The Best Fall Color Tours

By Tara McClendon

Fall color tours have been something of a tradition for me from the time I was old enough to ride in the car. Growing up in Michigan, I discovered the endless wave of color after color crashing upon the eye as the car crested one hill after the next.

This annual trek would usually involve stopping at quaint towns along the fall-color tour route for a bit of antiquing or a bite to eat. It wasn't uncommon for us to stop in at a farm with a hand-painted wooden sign advertising hot apple cider or other autumn treats before discovering more trees.

Even though I'm partial to Michigan's autumn display, I have come to appreciate the variety of fall foliage and the differences between the U.S. regions. If you're looking for a great way to spend an afternoon as the weather begins to cool, consider taking a color tour of your area. If you're up for a trip, consider the following top fall destinations for color.

1. Michigan

Fall Color Tour, Michigan
Michigan tops the list of fall color guides for a natural reason: it has over 19 million acres of deciduous trees that explode in a frenzy of color between the end of September and the middle of October. If you want to find out where the color will be the most brilliant during this time, check in with Michigan's Official Travel and Tourism Site, where you can sign up for fall color updates. The state's website also has a brief video you can watch if you don't have the funds to travel to this visual wonder.

If you can make the trip, you're sure to find a rainbow of shades no matter where you go in the state; however, some fall color routes offer better views. Here are three of my favorite Michigan fall color tours:

  • Alpena – Gaylord – Mio: Encompassing 200 miles, this trip will take you the better part of a day, especially if you linger at some of the smaller towns along the route, like Atlanta or Hubbard Lake. Not only will you see amazing colors, you'll also see sparkling lakes and plenty of wildlife.

  • Grand Rapids – Grand Haven – South Haven – Kalamazoo: This tour is perfect for beach lovers or foodies. During this 195-mile trek, you'll have several places to stop from local wineries to farm markets. Stop in at Grand Haven for fresh-baked bread or spend some time admiring the waves of Lake Michigan from the sand dunes. As you make your way up the west coast of the state, you'll get to see the best of Michigan's water and trees. It's no wonder arborists love this area.

  • Mackinaw City – Petoskey – Charlevoix: This northern fall color tour will cut you in and out of the water as you make your way through some of the historical areas in Michigan. From Colonial Michilimackinac to the Great Shipwrecks Museum, you can discover the state's cultural and naval past while experience a natural beauty that has enamored visitors since the state's discovery. For a real treat, plan extra time to head over to Mackinac Island, voted one of the best 10 islands in the world.

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2. Colorado

Fall Color Tour, Colorado
With the stunning Rocky Mountains and crisp, clean air, it's no wonder that Colorado is another favorite destination for fall. While Michigan offers a plethora of vibrant colors, the main beauty in Colorado is the Aspen tree, but you will see other colors aside from the classic yellow. If you're up for exploring a higher elevation, consider one of these Colorado fall routes between September 27 and October 10:

  • Fall River Road to St. Mary's Alice Glacier: This short route is only about nine miles long; however, you'll see spectacular mountain vistas as you make your way up to the area. In addition to Aspens, you'll see different trees, including willows and bristlecone pines. The winding route usually takes about 20 minutes, and ambitious individuals can enjoy the optional hike up to the ever-present snowfield atop St. Mary's.

  • Idaho Springs to Echo Lake: You'll find this route fairly close to Denver, which makes it a great day trip. You can explore the historic gold mine in Idaho Springs before heading up to Echo Lake, where you can enjoy the beauty of the mountains reflected in the clear water of the lake. For kicks and giggles, ask the locals where you can stand to hear the echoes across the water.

  • Top of the Rockies: This fall color route will take you along a National Scenic Byway established in 1998. Though the status is young, the route is not! If you want to see more than fall foliage, you'll enjoy the variety of stops along this path, including classic ski resorts, the highest incorporated area in the U.S., and some of the state's most famous peaks.

3. Vermont

Fall Color Tour, Vermont
Like most New England states, Vermont has its fair share of fall color. Tourists tend to flock to the area during this time, so it's a good idea to plan your auto foliage tour during the week, when many people are working. While the entire area has much to offer, you can find several tours within the Green Mountain National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Some of the popular options include the following routes:

  • State Route 73: This road will crisscross the forest, taking you by popular destinations like Brandon's Gap. Stop at Mt. Horrid for the view from atop the 800-foot cliff. In addition to seeing autumn leaves, you'll have a great view of the beaver pond.

  • Robert Frost Memorial Drive: If you want to see the beauty that inspired Frost, then head to Vermont State Route 125. This Vermont fall color tour is a great option for individuals who want to spend a day picnicking at one of the many waysides. In addition to the natural landscape, check out the scenic waterfall and some of the other area attractions.

  • The Molly Stark Trail: State Route 9 is a tree-lined road that cuts through the national forest. Stop in at one of the local parks. Discover historic villages, see lowland valleys or just enjoy the views as you make your way across the southern part of the national forest.

4. Massachusetts

Fall Color Tour, Wedge Pond, Massachusetts
As another New England destination, Massachusetts has everything you could want on a fall color tour. In fact, you may even want to buy a tree to take home. The fall colors tend to start earlier and last longer than other areas. For example, you can still see some fall color into November. Here are three of the best Massachusetts fall foliage tours:

  • Routes 127 & 133: Known as the "By Land and By Sea" route by locals, this tour will wind you through charming backcountry towns and along the coast. Spend a day exploring the area around Essex, Manchester, and Georgetown for a true look at fall color at its best.

  • Route 7: This tour through the western part of the state will take you along the Berkshire Hills, filled with historical, cultural and scenic treasures. For a real treat, make sure you visit some of the area's historic covered bridges.

  • Quabbin Reservoir Run: Routes 128 and 117 will take you to this popular destination via country roads. On this tour, you'll be in the heart of Massachusetts's apple country; perfect for those wanting a hot cup of cider or a jug to take home. Stock up on other farm goods while you're in the area.

If you can't make it to any of these top autumn tours, I recommend seeing what four-season states are close to yoru area. Be sure to check for any local fall festivals or other events being hosted by the towns along popular routes to get more bang for your buck. And remember, the best adventures often happen when you get off the beaten path. For more on trees, be sure to check out our DIY blog.

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 9:36:00 AM EDT #

What in the World Clogged My Toilet?

By Tara McClendon

Plumbing Issue - Flooded Bathroom
Toilet problems are never fun, as a recent experience reminded me. Sometimes, not knowing the cause of the plumbing issue actually causes more problems than if you diagnosis the situation correctly. If you want to know how to avoid sewage in your home, keep reading.

Did He Stuff It Again? Overflowing Toilet

The squish when I stepped onto the runner lining my hallway indicated I had a major problem, and not a pleasant one. The only source of water close to that hallway happens to be the half-bath. At first, I thought one of the kids must have clogged a toilet, causing it to overflow. However, when I looked in the bathroom, I didn't see any running water. I pulled out the shop vac and got to work cleaning up the mess.

With the clean up finished, I went to the sink to wash my hands. A new torrent of slushy water poured out of the bathroom. What was going on? Was the toilet broken? Perhaps the seal had come loose. I turned the wall valve off and called a handyman before starting the clean-up process once again.

The repair person disassembled the toilet, checking to make sure the plumbing problem wasn't a part malfunction. Then he snaked the toilet and turned on the wall valve. He started to leave, but a surge of water beat him to the front door.

A Blocked Pipe

We ran back into the bathroom, and sure enough, the toilet was overflowing. Usually a toilet snake is pretty good at removing clogs. We had a bigger plumbing issue. When the water slowed, we turned on the water in the kitchen. The same bathroom toilet let loose another burst of water. The diagnosis: a blocked lateral pipe.

The lateral pipe is the section of plumbing that connects all the drains from the house to the sewer system or septic tank. When something blocks this pipe, the water backs up and eventually forces the sewage into the house. While the access point for our house happened to be the downstairs toilet, sewage can come up through the washer or bathtubs, as well.

Common Causes for Toilet Blockages

According to plumbers, several things can block your pipes, but some common blockages include the following things:

  • FOGGs: This stands for fats, oils, grease, and grime (or grit, depending on the plumber). Most of these enter the lateral line through the kitchen sink.

  • Body Byproducts: Hair, body oils and residue from lotions, soaps and other body care products can build up in your pipes over time.

  • Feminine Products: Most products claim to be safe to flush, but that doesn't mean all plumbing systems can handle them. If you live in an older home, it may be better for you to dispose of these in a trashcan.

  • Toys: What kid doesn't love to pretend that the toilet is a massive sinkhole sucking enemies to the pit of doom? Unfortunately, toys often stick at narrow points or at places where they contact other blockages.

  • Tree Roots: The sewage line is often an ample source of water and nutrients for trees that are growing close to a home. Once the roots penetrate the lateral pipe, they can grow into a thick mesh that traps every particle inside the wastewater.

  • Sewage: This is most often the result of a septic tank that has too many irreducible solids, or items that the anaerobic bacteria can't break down.

My Culprit

Tree Roots
My situation was the result of the beautiful shade trees in the backyard. The roots had broken through the pipe in so many places that we actually needed to replace a section of it. Unfortunately, the roots will continue to attack the system because the original owners planted the trees too close to the lateral pipe.

If you're thinking about planting a tree in your yard, check out How to Plant a Tree to learn more about the space you need for a tree to grow without causing damage to your home. It would have saved me time and money if the original owners had thought about proximity.

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Preventative Measures

Homeowners who don't want to deal with reoccurring root problems often cut down the trees and remove the majority of the root system. I'm not about to cut down the beautiful trees, but I can still take some steps to help keep the lateral line free of roots. Additionally, remaining roots can try to regrow a tree for up to seven years after you remove the main plant. Here are a few recommendations to help keep the line clear:

  • Use a root-killing drain cleaner ever six months. Plumbing experts say that this works best if you apply the drain cleaner prior to leaving on vacation. This allows the cleaner to sit against the roots longer. The cleaner can still help if you don't leave the property, but constant flushing and other water uses may cause the cleaner to pass through the roots before it can be as effective. Most root killers use copper sulfate as the active ingredient.

  • Apply trifluralin to the area. This pre-emergent herbicide can kill the roots that come into contact with it. You can buy time-release capsules or a fabric with the tree-root killer. While drain cleaner works internally in the pipes, trifluralin works externally. For the best results, bury the herbicide along the section of pipe that has problems.

  • Replace the pipes. We had to do this simply because the roots destroyed the pipe. While you may not need to do this, it can be a good idea to check into it. Older homes may have clay pipes, which are easier for tree roots to penetrate.

Tips for Dealing With Sewer Sludge

Sewer backups can happen to anyone. If you encounter this type of situation, keep the following in mind:

  • Go right to the main shut-off valve. Any water you add to the pipes will come up through the drains if you have a blockage in the lateral pipe. Turning off the water to the whole house will prevent your family from adding to the problem.

  • Check with your city to determine whether it offers a pipe clean-up service. If your lateral pipe leads from your home toward the street and connects with a city-maintained sewer, then the city may offer a service to clear the pipe of blockages. Most cities offering the service charge less than local plumbers.

  • See whether your homeowner's insurance policy will cover damage. The rugs, including the runner in the hallway, were lost causes. Even after professional cleaning, they still stunk. The sewage damaged some of our furniture, especially things like chests and cabinets that sit right on the floor. We were able to submit all these things on our claim, and our insurance company covered a portion of the replacement costs.

Dealing with this situation wasn't fun, but at least I now know things to do to limit future problems.

Tara McClendon is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor with a B.A. in English. When she isn't writing, she's working on a DIY project around her home.

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Posted by on August 15, 2011 7:04:23 PM EDT #