Sure, lots of folks say they’d like to completely “unplug” from their busy lives. Leave behind the cell phones, the laptops, the PDA’s, and even cable television. But do they really mean it when they say they want to unplug? Would they be absolutely willing to not even pack their electronic communications devices? Would they really not complain if they didn’t have cable television in their room?

If you’re one of those actual, real, serious-minded unpluggers, one of these destinations might be for you!

Aurora Borealis - Bear Lake, Alaska

1. Visit Alaska. Alaska, overall, seems to be a state that encourages the unplugged lifestyle. With so much outdoor, off-the-beaten-path type activities to indulge in, it’s no wonder visitors find themselves powering off their electronics and completely forgetting about them until the airplane ride home. If you’re looking for a high-end destination, the Ultima Thule Wilderness Lodge in the Alaskan Wrangell Mountains is one of the most exclusive locations in Alaska and only accessible by their own private planes. They’re even out of cell phone range for the truly dedicated unpluggers. If your budget is rather less flush, the Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast Glacier Bay comes highly recommended. The family-run B&B provides packages for a wide variety of outdoor recreational adventures and tours, and is located in a quiet, wildflower-filled meadow overlooking the Fairweather Mountains.

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Fall foliage

Contrary to the thermometer outside my window, which at this second is reading a balmy 108 degrees (September in Arizona – gotta love it!), the fall weather will soon be upon us. Nothing says fall to me more than the round of upcoming harvest fairs and festivals, scheduled for September through November.

The Arizona Expo and State Fair is being held from October 16th through November 8th (closed Mondays). Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and kids under five years old are free. Parking in all fair lots is $10. The fairgrounds are located at 26 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix, just off of I-10. This year’s concert series includes Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Lady Antebellum, The Black Crowes, David Cook, and Kelly Clarkson. The fair is entering its 64th consecutive year and features the traditional round of carnival rides, fried foods, craft and livestock displays and contests, and rodeo events.

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Big Bear Lake, CA

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Kartchner Caverns Entrance

Kartchner Caverns State Park is located in Benson, Arizona. The “live” cave system was discovered in 1974, and extraordinary lengths have been achieved to preserve the fragile state of the cave’s environment.

Upon arriving at the park, visitors first enjoy a “Discovery Center” where they can peruse displays showing the different formations, minerals, and photographs of the original expeditions into the cave. A 15-minute video is played while people await their tour to begin. It describes how two intrepid amature spelunkers discovered an opening the size of a stretched-out coat hanger, wiggled their way along a shaft 200-feet long on their bellies, and discovered one of the most important series of caves in recent years.

This cave is “living”, meaning it still supports bats, and is still “wet” (limestone formations are still forming drop by drop). The explorers knew that once the word got out that the caves exist, they (the caves, that is, not the explorers) would be converged upon and killed in short order. So they, along with the Kartchner family (the landowners) appealed to the State government and made it into a State Park. They kept the modifications as subtle as possible to preserve the caves as they were when they were discovered. As it is, 85% of the cave network has never had a human foot upon it.

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