An Eco-Friendly Fall Foliage Getaway

I think it’s safe to say that I’m a big fan of nature.  On any given day, I can usually find beauty (and even a little peace) by checking out a shadowy patch of trees or listening to the crickets chirp outside my window.

But all of that pales in comparison to the enjoyment I get out of a crisp fall day, when nature just explodes with color…scarlet maples, orange sassafras, and golden poplars all on a backdrop of vivid green conifers. It’s enough to take your breath away.

Most folks think the only way to enjoy fall foliage is by taking a drive to see the colors.  Sure, that’s one way to do it.  But if you really want to see something beautiful, park your car, pack a lunch, and immerse yourself in the canvas.  Here are the greenest ways to see all of those beautiful fall colors:

Take A Hike: You don’t need to be an expert hiker or have a lot of expensive gear to take a lovely walk in the woods.  Just head to your nearest state or national park, chat with a ranger to find a hike that meets your needs, and hit the trails. 

Take A Bike: Grab the kids and the bikes and pedal your way through your favorite fall foliage sites.  Check out Bicycling magazine’s 10 best fall foliage rides.  Or head over to the Shenandoah Valley’s Fall Foliage Bike Festival to hear good music, eat great food, and see the colors with with bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

Take A Boat: Want to see the fall colors from a whole new angle?  Rent a canoe and paddle your way along the color-drenched shores of your favorite tree-lined body of water.  It’s double the beauty when you see the fall colors reflected in a mountain stream!  Check out the Appalachian Mountain Club‘s canoe and kayak schedule to find trips throughout the Northeast.

Getting There: The fact of the matter is that if you don’t happen to live in a forest, you may just have to travel to see some fall colors.  Check out my previous post on eco-friendly travel to keep it green and minimize your trip’s impact. If you’re coming from overseas it’s a good idea to invest in travel insurance.  Seriously.  Bizarre weather is the norm over on this side of the pond.  Don’t let a freak storm mess up your leaf peeping plans.  Be sure to shop around (Money.co.uk has good deals) to find an insurance plan that covers everything from hurricanes to emergency medical coverage.

If you’re shopping for treats to hand out this Halloween, you are likely to find a frightening assortment of artificial ingredients, plastic packaging, and sweatshop trinkets. How scary! Steer clear of these ghoulish wares and Green Your Halloween by giving out treats that don’t trick! Here are a few ideas:

• Fair Trade Chocolates: Chocolate is always a popular choice at Halloween. But according to the non-profit group Global Exchange, 40% of the world’s cocoa is produced in “abysmal working conditions” where children are exploited and used as laborers. Give out fair-trade chocolates instead. (Try Exquisite Swiss or Endangered Species Chocolates)
• Gummies: Fruitabu’s Organic Smooshed Fruit is made without any scary artificial ingredients. Individually-sized packs come in great seasonal flavors like Autumn Apple, Abundant Apricot, and Bountiful Blackberry.
• Lollipops: College Farm Organic offers an assortment of lollipops and hard candies made with all-natural ingredients. Even better, the candy bags and wrappers are fully-compostable leaving you with a no-waste treat!
• Popcorn: Hand out individually-wrapped bags of organic microwave popcorn. (Try Newman’s Own Organics)
• Raisins: Earthbound Farms organic raisins are available in individually sized boxes
• Snack Bars: Earth’s Best snack bars make the perfect bite-sized Halloween treat
• Soy Crayons
  
• Stickers
• Temporary Tattoos