It's been a cool summer, but it won't be long until the air turns brisker and the nights even chillier. And with this change of seasons comes thoughts of the glorious colors of fall.
Now is the time to start planning your fall leaf-viewing trip, whether a weekend drive into Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan, or a weeklong trip through the New England States. Hotels, motels, and guesthouses fill up fast for this brief but brilliant time of year.
Autumn in the Dells
For GLBT folk not wanting to venture too far afield, there are fall-leaf opportunities fairly near Chicago. Head up to the Wisconsin Dells where there are not only beautiful fall colors along the Wisconsin River, but also plenty of activities for gay/lesbian families. A number of large resorts have opened in the area, many with indoor pools and water parks. So there is no need to worry about what to do with the kids if it rains.
The Dells also has a number of autumn festivals including the Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival, Sept. 17-19. It features an arts & crafts fair, antique flea market, and parade. On the weekend of Oct. 23, enjoy Harvest Fest, with pumpkin carving and other activities for kids. For adults, there is a micro-brew tasting—how Wisconsin!
Chilling out in Saugatuck-Douglas
While Saugatuck-Douglas is widely known as one of the Midwest's most popular GLBT summer meccas, there are plenty of autumn things to do here also. Just walking around this picturesque town in the brisk autumn air, watching the leaves turn gold and red, or gazing at the deserted beaches where tan bodies cavorted only weeks before is great nostalgic fun—especially if you are there with a significant other. But the area also offers other autumn opportunities:
What is more symbolic of autumn than fresh, ripe apples? The most delicious way to experience Michigan apples in the Saugatuck area is at the Crane Apple Orchard. In a restaurant festooned with antique farm implements and other signs of the good old days, you can sample apple pie, apple tarts, or apple turnovers to die for. You can even buy a bushel to take home for the winter.
Not only will the apples be harvested, but also the local crop of grapes will be fermenting at the Fennville Winery, a tiny local vintner that produces some truly unique Michigan Wines. Be sure to stop by for a taste.
Also stop by Octoberfest in Douglas Oct. 9. If you and your family are jaded by haunted houses, try the Haunted Corn Maze at Crane Orchard on weekends during October.
Of course, most accommodations in the Saugatuck area welcome GLBT people.
The Colors in New England
The dream of many a fall-leaf lover is to tour the New England states as the trees begin to change. To make this an even grander experience for GLBT folk, there are delightful guesthouses for people like us in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. Women especially enjoy the Highlands Inn in Bethlehem, N.H. There are 19 rooms, all with private baths, TV/VCR's, and air conditioning. The property is situated on 100 acres in mountainous terrain, complete with 15 miles of hiking trails so guests can enjoy the colors in perfect peace and privacy—and afterwards soak in the spa. The inn was originally built as a farmhouse 200 years ago, so it offers not only the modern amenities along with beautiful scenery, but also a sense of history. The inn was named one of the 10 best gay/lesbian guesthouses by Planet Out.
Other Autumn Options
For those who like quilts and other Amish crafts, there is the Mennonite Relief Sale the last weekend in September at the Goshen, Ind., Fair Grounds. This event starts early, with Amish pancake-and-sausage breakfast served from 6 a,m. The heart of this event is the auction of magnificent Amish quilts, but the fair grounds is also filled with baked goods and crafts from around the world. Be sure to bring a cooler for carting home the cheeses, pies, apple butter, and other goodies that no one could resist.
Starved Rock State Park in central Illinois is a wonderful place for a day trip or a weekend stay. You can hike trails down into a mossy, ferny, dell-like area or sit on cliffs along the Illinois River admiring the colors in the hardwood forest. The only place to stay in the park is the Starved Rock Lodge. The complex has a hotel with swimming pool and also separate, rustic cabins. But be advised, it is very difficult to get rooms here. You must book well in advance.
Fall Color Report
In Michigan, the fall colors usually begin in mid-September and run through the end of October. This year, some maple trees began turning around the first week in September.
Ohio foresters do not expect any early autumn colors in that state, despite the cool summer. They predict that fall color will begin in the northern part of Ohio in late September and creep southward during October.
In parts of Minnesota, the leaves are turning color early, especially the maple hackberry trees. In northern Minnesota, some ash and sumac began tuning yellow and red at the beginning of September. Foresters predict gorgeous color in the state because of the cool summer.
In central Wisconsin, fall colors should peak in early to mid-October. Here are the predictions for fall colors in Illinois and Indiana: In the northern parts, colors will peak during the first and second weeks of October. In the central parts, colors will peak during the second and third weeks of October. In the southern parts of these states, expect the best color in late October and early November.
Your travel writer: Cynthia A. Marquard is the owner of Aqua Terra Travel, Inc., 65 E. Wacker Place, Chicago IL 60601. Cynthia can be reached at (312) 787-2400 or visit the Web site, www.aquaterratravel.com .