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Fall Drives 2007

(page 4 of 4)

 

Spooner

www.spoonerchamber.org

Slow down and take the scenic route to Spooner, Wisconsin by staying along Wisconsin Highway 35 rather than the faster I-35. According to Ruth Skeie, executive director of the Spooner Area Chamber of Commerce, a mix of hardwoods ranging from bright oranges to eye-popping reds to deep browns contrast with the deep greens of pine trees in this small Wisconsin community.

In addition to being loaded with lakes, rivers, woods, recreational trails and “a friendly face on every corner,” the area is perfect for a family vacation or fishing expedition. Visit the fish hatchery, or tour the Museum of Woodcarving. Don’t miss a majestic fall color tour from a window seat aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad as the train passes through fields, woods, and along the picturesque Namekagon River. In October, kids can ride the Great Pumpkin Train and enjoy a carnival, games, motorcar rides, a marshmallow roast, and hayrides.


Stout’s Island Lodge

www.stoutslodge.com

The countryside comes alive with autumn as you head out on your journey to Stout’s Island Lodge, about 2.5 hours from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. A lumber baron’s romantic 1903 estate, this secluded resort—accessible only be ferry—is set on a wooded island in the middle of Red Cedar Lake, northeast of Rice Lake. View the changing treetops from one of 39 guest rooms available in the Main Lodge, Shore Lodge, and rustic cabins, many furnished with period antiques and most with a wood-burning fireplace. In the crisp fall months, enjoy gourmet meals in the Main Lodge dining room, and activities such as croquet, bocce ball, tennis, sailing, kayaking, bird watching, hiking (there are footpaths on the island), resting, and enjoying the warmth and glow of evening bonfires under a quiet star-filled sky. As one guest wrote, “I spent the weekend in a haze of happiness and peace. When the time came to leave, it wasn’t easy.”

Canoe Bay

www.canoebay.com

Designed exclusively for couples, Canoe Bay is a gorgeous, unspoiled, secluded fall retreat located in northwestern Wisconsin. Explore miles of hiking trails on the 280-acre country estate, admire the beauty of the changing aspen, oak, and birch trees from your private deck, or go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing on quiet Lake Wahdoon (no motorized boats are allowed). While unwinding, why not treat yourself to a massage in the hotel’s spa, cuddle in front of a fireplace, or relax in a two-person whirlpool? In the evening, head over to the lakeside dining room to enjoy an excellent meal prepared by a talented chef. Stay in the lodge, a deluxe cottage, or Edgewood, a 2,000-square-foot villa, complete with a wraparound deck offering sweeping views of a private nature reserve and crystal-clear lake.

STAY FOR A WEEK OR LONGER

Courtesy of Donnie Sexton, Travel Montana

Russell Country, Montana

www.russell.visitmt.com

During a fall trip to Russell Country, Montana, the changing fall colors contrast dramatically against a mountain backdrop. Take the Kings Hill Scenic Byway, running along U.S. Highway 89 southeast of Great Falls, and don’t forget your camera and binoculars. The 71-mile byway begins at the junction of U.S. Highways 89 and 12 near White Sulphur Springs, Montana, traveling north to near Belt, Montana. It passes through the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Little Belt Mountains on gravel roads that criss-cross the main highway. The views include over 450 miles of spectacular mountain scenery, wildlife, trailheads, country lakes, and old mines.

“There’s awesome fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, and hunting easily accessible from the Kings Hill Scenic Byway,” explains Gayle Fisher, executive director of Russell Country Region. “There are also fewer travelers at this time of year.”

A short hike near the community of Neihart, just off Highway 89, will take you to scenic falls along a winding creek-side trail. Sluice Boxes State Park, consisting of the northern-most eight miles of the Belt Creek Canyon, is known for trout fishing, hiking along the railbed, backcountry camping, and spectacular views from the canyon.

Passing through the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Little Belt Mountains, Kings Hill Scenic Byway allows travelers to leisurely savor the rugged beauty and fresh air that are part of the Montana experience. Allow two hours to drive this 71-mile scenic route.

Courtesy of Land Rover

Head Out on the Road in a Range Rover Sport

The 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the answer to a stylish, high-performance “need for speed” vehicle that’s gutsy enough to keep up with the sports cars yet practical enough to drive in the Midwest’s unpredictable winter weather.

The Supercharged Range Rover Sport, equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 engine, pumps out 390 horsepower and has received “incredible feedback,” says Craig Greening with Land Rover Minneapolis.

The Sport is effortless on-road and off, with better all-terrain ability than other “go anywhere” sport-utility vehicles. A permanent four-wheel drive system is standard, and a Terrain Response System offers five settings to micro-manage conditions such as snow, gravel, sand, and mud.

“The vehicle will do more work for the driver so [off-road driving] isn’t as fatiguing,” Greening explains.

Another unique feature is the Dynamic Response Suspension System, designed by Aston Martin. The computer-controlled system can sense cornering forces and adjust the anti-roll bar to optimize handling.

The Sport also does well where safety is concerned (Volvo helped design the Six Airbag Supplemental Airbag Restraint System).

Land Rover is synonymous with luxury, and the Sport doesn’t disappoint in this area, either. Some features include an in-dash six-disc CD changer with optional Sirius Satellite Radio, adaptive lighting, a touch-screen navigation system, and Bluetooth phone integration.

The Sport meets—and exceeds—the high quality you’d expect in a Range Rover.

The Range Rover Sport starts at $71,950. Visit www.landrovermpls.com for more information.

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