Fall colors provide perfect autumn tours

This time of year brings back many memories of my time in Japan specifically the intense and beautiful colors of the maple trees. The Japanese have a specific term for viewing these spectacular colors called "kouyou" which literally means 'red leaves' or loosely translated as fall colors.

Flocks of visitors and residents travel around the country in search of the best viewing spots and are willing to contend with crowds and traffic for a chance to take in the beauty and peacefulness of the changing seasons.

In recent years, the popularity of fall foliage tours is on the rise. In fact, according to a 2000 survey conducted by the National Tour Association, approximately 79 percent of tour operators offer fall foliage tours. Surprisingly, this figure is slightly higher than the next category of tours programs which is cruise tour packages.

Although the Valley may not have the stunning red leaves of the Japanese maple tree or flocks of visitors who travel far away to see our fall foliage, Alaska's terrain and landscape still boasts awe-inspiring beauty that only this time of year can provide.

The lack of crowds is a blessing especially for Alaskans who'd rather enjoy the fall scenery in solitude. This time of year is ideal to travel around the state and try some of those tour packages you've always wanted to take but couldn't for one reason or another.

For example, what better way to see the red and burnt orange carpet of the alpine meadows than by air on a flightseeing tour? Add Mount McKinley to the picture and you've got a National Geographic postcard experience. Did you know there are over a dozen flightseeing companies in the Valley alone that can offer residents this special opportunity?

Although no company can guarantee a view of McKinley, there is no other experience than soaking in the surrounding scenery from high above.

Many tour companies and lodging businesses offer discounted rates in September. For listings of specials and discounts, the Alaska Travel Industry Association travel Web site, www.travelalaska.com, and the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site, www.anchorage.net, are great resources. The Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau will also have a special offers section on its Web site in the near future.

One of my most favorite ways to see Alaska is a train ride on the Alaska Railroad. It really doesn't matter which train route you take, but for the really spectacular fall colors, I recommend a trip northbound to Denali National Park or Fairbanks.

The Alaska Railroad operates their daily passenger train service until mid-September. If you'd rather take a shorter trip, the Hurricane Train might just be the ticket. This route offers flag-stop service (you actually flag down the train) from Talkeetna to Hurricane with scheduled stops in between. This way, you can get off the train, hike around for the day or camp and flag down the train to re-board for the return trip home. Reasonably priced, this service is offered Thursday through Sunday with the last day of operation on Sept. 14. Call the Alaska Railroad or visit www.alaskarailroad.com for more details.

If you'd rather take a driving tour to admire the fall foliage, a drive over Hatcher Pass is a great way to do just that.

Now that the road up to the mine and visitors center is paved, it is an easy trip for just about anyone and a great way to spend the afternoon or splurge with an overnight stay at one of the nearby lodges.

Typically the road over the pass is open until the first hard snowfall -- contact the Mat-Su Area State Parks Office at 745-3975 for the most up-to-date travel report.

Another spectacular driving tour is on the Glenn Highway. With the designation as a National Scenic Byway, there are a number of points of interest including the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area and Interpretive Site, the Raptor Viewing Site and Paleontologic Interpretive Wayside. For a free visitor map and guide of the highway, stop by the Mat-Su Visitors Center at Mile 35.5 Parks Highway.

For more information about these and other travel opportunities, contact the Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau at 746-5000 or visit online at www.alaskavisit.com.