EAST:

1. Portland, ME:
Deer Isle, Maine

Deer Isle is down east Maine at its best: a cluster of fishing communities, quiet woods and open fields. Attracted by the scenery and modest way of life, artists have come to Deer Isle for more than a century. Peace without the ‘quaint’.

Directions: Two hours up the Maine coast on highway 1 to Bucksport; follow Route 175 south to a high, narrow suspension bridge across Penobscott Bay.

2. Burlington, VT:
Lake Champlaine Ferry

Hop aboard ship early evening for a two hour round trip across lake Champlaine and back (Burlington, VT - Port Kent, NY Crossing).

Directions: Interstate 89, use Exit14W; 2 miles to Ferry. Lake Champlain Transportation Co. King Street Dock (Burlington). Tel: (802) 864-9804 for reservation.

3. Boston, MA:
Nantucket Island

Nantucket rests only thirty miles off the coast of Massachusetts, but that short journey takes you to a sliver of sand known for 400 years as a rustic refuge. Though prosperous New Englanders have made it their summer playground, Nantucket is not only for the wealthy: thrifty travelers charge on in.

Directions: Most travelers come to the ‘Faraway Island’ (the Native American origin of “Nantucket”) by commuter plane via Boston, or by ferry (2 hours) from Hyannis Hwy 3, south; turns into US 6; veer onto Hwy 132, down into Hyannis Port).

4. New York, NY:
Catskill Mountains

A good place to anchor your trip into the countryside is the small outdoorsy town of Phoenicia. It’s nestled in a beautiful valley near Woodstock, 12 miles from Hunter Mountain (summer festivals and winter skiing). It’s a quiet (but not remote) all season great escape, two hours from New York City. Biking, fishing trout streams, and tubing the Esopus River during the day, stargazing at night.

Directions: New York State Thruway (87) north to 28; follow to town.

5. Philadelphia, PA:
Wharton State Forest, NJ

Some Philadelphians may scoff at the thought, but the quick way to escape the city and see the stars is to drive out to — New Jersey! Known as the ‘Pine Barrens’, the Wharton State forest offers the visitor a nature center, swimming, boat and canoe rentals, fishing, hiking (Batona Trail), and great nature trails in the Batsto and Oswego River Natural Areas. Try the Chatsworth observing site for comet patrol.

Directions: NJ State hwy 70 from Phili, out to US 206; south 6 miles to Rt. 532; east out to Chatsworth.

6. Baltimore, MD:
The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Light out for Kent County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and you’ll find a 2000-acre sanctuary of local and migratory birds (including eagles, ducks, and swans). Southward migration through the area is at its greatest in October and November, but the Eastern Neck is a year-round refuge for all restless souls.

Directions: Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, take MD route 213 north, turn left on MD 20, and turn left on MD 445, and proceed to the refuge. Although the refuge is close to the Bay Bridge as the crow flies, it’s a long drive all the way around the mouth of the Chester River.

7. Washington,DC:
Catoctin Recreation Park

Remember when Jimmy Carter was attacked by a flying squirrel? You can’t make a surprise visit to the President either (its off limits to the public) but the eastern hardwood forest that surrounds the Presidential Retreat of Camp David has 25 miles of hiking trails, scenic mountain vistas, and randy rodents awaiting your arrival. This beautiful park, the result of WPA conservation efforts in the 1930s, is within an hour’s drive of D.C.

Directions: US 270 north to Frederick; continue north on 15, fifteen miles to Park.

8. Pittsburgh,PA:
Allegheny National Forest

The spectacular Allegheny National Forest boasts over one million acres of pristine forest land, some of which remains as untouched as it was one hundred years ago. Brilliant color comes to life each spring with wildflowers and the region is cris-crossed by hundreds of miles of trails for intermediate and advanced hikers, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, where 300,000 acres of forest land, including a 1,000 foot drop at Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County, make it one of Pennsylvania’s natural wonders.

Directions: North on US 79 to US 80; East on 80 to Rt. 8 northeast; catch the 62 on up to the woods.

9. Buffalo,NY:
Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is located just minutes from Buffalo, between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on the majestic Niagara River. While you’ll not want to go stargazing on a moonlit night (the spray illuminates), the interconnected system of state parks are an instant getaway.

Directions: The entire Falls region is accessible Via U.S. Rt.I-90, with northern portions along Hwy 18.