(Tales from the Road was delayed due to technical difficulties while traveling.)

“It’s a smooth ride,” captain Rex Walley, of the Nathaniel Bowditch docked at HarborWalk in Destin, Fla., assured me in his Aussie accent. “If you start to feel sick, let me know and I’ll let you sail the boat. That’ll take your mind off of it,” he smiled at me before returning to his pre-departure duties.

Okay, so I had some reservations about the Friday morning (10/3) sailing excursion. You see, typically when I see a boat, I automatically get sick. And that’s even before it leaves the dock. Yes, my inner ear problem is that bad, and I really didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of people. So, after a good pancake breakfast from Another Broken Egg and a dose of Dramamine, I felt somewhat ready. The air was cool, the water looked calm and the boat looked big (that’s as far as my nautical terminology goes.) It was time to board. And hoist the sails once we left the harbor.

Yes, hoist the sails (okay, another term.) Of course, I volunteered, thinking it will be fun and easy. Well, one out of the two isn’t bad. Once the task was completed, I learned a very important lesson: I have no upper arm strength at all.

The main point of our excursion, aside from smoothly (!) sailing on some of the most   beautiful water, was to spot dolphins. Now according to the crew, we stood a pretty good chance. After sailing around for awhile and enjoying the morning, we headed toward the harbor, and within minutes we saw them.

It was perhaps one of the most fascinating excursions that I’ve ever been on. The dolphins came up close to the boat. I never seen anything like it.

On the way back to the dock, I spoke with captain Wiley about his daycruises. He told me that one of the more popular ones during the summer was the seashell safari. He and his crew takes you out to a remote area where you can swim, snorkel and search for shells. Once back on board, you can enjoy your own picnic while the crew takes you to see dolphins. The seashell safari is about a three-hour adventure. His other cruise is a sunset one, and if you know about the Gulf, it is home to some fabulous sunsets. Imagine seeing one on the harbor in a boat. Also on the sunset cruise, the crew will take you to see dolphins.  They also offer private charters as well.

As for someone who had never done this before (I was the one who would back out at the last minute), because of the fear of um, sharing everything, I found the excursion to be enjoyable and fun. It was a great way to start the day.

photos: personal collection

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In the quest of finding some of the most haunting places in the South, you can’t overlook coastal destinations. There’s just something the presence of the sea that is the perfect setting for mayhem and mysteries.

North Carolina’s Crystal Coast has been privy to many happenings throughout its history. Located in the Southern Outer Banks of the Tar Heel state. Towns include Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City and Swansboro. You’ll also find the beach communities of Salter Path, Pine Knoll Shore, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle.

So with the Atlantic as the backdrop, if you’re looking for some good individual scary and frightening stories that involve pirates, soliders, sailors and other characters -  this is the place for you. 

Now just a peak at what “Ghost on the Coast” stories you’ll discover, if you dare…

• The area is home to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, which one of seven historic lighthouses in the state. It makes this particular one interesting is that it has seen the nearly 2,000 ships that have met their end in the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
• It is believe that not only do soldiers from the Civil War and World War II haunt the top of Fort Macon, but also Blackbeard’s crew. 
• The Hammock House just might be one of the more haunted houses in historic Beaufort. It has been reported that ghost activity has been seen from the young lady hung by Blackbeard from a live oak tree, three soldiers found buried under the porch and a mistress pushed down the stairs.

Piqued your any interest any? If you happen to be visiting Beaufort or the surrounding areas any time soon, consider taking the Beaufort Ghost Walk that goes into more detail about the town’s hauntings.

photo credits: (top left) Old Burying Grouds (Beaufort, N.C.), flickr, creative commons West of the Sounds: (mid right) Fort Macon, flickr, creative commons by gonemissing; (bottom right) Blackbeard’s House, flickr, creative commons by tommrkr

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Clean, crisp cool air; roadside farmers markets stocked with pumpkins, apple, and hot cider - all surrounded by deep vibrant red, yellow and orange colors. The scene is set for fall. Time for harvest moons, arts and crafts festivals, and fall foliage.

Wait a minute - fall foliage in the South? You mean leaves change colors in the region, and there are actual trees?

Okay, so the South isn’t known for fall foliage like New England is, but the region doesn’t disappoint if you are looking for some places to see an array of colors.

Where (and When) to Go 

In Arkansas, some of the best places to see the falls colors include the Ozark Mountains and Ouachita National Forest. The best times for optimal views would be mid-October, which is the peak time for the Ozark Mountains, and around early November for peak in the Ouachita National Forest.

If you are heading to Alabama to see foliage, your best bet is around late October to early November, which is typically the peak time for the state. Some of the best places to see the various hues are Lake Guntersville State Park, Cheaha State Park and DeSoto State Park.

In Georgia, colors tend to peak in late October. The best place to view what the state has to offer is in the North Georgia mountains , although color changes are visible in Middle and South Georgia as well. Yet, there’s something about mountains and the fall that seem to go together. Some of the top places in north Georgia include Fort Mountain State Park, Tallulah Gorge and Vogel State Park.

While in Tennessee, you can take an excursion or a do- it- yourself scenic drive to view the colors of the state. If you opt for the later, some places that offer the best views are the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Natchez Trace Parkway and Tellico River.

In Kentucky, the colors peak around mid to late October. Some of the top viewing places include Mammoth Cave National Park and Jenny Wiley State Park.

Don’t forget about North Carolina when you are searching to view some of the South’s colors. You can find all types of scenic drives in the Asheville area. Don’t forget about the Piedmont area, with such places like Pittsboro; or Boone, located in the mountains.

There are a number of foliage scenic drives through Virginia. Two of the more popular ones happen to be Skyline Drive (Shenandoah Valley), and George Washington Memorial Parkway. If you want to spend a more time in the state, consider one of the many fall getaways.

The colors come out in West Virginia, and like the other states, different areas peak at different times. Currently, leaves are changing in places like the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. The rest of the state’s foliage falls in line starting around early October.

Maryland’s peak color times are in October and November, depending on what part of the state you happen to be visiting. Some of the places to visit for an eyeful of fall colors are Sugarloaf Mountain and Seneca State Park.

Two Places that Might Surprise You with Their Fall Colors

The stars aren’t the only things that shine bright in Texas. Yes, the Lone Star state has trees and they change colors. Some of the places to see the foliage include East Texas fall foliage trail and throughout the state parks, such as Lost Maple Natural Area.

In South Carolina, you can find some fall hues for your viewing pleasure at such places as Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park.

Things to Remember

There are a number of options in South to view the fall foliage, and hopefully what’s mentioned above is a good starting point for you.

Whether you choose a state park or a drive, here are some tips to help you experience the most out of the excursion.

• Pick your driving routes ahead of time to ensure the most visibility.  It can get very frustrating driving around in circles and not finding what you are looking for. Remember to drive carefully - some of the roads are two-lane and traffic can be heavy and slow at times. Obey the speed limit.

• Try viewing the foliage early in the morning and then again later in the evening.  The difference in the shadows that are cast can really be amazing.

• While I do mention peak times, don’t worry yourself about waiting until then. Those in the know say that peak is a matter of opinion, and it can vary greatly in areas due to the environment.

• Fall foliage season goes beyond simply staring at leaves from the roadside. Get out and experience it by walking through the woods and enjoying the autumn breezes. You can’t beat the smell in the air or the autumn sun. Plan a walk, hike or bike amid the vibrantly colored leaves. Try something different; consider viewing foliage from a nearby lake, by taking a pontoon boat ride, canoe or kayak trip.

• Make a weekend out of it. Many of the drives and views are located in or around small, quaint southern towns.

• Other sites to bookmark to keep up with the latest on fall foliage include Weather Channel, The Foliage Network and US Forest Service.

photo credits: first page (top) Fall Colors on Ridge (Virginia), flickr, creative commons by tommaync; (top left) Fall Colors (Arkansas), flickr, creative commons by dbarronoss; (top right) Mirror on Fall (Fall in North Georgia), flickr, creative commons by Vicki and Chuck Rogers: (mid left) Fall in the Smokies, flickr, creative commons lndhslf72; (bottom left) Autumnal Leaves, flickr, creative commons by Jason Means: second page (top left) Golden Canopy, flickr, creative commons by jmtimages; (bottom left) IMG_0780, flickr, creative commons by renaphoto

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Here’s a fun quiz that was sent to me recently. It can be found on Best Trip Choices - a unique travel site that helps leisure travelers plan their perfect getaway. They claim it matches your personality to the trip you’ll enjoy the most according to “decades of scientific research.” I don’t know about the scientific research, but it takes less than 5 minutes so its perfect to fit in on a commercial break.

In addition to the quiz, this website also ranks worldwide destinations according to thousands of travelers’ rankings. Here’s a list of the top 10 US States:

1. Hawaii
2. Alaska
3. Florida
4. Nevada
5. Maine
6. Washington State
7. Northern California
8. Colorado
9. Vermont
10. Arizona

Here’s the top 10 International Cities/Regions:

1. London, England
2. Vancouver, Canada
3. Rome, Italy
4. Florence, Italy
5. Paris, France
6. Venice, Italy
7. Jerusalem, Israel
8. Cancun, Mexico
9. Sydney, Australia
10. Vienna, Austria

What is your top travel destination?

Photo Credit: London Underground by (oranje) @ flickr

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Jet lag can be brutal. If it was not for my inability to adjust quickly, I’d travel a lot more often. So when I hear about new gadgets that might help combat this, I feel the need to either test them out or spread the word so I can find someone who has.

The Westin Chicago River North has teamed up with Philips to create a Concept Room to help challenge sleep problems caused by jet lag. Is this the answer to all your problems? You might want to contact Jon at The Chicago Traveler to find out, as its just in his neck of the woods. Here are a few of the amenities that The Westin provides:

• Philips’ blue-light ActiViva lamps - These lamps are scientifically proven to give you the same benefits as natural, blue sky daylight and makes people stay energized and awake.
• Light Therapy box at the work station
• A eucalyptus shower fizzer is a highlight to the “Heavenly Shower.” Paired together with the “Heavenly Bed” this duo brings you a pillow-top mattress, a warm down blanket, 3 crisp sheets, a cozy comforter, a pure white duvet cover, and a therapeutic spa shower with 5 adjustable jets.
• Sleep TV offering a meditated sleep program (soon to be available in The Westin worldwide).

This reminds me of The Benjamin where they offer a sleep concierge to guests giving them a choice of 11 types of pillows, spa treatments and milk and cookies. They even offer to give guests their money back if their nightly rest isn’t ideal. I’m ready to take them up on that. Back to the Westin, will they soon guarantee that guests don’t get jet lagged? Can you imagine?

Photo Credit: *mangu* @ flickr

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