Peak Color Conditions Reported in Northern Lower Peninsula, Says AAA

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 11, 2006 -- The fall color show in the state's Northern Lower Peninsula is reaching its peak, with all of the state parks in the region reporting color development at 100 percent, reports AAA Michigan.

In the Upper Peninsula, the color is at peak, but fading fast as the cold weather encourages leaf drop.

According to observers at Petoskey State Park in Petoskey, the best viewing will be found this weekend, with vivid red and orange hues dominating the landscape. AAA's weekly survey of state parks and regional visitors' bureaus reveals the best color show in virtually all areas of the Northern Lower Peninsula, with more advanced stages of color development occurring further inland.

On the sunset side of the state, the prime viewing is only a week or less away. Color development in the region ranges between 65 and 90 percent, with the best viewing in Grand Rapids, Hastings and Ludington.

In Southeast Michigan and in the Thumb, color ranges between 60 and 70 percent. Naturalists at Kensington Metro Park and Stony Creek in Milford say peak color should occur next week.

Fall color watchers looking for the best viewing opportunities can call Travel Michigan at (888) 78-GREAT (784-7328) for color updates provided by AAA Michigan each Wednesday through October. Updates also will be posted at http://aaa.com/ (enter ZIP code, click ABOUT AAA tab), or visit http://www.michigan.org/ .

AAA Michigan offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 49 million members in the United States and Canada.