Did you know that Maine has its very own Fort Knox? It does! They don’t keep any money in it, though. More’s the pity.

Maine’s Fort Knox is located in the town of Prospect, on the banks of the Penobscot River. The fort was established in 1844 to combat possible border disputes with British Canada, after the area was invaded and occupied by British forces during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Today it is one of the best preserved and maintained fortification in New England.

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Who can argue that autumn is one of the most colorful times of year?

That was a rhetorical question.

Fall is pretty, mostly because of the glorious displays put on by the fall leaves changing color.  This phenomenon occurs all over the United States, but some spots offer better views than others.  Grab your camera and a road atlas and take a day trip to one of the 11 best fall foliage sites in America.

11 Places To See Fall Leaves

1.  Acadia National Park – Maine

Of course anywhere in the North East is going to boast spectacular fall foliage.  The Acadia National Park offers gorgeous views and extensive Ranger-led educational programs so that you can learn more about what you’re staring at.  Make sure to head to Bar Harbor Maine before the end of October to take full advantage of the sights and services available.

2.  Oak Mountain State Park – Alabama

Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park.  This nearly 10,000 acre forest is featured on several sight seeing lists.  Admission is only $3 for adults on weekends and holidays.  You can visit the park for fall foliage viewing from 7am to sundown.

3.  Mt. Washington – New Hampshire

While it’s typical to see fall foliage while you’re driving, the Mount offers guided cruises on the M/S Mount Washington.  Starting Sunday, September 27, the Mount will offer Fall Foliage Dinner Cruises from 4:30 to 7 p.m. each Sunday through mid-October. The cruise departs from Weirs Beach, boarding at 4 p.m. Cost for adults is$43. Visit Cruise Mount Washington for more information.

4.  Aspen – Colorado

It’s no surprise that Aspen, Colorado is the perfect place to watch the Aspen trees change colors with the seasons.  San Isabel National Forest offers extensive trails for viewing of some of the most fabulous aspen trees in Colorado.

5.  The Catskills – New York

The Catskills and Hudson Valley region is about a two hour drive from New York City.  One of the unique features of this area is that the color changing season lasts about six weeks, with colors rivaling those of its North Eastern neighbors, Vermont and Massachusetts.

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I know, I know, it doesn’t go as well with the tune as leaving my heart in San Francisco. I am telling the absolute truth, though, when I say that my heart lies in Portland, Maine.

I grew up in the teeny, tiny farming community of New Gloucester, Maine (population of people, 5,461; population of cows, at least three times that many), which is about 40 minutes due north of Portland. If you were looking for something “to do”, you went to Portland. If you had a job, it was probably in Portland. Even if you lived three hours away, you went “out Portland way” for a myriad of things – grocery shopping, the mall, the movies, dinner. It may not be the capital of the state (which is Augusta, by the way), but it’s the social, industrial, and economic hub of the state.

And it is, in my most humble (but expert) opinion, one of the best towns on the PLANET. I’m not kidding. You need to go. And here’s why.

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The easternmost point on the continental US is West Quoddy Head, near the town of Lubec, Maine. If a person wanted the unique designation of seeing the sun rise in the United States before anyone else, that is where he or she would need to travel. While West Quoddy is a beautiful destination, has a lovely historic light house, and offers incredible views across the ocean, there is another spot in Maine that is actually more popular for sunrise enthusiasts. Read More »

There are still destinations on this planet which are fairly easy to access, but truly take you away from everything. One such destination is Moosehead Lake in Maine. Whatever your wish – a romantic getaway, a family adventure, an inexpensive weekend, or a week of pampered luxury – the Moosehead Lake region can accommodate any vacation needs.

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Old Orchard Beach is located in Southern Maine and is one of the most popular destination for local “stay-cationers”. It’s also a great vacation destination for people visiting the Pine Tree State.

Miles of white sandy beaches along the cool Atlantic ocean are lined with bed and breakfasts, motels, inns, bars, restaurants, and shopping. The focal point of the area is the OOB Pier (you’ve gotta get the pier fries!), and the beachfront Palace Playland amusement park.

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Sebago Lake is the second-largest lake in Maine (the largest is Moosehead Lake). It is located in the south-western area of the state, about 20 miles away from Portland and the airport. “Sebago” is the Penobscot Indian word meaning “beautiful water,” and it truly is one of the most picturesque bodies of water in New England.

When I was little, summer vacation in Maine meant spending as many weeks as I could wheedle, at my Aunt and Uncle’s “camp”, or cabin, on Sebago. My Uncle had a boat, naturally, and we begged on a daily basis for him to pull us (”us” being me and my cousins) behind the boat on the “torpedo” float. We’d line up on the thing, hang on for dear life, and scream our fool heads off as he dragged us along, playing crack the whip or occasionally swerving into his own wake so we could “jump” the torpedo over the waves. Inevitably, one (or all) of us would fall off, and we’d sit there, floating and waiting for him to come back around to us, wondering what could be eyeing our toes from a depth of 300 feet.

Them snapping turtles are vicious, after all.

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The state of Maine is peppered with many old stone military forts and defenses. They provide for a perfect place to explore, picnic, enjoy the fresh air, and get a little educational history to boot.

Now me? I LOVE exploring. I love climbing around rocks and poking around tidal pools. I follow any path I come across to its end if I have anything to say about it (I’m eventually halted by my husband’s proclamation, “That’s it! I’m not walking any more!”). And when it comes to forts, I want to stick my nose into every nook and cranny I can gain access to.

One such fort is the Fort Popham State Historic Site in Phippsburg, Maine. Located on the banks of the Kennebec River, construction initially began on the fort in 1862, with the intent to defend against the Confederacy’s ironclad warships. Construction halted in 1869, though the fort was briefly garrisoned during the Spanish-American War, and again in WWI.

These days the fort is a popular destination for tourists and locals, and is a sanctuary for multitudes of native wildlife species. Like this guy:

And this guy, who was munching on the same school of fish that the seals were hunting:

The majority of the fort is open for exploration, with only a few precarious areas fenced off from the public. The place is just a dream to photograph, with all sorts of appealing arches and fantastic stone masonry.

Fort Popham is located 15 miles from Bath on State Route 209, in Mid-Coast Maine. The best time to visit is in the spring, summer and early fall. Explore the fort, sit along the rocky shoreline and enjoy the scenery, and stop by nearby Popham Beach for a swim in the ocean (in the summer, of course!)