The Jewels of Fall Camping (Part 2 of 2)

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September 10, 2009

Last week we looked at the jewels of Fall camping in the northeastern climates.  This week, we will explore the events and attractions found in these areas that only occur in the autumn.  While there are literally hundreds to choose from, we will only touch on several around the country.   So let’s see what and where some of these are.

 Ontario Canada

See the fall colors in all their splendor on the unique Agawa Canyon Tour.  This popular tour is a day trip via train through the Agawa Canyon.  The canyon, and much of the 228 mile round trip journey, is only accessible by rail.   It operates from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and runs north to the canyon and returns.   Depending on the weather, the best time to catch the most brilliant autumn colors is between the last two weeks in September and the first week of October.  Reservations are a must during this period as it is very popular.  Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is located just across the bridge from Sault Michigan at the most northern part of I75. There are several RV parks in the area including a KOA.  Here’s a link to the canyon event. Website: Agawa Canyon

Quebec Canada

A short drive north from Montreal will bring you to the Laurentians, a mountainous region that comes alive with the fall colors each year.  Mid September ushers in the fall season in this picturesque area.  Many towns and small villages can be found, each with their own special character and weekend fall events.  As mainly French is the language spoken here, it gives a feeling of being further away than just north of the U.S. border.  Additionally, towns like Mont Tremblant have snow skiing resorts that offer off-season chairlift rides. These can provide a breathtaking view of the fall colors and of the scenic mountainous views.

Vermont 

The magnificent fall colors can be captured during later September to mid October throughout Vermont.  Bennington, VT holds their annual Quitfest where crafts of all varieties are displayed and sold, on the 19th and 20th of September.  Also, on the same weekend, The Bennington Auto Show can delight those that are not the Quilt type.

Yesterday’s country fair atmosphere combined with today’s midway experience can all be found in Vermont at the Turnbridge World’s Fair.  This takes place on September 17th through the 20th.

Vermont’s Fall Events website is worth the visit.  With over 250 fall events, you are bound to find something of interest.  Here’s their website:  Fall in Vermont 

Michigan 

Head to Michigan to catch the fall colors.  Generally the leaves start turning mid to late September.   Get a campsite in Sleeper State Park, Caseville, September 29-October 22, for Halloween related activities all through the weekend. Great fun for the entire family to enjoy during Michigan’s fall season.

Visit Ellsworth, Michigan on September 30 at Friske’s Orchards with pumpkins, apples, pears, squash, cornstalks, gourds and hardy mums. Wagon rides, live music, children’s activities, antique tractor and machinery show, demos and sampling are just a few of their offerings.

Downtown Bangor, Michigan celebrates autumn with the Bangor Apple Festival October 6-8 in the South Haven area. Enjoy the annual apple show and judging, car show, arts and crafts fair, carnival, motorcycle parade, live bands and more.

New York State 

New York state has many special fall events like The Hunter Microbrew, Wine and Fine Food Festival in the Catskills.  Breweries and wineries from the Hudson Valley and beyond gather for tastings, music, food and fun in Hunter, NY.  This all happens in the height of the fall colors from September 26th to the 28th.  Here’s their website:  Hunter
Combine the fall colors with the colorful sights of the Adirondack Balloon Festival September 24th through the 27th.  This is held in The Town of Queensbury, NY.  Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the sights and activities of this once a year event.  Here’s their website link: www.adirondackballoonfest.org

This is just a small sample of the hundreds of events that are going on throughout the fall in north eastern U.S. and Canada.  We have only touched on a couple of the eastern Canadian provinces and three of the U.S. states, but, of course there are many more.  I do, however, encourage you to investigate all the fall happenings throughout all the north eastern states and eastern Canada.  The internet is a great window into exploring many things.  Put it to work and find out where your fall getaway will be.

With The Joys of Fall Camping  –  Lug_Nut   –    Peter Mercer

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1 comment

  1. walt stout

    grease fittings on water pumps are great–your pump will last 3 or 4 times longer
    sealed brgs. are usually poor quality and fail prematurely
    I’ll take all the grease fittings I can get…