Country Vacations & Resorts

Fall means color when it comes to foliage so it’s time to identify some of the “where” and “when” locations to view the best Mother Nature has for Fall 2011.

We’ll start here with the East Coast of the United States…

Trees have already begun making their color adjustments in the Adirondacks and upstate New York. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine foliage is also beginning to burst with color.

Coastal areas of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts are still seeing “green” at the moment, along with Pennsylvania – although some areas in Western Pennsylvania are just beginning to pop with color.

The Mid-Atlantic – from Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia – southward through North and South Carolina, may have some leaves that are tinged with color at the moment. This is in larger part to the drought in many areas versus true seasonal change. Plan on catching these color shifts from mid-October through November – respectively.

So, depending on your location, you still have time to plan a foliage trip this Fall in many parts of the country.

Climate plays a major factor in foliage color changes. It was 83 degrees in my Piedmont area of North Carolina yesterday – the high forecast for Saturday is…65 degrees. This – along with the drought experienced this year – will probably mean a very quick Fall Foliage season so keep an eye on the weather and temperatures for your prospective color-seeking destination.

Check in with The Foliage Network which kindly provides updated weekly reports and some very handy maps as we get into “Fall foliage – 2011.”

You can look for an ideal vacation rental all over the US by visiting…

Happy Fall!

How to carry all the things you may need while camping without getting so weighted down you can’t walk?

Here are some camping backpacks that may help do the trick.

Sleek and lightweight, the WOMENS ION 20 H56 OS is the women-specific pack ready for any outdoor adventure.

Extremely lightweight, this 20-liter pack is designed with a molded EXOLITE back panel and a dual-density Airmesh shoulder harness to comfortably fit your back.

The ZEALOT 85 PACK JK3 L is a new expedition-level pack designed specifically as an ultimate large-capacity pack for backpackers.

The X Radial™ 2.0 frame and compression-molded foam back panel mold and conform to the shape of your back; the articulated design of both elements working in tandem provide a close, comfortable fit while twisting, stretching, and turning that accompanies traveling by foot across wild and rugged terrain. Channels running through the back panel ensure airflow, providing breathability, and an articulated compression-molded foam hipbelt and shoulder straps – both wrapped in moisture-wicking Dri-Lex® fabric for a comfortable, secure platform for lugging heavy loads over long distances.

Available in 80 and 85-liter interior volumes.

Light, sleek and uncompromising – and perfect for an epic day on the mountain is the PROPHET 40 7D8 S/M New Summit Series® technical pack made with indestructible Bombastic™ fabric that's traditionally used for car airbags.

Great for day trips or when a lightweight but sturdy option is a requirement.

For carrying heavy loads the ZEALOT 85 PACK JK3 S new expedition-level pack is designed specifically as an ultimate large-capacity pack for backpackers.

The X Radial™ 2.0 frame and compression-molded foam back panel mold and conform to the shape of your back; the articulated design of both elements working in tandem provide a close, comfortable fit while twisting, stretching, and turning that accompanies traveling by foot across wild and rugged terrain.

The ANGSTROM 30 PACK 472 OS is a fastpacking favorite.

This hydration-compatible, 30-liter pack features a zip rain cover to keep your gear dry during all-day treks when it's pouring. Designed with a huge front stretch drop pocket, and two large stretch side pockets for water bottles, this go-to lightweight pack is ideal for year-round excursions.

Find everything you need for your camping expedition…

There has to be some consolation in not being able to visit Ireland this year. For those moments when it isn’t feasible to drown your sorrows, at least get the gear!

These Guinness-themed items are great gifts for the Guinness fan in your family or in your group of friends, or as a great reminder of a past visit to Ireland.

Believe it or not we are nearing the end of September and this time between now and Christmas always disappears at an incredible pace. Maybe a little early gift shopping now before the holiday shopping stress approaches will enable you to actually enjoy it for a change?

Personalized Guinness Pub Set

The serving tray, featuring the Guinness name and logo, is uniquely personalized with your own phrase (up to 15 characters) and established date. The set also includes 4 traditional Guinness pint sized glasses.

Tray 13 x 1 3/4 and glasses 6 1/4 tall.

2011 Guinness Collector’s Twin Pack

The perfect 20 oz. glasses to enjoy your favorite brew!

Designed in Ireland.

Contents not included!

Guinness Rugby Shirt

The world’s most brilliant brew!

Embroidered chest and arm design, this rugby shirt has rubber buttons and side slits Designed in Ireland. 100% heavy duty cotton.

Sizes M, L, XL, 2XL.

Guinness Classic Black & Cream Hoodie

This full zip hooded sweatshirt offers warmth and authentic Irish style.

Fleece lined hood and washed fabric for that vintage look, distressed Guinness applique lettering and Arthur Guinness embroidered signature on pocket. 100% cotton.

Sizes S – 3XL.

These are just 4 of the over 40 “Guinness” products and gifts available from Shop Irish .

Villa Sombrero is an exclusive and private waterfront destination in the heart of the fabulous Florida Keys.

This unique retreat is perfectly positioned overlooking a natural preserve on a serene protected deep waterway; providing the discriminating yachtsman or sport fisherman easy access to the Atlantic Ocean to fish & dive or just relax at nearby waterfront restaurants.

4 bedrooms and 4 baths on two floors across from the 12th fairway of Sombrero Country Club’s 18 hole championship golf course

Features:
~ Dockage accommodating small fishing boats or yachts on a 140’ continuous deep water concrete seawall.
~ Additional 55’ x 19’ protected cut in slip for smaller yachts.

It doesn’t take a camping expert to know that one of the more important camping requirements is good artificial lighting. I’ll guess that many who camp for the first time – especially if they are city-dwellers – are surprised at how dark “dark” can get away from even reflected city lights.

You need lighting you can count on and as bright as you can find – not only to add to camping enjoyment, but for your safety. Here are a few good bets to light up your camping environment…

This 14 Day Lantern runs on four D batteries.

The lantern’s LEDs use a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs, allowing them to produce 160 lumens of bright light for 336 consecutive hours on the lowest setting (175 hours on high). Its cylindrical design provides 360\u00BA of unimpeded illumination, and the bulbs produce almost no heat, making the lantern safe for children and uninteresting to insects. The lantern has a durable waterproof case and it will remain buoyant and operational if dropped in water. An integrated handle ensures ease of portability and can also be used to hang the lantern for hands-free lighting.

9W Rechargeable Hand-held Spotlight

This one is great for camping, but it is also the most used outdoor lighting on my 7-acre, rural property…

Penetrate fog, rain, and darkness to illuminate near or far with this 9W Rechargeable Hand-held Spotlight. Two light modes adapt to the situation: Use the three high-power LED spotlights for long range illumination, or the six standard LEDs for lighting up a task at hand. Handy in emergencies and power outages, on boats and camping trips, or as part of a road-trip kit, it recharges via a 12v DC car plug adapter or an AC/DC wall adapter (both included).

Rubberized ergonomically designed housing withstands vibration and shocks. An always-on lock switch lets you use it as a free-standing light while setting up camp or changing a tire while exploring back roads. A removable red lens helps for spotting wildlife in the dark without disturbing them.

And sometimes, bigger isn’t better, and isn’t handy when you need it “right now.”

This Swiss Army LED Flashlight is a sturdy, shockproof, and water-resistant little flashlight that is a model of efficiency.

Its ultrabright LED lasts virtually forever, since it is nearly ten times more efficient at converting energy into light than regular bulbs. The longer battery life means you won’t have to pack backups.

The beam’s range is 125 feet and can be seen from over 1.25 miles away. Grab a couple of these and stick one in your car’s glovebox and one in your camping backpack. If an emergency arises, you’ll have light – and plenty of it.

Whether you go camping once a month, or are considering your first camping trip, being prepared is critical to your safety and enjoyment of this outdoor experience. A sturdy tent, a warm sleeping bag, and good lighting will enhance your next camping adventure.

None of this seems too outrageous to any pet owners I know.

My dog travels pretty well – or at least I thought he did before I read about some of the perks available for the well-traveled pet!

Well, I just won’t let him read the pet massage section of this article!

Not sure my Huskies would have stayed this well in a beach chair either!

Perfect for large family or small corporate gatherings…this property is a superb destination, a luxury rental, and a “Dream” property – all-in-one!

Feel completely at home in this 6 bedroom, 6000 square-foot custom decorated home in Breckenridge, Colorado. Just a short 2 Miles to the lifts and a fantastic view of Peak 9 and 10 of the beautiful Breckenridge mountain ski slopes.

All the comforts of home and many beautiful resort amenities are included in this 3 level, conveniently located, privately owned home.

Nearby attractions include:

~ Breckenridge Ski Area
Huge Skiing resort recently rated in the top 10 by ski magazine. #2 terrain park in US.

~ Colorado Mountains
Local mountains include peaks to 14,000+ Mt. Quandry is an easy day climb for the hiking enthusiasts.

~ Rivers and lakes
Several (one lake in neighborhood) available for fishing and relaxing picnics…

~ Local Ice skating rink
Just 3 minutes from the home strap on your blades and enjoy.

Get further details on pricing and availability and plan your stay at 36 Wagon Road.

Hopefully you got some great ideas on sleeping bags from the post below.

Now it’s time to consider the camper’s traveling dwelling – the all-important tent. Long gone are the days when tents only came in what looked like Army camouflage colors. And although numerous comedy routines have been based on people attempting to pitch a tent, let’s just watch those from afar and find a tent a bit easier to “construct.”

This MOUNTAIN MANOR 6 K55 OS provides a portable palace for you and five of your closest friends and this new fully featured, six-person tent crushes it at the campsite.

Color-coded poles make pitching easy, with snap-on exterior lash points. Extra outdoor space created with fly attached. Compresses and folds easily for quick take-down. Stores in a duffel sack.

8-person tent size, MOUNTAIN MANOR 8 K55 OS also available.

The MOUNTAIN 25 56P OS is bomber squared.

“When it’s nuking outside, you’ll be real glad you have it.”
Cedar Wright,The North Face®
Athlete, Rock Climber

Bomber, high-mountain protection with refined features, this two-person tent is the most compact of the Summit Series® expedition tents.

With the SPECTRUM 23 1W3 OS, being able to travel far and fast doesn’t mean you have to sleep on the cold, damp earth!

Weighing just over four pounds, the Spectrum 23′s lightweight design allows outdoor enthusiasts to remain unencumbered by bulky equipment but retain the comfort of protection against harsh elements. Withstanding winds of 130.2 mph, you’ll be “blown away” by how resilient this two-person tent just is.

I’ve always thought Dome Houses were pretty neat – maybe I’ll get a Dome Tent instead!

DOME 8 56P OS

For almost four decades, The North Face® expedition tents have set the standard for unrivaled performance in merciless environs such as Mt. Everest and Antarctica.

Ideal for such extreme and pitiless locations, this fast-pitching base camp shelter uses geodesic principals to achieve ultimate durability and efficiency of space. The choice among top mountaineers on major expeditions, this strong, lightweight tent sleeps eight.

Also available in a 5-person model – DOME 5 56P OS

Look for camping gear, waterproof clothes and shoes, extreme sports accessories, and even special offers including free shipping from The North Face®