Forests in the South are filled with broadleaf trees that change colors in spectacular fashion every fall. The optimal time to see fall colors at their peak in the Southeast is during late October and early November, making now the perfect time to start planning your trip. Best of all, these destinations are within day-trip distance to Atlanta, so you don’t have to book a full week’s vacation to see some of the best natural beauty in the country. Here’s where to go to see fall colors in the Southeast in 2018.
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Located in Northern Georgia, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is a must-see destination for sightseers, bird watchers, hikers, and fall foliage photographers alike.
With over 800,000 acres of trees in its boundaries, this forest is perfect for spontaneous travelers who like to freestyle their trip. Pick a direction and you’ll be sure to find some truly unique sights and vistas wherever the road takes you.
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is a state park located in North Carolina about a 6-hour drive away from downtown Atlanta. This park is unique for having the highest peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which means you’ll have a great vantage point to see the season’s changing leaves. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the fall foliage up close with almost 2500 square miles of forest to explore.
Table Rock State Park
Nestled in South Carolina’s section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Table Rock State Park is a 3-hour drive from downtown Atlanta. This park features 80 miles of interconnected trailways for a truly immersive fall foliage viewing experience. Enjoy the fall colors from your private cabin or on top of one of the park’s two mountains for a refreshing weekend trip.
Cherohala Skyway
If you’re a driving enthusiast, the Cherohala Skyway deserves a spot on the top of your fall foliage routes. The Skyway is a wide two-lane road with plenty of expansive views and stop-offs for your photographing pleasure.
With 40 miles of road that winds up and down the sides of mountains for a diverse range of foliage and colors, this road is a true visual treat that is sure to delight drivers.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park in Northern Georgia is the perfect weekend getaway for people looking to experience fall foliage up close and personally. Located two and a half hours from Atlanta, this park features cabins, campsites, and hiking with close access to the park’s central canyon.
From the canyon’s ridge, you’ll have fantastic views of all kinds of broadleaf trees no matter what direction you look. With plenty of accessibility options, Cloudland Canyon is a must-visit for families and hiking enthusiasts alike.
Blue Ridge Parkway
No fall foliage list is complete without mentioning the Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic road starts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and winds 469 miles all the way to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
There are plenty of quaint towns along the way to refill your gas tank, get something for lunch, or stop at an inn for the night. On top of that, there are plenty of stop-overs for hikers and backpackers along the road, making this route ideal for people with a diverse assortment of interests.
Road Trip Maintenance with T3 Atlanta
Whether you’re heading as far as the Northeast or enjoying the fall colors in the North Georgia mountains, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready before you get started. The last thing you want on your weekend trip is to be stuck on the side of the road, after all!
Make the most of your fall foliage trip by making an appointment with T3 Atlanta. We’ll inspect your vehicle and make important maintenance recommendations so that you can take to the road with confidence this fall. Give us a call today!
Is the shop clean and tidy, or is it messy and disorganized?
What certifications/training do your mechanics have? (And, is their training up-to-date?)
Unlike your engine or other electrical components in your car, there isn’t an ‘air conditioning service’ light on your dashboard. As a result, your car’s air conditioning is one of those service items that you may not think about until it isn’t working like it should.
One of the most common causes of air conditioning problems is that the freon contained in the system has leaked. In this case, you may need to recharge air conditioning, also known as an “evac and recharge”. This process consists of vacuuming all existing fluids from the system before refilling the system with new fluids.
Heavy traffic in the morning can spell significant delays and plenty of people in a rush to get to school or work. Book extra time to get where you’re going so that you won’t need to worry about being late for the bell if you encounter heavy traffic.
Emails, texts, calls, choosing the best song for your morning ride, and even reacting to street directions all demand a part of your attention. However, the most important thing you need to focus on is the road.
Keep your gas tank at least half full. Even though it might mean an extra trip to the gas station, you will never have to worry about running out of gas when you’re stuck in traffic on the freeway.
Depending on where you live in Atlanta, your neighborhood may have a lot of cyclists and pedestrians on the road. Be sure to share the road when you’re behind the wheel.
Whether you take your vehicle to a local car wash or pull out your handheld vacuum cleaner, vacuuming your car once a week can go a long way towards the air quality in your car. Crumbs in the seats and dirt and debris on the floor mats contribute to building odors. Getting rid of these culprits regularly helps prevent odors from building up over time.
If the smell in your car is unbearable, it may be time to do a deep clean. Some car washes offer deep cleans, but you can also make an interior car wash an afternoon project. Just make sure it’s a sunny day!
There are a few different ways to deodorize your car naturally. These options absorb the smells and may take time to fully get rid of the unwanted odor.
This tip ultimately comes down to a personal preference. Slip-ons and sandals are ideal for long drives, but some people live in their sneakers. Whatever your footwear of choice might be, you’ll ideally want to avoid shoes that constrict or cut into your skin to help make your drive as comfortable as possible.
By keeping snacks and other trip essentials within reach, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle when, two hours into your trip, you realize that you need a charging cable for your phone or GPS.
Stopping and stretching helps keep you alert, which is important when it comes to late-night or even overnight drives. When you push yourself past your limits on a marathon drive, your reaction time and alertness decrease, which can be a dangerous combination for yourself and other drivers on the road. Stay safe and rest when you need to; that’s what rest stops are for.
Unfortunately, a VIN check doesn’t always tell you if a car has been water damaged. The previous owner could be deliberately hiding the damage or may not know that the vehicle ever experienced water damage. In addition, water damage that was not reported to the insurance company may not show up on a VIN check.
4. You Notice Rust or Corrosion on the Vehicle
The short answer about whether car airbags can be replaced is that it depends. Some vehicles have curtain or side airbags which further complicate the question. Some newer cars even have knee or rear airbags to reduce your chances of injury during a collision.
Newer vehicles are equipped with airbags that do not expire, or at least, not quite. The airbags are designed to last for the life of the vehicle.
Older vehicles generally feature airbags that work on a different system – if they have airbags at all. The first airbags appeared in the 1970’s. With the technology being so new, manufacturers at the time were uncertain how long airbags could last and still be effective.
Buying a car is an investment, so it’s important that you do your research before you buy. The more informed you are, the better equipped you are to spot problems with candidates.
In addition to these more general research points, you should also take an in-depth look at the specific vehicle you plan to purchase. A car that has a lot of repairs, especially if they appear to be for the same thing, is at an increased chance at being a potential lemon.
While you may not be able to identify mechanical problems on your own, a visual inspection can still tell you a lot about the car. Check the inside and outside of the car to look for engine, structural, and water damage that can cause long-term problems. Of these, water damage is by far the worst from a long-term cost standpoint. After all, water and mechanical parts don’t mix!
After-market accessories like mufflers, electronics, speakers, or other electrical system add-ons might sound attractive, but there are a lot of hidden dangers with these neat extras.
There’s nothing like the excitement of new car ownership crashing to a stop because of an unexpected repair bill. T3 Atlanta recommends that you have any vehicle that you are strongly considering inspected before you buy. If the dealer you’re planning to shop with refuses to let the vehicle be inspected by an independent mechanic, that’s a red flag you should not ignore.
A sun screen is an affordable and easy way to not only keep the temperature inside your vehicle cooler but prevent damage to your dashboard and electronics caused by regular exposure to heat and UV rays.
Just like keeping your car’s window open for your dog can help keep Fido cooler while you’re at the store for a few minutes, keeping your windows cracked can help keep your vehicle’s electronics from getting damaged.
While this may not always be a possibility, parking in the shade can help keep the temperature in your car cool. When combined with a sun screen or keeping your windows open a crack, your car will be a comfortable temperature when you’re ready to go.
