Weekend Getaways in the Western States

Ghoulish Getaway: California

( Don’t Go Alone! )

PEBBLE BEACH - California’s “Secret Season” takes place during fall, ushering in perfect 70-degree temperatures, allowing visitors to experience an autumnal escape without the chill. For those drawn to autumn ghost stories, Ghost Tree at Pescadero Point along the famous 17Mile Drive is a must-visit.

These pale, ghostly trees clustered along the coast at Pescadero Point evoke images of ghosts for their eerie, unusual appearance. There is a long-standing tale surrounding the most famous Ghost Tree on the Pebble Beach coast: many drivers on the route claim to have seen a woman’s image, the “Lady in Lace” in the middle of the road on dark, foggy nights.

Not only do guests of Pebble Beach Resorts have complimentary access to 17-Mile Drive, but they are also offered a chance to cruise the coast in one of the resort’s Lexus vehicles. With premier accommodations, world famous golf courses and gorgeous outdoor dining, Pebble Beach Resorts is the logical choice for travelers during Halloween season. For more information, visit https:// www.pebblebeach.com/

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Five Haunted Visits in Colorado

Popular haunted attractions in Colorado that people have enjoyed visiting are great ideas for a group weekend getaway. Here are our five faborites:

1. The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado): Famous for inspiring Stephen King’s “The Shining,” The Stanley Hotel offers ghost tours and paranormal investigations for those interested in supernatural experiences.

2. Molly Brown House Museum (Denver, Colorado): Once the home of Titanic survivor Molly Brown, this museum is said to be haunted. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the history and alleged paranormal occurrences in the house.

3. Cheesman Park (Denver, Colorado): This park is rumored to be haunted due to its history as a cemetery that was later moved. Some visitors claim to have seen apparitions and experienced eerie sensations in the park.

4. Hotel Jerome (Aspen, Colorado): This historic hotel is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a little boy named Frankie. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences and sightings related to the spirit.

5. Central City Masonic Cemetery (Central City, Colorado): This cemetery is one of the oldest in Colorado and is believed to be haunted. Some visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures and experiencing unusual phenomena.

Remember that the enjoyment of haunted attractions often depends on personal beliefs and preferences. It’s always a good idea to respect the rules and guidelines of these locations and approach them with an open mind.

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Maui Golf Courses Reopening - Hawaii

West Maui’s collection of resort and daily-fee golf courses are reopening following the wildfires of August 8th, and rescue and recovery efforts in the weeks after the tragedy. The golf courses and facilities at Kā‘anapali and Kapalua Golf were spared from the devastation. Similarly, Wailea Golf Club property and its three golf courses in South Maui, were also unaffected by the fires. Sadly, the fires impacted associates at all three golf resort properties with many losing their homes and possessions. As the Maui community heals, the properties continue to welcome back team members to work as they are ready to return.

Kā‘anapali reopened its driving range and Royal Kā‘anapali Golf Course on Monday, September 18th and will reopen the Kā‘anapali Kai Golf Course on Monday, November 20th. Kapalua Golf reopened its Bay Course on Wednesday, September 20th and will reopen its Plantation Course on Wednesday, October 18th. The Bay Course’s practice range reopened on August 28th. Wailea Golf Club remained open after the fires as Wailea’s Gold, Blue and Emerald Courses continue to welcome guests.

All three properties have focused extensive efforts to support team members who lost their homes or loved ones, while also continuing to help the larger Maui community recover through donations and fundraisers.

“As part of Maui’s recovery process, we need our visitors to help keep our community employed. We welcome respectful, responsible and compassionate travel to all accessible parts of Maui. We encourage our visitors to buy local, dine at local restaurants, enjoy Maui’s incredible activities and attractions including our beautiful golf courses, and most of all visit our island with patience and grace,” said Sherry Duong, Executive Director, Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau.

Built on 300 acres of land once home to Hawaiian royalty, Kā‘anapali Golf Courses present golfers with pristine conditions and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and West Maui Mountains. Opened in 1962 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par-71, 6,700-yard Royal Kā‘anapali Course features wide fairways and undulating greens which make it both distinctive and demanding. The tournament-tested layout played host to the Champions Tour Kā‘anapali Classic for 14 years, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, the Canada Cup and LPGA Kemper Open.

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Leaves and Haunts in Idaho

Embark on an enchanting leaf-peeping journey through Idaho! As the fall season unfolds, Idaho undergoes a magnificent transformation, unveiling its autumn splendor from the northernmost tip to the southeastern corner. Here are some remarkable destinations across the state that will make you fall for Idaho.

Northern Area - (Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint & Wallace) Idaho’s section of the International Selkirk Loop weaves through some of the most spectacular landscapes and displays a tapestry of colors during the fall. Stop and stretch your legs at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll enjoy views of the changing leaves and catch the fall migration of the area’s waterfowl.

Southwest (Boise, McCall & Mountain Home) Delight in the bursts of red and gold amid forests of green along the Payette River Scenic Byway. These pockets of color dot the river banks and the roadsides, enhancing this rugged mountain landscape. A two-wheeled cruise along the Boise River Greenbelt is one of the best ways to view the brilliant pops of color in Idaho’s capital city—home to a variety of native and non-native trees and shrubs that transition during the fall.

Haunted Swamp |Twin Falls

Through October 28 (weekends only)

Dare to enter the Haunted Swamp at Magic Mountain Ski Resort, where a 1-mile experience takes you through winding rivers, creaky bridges and ancient trees. Beware, as ghosts, goblins, zombies and other terrifying surprises await your arrival, ready to send shivers down your spine and try to scare you out of their swamp. This attraction is both frightening and fun for visitors of all ages. A special kiddie days is schedule Oct. 21. For more information and tickets, visit https://www. magicmountainresort.com/haunted-swamp

Haunted History Walking Tours | Pocatello

October 7–28 (weekends only) Explore the eerie side of downtown Pocatello when you tour haunted buildings and learn about their chilling past. Visit four haunted building. Go inside to learn more about the history of the building and experience for yourself the charm and haunts inside!

https://idahohighcountry.org/event/haunted-history-walking-tours

Montana

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Painted Lady Bed & Brew - New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE - A twist on the traditional B&B concept, Painted Lady Bed & Brew is a 19th century former brothel and saloon and the first of its kind in New Mexico, adding to only a handful of unique bed and brew establishments in the country. Completely overhauled in 2015 with the hopes of bringing people together over a beer, the property is also said to be haunted. From an unknown female spirit to a beer-drinking spirit, the bed and brew seems to be a hot spot for paranormal.

CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

The Lady in Black is said to haunt the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Historic Old Town, and some believe her to be the scariest ghost in Albuquerque. She appears in the chapel from nowhere and sits on a bench, dressed all in black. Those who have seen her say that she prays, meditates and sometimes sobs.

The allure of The Painted Lady Bed & Brew was multifaceted. Its illustrious history as a brothel and saloon intrigued me, and the promise of refreshments added to its appeal. For my mother, a different draw existed. She had a penchant for overloading the DVR with marathons of “The Dead Files” and relished the potential to stay somewhere haunted. Nowhere on the website did the property claim to host any ghosts, but with such a macabre past, she insisted there had to be a spirit or two floating around.

The Painted Lady is a short walk from the adobe buildings of Old Town, making it an ideal base

for exploring the city. The hotel comprises only a handful of apartment-style suites, each adorned with a modern Southwestern aesthetic that enhances the sense of neighborhood intimacy. As you step out of your room, you’re greeted by a covered porch with hanging ristras of hatch chilies, desert flora, and inviting Adirondack chairs. Above the walkway, red string lights criss-cross, creating an enchanting ambiance. The patio is peppered with games for a relaxed evening.

There’s a swing set and a cushioned fire pit for those looking to unwind under the starry New Mexico sky. A vintage, bright-red Albuquerque trolley car adds to the hotel’s unique charm.

To make reservations, visit https://www.breakfastisoverrated. com/

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Haunted History Tour - Oregon

Join in this group for a thrilling weekend getaway in Jacksonville, to experience a truly “spirited” evening like no other!

Dedication to history runs deep, and locals hold a profound respect for the enduring legacy left behind by pioneers. But do some of these pioneers continue to linger among us in the form of spirits and ghosts?

Discover more about these “restless” former residents during Historic Jacksonville’s “Haunted History” walking tours, where costumed tour guides combine history and captivating tales of pioneers whose spirits still inhabit many of the historic buildings.

These tours aren’t your typical run-of-the-mill ‘ghost tours’ with artificial special effects. They are immersive history tours that delve into the authentic hauntings stemming from events of the past. These stories, ranging from spine-tingling to benign, are sourced from firsthand accounts of individuals who have encountered these lingering spirits.

Two distinct 1-hour tours are offered, each featuring numerous haunted houses. Take time to visit both:

Courthouse Tour: Delve into the chilling tales of brothels, epidemics, and hangings.

Britt Hill Tour: Explore stories of murder, arson, saloons, and the establishment of Oregon’s first Chinatown.

These tours are available on the second Friday of each month from June through September, with special October tours available on both Friday and Saturday evenings. October tours kick off at 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, and 6:45 p.m. Both tours are offered each night with alternating start times for your convenience.

For an even more personalized experience, consider booking a private tour for your group, accommodating 10 -12 participants at a cost of $15 per person. Private tour dates and times can be arranged by mutual agreement and are not available on public tour nights. See https:// www.historicjacksonville.org/ haunted-history-tours/

All tours begin at the Jacksonville Visitors Center, conveniently located at the corner of N. Oregon and West C streets. Please note that tour group sizes are limited, so early booking is recommended. Tickets, regularly priced at $10 per person, can only be purchased online, and reservations must be made by 4 p.m. on the chosen tour date. For safety reasons, pets are not permitted on the tours.

Get ready to embark on a historical journey filled with spine-tingling encounters and unforgettable tales of the past. Join together for an enchanting evening that blends history and the supernatural in the heart of Jacksonville. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary adventure!

For additional information, visit online at https://www. historicjacksonville.org/ haunted-history-tours/.

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Rafting Requires A Team - Utah

MOAB –

Through the Autumn months, it’s business as usual as Moab Adventure Center staff schedule late-season rafting outings on the Colorado River into late October. Also, daytime temperatures are settling into soothing degrees for enjoying such sweat-inducing activities as horseback riding and rock climbing.

“Fall is our favorite season,” says Moab Adventure Center Manager Sierra Schmutz. “Our dry climate leads to brilliant blue skies and ample sunshine, with high temperatures ranging from 82° F in September and 69° F in October.”

The river scenery is spectacular throughout the year, she explains, but come October, the cottonwoods and willows lining the riverbank are ablaze in yellow, red and orange.

“Whether you’re out on the river on a raft for a half or a full day, you will take home stunning memories and photos of the Colorado River at its prime, especially this year with higher-than-usual water levels,” Schmutz promises.

Following are half and fullday rafting trips that Moab Adventure Center offers through October. For more details see https://www. moabadventurecenter.com/ moab-river-tours

Colorado River Morning

Half-Day Rafting Adventure: This is a seven-mile river excursion through mild whitewater, departing daily at 8 a.m. through October. Rates are $89 adults; $73 ages 5-12.

Mid-Day Colorado River

Rafting Adventure with Exclusive BBQ Lunch: Guests raft seven miles of mild whitewater on the Colorado River from below Rocky Rapid to the takeout beach. Plus they enjoy a hot barbeque lunch. Departures are daily at 11 a.m. through October. Rates are $106 adults and $87 ages 5-12.

Colorado River Full-Day

Rafting Adventure with Exclusive BBQ Lunch: This is a 14-mile ride through mild whitewater from Raft Fisher Towers to BLM Takeout. A hot barbeque lunch at a riverside ranch is included. Departures are daily at 9 a.m. through October. Rates are $129 and $106 age 5-12.

Moab Rock & River: This is the perfect one-day (8.5 hours) Moab vacation package that starts in the morning with a two-hour Hummer Safari and continues with an afternoon rafting trip. Departures are daily at 7:30 a.m. through October. Rates are $195 and $157 ages 5-12.

Moab Signature Package: Visitors who give this worldclass destination two days can experience a two-hour Hummer Safari, the Mid-Day Colorado River Rafting trip plus an Arches Scenic Tour and guided hike. Guests save 10 percent by bundling these elements. The combo program is available through October. Rates are $275 and $223 ages 5-12.

Each rafting program offers guests a choice of a paddle boat, with everyone manning a paddle, or two-person inflatable kayaks. The rate for each trip includes a complimentary flip-top water bottle ($14 value), snacks, transportation to and from the river, complimentary hotel pickup available upon request, lifejackets, rafting equipment, and guides.

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Fall Fun in Cody Yellowstone - Wyoming

With world-class wildlife-watching, a robust arts scene and one-of-a-kind cultural and historical attractions, it’s easy to see why the destination of Cody Yellowstone was named one of the top 10 Best Places to Visit in the Fall.

The ranking follows several media accolades that have been garnered by Cody Yellowstone in the last several months. The destination has also been lauded for having one of the country’s Top Small Town Arts Scenes, and it has been included on lists of the Best Western Towns, Most Beautiful Towns, Most Historic Towns, Top Western Towns and Places to Experience.

“The fall season has become an increasingly popular time of the year for travelers to explore Cody Yellowstone’s colorful and rugged landscapes, experience its abundant outdoor adventures and watch its free-roaming wildlife,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region. “Just because our famous summer-season attractions like the Cody Nite Rodeo are done for the year, it doesn’t mean the adventures are done too. This wild Wyoming destination beckons travelers who have an adventurous and curious spirit this time of year.”

Hauck noted that visitors have abundant lodging choices during the fall season, including boutique inns and historic hotels as well as RV parks and Bed and Breakfasts.

Travel by horseback into Yellowstone National Park’s interior and cast for trout on seldom-fished streams guided by the experts at Flying Pig Adventures. Whether it’s for a few hours or a full day, a family or a group of friends, Flying Pig will handle all the details for a truly unique Yellowstone fishing excursion. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/flyfishing-montanaThe Chief Joseph Scenic Byway from Cody to Yellowstone’s Northeast Gate is especially popular for its extreme fall color and abundant wildlife.

Exploring the town’s marquee attractions such as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Heart Mountain WW II Interpretive Center and By Western Hands Museum & Gallery are both educational and fun.

Stroll along Cody Yellowstone’s Sippin’ Trail, which highlights the destination’s breweries, restaurants and unique venues. Visitors who download the free app and make a purchase at the participating businesses can earn points for rewards like Sippin Trail T-shirts, pint glasses and stickers.