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