Foliage in Va.: a blast of color

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- From the western highlands to its eastern shore, Virginia is bursting with color this fall.
Shenandoah National Park is considered one of the top foliage destinations in the region, with colors typically reaching their peak between Oct. 10 and 20. Mountainous areas peak a few days later.
But outside the park there are more than 2,500 miles of scenic highways and back roads providing access to 15.8 million acres of forest land, largely made up of the leafy hardwoods that produce the most brilliant fall color.
For help in planning a trip, check out Virginia's "Leaf Line," at (800) 424-LOVE, which provides an updated message on the best places to see foliage.
Or visit www.fallinvirginia.org, which lists information on autumn events around the state.
Events include the Garth Newel Fall Foliage Music Holiday in Warm Springs, held the last four weekends in October; the Fall Foliage Bike Festival in Staunton, Oct. 15-17; and the Eastern Shore Birding Festival, Friday to next Sunday, at Kiptopeake State Park, to observe the thousands of birds winging their way to points south in preparation for the coming of the cold weather.
Finally, consider enjoying the season's colors from the comfort of a ski-lift at the annual Fall Foliage Festival, Oct. 23-24, at Wintergreen Resort, where you'll ride to the top of Crawford's Knob for a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.