Country Ovens, home of cherry De-Lites

I love cherries. I thought I was well versed in the tart or sweet variety of cherry products until I arrived in Door County, Wisconsin.  Not only is the area covered with cherry orchards, but Door County appears to produce every kind of cherry concoction imaginable.  I began my cherry adventures at Country Ovens, home of the devilishly delicious Cherry De-Lite chocolate covered cherries.  A brief tour of the store and genrous sampling reveals a dizzying variety of cherries. There’s the original Cherry De-lite , which are plump, dried Door County cherries, then there’s dark chocolate or milk chocolate covered cherries. Country Ovens also produces Cherry De-Lite sprinkles and morsels, which are tiny cherry pieces that can garnish salads or cereal. Of course, the store also offers cherry juice, preserves and gourmet mixes for cherry pancakes, brownies and scones. Read More »

Rows of mosaic materials at Hands On Art Studio

Dig up the creative fun of childhood at Hands On Art Studio, 8,000 feet of studio space nestled in the bucolic splendor of Wisconsin’s Door County.  Before you even venture into the studios, the joyful tone is set with flower gardens, whimsical sculptures and a a towering silo covered with ceramic tiles to benefit homeless animals. A  rambling, converted barn serves as the main building, where you’ll be greeted with music, art and if you need fortification, refreshments from the Starving Artist Snack Bar . An art helper will help you decide on what project to tackle, including furniture, ceramic figurines, metal pieces, hand-painted goblets or t-shirts and hats.

A view of snow covered dunes at Whitefish Dunes State Park

 If you long for the winter wonders pictured on holiday cards, head to Door County, Wisconsin where snow and fun abound.   I enjoyed an invigorating press trip to  Door County’s  snow-coveredshores, where I witnessed the peninsula’s jaw-dropping  beauty. Start your frosty frolics with a visit to Whitefish Dunes State Park.  An 865 acre nature preserve, Whitefish Dunes State Park boasts the highest sand dunes in Wisconsin and is the original home of eight Native American villages dating from 100 BC to the late 1800s.  The best way to view the park’s  scenic highlights is a snow shoeing hike through  the miles of pristine trails.  Three local shops rent snow shoes according the weight, so don’t be shy about announcing your pounds!  Snow shoeing guarantees a vigorous workout so be prepared to strip off some clothing layers.

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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Sally, Conrad and Cat (Photo Universal Studios/Dreamworks)

Like Sally and “Conroy”, I find myself perched at the living room window moping and watching the inclement weather outside.  But instead of rain, it’s snow and there’s no Cat coming to my rescue.  No, my salvo is a furry rodent named Phil.  Punxsutawney Phil.

This coming Monday is Groundhog Day.  And the only hope I have of lasting another winter in America’s Bitter and Cold-Blooded Heartland lies in hands of what would ordinarily be considered a menace to the farming community.  A freaking Groundhog!  Yep!  You got it.  My will, my resolve to last, is at the mercy of that hairy little critter and whether or not he sees his shadow come February 2.

No shadow and winter can end as it should–soon.  But if that little fur faced demon happens to catch a glimpse of anything long and dark then I’m gonna be needing to fill a prescription.  I’m not so sure I can handle an extra six weeks of Arctic Bliss unaided.

Phil

For over 100 years, the little community in Punxsutawney, just northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has held special observances on Groundhog Day in a little area known as Gobbler’s Knob.  Though popular in it’s own right, the town and it’s celebrations were made even more so by the movie “Ground Hog Day” starring Bill Murray.  For the life of me, I can’t imagine getting up at 3:00 in the morning to stand in sub zero temperatures for four and a half long hours waiting for a prognosticating rodent to give me a shred of hope that winter will soon be over.  I don’t care how good the hot chocolate is.

Phil’s not the only groundhog in this gig, either. He’s just the most famous.  Here’s a few other groundhogs that you may or may not be aware of.  Of course, if you ask me they all look the same.

• Jimmy the Groundhog of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin , USA
  

  Jimmy

• Wiarton Willie found in Wiarton, Ontario, Canada
  

  Willie

• Staten Island Chuck found in New York City, New York, USA
  

  Chuck

• General Beauregard Lee, PhD found in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  

  General Lee

• Dunkirk Dave in Dunkirk, New York, USA
  

  Dave

• Malverne Mel and Malverne Melissa found in Malverne, New York, USA
  
  

  Mel

• Brandon Bob of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
  

  Bob

• Balzac Billy of Balzac, Alberta, Canada
  

  Billy

• Shubenacadie Sam of Shubencadie, Nova Scotia, Canada
  

  Sam

• Gary the Groundhog of Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada
  

  Gary

• Spanish Joe of Spanish Ontario, Canada
  

  Joe

• Sir Walter Wally of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
  

  Sir Walter

• Pardon Me Pete of Tampa, Florida, USA
  

  Pete

• Octoraro Orphie of Quarryville, Pennsylvania, USA
  

  Orphie

• Holtsville Hal of Holtsville, New York, USA
  

  Hal

• Buckeye Chuck of Marion, Ohio, USA
  

  Chuck

List courtesy of Wikipedia, links by UpTake

I feel certain that the festivities involving each of these fine groundhogs is nothing short of splendid and each town is a treat to visit even without a groundhog day.  Take, Punxsutawney, for instance.  There is  groundhog festival every year around July 4th.

Summer!  Now that’s more likely to be a time you’ll find me visiting.

But right now, it’s winter.  It’s cold.  And I don’t care if you throw in a traditional spam burger with the hot chocolate, nothing is going to drag me out to watch someone wake up a hibernating groundhog predict the weather.  Just tell me what he said.  I’ll make a note of it and then file it with all of my other 63% accurate weather reports.