| You've seen those books and lists of "21 things to do | | | | cloaked in clouds more than 50% of the year and |
| while you're alive", well here's my New England twist | | | | where snow can fall in any month. A sunny day at |
| on that whole theme - enjoy! | | | | base when starting out can become a raging blizzard |
| WALK THE GREAT BEACH ON CAPE COD: | | | | towards the summit 4-hours later. Popular trails run |
| A famous stretch of the Cape Cod National Seashore | | | | from Pinkham Notch with an average of a 10-hour |
| is Coastguard Beach - the start of the so-called Great | | | | round trip. You'll need to get fit and be well prepared |
| Beach named by Henry David Thoreau. The area also | | | | for this strenuous but rewarding hike. |
| includes the Outer Beach made famous by Henry | | | | SEE THE NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE IN |
| Beston in his book "Outermost House" - a real cottage | | | | OCTOBER: |
| but destroyed in the storm of 1978. The connecting | | | | There are many places in the world that experience a |
| beaches and the natural give-and-take process of | | | | magnificent and colorful fall. But nature saves the most |
| erosion on this geological wonder provides not only | | | | dazzling display for the New England fall foliage event. |
| one of the greatest beach walks in the world but also | | | | The climate of New England and the variety of trees |
| a step through history - and off-season you'll probably | | | | makes for a unique combination that ensures a |
| have it all to yourself. | | | | magnificent display of fiery reds, glowing oranges, |
| RIDE IN A HOT-AIR BALLOON OVER THE GREEN | | | | golden yellows and rich browns that blanket the trees |
| MOUNTAINS: | | | | for weeks as fall sweeps through the region. Parts of |
| While hot-air balloons can take off from most open | | | | Maine can reach peak late September, Vermont and |
| spaces there are locations that provide better | | | | New Hampshire early to mid-October, with best |
| atmospheric conditions than others. In New England | | | | viewing for the southern New England states |
| one of those ideal spots is the Stowe and Lake | | | | averaging mid-late October. |
| Champlain area of Vermont. Hot-air balloon rides over | | | | RIDE A WHALE WATCH CRUISE TO |
| this region provide scenic vistas of Mount Mansfield, | | | | STELLWAGEN BANK: |
| the Green Mountains, and Adirondacks in New York. | | | | Stellwagen Bank is an underwater plateau at the |
| But it's the unique sensation of floating peacefully, and | | | | mouth of Massachusetts Bay, and was designated as |
| drifting with the winds over the trees, farms and fields | | | | a National Marine Sanctuary in 1992. Popular among |
| of Vermont that create the memories. At times you | | | | the mammals that visit the bank are whales. Whale |
| feel part of the wind and don't even realize you're | | | | watch cruises leave from ports and harbors along the |
| moving. | | | | Massachusetts coast... and they all head for |
| CLIMB MT. WASHINGTON IN THE WHITE | | | | Stellwagen Bank. The whale-watching season lasts |
| MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: | | | | from April to October. I don't think I've ever felt so |
| At 6,288-feet this is the loftiest peak in the northeast | | | | humbled as watching a 40-ton majestic Humpback |
| and holder of the highest recorded wind speed | | | | dance and play on sparkling water, and wondering... |
| anywhere in the world at 231 mph. This is a mountain | | | | who's having the most fun. |