Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Friday 8 September 2017
Turn over a new leaf: Chase that autumn foliage on foot

By WILLIAM J. KOLE perience along the ser-
Associated Press pentine Kancamagus as
BOSTON (AP) — Here’s a it winds and twists through
novel way to enjoy autumn the White Mountain Nation-
in New England: While the al Forest, but you’ll be glad
trees are dropping their you did. There are numer-
leaves, you can be shed- ous pullouts for trail heads,
ding some pounds. but some are steep and
Activate the “Health” app rugged. One that’s not is
on your iPhone (it’s stan- the Boulder Loop , on the
dard and has a simple red east side of the highway just
heart icon); don a light off Dugway Road. It’ll take
jacket; unleash your in- you to several rock ledges
ner multitasker; and you’re with leaf-peeping potential
good to go. Powered by that will more than reward
the same GPS technology any extra huffing and puff-
your phone’s map uses to ing. The roughly circular
give you directions, the loop passes numerous gi-
app will tell you not only gantic boulders, and an
how many miles or kilome- added attraction is the Al-
ters you’ve covered but ex- bany covered bridge .
actly how many steps you Steps: 7,392
took. Distance: 3.5 miles, moder-
If you’re a fitness geek, ate
Fitbit, Garmin and other RHODE ISLAND: Colt State
trackers can give you more Park, Bristol
data than you can shake a In this Oct. 5, 2012, file photo, peak colors are seen along the Kancamagus Highway in Albany, Route: On one side, the salt
poplar branch at, including N.H. and spray of Narragansett
how many calories you’ve Associated Press Bay; on the other, undulat-
burned. If you’re a begin- Steps: 8,448 aspen and oak — all blaz- about 4,000 feet of it fol- ing footpaths, stone walls
ner looking to start a fitness Distance: 4 miles, easy/ ing with peak autumn glory. lows bouncy log bridges. and some of the finest flora
routine, no sweat. moderate That’s the trail around idyl- It’s mostly flat and affords the Ocean State has to of-
Autumn is the perfect sea- MAINE: Jordan Pond Shore lic Jordan Pond , formed spectacular foliage-fleck- fer. All this is yours within Colt
son to get outdoors: crisp Trail, Cadillac Mountain, by glaciers in the shadow ed views of the surrounding State Park , 464 acres open
and cool, with none of the Acadia National Park of Acadia National Park’s peaks. Après-hike, indulge year-round on a windswept
strength-sapping humidity Route: Picture a narrow Cadillac Mountain, not in tea and popovers at the outcropping named Pop-
that can discourage even historic Jordan Pond House pasquash Neck in tribute to
well-trained athletes. .Steps: 6,970 its Native American roots.
Scenic trails abound across Distance: 3.3 miles, easy The East Bay bikeway con-
the region, and they offer MASSACHUSETTS: Cliff Pond nects Colt to other state
some of the most drop- Trail, Nickerson State Park, parks stretching from East
dead-gorgeous places to Brewster Providence to Barrington.
view foliage off the beaten Route: One of Cape Cod’s Consider a side trip to
path while getting in your best-kept secrets isn’t its nearby Blithewold Mansion
run or walk. Plus, these beaches — it’s the pen- , whose 33 acres of mani-
places are far less crowded insula’s often-overlooked cured gardens are well
in the fall and are at their autumn vistas. The foliage worth wandering.
most beautiful. Win-win. itself isn’t always five-star, Steps: 8,236
A guide to some of the but it’s framed by shimmer- Distance: 3.9 miles, easy
more resplendent: ing saltwater ponds and VERMONT: Island Line Rail
CONNECTICUT: Bull’s Bridge marshes, fieldstone bridges, Trail, Burlington
River Walk, Kent and acres of crimson cran- Route: This just might be the
Route: Don’t go chasing berries awaiting harvest. hippest, most happening
waterfalls? Good luck with You’ll find all that and more hike in New England. Once
that if you find yourself hik- on a leisurely hike around known as the Burlington
ing this stunning path , Cliff Pond , the largest Bikeway, the Island Line Rail
which overlaps part of the of four ponds contained Trail skirts the waterfront of
Appalachian Trail in the within Nickerson State Park. Burlington, a vibrant and
Litchfield Hills overlooking The end of Flax Pond Road trendy college town.
the Housatonic River. It’s re- inside the park is a good A promenade here pro-
plete with views of cascad- place to start. If you’re feel- vides sensational views of
ing falls and gorges, and ing a little more ambitious, Lake Champlain and New
the covered bridge built the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail York’s Adirondack Moun-
in 1842 provides an iconic Trail can carry you as far as tains. The trail runs 14 miles
backdrop for foliage pho- the spirit moves you. from Burlington to Colches-
tography. Steps: 6,336 ter; it starts at Oakledge
You’ll find the entrance to In this Oct. 19, 2016 photo provided by Local Motion, a man Distance: 3 miles, easy Park on Flynn Street, and a
the scenic loop off Route cycles along the Island Line Rail Trail in Burlington, Vt. NEW HAMPSHIRE: Boulder good place to turn around
7 between the bridge and Associated Press Loop Trail, Kancamagus is 2.1 miles later at the Union
the first parking area. Fun Highway, Conway Station trailhead on King
fact: George Washington boardwalk hewn from logs, far from Bar Harbor and its Route: Honestly, you don’t Street.
is said to have had a riding encircling a pinch-me-per- playful puffins. Part of the even have to leave your Steps: 8,870
accident nearby in 1781. fect pond mirroring birch, trail is over graded gravel; car to have a religious ex- Distance: 4.2 miles, easy.q