Peak color ranges from mid-state south.

Online Fall Color Reports provided by the Michigan Audubon Society and the Apple Tree Inn in Petoskey.

Petoskey Area: Overall everything is brown and yellow. The birches are almost bare along the northbound corridor to the Soo. Oak trees are yellow and pale yellowish brown-green. Aspen leaves are yellow, and the last few are fluttering to the ground. Elm are bare except the one or two hanger-ons. There is poor duck migration along the usually busy east coast of the UP. Geese are thinning out. Turkeys are getting hungrier and demanding we put the birdseed feeders out. Chickadees, Nuthatches and a persistent Downy Woodpecker are absolutely devouring every seed that is put out. A rare Robin or two have visited today (the birdbath is very popular this week!) Lots of skunk and raccoon activity. The doe and her young twins have begun to make nightly appearances, nibbling on anything green.

Leelanau County: About 30% of the trees have lost their leaves, another 40-50% or so are yellow/gold with some orange. The color is very dull. The rest -- believe it or not -- have not turned, or are just beginning to turn.Manistee: At or past peak in most areas of county. Lake Bluff is 90% to peak. All colors are showing; oaks turning. Yellows are probably at their brightest

Ludington: Peak color was last week, and last Sunday's heavy frost dropped the walnuts and chestnuts. Apples are almost all picked- colors are yellow to brown.

Kalamazoo, Calhoun Counties: Fall colors are at or just past peak. Oaks finally turned reddish browns. Most trees are holding their leaves, compared to counties just to the north. Rainy and cold weather have limited movement of the wildlife, although it is reported that about 5,000 Sandhill Cranes can be seen at the Michigan Audubon Baker Sanctuary.

Barry, Eaton and Ingham Counties: Cold and sunny days have brought out peak color last week. Oaks finally turned from green to reddish browns. Maples are showing many shades of yellow and light oranges. Wind and rain stripped about 20-50% of the trees of their leaves throughout this region. What leaves remain are showing splendid color.

Van Buren County: The windy wet days have taken a lot of color with it. Most trees have lost many of the leaves, but the yellows are hanging in there. The yellows are some of the brightest seen in years.

This will be the last color report for this year, but WMTA.org will begin their snow reports shortly for the upcoming winter season.

River of Gold

Traverse City’s remarkable Dennos Museum Center has acquired a groundbreaking exhibit of more than 120 exquisitely crafted pieces of Precolumbian goldwork from the ancient cemetery site of Sitio Conte, in what is now central Panama. Entitled “River of Gold,” the exhibition includes large embossed plaques, cast pendants and nose ornaments, gold-sheathed ear rods, and necklaces of intricate beads-as well as polychrome ceramics and objects made of precious and semi-precious stones, whale-tooth ivory and bone.

The story behind the exhibition is almost as compelling as the objects themselves. At the turn of the 19th century, the Rio Grande de Coclé -- a river in central Panama -- changed its course and people began to find precious gold objects on its banks. Stories began to circulate of children playing marbles with gold beads, and by the late 1920s large quantities of gold ornaments were discovered and news of this “river of gold” began to reach the outside world.

In 1940, an expedition from the Penn Museum excavated the site that came to be known as Sitio Conte, and discovered rich and remarkable evidence of a thriving, Pre-Columbian civilization that flourished over a thousand years ago. Very little is known about the ancient societies of Central America, which have long been overshadowed by the more famous Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations, but the goldsmiths of who created the gold objects found at Sitio Conte were consummate artisans. The plaques and cuffs were crafted from hammered gold sheet. Exquisitely detailed pendants were one-of-a-kind items, formed by the lost wax casting method.

Located on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College, the Dennos Museum Center is regularly recognized as one of the nation’s finest small art museums. In addition to its extensive permanent collections and regular guest exhibitions, it’s known for its hands-on children’s Discovery Center and as home to the 370-seat Milliken Auditorium, whose 2010 program of jazz, blues and world music features such artists as India’s Nritagram Dance Ensemble and Traverse City jazz guru Bob James.

Boyne Mountain’s Solace Spa to Host Astrology Retreat

Under the gorgeous cover of northern Michigan's night sky, celebrate and uncover the mystery of life as it’s written in the stars during Boyne Mountain’s Astrology Retreat, November 6-8. Mary Stewart Adams, an astrosopher, author and storyteller, guides this unique retreat and brings engaging discussions and enthusiasm to the study of the night sky.

“This retreat is informative yet playful,” said Adams. “Each of us is firmly rooted in the harmony of the starry world and the more we understand its rhythms in our own lives, the more at peace we can become.”

Participants explore how astrology shapes daily happenings through cosmic cycles and earthly rhythms. The weekend’s events include a welcome reception, individualized birth horoscope chart, workshops exploring the elements of body, individuality, destiny and relationships, a star gazing party and daily access to Solace Spa’s whirlpool tubs, cedar saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas and fitness facilities.

The Astrology Retreat starts at $195 per person or $315 including two nights lodging in the resort’s Mountain Grand Lodge. Throughout the weekend, Adams will also offer hour and a half private couples readings based on individual and combined birth horoscope charts. Private readings are $200.

Peak color now radiates from central Michigan to the south!

Northern Lower Peninsula: The colors have nearly peaked in the "greater Gaylord" area--this will be "the" weekend for a tour. The recent high winds have served to blanket the ground with a wonderful carpet of gold, orange and red--but the trees still have plenty of leaves. A few of the more notable drives we've taken have been on the Wolverine to Petoskey road (Four Stars!), Thumb Lake Road from Vanderbilt to Boyne (Three-and-a-half Stars), Sturgeon Valley Road (Three Stars), and of course M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village (Three Stars). These are all "pavement trips"--those who don't mind getting dirty can find dozens of back-roads of beauty in this neck of the woods. The deer seem to be everywhere. They are "plumped out" and generally sporting their darker winter coats. The bucks are growing randy and rambunctious and sometimes careless. Be aware at dusk. (Don't veer for deer!) The black squirrels are putting in overtime working on their winter stashes.

Petoskey: Is almost at 100%! The leaves are having a little trouble changing this year. The hill's surrounding Petoskey and Harbor Springs seem to be at 80%, and should be at their full peak this coming weekend! The softer yellow trees are beginning to loose their leaves, whereas the harder maples and oaks are picking up speed and filling in their vibrant red tones. Come on up and visit us to enjoy the last beautiful color weekend for the 2009 season.

Leelanau, Grand Traverse area: Fully half the trees are still green and the other half have taken on a faded color. There is almost no red now up here, along with some yellow, but mostly there is brown. Colors are muted and not the typical fall colors we usually see here. One of our staff went leaf peeping through Benzie and Leelanau counties this weekend and said that they agreed, there was very little color to see, most was drab with yellows and gold, very little red and oranges were seen.

Ludington: Inland, 70-90% of the trees are showing color. Lakeside, 35%

Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon Counties: Kent County is near or at peak, with about 75% of the trees showing color. The dominant colors in this area are pale yellows and light greens, with a few smatterings of oranges and reds.

Kalamazoo County: In my little neck of the woods (the western part of Kalamazoo) the trees that had faded to green-yellow are really starting to turn out over the past couple days. Some spots of spectacular reds dot the area. 85% of the trees are in color.

Barry, Eaton, and Ingham Counties: Fall color in and around these areas are nearing peak, although the color spectrum continues to be on the light green and yellow side. Cottonwoods are losing their brownish-green leaves and all the walnuts have shed their leaves. Tamaracks are peaking, with golden yellows. Oaks in the area still struggle to hold onto their green allure, although we are seeing more brown. Overall, 35-75% of the trees are showing color.

St. Joseph County: The area is mostly at peak, with many oranges, reds, and yellows. The area hasn't had such a nice splash of colors during fall in several years, so get out and enjoy it!

WMTA's online fall color reports are provided by the Michigan Audubon Society and the Apple Tree Inn in Petoskey.

Pleasantview Vineyards holds Fun & Wine Fair this weekend

On Saturday, October 17, Pleasantview Vineyards Winery in Harbor Springs will host a Fun & Wine Fair at their tasting room from 1 - 5 pm. The $1/per person ticket charge will enter attendees in a drawing to win a “Junkyard Cat”® metal sculpture from Yardbirds (2009 Art in the Park exhibitor). Drawing will be held at the conclusion of the October Fun & Wine Fair. Food, wine tasting, jewelry and more will be on hand. Local exhibitors include Silpada (sterling silver), The Fort @Ponshewaing (specialty foods), Dawson Creek Jewels (natural stone jewelry), Bead as Twisted Sisters (bead work).

“Our fairs are always comfortable and relaxed – typically an “up north” environment,” says winery business manager, Sandy Pfister. “Interest in our Junkyard Cat has been considerable, and we’re excited to finally send her on to her new home.”

Pleasantview Vineyards offers a wide variety of wines, some very specific to northern Michigan. Grapes are grown locally with native and other varietals. Stop by and you might discover that tucked away boutique winery producing that elusive wine you've always dreamed of tasting. Tasting room hours are through November 1, Wednesday-Sunday, 1 - 7 pm.

Color Development at 80-100% in Northern Lower Peninsula

This coming weekend is expected to be peak color tour time, with colder than average temps the leaves are turning at a rapid rate from the north, south to the border. The weather is expected to be sunny and dry, although cold this weekend, so the colors should be beautiful.

North of Clare to the Sault in the UP: Trees are all in color except willows and oaks. Maples are red, burgundy, yellow and orange. Aspen are yellow. The willows and oaks are getting pale-a few yellow leaves. They received a hard frost along with snow last weekend which will make the color change faster.

Petoskey Area: The colors will reach their peak this coming weekend (Oct 16/17). As of Monday 10/12 they were still seeing entire trees of green mixed in with Sugar Maples that are completely red. On the hill tops you can see large clumps of hardwoods that are at 70%. This weekend will bring them to 80%-100% in the Greater Petoskey area. They took a color tour Sunday afternoon from the Apple Tree Inn west on US-31 to Charlevoix. The colors along Lake Michigan shoreline were around 50%. As they headed south on US-31 out of Charlevoix to C-48 they started picking up the Reds and Yellows. As you take M-75 through Boyne City, you can enjoy the Downtown Apple Fest before continuing on to US-131 back to Petoskey. M-75 out of Boyne City, with its hills on each side will be ablaze with Reds and Yellows, as will US-131 from Boyne Falls to Petoskey.

Leelanau County: They are reporting about 15-20% color; yellows, reds and some oranges are showing. Maple trees and a few aspens top the list, but the majority have yet to turn. However, the transition is well under way, with many trees beginning to turn. Predictions are that next weekend will provide the best color tours. There are reds and yellows, but no bright gold’s yet on the aspens. They are mostly seeing fall sparrows in grasslands along with White-throated Sparrows.

Manistee County: Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary is reporting color at 40%, but the areas between Manistee and Scottville are between 70-80%. Radio station reported backroads between Manistee and Ludington were at peak. Reports from east along M-55 are that some areas are still green. Virtually all maples in the area are turning or at peak, Maples showing orange, red, yellow, yellow-green. Many Aspens are turning yellow.

Jackson County: Sandhill Cranes continue to fly into Haehnle Sanctuary to stage. About 100 cranes were seen in and around the sanctuary. Fall colors are mostly reds and yellows, about 5-10% of the trees are showing full color. Other birds seen include coots and Northern Harriers. Many sparrows are seen, including Lincoln's Sparrows.

St. Joseph County: Some areas showing as much as 30-50% color, mostly maples. Oaks are showing some red. They are expecting a good color season down there!

Baker Sanctuary in Calhoun County: Most of the marsh vegetation has changed from a mixture of mostly greens to a mixture of mostly browns and rusty reds. Perhaps 10% of the trees in the Sanctuary are now in full color. But the trails and fields are a beautiful mixture of autumn colors. CraneFest is Saturday and Sunday, come and see hundreds of sandhill cranes!

From Western Van Buren County: Color is at about 25-30 percent. If the wind does not blow them all away, we should see significant color over the next week. The deer are starting to move. The Doe's will be kicking the young of the year to the road, so keep your eyes open on those early morning commutes.

Kalamazoo County: Some maples are turning yellow and red. Our reporter says that his maples are still green, although faded. He said 40% have either changed or are done. The remaining 60% seem faded and on the verge of changing.

Van Buren County: Maples are all changing at about 30% average per tree. Geese are flying over but not as frequent as one would expect. They think the Sandhill Cranes have vacated, but the Turkey Vultures are still here.

Barry County: Is reaching 50% color with mostly reds and yellows in their maples. Oaks are just now starting to turn light yellow, and their tamaracks are in full yellow splendor.

WMTA's online fall color reports are provided by the Michigan Audubon Society and the Apple Tree Inn in Petoskey.

Air Zoo to extend free general admission through 2009

Due to the overwhelming response by visitors, the Kalamazoo's Air Zoo has decided to extend its free general admission through the end of 2009, originally part of the Air Zoo’s 30th anniversary celebration—and the 5th anniversary of opening the Main Campus. The response to the celebration was incredible and during that time, more than 120,000 people from all 50 states and several foreign countries visited the museum.

The free general admission includes entrance to both the Main and East Campus, viewing all the aircraft, artifacts and artwork on display, plus admission to the 4D theater and the Space Walk. For those who would like to expand their experience even further, the rides, including the Montgolfier Balloon ride, Flying Circus Bi-Plane Ride, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, 3D Space Shuttle, Mars Adventure, Space Ball and Zero G are available for a modest charge. Ride tickets are available for $2 each and each ride takes only one or two tickets. Visitors may opt to purchase an ultimate ride pass for only $12.95 that allows unlimited rides all day long. Annual Passes are an exception value and allow visitors to enjoy the rides for no additional charge for an entire year.

For more great West Michigan travel deals, visit WMTA's Best Deals!

Bumps in the Night: A Brief History of Halloween

Halloween’s rich history and traditions steeped in mystery and superstition form the fun community-based festivities we enjoy every October 31. The ancient Celts celebrated their new year beginning on November 1 with the festival of Samhain, which marked the end of harvest and the beginning of the dark and often deadly winter season. On this night, the lines between the living and the deceased were blurred, bringing unworldly visitors back to earth. The presence of these spirits led to a night of prophecies and sacred bonfires.

In the first century, the Celtic celebration merged with the Roman festivals of Feralia, honoring the passing of the dead, and the festival of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees whose symbol was the apple. Eventually, the Christian church created Hallowmas, a three-day celebration of saints and souls beginning October 31 and consisting of All-hallows Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

Wearing a grotesque mask was thought to disguise the fearful from wandering spirits after dark while food and wine was left outside to keep them from entering homes. During All Soul’s Day parades in England, pastries called “soul cakes” were given out to the poor for the promise of prayers for the dead, replacing the tradition of leaving food and beginning what is today known as trick-or-treating.

America’s Halloween traditions are a mix of old-world customs from generations of immigrants. Stories of the dead, fortunes and ghoulish mischief from the colonies mixed later with autumn festivals, but it was not until the late eighteenth century, with a rise in Irish immigrants, that Halloween became nationally celebrated.

This Halloween, join West Michigan as it celebrates this ancient holiday with events as varied as its past, from haunted tours guaranteed to send shivers up your spine to trick-or-treating for your little ghouls. For a list of great Halloween Haunts, including the nationally recognized Niles Haunted House pictured above, go to wmta.org! For more great history on Halloween, visit www.History.org.

Cadillac Winter Getaway

WMTA is giving away a complimentary Cadillac Winter Getaway. Cadillac offers a winter wonderland for snow lovers and this trip won't disappoint. The Cadillac Winter Getaway includes:

• Friday night accommodations in a front-view room at Cadillac Sands
• Caberfae Peaks weekend lift tickets for two days
• Rentals at Caberfae Peaks

Caberfae Peaks
Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort is the perfect setting for a true up-north getaway, located in Northern Michigan’s snowbelt. Caberfae Peaks is the most family friendly, customer oriented resort in Northern Michigan and offers a relaxed home-spun atmosphere.

The terrain at Caberfae Peaks is very diverse. From gentle cruisers like the 3/4 of a mile run Smiling Irishman, to the thrilling steeps of Bullet & GG’s Ride, Caberfae Peaks boasts some of the state’s longest runs and biggest vertical drops. Caberfae Peaks also offers a variety of elements in two different terrain parks. Cammy’s Park, located on the upper mountain offers more intermediate to advanced features, while the Little Jibbers Park is located close to the main lodge and offers more of the beginner to intermediate level features.

Cadillac Sands
A vacation at the Cadillac Sands Resort puts you in the heart of snow country. Located on the shores of Lake Cadillac, the resort offers direct access to 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, to festival activities held on the ice, and only 15 minutes to ski slopes. Bring your own snowmobile or rent one at the resort.

At the resort, swim in the indoor heated pool, unwind in the relaxing atmosphere of the Porthole Lounge, and indulge yourself at the Clipper Room enjoying their specialty steaks or seafood. When the sun goes down, kick up your heels at the Sand Bar Niteclub. Friday offers an earlier evening with food bar and sports playing on the TV’s. Saturdays, dance and party while the DJ spins your favorite tunes.

Winner will be drawn January 4, 2010. Click here to enter.

German Fest Offers Authentic Autumn Celebration “Under the Tent”

The Voigt House Victorian Museum will host its annual German Fest October 3-4 under the tent on the front lawn, one stop on the Heritage Hill Tour of Homes. Visitors will enjoy toe-tapping German music as well as a selection of authentic libations and food including wiener schnitzel, bratwurst and apfel strudel prepared by Austrian native and Museum Chef Hans Dokl.

The Oktoberfest celebration will take place Noon - 8 pm Saturday and Noon - 6 pm Sunday at the Museum located at 50 College St. SE. Admission to the tent is free. Heritage Hill Tour of Homes ticket holders and Museum members may tour the Voigt House free of charge and those without tour tickets may pay regular admission prices ($3 for adults, $2 for seniors and children) for a guided tour of the historic home. Built in 1895 by prominent businessman Carl Voigt and now a property of the Public Museum, the Voigt House offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life at the turn of the century. The home has been preserved with its original furnishings, carpets and silk wall-coverings, and is filled with personal possessions of the Voigt family. The opulent three-story home, its gardens and carriage house remain one of the more outstanding landmarks in the Heritage Hill district. The Voigt House Victorian Museum is open to the public on select days and times, for special events such as this.

The Public Museum is a collector of treasures, a motivator and resource for life-long learning, and a community partner in the pursuit of insight and understanding. Inquiries or requests for general information should be directed to 616/456-3977 or www.grmuseum.org.