Seven Sensational Scenic Drives for Autumn

Provided by:

Enjoy the lush fall colors of these seven scenic routes.

By Jamie Moore

White Mountain Trail

Courtesy of Dan Houde

More from SmarterTravel.com

• Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Fall 2011
• 10 Great B&B Escapes for Fall
• Best/Worst Days for Holiday Travel

More from Yahoo! Travel

• Explore Resort and Weekend Travel

Hit the open road this autumn for the ultimate joyride. These seven beautiful routes will lift your spirits with stunning fall color, terrific mountaintop views, and affordable stops and stays along the way.

You can ramble through Ohio's Amish Country, hop the crush party trail in Napa, or choose another route close to home. Grab the camera and fill up the gas tank. It's the most wonderful time of the year for vacation savings.

White Mountain Trail (New Hampshire)

Drive: A perennial leaf-peeping favorite, this loop route in "The Whites" takes you through mountain passes and past fabulous rock formations, waterfalls, and natural pools. Time it right at dusk or dawn and you'll see moose in the bogs along Route 302 (Moose Alley) near Bretton Woods. In September and October males bellow mightily to attract mates.

Stop: Just off the national scenic byway, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) leads easy hikes to incredible views of Crawford Notch. The hikes are free, and so are moose tours if you stay at AMC's Highland Lodge. For more great photo ops, climb aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway or Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.

Stay: At Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Lodge, nightly rates in a bunkroom/shared bath are $92 per adult ($77 for AMC members), including breakfast, dinner, guided hikes, naturalist activities, and L.L. Bean gear loans. Purity Spring Resort, located on a spring-fed lake in East Madison, is an affordable family option that includes breakfast, dinner, and activities for $129 per night, per couple, or $195 per family of four.

West Elk Loop

Courtesy of Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association

West Elk Loop (Colorado)

Drive: On this loop drive you'll circle western Colorado's West Elk Mountains, follow rivers, skirt canyons, and weave through the incredible aspen groves of Gunnison National Forest. Don't miss the north rim of Gunnison National Park's Black Canyon, where you can see the highest sheer cliff in Colorado drop 2,000 feet into the river below.

Stop: Explore the mountain wilderness on a trail ride near Crested Butte with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures. In Gunnison, Scenic River Tours leads guided fly-fishing trips and whitewater rafting excursions. For $60, you can join one of Colorado Backcountry's half-day mountain bike rides through aspen forests.

Stay: The historic seven-bedroom B&B, Fresh & Wyld Farmhouse Inn, in Paonia has its own gardens and chickens to feed guests. In October rooms rent for $95 (shared bath) or $135 (private bath) per night and include a local, organic breakfast. Even more affordable is Gunnison's Western Motel, a roadside stop popular among bikers.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina And Virginia)

Drive: The Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile mystical mountain route dubbed "America's Favorite Drive," stretches from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. Head to the southwestern segment near Asheville, North Carolina, where leaf season runs long. Room rates are less expensive in late September and early November, but the colors are still beautiful.

Stop: In early fall thousands of migrating monarch butterflies bound for Mexico pass through the mountains 35 minutes south of Asheville. Best view: the parkway's Wagon Road Gap overlook. Nearby, crunch into a fresh-picked apple at Orchard at Altapass or hit the corn maze at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The Biltmore House Architect's Tour takes you to a 360-degree rooftop view of autumn colors.

Stay: Inn on Main Street B&B, just north of Asheville, has a $195 per night Adventure Road Waterfall Tour Package that includes a picnic lunch, a guide to area waterfalls, and a personalized driving itinerary. For families, try Asheville's Brookstone Lodge for $89 to $159 per night, or go for one of the lodge's affordable zip-line or whitewater rafting packages.

Amish Country Byway

Courtesy of Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau

Amish Country Byway (Ohio)

Drive: In the rolling hills between Columbus and Cleveland lies the Amish Country Byway, a network of country roads lined with thick forests and scenic farms with bright red barns. The clip-clop rhythm of horses and buggies on rolling hills takes you back to a time when life was less complicated and less expensive, and stores closed on Sundays.

Stop: Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, tour Amish barns and houses, and feed the animals at the Farm at Walnut Creek. Many of Amish Country's cheesemakers, including Heini's Cheese Chalet, welcome visitors to watch the process and sample more than 50 fresh-made varieties. Find out the why behind the simple ways at Behalt Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center.

Stay: Keep it simple with a stay at an Ohio State Park Lodge. In a river valley at the west end of the Amish Country Byway, the Mohican State Park Lodge has newly renovated guest rooms with private balconies. Packages here and at the state's seven other lodges can be as low as $109 per night in October.

Napa Valley/Silverado Trail

Courtesy of Thinkstock / Hemera

Napa Valley/Silverado Trail (California)

Drive: About an hour north of San Francisco, the vineyard-draped hills of Napa Valley are awash in crimsons and golds in the fall. Harvest season's crush parties are in full swing. From the town of Napa, follow the main Highway 29 route north 30 miles past big-name wineries and quaint towns to Calistoga. Then return on the quieter, breathtaking Silverado Trail.

Stop: Buy a $25 wine-tasting card in Napa to access 12 downtown tasting rooms for only 10 cents per taste. Pick up lunch at Napa's Oxbow Market for a roadside picnic en route to a winery. You can browse boutiques and hit the Culinary Institute's flavor bars ($10 to $15) in St. Helena. See a geyser and Petrified Forest near Calistoga.

Stay: Even during the valley's high season, there are still some inns and B&Bs with select rooms available for less than $200 a night. Try the Hennessey House, Napa Inn, or Arbor Guest House in Napa. The California Association of B&B Inns posts specials and last-minute deals on its website.

North Shore Scenic Drive

Courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism

North Shore Scenic Drive (Minnesota)

Drive: Along Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive, Lake Superior competes for your attention on one side while Superior National Forest's pine, aspen, and birch trees keep drawing you back to the other. It's a lovely dilemma. The route slices through eight state parks that preserve beaches, lighthouses, raging rivers, and waterfalls.

Stop: Ride a treetop roller coaster or zip-line for less than $10 at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. Lake kayaking excursions, beach campfires, and naturalist-led hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail are free when you stay at Lutsen Resort. Nearby in Two Harbors, you can tour the 1896 Edna G. Tugboat or the still-operational Two Harbors Light Station for next to nothing.

Stay: In Lutsen rooms go for as low as $150 per night this season at the storied Lutsen Resort. If you book three nights, you pay for only two with the resort's Fall Weekend Special. A standard room at Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors runs from $79 to $139 per night in early October.

Cascade Loop

Courtesy of Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Cascade Loop (Washington)

Drive: The 440-mile Cascade Loop highway starts 28 miles north of Seattle, tunnels through mountains, twists through desert land, and passes glacier-fed Lake Chelan before returning to the Puget Sound. The elevation change alone is a thrill. And there's something exciting about cruising high-elevation passes that will be closed in winter.

Stop: Raise a stein (Prost!) to Munich in the little Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth. Huge Oktoberfest celebrations spill onto the streets during the first three weekends in October. In the cowboy town of Winthrop, browse Riverside Avenue's boutiques with Western facade storefronts. Stop for apple cider tastings and tours during harvest season in Washington Apple Country.

Stay: True to form, Leavenworth's Bavarian Lodge has the Old World charm you'd expect, and nightly rates start at $129 for midweek stays with breakfast. Bring your sleeping bag and book a heated KOA log cabin in Leavenworth or Winthrop for less than $60 per night in October.



Posting source: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40712625

Here comes the bridal lingerie !

By Maysa Rawi

Last updated on 29th September 2011

Staff at the Goring Hotel are no doubt used to witnessing a bit of drama.
They were the first to see the Duchess of Cambridge in her wedding dress just moments before her marriage to Prince William in April.
And it has since become a regular haunt for the Middletons and the Royal set.

Not just any bridal lingerie: Models unveil the new Marks & Spencer bridal collection available to buy today

But the sight of half-naked models standing at the steps of the entrance would probably have come as something of a shock to onlookers.
The lingerie-clad girls, wearing nude heels, stockings and suspenders, were promoting M&S's new range of bridal lingerie at the Victoria hotel where Kate spent her last night as a Middleton.
The vintage-inspired collection, available to buy from today, includes corsets, bras and bodices made of silk and lace.

The range, available in up to DD, includes vintage-inspired lace and 1950's corsets

Fit for a princess: The range was unveiled outside the Goring Hotel in Victoria, London, where Kate spent her last night as a Middleton before marrying Prince William

Key pieces include a 1950's inspired long line bra, glamorous waist cinching knickers, a shaping body, a beautiful basque and a multiway bra, going up to DD+.
A romantic, ultra feminine silk negligee and gown complete the collection.
The bridal range also contains hosiery - and the all important garter.
Prices starting from £12 for silk knickers to £45 for a glamorous basque.

Affordable: Prices starting from £12 for silk knickers to £45 for a glamorous basque

Kate stayed at the Goring on the night before her wedding, left, and sister Pippa as Maid of Honour

Posting source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2043189/M-S-bridal-lingerie-unveiled-hotel-Kate-Middleton-spent-night-Royal-Wedding.html

Ashton Kutcher parties with Sara Leal

By Paul Thompson

Last updated on 30th September 2011

Pictures have surfaced showing Ashton Kutcher with a blonde woman who resembles his alleged lover Sara Leal three months before their reported nightclub ‘fling’.
The actor was seen leaving the Roosevelt Hotel with the woman back in June after watching the Beacher’s Madhouse show with friends.
In the unearthed photographs, the 33-year-old is seen driving off with her seated in the back seat of his car.
His wife, Demi Moore, 48, was not in attendance. 

• Hollywood couple 'gearing up for $290m divorce'
• Kutcher tweets a link to Public Enemy song 'Don't Believe The Hype'
• He tells fans: 'Don't assume to know that which you know nothing of'

History? Ashton Kutcher was pictured leaving the Roosevelt Hotel with a blonde who resembles Sara Leal back in June

Low-key exit: Ashton and the blonde watched the Beacher's Madhouse show at the hotel before leaving with friends. His wife Demi Moore was not in attendance

Kutcher addressed the rumours for the first time today, writing on Twitter: 'When you ASSUME to know that which you know nothing of you make an ASS out of U and ME.'

 

And yesterday Kutcher tweeted a link to his Spotify account on where he was playing the Public Enemy song Don't Believe the Hype.
Meanwhile a report emerged claiming Leal has demanded a $250,000 pay-off to buy her silence.
She is said to be hoping the Two and Half Men start will come up with the cash to stop her from revealing intimate details of their fling - and save his marriage to actress Demi Moore.

Twitter response: Ashton Kutcher posted this message on his page today

Hint? Kutcher posted this link to Public Enemy song Don't Believe the Hype on his Spotify account yesterday

Leal has met with lawyers who help negotiate a settlement for a rehab worker allegedly assaulted by Lindsay Lohan.
But sources told the New York Post Leal is looking for a six-figure pay-off or she will sell her story to the media.
'Sara is talking to multiple media outlets for a deal. She wants $250,000,but the offers haven't been as high,' a source told the Post.

The other woman? Leal is allegedly demanding $250,000 for her silence

Nightclub: Ashton allegedly met up with the blonde at Fluxx in San Diego on Friday evening

'What she really wants is to get a pay-off from Ashton. She has reached out to Ashton's team.'
The actor and Leal are reported to have hooked up last weekend after partying in San Diego.
The latest alleged encounter happened on the 12th floor of the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, California, in the early hours of Saturday – the Hollywood couple’s sixth wedding anniversary.
Kutcher and the woman had apparently been partying at Fluxx club in the city. One fellow clubgoer said: ‘Ashton didn’t look like someone who was celebrating a wedding anniversary.’

Cryptic: Demi Moore posted this  mysterious message on her Twitter account the Monday after her wedding anniversary

Forlorn: Moore posted this picture of herself with eyes closed, looking every inch her 48 years, with the words 'I see through you'

Friends have said Kutcher's marriage to Moore is in crisis with one magazine, Star, saying they have already separated.

Over? Ashton and Demi Moore, pictured here last year, have reportedly separated

Meanwhile, some sources are saying that, should Kutcher and Moore's marriage end, the couple could be battling it out in a bitter $290 million divorce.
Sources also tell Star that Moore and Kutcher have been living largely separate lives, with a source saying it was clear that their marriage was 'beyond help,' when Kutcher visited Moore in New York City recently.
It is the second time Kutcher has been accused of cheating on his  wife.
A year ago Brittney Jones, 21, said she had sex with the actor at the Beverly Hills home he shares with his wife while she was away.
Moore, who is 15 years senior to her husband, has refused to comment on the claims.
She and her husband were last seen together two months ago.
Her Twitter posts have turned much darker in recent weeks.
Earlier this week she posted a picture of her face with her eyes closed and the words: 'I see through you.'
On that same night of Kutcher's alleged fling, Moore was tweeting from the East Coast, where she is temporarily based.
She shared a quote from Greek philosopher Epictetus on September 23, writing: 'When we are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.'

Job to do: Kutcher arrived on the set of Two And A Half Men in Los Angeles today in his car with blacked out windows

Leal has been talking with Beverly Hills lawyer Keith Davidson who represented Betty Ford worker Dawn Holland following her spat with actress Lohan.
The pay-off wanted by Leal will be similar to that negotiated by nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel after her affair with Tiger Woods was exposed.
Uchitel,35, received a reported $10m from the golf star in return for not talking about their affair.
She later had to pay back the money after appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Tiger's lawyers saying she had breached the confidentiality clause.

Frail: Demi looked more slender than usual and preoccupied on Monday night at a screening of the  new Lifetime movie Five in New York City

Posting source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043312/Did-Ashton-Kutcher-party-Sara-Leal-months-fling.html

Maria Fowler shows her sexy side

By Kirsty Mccormack

Last updated on 30th September 2011

Some girls might be afraid to leave the house in sexy underwear but not Maria Fowler.
The Only Way Is Essex star was at the launch night of lingerie brand, Playful Promises, new London boutique at The Box last night and dazzled on the red carpet.
The 25-year-old reality TV star showed off her trim figure in not one but three outfits.

Feeling playful: Maria Fowler attended the lingerie boutique launch and wore three outfits

Perky in pink: The TOWIE star wore a light-coloured corset with a black satin pencil skirt as she posed for photos at The Box

First of all she wowed photographers in a tight baby pink corset and a black satin pencil skirt with black Mary Jane stilettos.
But obviously one sultry look wasn't enough for the glamour model as she then decided to swap pencil skirts, opting for a light pink one, and wore a matching corset top that was complete with a black bow and lace detail.

Perfect pout: the 25-year-old chose an all pink outfit for her second choice wearing another pencil skirt and a lace detail corset

Poser: Maria provided the perfect picture at the launch of Playful Promises new boutique opening in Soho

Last but not least the star proved that covering up doesn't always have to be less sexy as for her third and final look Maria wore a pair of black skinny jeans with a black satin corset, that highlighted her bust with a floral design.
The TOWIE favourite looked preened to perfection as she wore her hair in a loose curl with added volume and chose understated make-up for her appearance.

Black beauty: Maria covered up in her third outfit wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans and a satin corset

The event was celebrating the London brand's new boutique opening in Soho.
But it wasn't just Maria who was celebrating the launch of something rather appealing.
Fellow TOWIE stars were pictured earlier in the day at the new Westfield in Stratford promoting the second series of the popular programme.
Gemma Collins and Sam Faiers joined Kirk Norcross and Harry Derbidge at the HMV store to celebrate the DVD release of the second dose of Essex.

TOWIE gang: (L-R) Kirk Norcross, Gemma Collins, Harry Derbidge and Samantha Faiers signed copies of series two of the programme at Westfield in Stratford

Showing off her recent weight loss, Gemma, wore a bright blue figure hugging dress that complemented her newly dyed brunette hair, and Sam opted for the more casual look in a pale yellow kaftan-style dress.
Kirk joined her and wore a pair of jeans with a striped shirt and t-shirt and 18-year-old Harry wore his trusty skinny black blazer with a plain white tee.
The group are not only available to watch on DVD, but are now back on the small screens on ITV2 with their third series of Essex fun.

More posers: Harry and Sam glammed up for their trip to HMV in London where they promoted their reality TV show

Posting source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043585/Want-Playful-Promise-Maria-Fowler-shows-sexy-celebrates-launch-new-lingerie-boutique.html

Kristen Stewart flashes some Snow White flesh

By Eleanor Gower

Last updated on 29th September 2011

It has been billed as a re-imagined and slightly twisted version of the fairytale classic.
And judging by today's on-set photographs of movie Snow White and the Huntsman, it certainly seems pretty far removed from Disney's fluffy cartoon take on the story.
Leading lady Kristen Stewart spent the day soaking wet and showing a good few inches of flesh as she shot scenes for the film on a Welsh beach.

Flesh flash: Kristen Stewart shows off her shoulders as she filmed new movie Snow White and the Huntsman in Wales earlier today

The actress looked to be taking part in some particularly dramatic scenes on the sands, and hoisted her soaking wet gown on as she walked along.

After one scene, she was sitting alongside a stunning white horse, which was attended to by crew members.
In a contrast from yesterday in which she was seen sporting heavy armour, Stewart wore a long medieval style gown over long brown boots, with her hair loose around her shoulders.

Drama: The actress looks to be sitting alongside her white horse on the beach as part of a particularly dramatic scene on the beach

Life's a beach: The 21-year-old actress strolled along the beach in a soaking wet gown, at one point, holding up the dress as she strolled along some rocks

The white stuff: Stewart is shot filming a scene with the magnificent white horse

Her hair also looked to be a darker shade than familiar to fans of the Twilight franchise.
She seemed more than comfortable on horseback, although may have used a stunt double to canter across the beach for one bareback shot.
The actress was clearly having to maintain a wet and dishevelled look, with an assistant spraying her down with a water gun at one point.

Horse power: The actress sat astride her white horse as she waited for the scene to begin

New movie: Stewart stars alongside Chris Hemsworth and Ian McShane in the fantasy style film

Striking scene: Stewart, or possibly her stunt lookalike rides bareback across the sands for a stunning scene in the film

She also needed the crew's help to clamber over a rocky incline.
It wasn't all intense focus for the star though. She was later spotted breaking into a smile in a rest  between scenes on a rocky section of the shore.
In another scene, she was spotted emerging from the sea in her gown - perhaps after a very refreshing dip, considering the cold Welsh waters.

Staying soaked: At one point a  member of the crew sprays a rather shocked Stewart to make her stay wet for the seaside scene

Rock climbing: Stewart gets some help walking over the rocks from several members of the crew

Clamber: The Twilight star looked intensely focused as she walked over the rocks in one scene, although she broke into a smile when the footage was finished

Stewart stars as Snow White alongside Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who appears as male lead, The Huntsman.

In a twist on the children's fairy tale, the film follows the story of the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed.
However, he winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

And action! The star is filmed with her dress sleeveless around the shoulders on the rocky incline

The sea the sea! Stewart wore a long black coat over her gown as she strode through the cold Welsh waters

The movie stars Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and Ian McShane, Eddie Izzard, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones and Ray Winstone among the dwarves.
Stewart recently revealed that she was not initially attracted to the role of Snow White, but became interested after realising the new version was a very different take on the classic character.
'She truly does not let her heart cloud her mind,' the Twilight actress told Entertainment Weekly earlier this summer. 'Also I get to have a sword and stuff, and really cool weapons.

Drenched: Stewart emerges from the ocean soaked to the skin, with her wet hair bedraggled down her back

Morning light: Stewart shares a joke with a female crew member as the sun starts to come up over the beach

'This girl has the amazing ability to channel fear, things that people are typically afraid to do, into this really focused, really charged, driving energy,' she added.
The film - the first in a planned trilogy - is slated to be released in cinemas next year.
Stewart also appears as MaryLou in the adaptation of Jack Kerouac film On the Road, and stars in  penultimate Twilight instalment Breaking Dawn, which will be released in November.

All dried off: The actress was also spotted with her hair and gown dry, in what was surely a more comfortable look, along with walking down the beach in a large black wrapped

Posting source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043502/Kristen-Stewart-flashes-Snow-White-flesh-films-wet-wild-beach-scenes-new-fantasy-movie.html