Leaf Watch 2010

Park Rangers Anticipate a Vibrant Autumn:
Website Highlights Best Leaf Color in Georgia’s State Parks

For many people, the perfect autumn weekend includes cozy campfires, gooey s’mores and fiery-hued forests. To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia’s state parks will soon launch “Leaf Watch 2010” in partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission to track fall color as it moves across the Peach State and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Whether heading north for hiking and waterfalls or south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2010” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org throughout October and November, travelers can get updates on fall color, learn safe hiking tips, and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks. New this year is a partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission and a webcam at Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton, Ga. Expert foresters will advise travelers about overall color, specific tree species and even the weather’s effect on leaf watching. The webcam will provide a glimpse of color progressing across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

"Fortunately, there are no 'bad' years for fall foliage in Georgia," said Ken Masten, Gainesville District Manager for the Georgia Forestry Commission. "With moderating temperatures and sufficient rainfall in the next weeks, sunny and cool fall days should set the stage for the best showing of autumn color." Typically, Georgia’s mountain parks peak in late October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much of November. Some of the most popular parks for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain, Moccasin Creek, Smithgall Woods, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel.

Since some of these parks are crowded on the prettiest weekends, visitors may want to explore lesser-known parks, which can be vibrant. Providence Canyon State Park, also called Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, has hiking trails that highlight sweetgums and sassafras. Hardwoods and mossy rock gardens can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in near Columbus. “We are excited to partner with Georgia Forestry Commission this year,” said Georgia State Parks Director Becky Kelley. “They can offer expertise on the most colorful trees in Georgia, and we can provide easy ways for visitors to get out and enjoy this beautiful season.”

Park officials advise visitors to make overnight reservations as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for mountain cottages and yurts to be reserved nearly a year in advance, and many campgrounds fill up on pretty weekends. Amicalola Falls and Unicoi state parks offer hotel-style lodges with restaurants. To make a reservation, call 1-800-864-7275 or log onto www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.



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Train Excursions: Day Trips To Roanoke, Va. and Asheville, N.C. Scheduled for October 30 and 31

The N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society will host day trip train excursions to Roanoke, Va. October 30 and Asheville, N.C. October 31. These excursions, now in their fourth year, allow travelers to see beautiful fall foliage, experience a great destination and enjoy the romance of riding the rails.

The N.C. Transportation Museum and Watauga Valley NRHS revived fall excursions in 2007, offering trips to Charlottesville, Va. Sell out crowds and satisfied passengers made those excursions incredibly popular. Last year’s addition of Asheville, N.C. as a destination created an even greater demand for tickets. The trips sold out in record time, with dome car tickets selling out in mere minutes.

This year, the “Virginia Autumn Special” will travel to Roanoke, Va. Saturday, Oct. 30. The “Blue Ridge Special” will travel to Asheville, N.C. Sunday, Oct. 31. More dome car tickets have been added but the demand is expected to be just as strong as years past.

Departing Spencer at 7 a.m., Saturday’s Virginia Autumn Special” will offer additional passenger pick-up at the Greensboro Amtrak Station at 8 a.m., allowing those in the Triad a more convenient boarding opportunity. The train will travel through the northern portion of the North Carolina Piedmont, including the cities of High Point and Reidsville before crossing into Virginia. The western part of central Virginia offers spectacular views of the fall foliage, crossing the Dan and Roanoke Rivers. Moving onto the old Virginian Railway line, passengers will travel westward, passing through several tunnels and enjoying the rolling Virginia countryside.

The train will arrive in Roanoke, the “Star City of the South,” at noon. Passengers will have nearly three hours to enjoy the attractions offered. Downtown Roanoke offers an array of dining experiences, shopping and sightseeing opportunities.

Passengers will depart the train at the old Norfolk and Western Passenger Station, home of the O. Winston Link museum. The museum offers a grand photographic and auditory history of 1950’s steam engine locomotive history. Advance tickets to the museum are available to excursion passengers at the discounted group rate of $4 per person.

Meals will also be available at the famous nearby Hotel Roanoke

The nearby Taubman Museum of Art features a permanent collection of 19th and early 20th Century American art, while the Historic Roanoke City Market has fresh food and handmade crafts.

Passengers can also take a drink from the historic Dogmouth Fountain, constructed in 1898. Legend says those drinking from the fountain will always return to Roanoke.

Departing Roanoke at 3 p.m., the train will arrive back in Greensboro at 6:45 p.m. and Spencer at 8 p.m.

During Sunday’s trip, the “Blue Ridge Special” will travel through the western Piedmont into the foothills and on to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Departing Spencer at 7 a.m., the train will roll through the cities of Statesville, Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Black Mountain and Swannanoa. The train will climb the famed "loops" of the Blue Ridge Mountains and pass through several tunnels before arriving in Asheville at noon. Passengers will have nearly three hours for an outing at Biltmore Village.

Established in the late 1890s as a planned community near the entrance of the Biltmore estate, Biltmore Village stands near the entrance to Biltmore Estate. Shopping will be available in unique, locally-owned boutiques. Passengers can dine in restaurants and take walks along brick sidewalks that parallel tree lined streets. All of this will be enjoyed alongside spectacular views of the North Carolina mountains.

Departing Asheville at 3 p.m., the “Blue Ridge Special” will return to Spencer at 8 p.m.

Dome Tickets offer the best views of passing scenery with two levels. Windows stretch across the walls and ceiling on the second level, providing a panoramic view of the entire ride. Dome tickets are available for $280 per person.

Premium First Class fare includes continental breakfast and newspapers on the journey to both Roanoke and Asheville, plus dinner on the return trip served in vintage lounge and dining cars. Premium First Class tickets are available for $245 per person.

Deluxe Coach Class tickets feature spacious seating with large windows, lunch on the dining car and light snacks during the trip. Deluxe Coach tickets are $175 per person.

Coach seating, featuring wide windows, adjustable seats and convenient access to the commissary car, are also available for $145 per person. All cars feature air conditioning, heat and rest rooms.

For those wishing to eat on the train to provide more time for sightseeing, an optional box lunch will be offered. The $14 meal, served in a souvenir lunch tote, includes include a half turkey wrap, pasta, chips & salsa, a cookie and drink.

Tickets will be available online at www.nctrans.org or by calling 704-636-2889 ext. 232. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 24.

The N.C. Transportation Museum, located in historic Spencer Shops, the former Southern Railway repair facility is located just five minutes off I-85 at Exit 79 in Spencer, N.C., and about an hour from Charlotte, Greensboro or Winston-Salem. The museum is part of the Division of Historic Sites and the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future. Visit www.nctrans.org for more information. For information on the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, visit www.wataugavalleynrhs.org.
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Delta Enhancing Domestic Schedules in Key East Coast Business Markets

/PRNewswire/-- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) this fall is continuing to focus on enhancing flight schedules in key business markets, with added service planned between 21 cities and Washington, D.C. or New York.

The schedule enhancements do not affect Delta's previously announced capacity guidance for 2010 and 2011.

Fall schedule highlights include:

-- Increased service at Washington-Reagan National Airport, with new or
increased service to nine cities beginning Oct. 31.

-- Enhanced domestic and international service at LaGuardia and JFK
airports in New York, with new or expanded service to 12 cities
beginning Sept. 7.


"As we plan our schedules for the fall, we continue to be focused on connecting communities of all sizes to the nation's top business markets," said Bob Cortelyou, Delta's senior vice president - Network Planning. "From New York to Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles, we have continued to optimize flight schedules for our business customers without adding additional aircraft."

Washington, D.C.

With its convenient location near central Washington, D.C., Reagan National Airport is the area's preferred airport for business travelers. On Oct. 31, Delta will launch new nonstop service from the airport to Hartford, Conn.; Columbus, Ohio; Jacksonville, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Miami, Fla.; Tampa, Fla.; and St. Louis, for a total of 21 new daily nonstop flights to Reagan National.

In addition, Delta's existing service from Reagan National to Boston will be expanded with five additional daily frequencies for a schedule of 12 flights each day, while Delta's service to Indianapolis will be expanded from two to three daily flights.

As part of the schedule realignment, Delta will be discontinuing service between Reagan National and Huntsville, Ala.

When the schedule upgrade is complete, Delta will serve 22 cities nonstop from Reagan National, compared with 16 in the fall of 2009.

More details on the schedule enhancements at Washington-Reagan are available at http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&item=136. These flights will be available for sale to customers via delta.com and other ticketing channels beginning Saturday, July 31.

New York

As previously announced, Delta this fall is continuing its expansion at New York's LaGuardia and JFK Airports as part of its efforts to grow in the nation's most competitive travel market. Beginning Sept. 7, Delta will offer new or expanded domestic service from New York to Nashville, Tenn.; St. Louis; Norfolk, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; San Antonio; Cleveland; Charlotte, N.C.; Orange County, Calif.; Baltimore; Montreal and Toronto. Routes will be operated from either LaGuardia or JFK airports. More details are available at http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&item=132.

Delta also recently launched an expansion of its Delta Shuttle business product with new service between New York-LaGuardia and Chicago O'Hare.

"We remain committed to providing leading service for our customers in New York, with a variety of new travel options in the nation's No. 1 business market," Cortelyou said. "We are focused on improving the travel experience at our key New York airports on the ground and in the air."

During the past four years, Delta has added 40 new destinations from LaGuardia and JFK combined, expanded BusinessElite service to transcontinental flights from JFK to Los Angeles and San Francisco, reintroduced "Red Coats" as customer service ambassadors at LaGuardia and JFK, added 2,000 jobs across New York state, and announced increased First Class service to six mid-sized cities in the Southeast and Midwest.

A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on Delta Connection carriers Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Chautauqua, Comair, Compass Airlines, Freedom Airlines, Mesaba, Pinnacle Airlines, Shuttle America dba Delta Shuttle and SkyWest.

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Enjoy the 'Best of the Best' At Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa This Fall

/PRNewswire/ -- Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa was recently recognized by the radio talk show Speaking of Golf for its outstanding Golf Pro Shop and its Equani Spa. The syndicated show addresses golf and the lifestyle of golfers. The recognition comes at a time when Brasstown Valley Resort is offering its Fall Awakening Getaway Package which includes a choice of activities.

Catch the beautiful leaf season in the North Georgia Mountains and enjoy a specially priced getaway from $185 (Sunday - Thursday), or from $235 (Friday - Saturday). The Fall Awakening Package is for two guests sharing a traditional guestroom and includes: a full Breakfast Buffet for two in the Dining Room, and a choice by each of the two guests for either a round of golf at the Denis Griffiths-designed Brasstown Valley Resort Golf Club, or a one hour trail ride from the Resort Stables. Guests may also upgrade their activity to a 50 Minute Swedish massage or a manicure/pedicure at the Equani Spa for an additional $20. Upgrades to deluxe guest rooms with a balcony or a fireplace are also available for an additional $20 per night. Rates are based on availability and exclusive of resort fees and taxes. For information or reservations visit: www.brasstownvalley.com or call 800. 201.3205.

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Fall for Leaves in Georgia

Looking for some fall leaf colors? Look no further than our great state of Georgia. It is currently estimated that the leaf color change is at 30%.

The excessive rainfall in Northwest Georgia has delayed the leaf color change in the area, however, the leaves are just starting to pop in North Georgia.

Head on up to the Lake Rabun, and the Jasper area for some great views.



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Callaway Gardens® Announces 2009 Fall Workshops and Hikes

Connect with nature at Callaway Gardens® and be inspired through a workshop or garden visit. Autumn at Callaway Gardens offers a bevy of opportunities to have fun and learn such as digital photography, gardening, painting and more:

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES

Join Jim Henderson, the always entertaining, award winning “serious amateur” photographer of LaGrange, GA, through a series of programs on digital camera and photography skills.

A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Photography: What the Camera Manual Doesn't Tell You
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Fee: $70 includes lunch

Adventures in DSLR Photography I: Creative Photography Beyond the Auto Mode
Saturday, September 19, 2009
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Fee: $70 includes lunch

Skillbuilder: Limited Enrollment Guided Photo Shoot (limit 10, must attend 9/19)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Fee: $40

Adventures in DSLR Photography II: Mastering Focus and Exposure
Saturday, November 7, 2009
9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Fee: $70 includes lunch

Skillbuilder: Limited Enrollment Guided Photo Shoot (limit 10, must attend 11/7)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Fee: $40

Adventures in DSLR Photography III: Mastering Subjects in Motion
Saturday, November 14, 2009
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Fee: $70 includes lunch

Adventures in DSLR Photography IV: Mastering Flash in Nature and General Photography
Saturday-Sunday, December 5-6, 2009
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Fee: $100 includes lunch on Sat.

ART AND GARDEN SERIES

Stained Glass Garden Workshop
Saturday, September 19, 2009
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Create a garden art piece using the "Louis Comfort Tiffany" method. Follow a pattern and learn how to cut and grind glass, use a soldering iron and apply black or copper patina. Finish the piece for hanging in your window or in your garden!

Instructor: Patricia Varnon
Fee: $80 includes all supplies,
Minimum: 3 Maximum: 5 students

Kids in Science
Saturday, October 10, 2009
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

In celebration of National Energy Month, kids participate in a hands-on class making a simple circuit using a light bulb and copper wire. Learn to add switches and take home supplies, directions, facts about T. Edison.

Instructor: Hazel Berger CulturedKid.com
Fee: $20/child

Pine Needle Baskets: A Beginners Class
Saturday, October 24, 2009
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Learn the basics of coil basketry and different stitches and coiling techniques to create a unique small basket or platter.

Instructor: Stephanie Tames
Fee: $85 includes all materials

Archeology Workshop
Saturday, October 24, 2009
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Become an archeologist for a day! Continue excavations from the Spring 2008 historic home site workshop.

Instructor: Dean Wood
Fee: $70 includes lunch

Capturing Fall Foliage in Watercolor

Saturday–Sunday, November 7-8, 2009
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Paint “on location” in the Gardens, focusing on a close-up view and a landscape garden scene. Class includes demonstrations, instruction, critique and individual coaching.

Instructor: Pat Fiorello. www.patfiorello.com
Fee: $195



Wreath-making Workshop

Saturday, December 5, 2009
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Create a unique holiday wreath of your own design. Using a wire frame and greenery, add ribbons and other embellishments reflective of your own personality and style.

Instructor: Patricia Collins and Katie Steinhoff, Education Department
Fee: $45

Holiday Centerpiece

Saturday, December 12, 2009
10:00 a.m.–Noon

Create a fun and festive holiday centerpiece with floral oasis using fresh greenery and natural materials.

Instructor: Patricia Collins and Katie Steinhoff, Education Department
Fee: $45

CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING SERIES

Learn the time-honored principles of Chinese philosophy and culture while working with bamboo brushes and using water color on rice paper. No previous art training required.

Instructor: Tehwan Tso
Fee: $60 plus materials beginner’s set $30; $5 consumables.

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Brilliant Sunflowers
Session 1: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Glorious Chrysanthemums
Session 2: 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wisteria on Pine
Session 1: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The Starring Lilies
Session 2: 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

HIKE SERIES

Limited enrollment, pre-registration required.

Archaeology Hike – Amazing People, Amazing Places
Saturday, September 26, 2009
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join a professional archaeologist and biologist to explore the Preserve at Callaway Gardens. See evidence of the people who lived on this land through history and understand how we manage the land today to create healthy forest habitat.

Length: 2.5 miles; moderate; Ages 10 and up
Fee: $5 members; $7 non-members

Owl Prowl/Night Walk
Saturday, October 10, 2009
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

As the sun sets explore the Gardens with a naturalist and see ‘who’ comes out when the sun goes down!

Length: 1.0 mile; easy; Ages 7 and up.
Fee: $5 members; $7 non-members

Columbus Day Ridge Hike
Monday, October 12, 2009
10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Spend a delightful fall day walking along the scenic Pine Mountain Ridge exploring the autumn forest.

Length: 6 miles; moderately strenuous; Ages 12 and up
Fee: $8 members; $10 non-members

Autumn Adventure Hike
Saturday, November 21, 2009
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Discover the wonders of the Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest on this daylong ramble.

Length: 5 miles; moderately strenuous; Ages 12 and up
Fee: $8 members; $10 non-members

Mountain Creek Trail Stroll
Sunday, November 22, 2009
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Meander along the shore of Mountain Creek Lake with a naturalist as you delight in the sights and sounds of the fall season.

Length: 1.5 miles; easy; Ages 10 and up
Fee: $5 members; $7 non-members

FREE DISCOVERY PROGRAM

Monarch Tagging
Saturday, October 10, 2009
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Observe migrating monarch butterflies being tagged and recorded to monitor flight paths and journey success.

Instructor: Michael Buchman, manager of the Day Butterfly Center
Free with Gardens’ Admission

Detailed descriptions of these programs can be found at www.callawaygardens.com then click on “Education.” Enrollment is limited and preregistration is required for all programs. Programs fill quickly, so register soon.

Workshop fees include admission to Callaway Gardens. To register call the Education Department at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292), option 5, option 2; 706-663-5153 or email education@callawaygardens.com.

For overnight accommodations for any of these workshops or hikes, ask for the special workshop rate starting at $89 in the Mountain Creek® Inn at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292). Based on availability, some restrictions apply.

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Fall Color Predictions For 'America's Best Idea'

T2F Note: The nights are cooling off while the days are just plain beautiful. Now is the time that we folks in Georgia start thinking about weekend trips to the mountains in search of the elusive best fall color and the best apples. Asheville is a great place to visit and is just a short weekend trip away from Georgia. This week's coveted Fayette Front Page Weekender Award goes to Asheville and the Smoky Mountains National Park. See you there!

/PRNewswire/ -- Longtime natives of the Asheville area in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its extended fall foliage season, will tell you that the best color displays come later -- toward the end of October. Celebrating the 75th anniversaries of Smoky Mountains National Park in 2009 and Blue Ridge Parkway in 2010, mountain families like Steve Woody's were moved from their homesteads in the 1930s for the creation of the park and are proud of the natural legacy they have left to us all.

Mountain Heritage Remembered

"If you talk to families from the area, there's a peace about the creation of Smoky Mountains National Park," says Woody, whose family was moved from their land in Cataloochee in Western North Carolina. "There was great sacrifice. They had to move from their forbearers' homesteads and livelihoods. But, today they wonder, had the Park not come, what would have happened to the land? You just have to look at other places to get an idea. Now, it is a pristine and wooded place that everyone can enjoy."

PBS Presents "America's Best Idea"

Stories like those of the Woody family are the kind that famed filmmaker Ken Burns had in mind when he began his latest documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a six-part series coming to PBS this fall, beginning September 27. The documentary, regional anniversary celebrations and predictions of a healthy leaf season round-out an opportune time to appreciate and experience our natural history in full autumn glory.

Fall Color Predictions

"Every year is a good year for autumn color, depending on where you are in Western North Carolina. We finally had a normal rainfall year. As of September 1, the Asheville airport reports only one inch above 'normal' precipitation. With good growth on the trees, we have all the foliage we need for great fall color. As long as autumn develops normally with cool nights and dry days -- and October is typically one of our driest months -- it should be a colorful season." -- Biltmore Director of Horticulture, Parker Andes

"Drought-stressed trees show more color and turn, more or less, simultaneously. So, our wetter year could make the colors appear more gradually. We don't know what the weather will bring, but fronts that give us cold nights and bright sunny days will start the process in a couple weeks at high elevations, which will be vibrant very soon, and continue down to the low elevations. The later color from oaks and hickories will be nice at the end of October and early November." -- University of North Carolina Asheville Associate Professor of Biology, David Clarke

"Compared to when I was growing up, I think it tends to stay warmer and we see the color later in the season. This was a more typical summer, like the kind I remember as a kid... cooler and wetter." --Steve Woody, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gateway City Getaway

Located just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Asheville area is steeped in natural history and full of fall adventures. Extreme elevation variations and hundreds of deciduous tree species (the largest number in North America) combine to give Western North Carolina one of most extended and colorful leaf seasons in the country.

Online Resources

-- Weekly Fall Color Reports: Visit FallintheMountains.com
(http://www.fallinthemountains.com/) for expert fall color reports for
Western North Carolina, budget travel info, scenic drives, events,
value packages and insider tips
-- Twitter: Area insiders "tweet" color updates and up-to-the-minute
travel deals @FallColorHunter (http://www.twitter.com/FallColorHunter)
and @AshevilleDeals (http://www.twitter.com/AshevilleDeals)
-- GreatSmokies75th.org
(http://greatsmokies75th.org/welcome-to-the-great-smokies-75th/)
-- BlueRidgeParkway75.org (http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org/)

Fall Value Packages

-- Fall is for Waterfalls Package
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/seasonal-packages/fall-is-for-w
aterfalls/index.aspx)
-- Extreme Fall Color Whitewater Package
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/the-great-outdoors-packages/fre
nch-broad-river-12-day-rafting-package/index.aspx)
-- Wheee! Fall Canopy Tours Zip Line Package
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/the-great-outdoors-packages/can
opy-tours-package/index.aspx)

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Find Fabulous Fall Colors in National Parks

ARA) - Every year, millions of Americans look forward to autumn and the opportunity to take in the beautiful fall foliage. As deciduous trees across the country begin to shed their leaves, “leaf peeping,” as it is known, becomes a pastime of many travelers.

The national parks offer a serene setting and unmatched views to enjoy this majestic transformation. Our parks preserve hundreds of tree species, which, into November, vibrantly paint the mountains and hillsides and fields with fresh shades of red, orange, yellow and purple.

“Visitors come from miles away each year to experience fall foliage in our national parks. It is truly a spectacular time of year,” says Mark Wenzler, director of Clean Air and Climate Programs for the National Parks Conservation Association. “Unfortunately, many of the trees people come to see face threats like air pollution, most of which is caused by exhaust from coal-fired power plants and automobiles. It is essential we do everything we can to protect our national parks for our children and grandchildren to enjoy, as well.”

Here are a few national park sites beloved for their brilliant fall foliage, but also facing air pollution issues:

Although nearing the completion of this year’s season, Acadia National Park in Maine is well-known for its beautiful fall foliage. Timing varies each year, but peak colors are typically seen in early to mid-October. The park offers nearly 40,000 acres of Maine coastline for visitors to explore the remarkable foliage and views. Leaf peepers come to see the bright yellow birch leaves, the deep red maple foliage, and the orange hue of the white ash. At an elevation of 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain allows visitors to enjoy fall foliage at the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard.

Despite the undeniable beauty throughout the park, Acadia’s forests are threatened by harmful air pollution. To reduce pollution from your car, consider carpooling in the fall, as the park’s shuttle system stops operating after Columbus Day. For more information about fall foliage at Acadia National Park, please see: http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina) usually experiences a fall foliage season that lasts several weeks. Park trees change colors at various times, depending mostly on elevation. At mid and lower-level elevations, the color display typically reaches peak between mid-October and early November. The park attracts leaf peepers, who want a glimpse of the nearly 100 native tree species, most of which are deciduous. Some of the more vibrant trees include hickories, sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum and red maple.

The fall foliage display at Great Smoky Mountains remains one of the best in the country, but park forests face air pollution threats like acid rain, which weakens trees by damaging the leaves and limiting the nutrients available to them. Visitors might consider alternative transportation options to lessen their own impact at the park, as automobile emissions are a contributor to air pollution. At Cades Cove, one of the more congested areas of the park, NPCA has partnered with the nonprofit Cades Cove Heritage Tours to offer a guided shuttle service for visitors. For more information about fall foliage at Great Smoky Mountains, please visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is known for its extensive cave system -- the longest in the world. However, visitors have ample opportunity to explore other features of this national park, as well. Mammoth Cave preserves the forested Kentucky hills, which offer numerous trails for hikers to explore and observe the vibrant fall foliage. Oak, tulip poplar and sassafras are among the trees that scatter park forests and attract leaf peepers annually.

Unfortunately, the park’s beloved deciduous trees are threatened by acid rain year-round. Consider carpooling to the park, and using park trails to explore its changing forests. Mammoth Cave offers trails for every level of hiker. For an updated webcam shot of fall foliage at the park, please visit http://nature.nps.gov/air.

Each of these parks is downwind of dozens of coal-fired power plants, which are the major cause of acid rain and ozone which damage their trees. Fortunately, many electric utilities are now offering their customers the choice of green energy alternatives to coal, like wind and solar power. After returning from your fall leaf peeping trip, consider switching to green energy to help protect the beautiful scenery you just enjoyed.

For additional information about reducing your own carbon footprint to help protect our national parks, as well as the tools to actually do so, visit the new interactive Do Your Part! for Climate Friendly Parks Web site, sponsored by the National Parks Conservation Association in support of the National Park Service’s Climate Friendly Parks program at www.doyourpartparks.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Stone Mountain Park Explodes With Color at the 6th Annual Pumpkin Festival

Dates: Weekends October 3-26; Fridays & Sundays 10a.m. – 6p.m.
Saturdays 10a.m. – 7p.m.

Location: Crossroads at the base of Stone Mountain

Price: $25 plus tax for Adults; $20 plus tax for ages 3-11; $8 vehicle entry fee

Fall into cooler weather and colorful foliage at Stone Mountain Park’s 6th Annual Pumpkin Festival weekends in October. Families are invited to experience exciting entertainment and activities while soaking in the vast display of fall décor complete with nearly 4000 pumpkins which can be purchased in the Pumpkin Party Patch, 500 stalks of corn, 500 hay bales and 35 fairy tale themed scarecrows.

The Pumpkin Festival brings science to life with the all new Sci Guys Science Show. This twenty-five minute show is filled with dazzling experiments that demonstrate the Earth’s elements. Entertainment also includes Backyard Circus where kids are the stars by dressing up as lions, clowns and other colorful characters. Additionally, adventures told at Storytime and Tunes for Tots will dazzle younger kids. Other activities include feeding your sweet tooth in the pie eating contest, navigating your way through Jack Squash’s A-MAZE-ING Adventure, participating in the new Pumpkin Parade complete with life-size puppets and trick-or-treating using your own custom-designed bag. Saturdays only, kids get to participate in the costume contest by wearing their own costume or creating one at the park. Furthermore, kids can show their creativity by decorating pumpkins and gourds and by participating in many other arts and crafts in the Pumpkin Party Patch.

“Autumn is a beautiful time of year in Georgia, and the Pumpkin Festival truly captures that,” said Jeanine Battle, special events manager for Stone Mountain Park. “We offer a multitude of activities for families to explore while enjoying the cooler weather in the great outdoors.”

In addition to the festival, families can experience the all new Sky Hike, the nation’s largest adventure course in the tree tops.

Admission to the Pumpkin Festival is included in the one-day Adventure Pass which is $25 plus tax for adults and $20 plus tax for kids ages 3-11. For best ticket prices visit any Atlanta Kroger store.

Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See Before You Die,” Stone Mountain Park is located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. To get to the park, take I-285 to exit 39B, Highway 78 East. Stone Mountain Park is Exit 8 on Hwy. 78. More information on the 6th Annual Pumpkin Festival plus Stone Mountain Park attractions and hours of operation are available at 770-498-5690 or by visiting www.stonemountainpark.com.

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Asheville Fall Foliage Forecast: When is Peak Color in the NC Mountains?

PRNewswire/ -- RomanticAsheville.com, a popular online travel guide to the Asheville area, has released its annual Fall Foliage Forecast. When is the peak color? The good news is that no matter when you visit in October or early November, you can take a short drive from Asheville to find the best color. The leaf color change begins soon on the highest peaks and gradually works down to the lowest elevations.

Here are the times and places to go:

October 3-12: Highest elevations north of Asheville above 5,000 feet show the most color, like Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain.

October 10-20: Color is best in elevations 4,000-5,000', including Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam Knob, and Graveyard Fields.

October 15-25: Head to the 3,000-4,000' elevation range like Looking Glass Rock and Linville Gorge.

October 20-November 1: The city of Asheville (2,200') shows the brightest colors, along with Hendersonville and Brevard. See the waterfalls in Dupont State Forest or visit the North Carolina Arboretum.

October 24-November 5: The color show concludes in the foothills (1,000-2,000'). Visit Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure.

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The Rock Ranch Kicks Off ‘Fall Family Fun Days’ with Themed Weekend and Special Entertainment on Sept. 20

T2F Note: Fall is almost here and the Rock Ranch is ready to celebrate family and fall with their super weekend events. It's worth the short trip as you discover another one of the Fayette Front Page Day Trippers.
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Weekly Fall Festivals Feature Attractions, Crafts, Music, Food and Contests

Admission includes all activities and attractions. Discount coupons are available at participating Chick-fil-A locations through November, 8. The Rock Ranch is open each Saturday from Sept. 20 to Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The Rock Ranch is located off State Highway 36 west of Barnesville, GA and east of Thomaston, GA. It is 58 miles south of downtown Atlanta, 38 miles northwest of Macon, and 61 miles northeast of Columbus.

The Rock Ranch LLC, a 1,250-acre cattle ranch owned by Chick-fil-A® Founder, S. Truett Cathy, will kick off “Fall Family Fun Days” on Sept. 20, 2008. The Rock Ranch provides a unique blend of “agritourism” (wholesome family entertainment in an agricultural setting). Fall Family Fun Days at The Rock Ranch feature a wide variety of interactive, educational and family-based events, activities and programs for its guests.

Each of the Fall Family Fun Days will feature special themed events that include:

• September 20 –The Rock Ranch Rural Round Up features the grand opening of the “Explore
Georgia” corn maze, live music, hillbilly karaoke, arm wrestling and lawnmower racing among
other fun rural activities. There will also be a tug of war competition where ranch hands
Henry and Max will take on everyone else in attendance at the same time. This date is also
teach appreciation day (all school teachers with a school ID card enter for free with their
immediate family).

• September 27 – The Rock Ranch Bluegrass Festival provides a full day of bluegrass that will
feature Cedar Hill, The Honey Creek Boys, Due South and more. This date also serves as
home school day (all homeschoolers and their parents receive ½-off the price of admission)

• October 4 – Growing Up Green, featuring Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales will allow guests to
enjoy having their photos made with the Veggie Tales characters. There will be fun games
and activities that involve having fun with vegetables and thinking green. Various booths,
presentations and demonstrations will provide information about “green” topics such as
alternative energy, recycling, composting and more.

• October 11 – Wagon Wheel Market Day offers fun for the whole family with a premier
shopping experience among exhibitors of hand-made crafts (for mom), excellent concessions
and great guy gadgets like the pumpkin cannon (for dad), and a full days worth of fun
attractions (for the children).

• October 18 – The Rock Ranch Hot Air Balloon Rally, sponsored by Ferrell Gas, features many
beautiful hot air balloons that will participate in an early morning competition flight, an
evening competition flight, and a “balloon glow” after dark. Tethered rides will be available in
the evening if weather permits. Also The Moo Cow Bikers/ Victory Junction Gang charity
motorcycle ride will originate at Great South Harley Davidson in Newnan and arrive at The
Rock Ranch in parade fashion at 4pm. One lucky biker will be chosen to ride off into the
sunset in the Harley Davidson Hot Air Balloon.

• October 25 – “The Rock” of Salvation Christian Music Concert, in partnership with Atlanta’s
J93, features popular Christian artists. A full line-up of artists will be released September 22.

• November1 – Pumpkin Destruction Day allows guests to assist in the destruction of any
unsold pumpkins or bring their own to recycle through fun methods such as: the pumpkin
cannon, pumpkin bowling, the hammer smash and the lift crane pumpkin drop, among others.

• November 8 – The Rock Ranch Great Outdoor Adventure features exciting outdoor activities
and educational demonstrations. Guests will enjoy a falconry demonstration, birds of prey
exhibition, archery, fishing rodeo, insect education lab, wildlife station, and a reptile show by
Jason Clark of Animal Planet.

In addition to the themed weekends, guests will find a variety of family fun attractions that are
included with admission each weekend. Admission includes unlimited use of:

o Locomotive Train Rides
o Hay Rides
o Pony Rides
o Carousel
o Corn Cannons
o The Cow Train
o Pedal Carts
o Paddle Boats
o Cane Pole Fishing
o The Farmland Petting Zoo
o Conestoga Wagon Inflatable
o Children’s “Jolly Jump”
o Children’s John Deere Gators
o The Giant Sling Shot
o The Relaxation Station and Creek
o The Corn Box Play Area
o Little Town
o Horse Shoes
o Musical Entertainment
o Giant Inflatable Jumping Pillow
o The “Explore Georgia” Corn Field

Maze

“The goal at The Rock Ranch is to create an opportunity for families to spend quality time
together and provide educational and entertaining programs that create positive life memories,”
said Jeff Manley, general manager of The Rock Ranch, LLC. “Throughout the years, we’ve
learned to blend our love of agriculture with entertainment to keep people interested and
involved in a way of life that our grandparents knew well, but now is in danger of being
forgotten.”

The theme this year for the popular corn maze at The Rock Ranch is “Explore Georgia.” As fuel
prices continue to discourage long distance travel, The Rock Ranch seeks to highlight some of the wonderful elements found locally, in Georgia. The maze includes information about Georgia’s history, famous people and exciting destinations. Maze-goers can attempt a scavenger hunt/word search to find and match Georgia key words hidden in the maze. The Rock Ranch is
partnered with The Georgia Department of Economic Development and Tourism on this year’s
maze and its purpose is to educate guests about this state and all that it has to offer – right
outside their backdoors. It also is designed to help make Georgians aware of exploregeorgia.org,
a new state tourism website designed to assist citizens in fully enjoying this great state.
General admission is $13 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under (children under 3 are free).

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Dollywood Fires up for Fall with Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival

BUSINESS WIRE --Dollywood’s third annual Barbeque & Bluegrass festival (Sept. 5-28) kicks off Sept. 5, featuring three weeks and more than 500 free concerts by a lineup of award winners that includes Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (Sept. 5 & 6), The Del McCoury Band (Sept. 7 & 8), Cherryholmes (Sept. 9 & 10), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (Sept. Sept. & 14), Rhonda Vincent & the Rage (Sept. 27 & 28) & many more.

“It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of bluegrass music, and I love great barbeque, too,” Dolly Parton said. “I love to sing one and cook the other, so it’s only natural that I would treat folks to my Barbeque & Bluegrass festival at Dollywood each year. Whether it’s your ears or your appetite, you’ll find something you’ll love!”

Skaggs headlines the festival’s opening weekend with a 2 and 4 p.m. show on Sept. 5 and 6 in DP’s Celebrity Theatre. One of the genre’s most popular and influential musicians, Skaggs has 12 No. 1 hits and dozens of career accolades, including 13 Grammy® Awards and eight Country Music Association Awards. Skaggs’ last four albums have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard bluegrass chart.

Dollywood features free concerts on seven stages throughout the 21-day festival, along with roving bands. All concerts feature general admission seating and are included with Dollywood admission. For a complete concert lineup, please visit Dollywood.com.

Bluegrass music shares the stage with barbeque, with the park serving barbequed ribs by the slab, pulled pork and barbequed chicken, complete with potato salad and baked beans. Kid’s meals are offered as well. Special desserts served during the festival include three-pound slices of apple pie, each carved from a 25-pound pie. Restaurants throughout the park feature new recipes to celebrate Barbeque & Bluegrass, including cream of smoked vegetable soup and chipotle Tabasco® shrimp, both of which are served at Aunt Granny’s, a location that takes its name from the nickname given Parton by her many nieces and nephews.

Other highlights include demonstrations and Q & A sessions by professional chefs. Guests also can visit the Sauce Tastin’ Station which features some of the hottest barbeque sauces.

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