Summer is here. Schools are out and families are getting ready to take off on vacation. This means our nation's national parks will start to fill up. These parks, from Yellowstone to Yosemite, allow kids to get up-close with nature and offer great value for families. But they can also become overwhelmingly crowded. For some tips on ways to avoid the crowds, we checked in with award-winning travel writer and photographer, James Kaiser.
USA Today put together a roundup of 10 train trips that take you through leafy landscapes. Here are three and read the full story to find out about all 10.Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Chama, N.M.
America's highest and longest steam narrow-gauge railroad starts in northern New Mexico, and climbs over a 10,000-foot pass, covering 64 miles before ending in Antonito, Colo. "You've got tremendous steep grades and you can hear the chugging," Heimburger says. "You almost feel like you're in the engineer's seat, struggling your way up these mountains." 877-890-2737; cumbrestoltec.comWestern Maryland Scenic Railroad
Cumberland, Md.
The 32-mile route through rugged Appalachian scenery passes through the Narrows, a mountain cut that was once a gateway to the West. When the train arrives in Frostburg, Md., passengers can watch the locomotive rotating on a turntable for the trip back. It's located about 140 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. 800-872-4650; wmsr.comNapa Valley Wine Train
Napa, Calif.
This train combines three of Napa's world-famous attributes: wine, food and scenery. The three-hour, 36-mile route attracts 100,000 passengers a year, who are drawn by on-board white tablecloth dining and regional wine tastings. "It's a great experience, something you won't forget," Heimburger says. 800-427-4124; winetrain.com
My kids are back in school so we won't be going on any big trips for the next few months. But if we could getaway, I'd want to check out the fall foliage--or at least that's what I found myself wishing I could do after reading Budget Travel's round up of five fall drives.VERMONT ROUTE 100Read the full story
Stamford, Vt., to Newport, Vt., 216 miles
Snaking through the center of Vermont all the way from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian one, Route 100 feels less like a state highway than one long, rambling backcountry path. A strict billboard ban preserves every vista as the road winds between the peaks of Green Mountain National Forest and passes through quaint valley towns like Hyde Park and Weston (population 631). With only farm stands, country stores, and covered bridges breaking up the landscape, you'll consistently feel 200 miles from the 21st century.
Don't miss: The seven-mile stretch through Granville Gulf State Reservation, a favorite for leaf peepers, is also home to the multitiered, 35-foot-tall Moss Glen Falls, which can be seen from the road.
Trip tip: The Vermont Curiosities guidebook ($16) goes beyond foliage, introducing travelers to little-known gems around the state, from roadside barbecue joints to hole-in-the-wall museums.
Where to stay: The Old Red Mill Inn, in the heart of Wilmington, retains rustic charm from its previous life as a sawmill (18 N. Main St., Wilmington, oldredmill.com, from $70). Homemade cookies and intricate quilts create a homey vibe at the Brass Lantern Inn, but be sure to leave the property from time to time to explore Stowe's award-winning restaurants (717 Maple St., Stowe, brasslanterninn.com, from $99).
On a recent summer camping trip, the kids and I stopped by Kirkwood Ski Resort in the California Sierra Nevada. Over summer, the resorts ski slopes become mountain biking and hiking trails and they lure in families with fun activities such as climbing walls and zip lines.Hocking Hills Canopy Tours
Rockbridge, OhioThis course about an hour southeast of Columbus is one of the busiest in the country, attracting guests from across the region. The canopy tour includes 10 ziplines, passing over a cave, forest and river. The new Super Zip course lets you zoom along at speeds of up to 50 mph in a prone "superhero flying" position, Smith says. 740-385-9477; hockinghillscanopytours.comKapalua Adventures
Lahaina, HawaiiThis Maui installation is one of the country's largest and most spectacular zipline tours, Smith says. Some segments stretch more than 2,000 feet. "This one has breathtaking panoramic views, and because the runs are so long, you have time to look out at the landscape and the ocean," he says. "It's a real thrill ride." 808-665-3753; kapaluaadventures.com10 GREAT: More themed lists and expert picksCaptain Zipline
Salida, Colo.Guests literally fling themselves off a canyon edge on this central Colorado tour. "When you step off those cliffs, it's a pretty awesome feeling," Smith says. "Your feet are still running while you're in the air." And the landing is just as spectacular. "You come into this ball-bearing-type gravel, and you put your feet down and come to a Fred Flintstone-type stop." 877-947-5463; captainzipline.com
Traveling to San Francisco and want to go sea kayaking on the Bay? Headed for Park City, Utah, and hoping to go on a guided mountain bike tour? Check out Zozi.com, a new site offering deals on local activities. hink sailing school, kayaking tours, fire-eating lessons, cooking classes, dance lessons, wine tasting, trekking, and racecar driving at 70 percent off.
My parents forced me to hike as a kid. I had no choice. I had to walk up the mountain, or they'd leave me behind.
Last weekend my kids touched a banana slug, watched rock climbers scale unusual rock formations, and learned how to identify a redwood tree.In my state of California our governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed eliminating 220 of the state's 278 parks last year. Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California State Parks Foundation, says that plan was dropped in the face of an "enormous outcry from the public," and now the state plans part-time closure of 60 parks and reduced services at 90 others. Castle Rock is one of those places where services are being reduced.
Lawmakers in at least a dozen states have contemplated the closure of up to 400 state parks this year, according to a National Association of State Park Directors survey, says Philip McKnelly, the association's executive director.
The exact number to be closed remains a moving target, he says, as budget negotiations continue and compromises such as reducing hours and cutting staff are made to avoid closures.
Government leaders are tempted to view parks as expendable, McKnelly says, although public recreation facilities are important during an era of unemployment and financial stress. "They think, well, this is just play, it's frivolous ... but this is the worst time to be talking about closing parks."
I don't remember the first time I saw snow, but I have seen the photographs of my parents pulling me around in a sled when I was about 1 year old.
My memories of downhill skiing with my parents as a child are full of embarrassing moments. There's the time I skied into a tree. The end of my pole hit my eye and I had a shiner the rest of the trip.
When you're shoveling snow outside your house, it's hard to think about summer. But if you want to visit a national park this summer--especially one of the popular ones such as Yosemite or Yellowstone--you might want to start thinking now. Lodging in and around the parks books up fast, and many travelers make reservations in January and February.
One of my favorite books as a child was the National Geographic title, Explore a Spooky Swamp. It told the story of Willie and Isabella who go on a boat tour of the Okefenoke Swamp with a guide named Johnny.
It turns out that Johnny has lots relatives working at the swamp—because our boat guide, T.J. (above), said he was Johnny’s nephew.
Over Labor Day weekend, the kids, my husband and I escaped to California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. We stayed with friends at their rustic cabin on Silver Lake, a quiet spot tucked behind Kirkwood Ski Resort.
Today, the National Park Service announced that it will offer three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit these national treasures. More than 100 parks charge entrance fees ranging from $4 to $25.Nearly 85% of the state's ski trails have been open for the entire month of March over the last three seasons, according to Ski Vermont. It's also a way to save money, because lift ticket prices are lower. More than 10 ski areas offer tickets for $39 or less. Details on March deals at SkiVermont.comColorado
March and April offer sunshine, blue skies and lots of snow, along with plenty of special events on the slope. Among the events: Powderhorn hosts "Young At Heart" parties for skiers and riders 50 and over, March 5, 12 and 19. Telluride has free concerts March 5, 12 and 19, 3-5 p.m. at Heritage Plaza. On March 14, Copper Mountain hosts a resort street party, the O'Fuego & St. Patrick's Day Celebration, with entertainment, a parade and fireworks. End-of-season events include Springalicious at Steamboat, April 11-12, Sunsation at Copper, April 11-12 and 18-19, and an Easter egg hunt at Arapahoe Basin, April 12.
Last week, the kids and I escaped to California's Sierra for two nights. We stayed with friends at their cabin on Silver Lake, a quiet spot tucked behind Kirkwood Ski Resort. Here, we made homemade fishing poles from sticks, paddled a canoe to an island, and feasted on fresh rainbow trout. We also did a whole lot of nothing.
