Fall Foliage

As we plan our last few trips of the outdoor season, I remember that one of the few pleasures making winters the "in this land-locked region of ours" bearable, is Autumn. When hazy days of summer fade and the sun settles low in the sky, our forests and parks are painted with shades of gold and amber to which no artist's brush can do justice.

Most of our region normally hits peak fall foliage time in Mid-October, however lack of rain may cause a shorter periods of color or earlier turning of the leaves. Northern regions will peak sooner, southern regions later. Check this map of normal peak times for fall foilage for reference on the best time of year for your region. For destination ideas check this, Kentucky Parks Map, or for Indiana Parks try this map, Indiana Parks Map. Indiana tourism site also maintains a leaf-cam where you can keep track of the turning foliage and plan your trip accordingly. For more information on the leaf-cam and some discount offers try this site, http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/blog/index.php/2010/09/10/2010-leaf-cam-foursquare/.

If you have young children, make this an educational trip by bringing a scrap book and collecting leaves for identifying later. Not only will your children learn something, but while you're making a scrap book together you'll also be making memories.

This will be a simple trip to plan, so pick a destination, load up the family, grab a camera, and get off the interstate. The price we pay for Autumn is an ocean and year round sunshine, so don't waste it!

If you have any trip ideas, notable sites or fun things to do in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois or Indiana please leave a comment.