By Wendy Lautner

While the fall equinox might have sent many paddlers into hibernation, the dwindling daylight has a way of turning up Mother Nature’s highlights in certain parts of the country. So, lest you find yourself plying a frigid waterway, staring into a baked brown hillside and lamenting summer’s exit once again, take this time to entice your senses and add a little leaf peeping to your paddling experience.
Where to go:
Gorge-ous fall color – The Nantahala Outdoor Center has been a hub of outdoor activity for more than 30 years. Nestled at an Appalachain Trail crossing, the paddling center is situated in the midst of the western North Carolina’s dense hardwood forest and next to the popular beginner’s section of the Nantahala River. A dazzling array of Maples, Hickory, Oak, Ash and Poplars burst with color this time of year and regularly scheduled releases make this an autumn whitewater destination not to be overlooked.
“The Nantahala runs through a gorge that’s really steep on both sides, so what you get is a real intimate, canopy feel,” says Charles Conner, NOC communications manager. Reds and golds prevail this time of year, but due to the steep elevation change in the gorge paddlers can extend their leaf peeping experience. “The top of the gorge starts changing first and then the bottom trees will change,” Conner says.
The Nantahala is mostly a Class II river, culminating with one Class III rapid (Nantahala Falls), but paddlers seeking more of a challenge can pursue the nearby Nolichucky, Middle Ocoee and Chattooga rivers as well.
One more reason to visit this fall is the annual GAF (Guest Appreciation Festival) held Oct. 26-28. Centered around NOC’s used equipment sale, the weekend-long event features live music, a presentation of kayaking cartoonist William Nealy’s work, a screening of the 2007 International Whitewater Hall of Fame and plenty of family-fun fall activities such as face painting, costume contests and even pumpkin carving. A complete spectrum of lodging options as well as three restaurants are also offered onsite.
Time is still left to book your fall vacation, visit www.noc.com for more details or call (888) 905-7238.

Subtle thrills – Litchfield Hills in rural Connecticut is well known for its charming character, vibrant fall colors and calm paddling opportunities at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains. For a memorable three day getaway, follow the advice of lifetime local Jennifer Clarke, owner of the paddling outfitter Clarke Outdoors in New Hartford. “I’d start by paddling Lake Waramaug in New Preston and then continue with a trip on the Housatonic (River) and end with a lake paddling trip in either Salisbury or in Lakeville,” Clarke says. Lake Waramaug, noted for its picturesque autumn color, is a beacon for fall peepers in October, most of whom circle the S-shaped Waramaug by car. Check in for a night at the quaint Boulders Inn right on the water and enjoy a relaxing day paddling on the water, kayak rentals are available onsite. For more information, call 860-868-0541. After spending a day on Lake Waramaug, paddling the scenic and often secluded Housatonic River in West Cornwall, CT is a must-do. Clarke recommends two sections, a 2-hour, 6-mile stretch or a 13-mile section that takes about 4.5 hours. “There are some really pretty coves that make great stopping points,” she says. “And it’s pretty secluded just above the Falls Village Dam. You can see some great wildlife – Great Blue Herons, ducks, beavers and turtles.”
To book a fall trip, call (860) 672-6365 for more information