Getting Into the Spirit By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large October 22, 2003 For me, fall is inextricably linked to the shortening of days, the cooling of nights, the falling leaves crunching beneath your feet--all of which culminates with Halloween. Even if I'm too old to trick-or-treat, I still love the pumpkins in all their shapes and sizes, seeing kids in costumes, and having candy at every corner. I don't care how old I am, I'll never be too old for Halloween. Whether you want to don a mask or go see ghouls, there's plenty to do in October. From the fun and festive to the scary, even educational, a Halloween visit to any of the following places is well worth the trip. Bordering on the absurd is the annual Punkin Chunkin contest in Rehoboth Beach. The object of the Punkin Chinkin contest (held this year from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2) is to build a pumpkin launcher that will send your pumpkin flying further than anyone else's. The days are filled with other festival events, but none are more intriguing than watching jack-o-lanterns catapulted through the air from an array of devices--some human powered, other pure cannon. With a $5 admission, you're surely not going to be disappointed. For more information visit: www.worldchampionshippunkinchunkin.com. Keene, New Hampshire's Pumpkin Festival holds the world's record (set in 2000) for the most lit jack-o-lanterns (they totaled 23,727). Each autumn the community gathers to take part in the seasonal celebrations. They have entertainment including dancers, singers, cloggers, and fiddlers, as well as seed-spitting and pie-eating contests. The best is on October 25th from 10am-10pm; the festivities are free. For more information visit: www.pumpkinfestival.org. If you're more into mystery, a visit to "one of America's most haunted homes" may be in order. If so, head to the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, LA. On October 31st and November 1st, for $10 per person, tours are given from 6pm-10pm. Guides dress up and relay stories of the murders that now plague and haunt the plantation. Historical tours, detailing the architecture and property, are also available. There is even a special Halloween overnight at the plantation Bed and Breakfast, which ranges from $115-$230 per night. For more information visit: www.myrtlesplantation.com. Perhaps one of the most quintessentially Halloween spots is in Salem, MA, where witches have always been a part of the culture. On October 31st they hold a "haunted happenings" celebration starting at 2pm. There is a crowning ceremony for the Halloween King, Queen, Prince, and Princess. Musical entertainment, street entertainers, and witchcraft exhibits are all part of the celebration. For more information visit http://www.salemweb.com. At Sica Hollow State Park in Sisseton, SD the Halloween celebration features a Native American theme. According to local lore, the Hollow's first Indian visitors named the place Sica, meaning evil or bad. The Sioux legends recall mysterious happenings there. Finding meaning in the natural world around them, the Native Americans saw gurgling reddish bogs along the Trail of the Spirits (now a Registered National Recreation Trail) and took it to be the blood and flesh of their ancestors. You can take the tour and learn more about the lore that gives new meaning to the stream, bridges, waterfalls, and wildflowers along the path. The cost is $3 per person and $5 per vehicle. For more information visit: www.state.sd.us/gfp/sdparks/sica/sica.htm. New York City is the home to the 30th annual Village Halloween Parade. To watch it is to believe--hundreds of people march through the streets in costumes from rude to ridiculous. Nowhere else will you find a site such as this. The streets get crowded several people thick on 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 22nd Street, along the parade route. There's nothing to be afraid of though--New York's finest are out in full force, making the streets safe for all the ghouls and ghosts. If you're looking for something more subdued, why not escape Halloween spirits and go to the spa? At the Ojai Inn and Spa (in Ojai, CA), you can enjoy a weekend of pampering and get smoothed out with a warm pumpkin and melon seed rub at the spa. Special rates are available while the property undergoes a renovation. Package rates start at $165 per-person with a spa treatment. Plus you can take full advantage of the classes and the rest of the spa facilities, and also wander the grounds at this Spanish style inn, which looks lovely anytime of year, but fall is in the air, and the price may be just right. If the thought of Halloween makes you say boo-humbug, perhaps what you'd prefer is something perfectly autumnal. Try apple picking to get you in the mood. Take the top down or rent a convertible for the day and head to the orchards. Bring apples home by the bushel and make a pie, applesauce, or even try bobbing for apples. Two spots to consider are: Nashoba, outside of Boston (http://www.nashobawinery.com) or Lyman Orchards, outside of Hartford (www.lymanorchards.com) where you can go pumpkin picking too. If you're looking for a good way to spend the weekend that is both family-friendly and educational, consider a historical adventure to Sturbridge Village in MA or Williamsburg, VA, where you can step back in time amid the harvest backdrop. Both places have historic re-enactments and lots of children's activities. Visit www.osv.org or www.cwf.org for more information. There's no excuse not to get in the spirit this Halloween. My best advice is to not eat all the candy in one evening--and watch out for any black cats crossing your path! If you have a question or topic you would like me to cover in a future column, please e-mail Amy Ziff at askamy@travelocity.com And remember to look here for your topic each week!

Holiday & Seasonal Travel Tips & Advice Summer Is Here – It's Time for Vacation! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large It's a Ho-Ho Holiday Gift Guide By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Halloween Graveyards By Natasha Carvell, Editor Call Me Crazy, But I'm Ready to Talk Holiday By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Why Traveling This Winter Holiday Will Be Different! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Over the River and Through the Woods for Thanksgiving We Go (and Go!) By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large 'Tis the Season for Gifts--and I Have All the Inspiration You Need! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Driving Smarter This Season By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large The Hottest Holiday Buy This Season Is a TotalTrip By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large It's a Day for Dad (and It's Coming Soon!) By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large A Beach Is a Beach--Or Is It? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Travel Inspirations for Today's Modern Mother on Her Day By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Make a Break for It By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Valentine's Day Vows Anyone? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Where Will You Ring in the New Year? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Red Hot Trouble Spots This Holiday Season: Predicting Delays By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Travelers Want to Know What To Expect This Holiday Season By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Getting Into the Spirit By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Getting Into the Spirit By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Time to Rethink that Holiday Buying Strategy. Starting Now. By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Autumnal Outings by Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Barbecue is a Big-Time American Tradition: Why Not Take a Bite This Summer? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large What Have You Done for Her Lately? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Take a Break While Playing it Safe By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Father's Day Top 10 Golf Resort Picks By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Getting Away for Romance or Just Getting Away? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Holiday Travel Can Be a Breeze! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large