it has some of the loveliest beaches to its east.

Getting There

Alicante is best reached by air from countries around the world. The El Altet International Airport is located just 6 miles (10 km) from the heart of the city. There are daily flights from other major cities in Spain including Madrid, Ibiza and Barcelona. The Alicante airport is also serviced by major airline carriers from around Europe.

Travelling to Alicante is also possible by train or bus. Car hire services can be used within the city limits as well. Since Alicante is a region with its primary city bearing the same name, there are several other smaller towns that are accessible in Alicante by the railroad system known as the tram and trenet. These smaller railways go to Denia, Altea, and Benidorm. The two way services in and out of Alicante use motor buses to connect the city with the outlying towns and villages.

A ferry from Algeria can also bring you into the city limits of Alicante. It is booked by going throught Romeu to Oran or Algeria. This is not the best or most reliable method of getting there since there can be upsets in service due to the political atmosphere of Algeria at any given time.

Once inside the city limits, it is really a walking city because of its small size. However, taxis and intercity busses are available as well as the tram to an from Plaza del Mar to the airport outside of town.

Where to Stay

Those who travel to Alicante from far away will require overnight accommodations which can be found in abundance. Many high rise hotels in the city centre let you stay in the heart of the business district. There are views from these skyscrapers toward the mountains or sea.

If you prefer a more resort like atmosphere for your stay, just outside the city along the beaches are hotels with breathtaking seaside views and easy access to the sun and sand.

Beach property is as luxurious as found in any resort and offers family-friendly options with a Mediterranean flare. These hotels are close to both the city and beach in this close-knit region.

What to Expect

Once you have accomplished travelling to Alicante, you can expect a pleasant visit. This region sees a lot of sunshine year round and has some of the warmest water temperatures, reaching up to 80º F. If the surrounding cities get too warm, you can find some relief in Alicante by going to the beach and enjoying the sea breezes. The city can stay hot like all concrete clad cities, but you are just a short walking distance toward relief. The winter is mild and pleasant throughout the season, making it a great winter getaway for the region.

International travellers have started in recent years to frequent Alicante on day or weekend trips from other areas of Spain or Europe. Here they are pleased to experience Spain as it really is and not just the face it puts on for tourists. What was once a sort of dreary industrial town, has been given a makeover and become a welcoming attraction for Spaniards and international travellers both.