Brent and I talked a little bit about some day-trips and possible camping trips this upcoming fall. Every year I express the desire to actually go camping in the fall, only to end up going to Red River Gorge for a day trip. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the gorge - and it is beautiful in the fall. However, I feel that a hiking and camping trip would be even more peaceful and enjoyable. This year Brent and I (perhaps others) are going to try taking a couple day trips, and perhaps even go on a camping trip. So far, there have been several suggestions:

• Red River Gorge - this is my traditional fall hiking place. The first time I went there it in 2000, the leaves were in peak color. That made for a very scenic trip. Sowa and I have already scoped out camping areas here, so it wouldn't be as much of a challenge to plan for as some other areas. The downside is that I might want to go somewhere different this year.
• Hocking Hills State Park (Ohio) - very nice park, you don't realize you are in Ohio. However, the time it gets to go to this park is the same as the Gorge, and it isn't quite as scenic. Perhaps it might offer a different perspective in fall, though. I've only been there in spring and summer.
• Clifty Falls State Park (Indiana) - again, a nice state park. I'm not sure if this is good for a camping trip, but Brent and I thought it would be great for a day trip.
• Shenandoah National Park - I don't know a whole lot about this, park, other than I have heard that it is really pretty in the fall. It would take longer to get to than the other options, so it would only be good for a weekend camping trip. Another downside is that it has the potential to be really crowded - not quite what I want for a hiking trip (although that may be unavoidable).
• Isle Royale National Park - of course Sowa talks this one up, being the Michigan native that he is. Seems that it would be a really cool park to visit, fall or summer. However, it also seems to be far enough away that it would require more than a couple days time to make it worthwhile. Doesn't seem to be a great option for this fall (perhaps next year).
• West Virginia - this could be the most wide-open option we have. It is pretty much in the heart of the Appalachians, so of course there will be plenty of fall colors. However, it is also far enough away that it would only be an option for a weekend camping trip as opposed to a day trip. And this option would require more research - it may not be the biggest state, but going there isn't exactly like going to the grocery store for milk :-)
• Shawnee State Forest (Ohio) - I have been wanting to visit this forest, if nothing else just to say I've seen what it is like. It is close enough for a day hike, but it may not be as interesting as some of the other options that we have. Also, according to the website, there apparently was an ice storm in 2003 that may have impacted the forest pretty severely. Naturally, that would effect a fall scenic trip as well. But, it still may be worth checking out.

Of course, these are not the only options we have this year - only the ones that come to mind. I am very much open to other suggestions as well.