GEORGIA


FromtheAppalachians to theAdirondacks, the Catskills to the Smokies—the


breath-takingmountain ranges of the east coast are best explored in the summer, when comfortable temperatures grace the high elevations.


W


Reader Service #131


hatever your adventure or fitness level, there’s a trail waiting for you.Adventurous hikers can


tackle the ambitiousAppalachianTrail—or at least part of it.The route extends northeast for more than 2,000 miles from Georgia up into Maine and includes many of the highest peaks in each state, including Clingmans Done in the Smokies,Blood Mountain in Georgia, and Bear Mountain in NewYork. For families with older children, taking on a mountain peak to- gether makes for a rewarding bonding experience.


Reader Service #132


Sections of the Appala- chianTrail are also ideal fodder for easy day hikes. BetweenNewJersey and Pennsylvania, theDelaware Gap section begins with an expansive river view from a pedestrian walk- way along the Interstate 80 bridge and follows the


Delaware River. In Connecticut, the trail meanders along low ridges peaking out over the Housatonic River valley, rarely rising past 2,000 feet.


When you want to cool off,head to one of the region’s mountain lakes for a refreshing dip.The Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania are home to 150 lakes open for swimming, tubing,and canoeing. In NewYork’s Adirondacks,Lake George features the warmest water in the area and a premiere water ski and wake- boarding school for a truly unique summer getaway.


Travelers who prefer to see themountains in a leisurely fashion can take advantage of well-serviced driving routes. In northernVirginia, Skyline Drive snakes along mountain peaks through the long,narrow expanse of Shenandoah National Park.The Blue Ridge Parkway, built to connect Shenandoah andGreat SmokyMountain National Parks, continues south from Skyline Drive and covers more than 450 miles of heart-stopping mountain lake, forest, and meadow vistas.


6GreatVacationGetaways www.greatvacations.travel


GEORGIA


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12