Falling in love with fall

Halloween is just days away, and this is by far, one of my favorite times of year to live in Chicago. I just love wearing my cozy scarf as I walk outside and admire the pumpkins and other decorations. But what I admire most are the fall colors.

Unfortunately after Halloween, things turn dreary in Chicago. The temperature falls along with all those beautiful leaves. But other parts of the country are just getting started with their autumn show.

I think Tennessee would make a fun fall destination in early November. The charming town of Gatlinburg is nestled in the Smoky Mountains, which is a beautiful fall color palette. Then you can take a drive to Nashville, stop on the way for barbecue, and take in the scenery.

If the South isn't your thing, almost every other region of the country has beautiful fall colors to see. From Yosemite Park in California, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The US Forest Reserve has on its web site recommended spots it deems the most beautiful and at what time of year.

And here's a fall foliage map so you can see how other parts of the country look right now.

For some reason, the fall season makes me very pensive. And I can't think of a better way to contemplate those thoughts than on a drive, bike ride or hike through beautiful fall leaves.

But come November, I'm miserable. Thank goodness for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Hurricane Honeymoon

My Floridian self was surprised recently when my newlywed friends told me they were going on a 2-week honeymoon to the Dominican Republic. It wasn’t the two weeks in the highly romantic D.R. that astonished me, it was the fact they were going to be there in September – right in the midst of Hurricane season.

But they got a sweet deal. You can pretty much get the whole Caribbean for cheap August through October if you’re willing to risk a hurricane, and that includes cruises. Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Pro: Hotels on sale
Con: Getting the roof blown off of your hotel.

Pro: Flights are open and cheap.
Con: You could get stuck at the airport waiting for days to fly out and escape the hurricane (I think I’d just stay put at the hotel).

Pro: Less crowds, cheap deals on excursions.
Con: You can cut the air with a knife this time of year in Florida and the Caribbean.

I don’t know about you, but money comes first with me. Plus, it really would be rare for you to encounter a hurricane during your stay. And every year is different with hurricane season. 2005 was probably a bad year to plan a Carribbean vacation in August. But this year the Atlantic has been silent. So bring on the cheap beach vacay. Here’s a deal from TravelMuse.com:



The Westin Resort, Aruba is offering a Hurricane Free escape, starting at $199 per ocean-view room, per night, with a $74 credit per room (74 being the minimum wind speed of a Category 1 hurricane) if it rains more than three hours on any one day of your trip. The package also includes daily poolside breakfast for two, and two welcome drinks per day at The Lobby Bar or Tambu Bar. The Hurricane Free package is valid through Nov. 30, 2009. For reservations call 877-782-0149 or visit www.westinaruba.com and use code WIND74.

Now if a hurricane does come knocking down your door, most hotels offer a“hurricane guarantee,” offering guests their money back. The popular Sandals and Beaches resorts offer this. If you book through Expedia or Travelocity, these sites will waive cancellation fees. And you can always buy travel insurance for extra peace of mind so you’re not watching the Weather Channel incessantly for months leading up to your vacation.

I for one am not afraid of these storms. I’m more afraid of overpaying for a hotel room in March.