New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

We recently received word from our New England travel neighbors at VisitMaine.com that the Maine Department of Conservation will begin its 52nd season of fall foliage reporting on Sept. 15. 2010. Maine Forest Service and state park rangers report, in detail, the color changes and leaf drop rates in Maine's seven tracking zones in at least six weekly reports. Each report and an updated foliage map are posted on Maine's official season website www.Mainefoliage.com . You can sign up on the site homepage to receive the weekly reports by e-mail, and fans and followers of the Maine Office of Tourism's Facebook and Twitter (@visitmaine) pages can also get the updates. We, at The Weekly New England travel and Vacation Blog, highly recommend considering Maine as a New England fall foliage destination. While New Hampshire and Vermont rightfully receive a lot of press for their amazing fall foliage, Maine is also a worthy contender. From the beautiful idyllic inland destinations l...

Article by Eric H. Photo left: A mix of evergreens and hardwood trees creates a colorful display on Songo Pond along Route 5 south of Bethel. Credit: Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce Maine boasts 7 million acres of forest and more land covered by trees than any other state in the country, so it's no surprise that fall foliage has traditionally held a popular presence amongst locals and travelers. Granted, Maine has a lot of pine trees, but the reality is that you'll find foliage colors in the myriad other tree species that's every bit as good as the prime-time New England fall foliage players, New Hampshire and Vermont. You just have to know where to go, and when. Additionally, Maine shines colorfully, not only with its inland fall colors, but also at the coast. Any part of the state is capable of turning out vibrant yellow, orange, red and purple hues -- great news for those who prefer the Maine coast. Depending upon location, you can expect the best Maine fall foliage ...

Our good friends at MaineFoliage.com report to us that recent evening frosts have sped up the foliage process -- good news for those wishing to leaf peep sooner than later in the "Pine Tree State" (the state's nickname really doesn't give justice to the fall foliage season here). As of Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, The Maine Department of Conservation stated that rangers in far northern Maine have reported observing between 50 and 75 percent peak leaf color in western Aroostook County and the northern portions of Somerset and Piscataquis County. Rangers are also reporting between 30 and 50 percent peak fall leaf color in eastern and southern Aroostook County, northern Penobscot County, and locations north of Rangeley in Franklin County. Foliage, however, in northern Washington County is low -- 10 to 30 percent peak color -- which is also being reported in the southern part of the county, and in Hancock, Kennebec, Androscoggin and southern Penobscot counties. The Maine...