Mexican Temple in Disney World's EPCOT

A tour around the world in Walt Disney World’s EPCOT takes you past an “ancient” temple in Mexico – all without leaving sunny Orlando, Florida.

Photo by Britt Reints.

UpTake of Cherry Blossoms in Springtime

Dear Mr. Phil,

Today is your 15 minutes of fame for the entire year, please make it worth your while and hang outside for some time. Enjoy the paparazzi, the flash of the lights, the television cameras, meeting Harry Smith! It’s quite the day to be a marmot, relish it and let your keen meteorological senses steer your muzzle UP to the sky and TAKE in a whiff of warmer days to come. Smell the buds breaking on the trees, grab your sunglasses and snorkel and announce that spring has sprung.

Yours in flip flops,

amandaj

Even if 6 more weeks of winter is upon us, there is no better time to start planning your springbreak vacation. Perhaps you may want to bring the family to Florida or jet further away to discover the volcanos and cloud forests of Costa Rica while sleeping in a treehouse. Plan now, jet later. Look out for groundhogs.

This post is part of our blog photo series: Things are Looking Up! If you would like to share one of your “UpTakes”, please submit your photo by using the editor contact link in the sidebar.

Photo Courtesy of: Tony the Misfit (Taking a Break)

UpTake of the US Capitol Rotunda

After last nights State of the Union address, I imagined America’s leaders having an “UpTake”. The clicking and clacking of hard-heeled shoes on marble floor ceasing for a collective sigh while taking in the enormity and beauty of the structure 180 feet overhead.  Here you have it! The Apotheosis of Washington.

This stunning fresco was painted in 1865 by Constantino Brumindi in the rotunda of the US Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The painting spans an area of 4,664 square feet and the the figures within are up to 15 feet tall.

This post is part of our blog photo series: Things are Looking Up! If you would like to share one of your “UpTakes”, please submit your photo by using the editor contact link in the sidebar.

Photo courtesy of: mkoukoullis via http://www.flickr.com/photos/webraconteur/

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

Fall Leaves on Carriage Road at Acadia National Park

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.

Fall Leaves at Oak Mountain State Park

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.

Fall Foliage in New Hampshire

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.

Fall Color in Colorado

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.

New York Fall Foliage

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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