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In the Central States
Many natural areas throughout the country are equally lovely in all seasons, but there is something special about the crisp air and smell of leaves in the fall. To view the fall colors in the Great Lakes area, you might head for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. With forest every bit as colored as any of its competition in the U.S., the lakeshore has plenty of other natural beauty to offer. 200+ foot sandstone cliffs line this region of Lake Superior, falling away to the deep blue waters of the lake. The Lakeshore Trail winds through the trees above the water often offering stunning lake viewpoints. The brisk winter winds only intensify the crashing waves on the shores of the Upper Peninsula giving one a real sense of connection to the planet.
Not up to the chill of the Michigan air? Try nature appreciation in climes a little more forgiving. Even a casual bird watcher will immediately appreciate the wintering fowl in Texas' Big Bend National Park, and it just turns out that the cooler months are the better months to hike in this park. With feathered guests like titmouse, woodpeckers, Mexican junco, and various other breeds from central America, there are plenty of flying wildlife viewing opportunities. Add that to the great vistas of the Rio Grande, and visiting this National Park is a winter-time must.
Contact information and websites for all of these areas can be found at the end of this article.
