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NEWS
Fall foliage hitting peak in Ohio River Valley
Into the fifth week of October, the fall foliage is hitting peak here in the Ohio River Valley just in time for Halloween.
Here's the last of our fall foliage reports compiling the best road-trips and leaf-peeping in all three states.
West Virginia
BEST COLOR: Those hoping to catch a final glimpse of nature's fall radiance should make a trip soon, according to forestry officials. The 2009 fall foliage season is quickly coming to an end as much of West Virginia, except for some Metro Valley areas, is now at 100 percent peak or past peak. This week is likely to be the last opportunity to see vibrant color for the year.
Several of the best places to view fall foliage include Cabell, Mason, Putnam, Kanawha and Boone counties. With Halloween set for Saturday, this is a great time to go visit one of the area's outdoor attractions such as the Fields of Screams at The Maize at Cooper Farms off of U.S. 60 behind the old Milton Middle School, as well as the Valley Fire Department's Field of Screams on W.Va. 2 between Huntington and Point Pleasant.
A GOOD ROAD TRIP: Head over west along U.S. 60 to Kenova where Kenova mayor Ric Griffith is leaving the lights on for you at his 1891-built Victorian home. Actually, he's leaving about 3,000 lights on for you inside crazily carved pumpkins.
Yep, it's the one and only Pumpkin House at 748 Beech St., in Kenova, which has been featured on everything from the "Today" show to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Check out a production of "The Headless Horseman," ("The Legend of Sleepy Hollow") nightly through Saturday (weather permitting).
To get there, take U.S. 60 west to Kenova and turn right near the old C-K school and head a couple blocks to get to Beech Street (which is on the river).
Also, if you'd like some good exercise with your foliage, check out the Herald-Dispatch's three-mile historical walk of downtown Huntington that starts and ends at Pullman Square.
Pick up a brochure at The Herald-Dispatch, Empire Books and News, Starbucks or other Pullman Square businesses, and take off on a nice three mile journey that's filled with some wonderful foliage including 4th Avenue's Gingko trees, as well as the mature oaks along the avenue of churches and down by Marshall University's campus and at Harris Riverfront Park.
Go online at www.herald-dispatch.com and click onto the walking tour to download and print out a PDF of the map. You can also download a podcast of the walking tour.
COLOR FORECAST: Go online at www.wvforestry.com or call 800-225-5982.
Ohio
BEST COLOR: According to the Ohio DNR, much of the northern and central parts of the Buckeye State are experiencing fading conditions.
However, the bottom third of the state is experiencing peak conditions from Lake Hope State Park in the southeast to Caesar Creek State Park in the southwest.
Ohio's expansive Wayne National Forest is located throughout Lawrence County, so this weekend is a prime time to enjoy ATV rides, paddling on Lake Vesuvius or hiking the eight-mile trail around the lake.
A GOOD ROAD TRIP: If you're an equestrian you are in luck this weekend as the Ohio Horse Park in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, offers a Trail Challenge & Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Take U.S. 52 west to Franklin Furnace (about 35 minutes from Huntington). There's trail rides for beginners to advanced riders at noon, and then a fall festival at 4 p.m. at the horse park which is ran by Ohio University Southern. The Fall Fest will also include a trick-or-treat for the kids and a chili supper. E-mail Mike Blackburn meblackburn_ks@yahoo.com or call Bradie Chapman 740-354-9907.
COLOR FORECAST: Go online at www.ohiodnr.com and click onto Fall Foliage Report or call 800-BUCKEYE.
Kentucky
BEST COLOR: Inside it's go Big Blue in the Commonwealth, outside it's go big red, yellow and green as peak color stretches across much of the 500 miles that makes up Kentucky.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin in the south central is reporting peak color, further south on the Tennessee border, Dale Hollow Lake is changing really slow and they're touting an upcoming Beginners Caving Weekend (Nov. 13-15) to catch the best color.
In the far west Land Between the Lakes and Mammoth Cave area are reporting great foliage conditions and here in Eastern Kentucky along the Country Music Highway, the hills are ablaze from Jenny Wiley State Resort Park up to Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and beyond.
A GOOD ROAD TRIP: A quick and easy road-trip with a great payout for fall foliage and Halloween adventure? Head west along I-64 to Olive Hill, Ky., where Carter Caves State Resort Park hosts its annual Ghost Stories in the Cave program at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $2 per person. Bring a lawn chair or camp chair.
COLOR FORECAST: Go online at www.kytourism.com and click onto the ColorFall icon or call 800-225-8747.
