LEAF LOVERS WELCOME The Ultimate Fall Hiking Bucket List
Lake Trail or Maroon Bells Scenic Loop offer beautiful views of alpine lakes with gorgeous foliage and snow-dusted peaks. Just be sure to bring layers — mountain weather can be moody! Acadia National Park, Maine If you want coastal charm mixed with fall colors, Acadia National Park delivers. Right along Maine’s gorgeous coastline, this park is full of color and stunning ocean views — a rare combination! Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina The Smoky Mountains are a fall favorite known for their endless ridgelines and misty valleys. Mid-to-late October is peak foliage season, especially along trails like Alum Cave or Clingmans Dome.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon If you’re looking for some of the most gorgeous waterfalls you’ve ever seen, the Columbia River Gorge is the spot! Trails like Multnomah Falls or Eagle Creek offer pretty fall colors, mossy cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a hidden gem for fall hiking. The Dark Hollow Falls Trail offers a challenging climb with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For something gentler, the Stony Man Trail is perfect for families and still offers breathtaking scenery. With over 500 miles of trails, Shenandoah is a fall favorite on the East Coast.
There’s something special about getting outdoors and hiking this time of year. The air is crisp, the bugs are (mostly) gone, and the trees show off their fiery red, yellow, and orange leaves. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just looking to enjoy leaf-peeping and fresh air, fall is the ultimate season to hit the trails. And the U.S. is brimming with stunning places to do just that. Aspen, Colorado Come September, the mountainsides come alive with beautiful golden aspen leaves, hence the name! Hikes like the Cathedral
A WORD FROM ASHLEE, GRACE, AND LEAH Don’t Let Sugar Haunt Your Smile
Halloween is the one night a year when candy rules the streets. Trick-or-treat bags fill faster than a witch’s cauldron, and every doorway offers a new sugar-filled surprise. It’s all thrills and chills until toothaches show up. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to let cavities crash the party. With a few clever tricks, your family can enjoy the treats and still keep their smiles healthy and bright. Pair treats with meals. Eating candy right after dinner is smarter than sneaking it later. Your mouth makes more saliva during meals, which helps rinse away sugar and fight off acids. It’s nature’s built-in mouthwash. Avoid all-day snacking. Grazing on candy keeps sugar sitting on your teeth, which bacteria love. Keep sweets to set times, and offer smarter snacks in between, like fruit, nuts, or cheese. Watch out for sticky villains. Gummies, caramels,
Chocolate is your friend (sort of). If you’re going to indulge, reach for chocolate. Dark chocolate melts quickly, rinses away easily, and usually comes with less sugar than its sticky cousins. Don’t hoard the candy stash. A mountain of sweets in the house is too tempting. Let your kids pick their top favorites and donate the rest. Many groups collect candy for troops or community drives. Chew sugar-free gum. A stick of ADA-approved gum can give your mouth a boost by increasing saliva and sweeping away acids. Bonus points: fresher breath for all those close encounters in costume. Hand out non-candy fun. Want to stand out on
Halloween night? Try glow sticks, stickers, or spooky pencils instead of candy. Kids will remember your house, and their parents will thank you. –Ashlee, Grace, and Leah Registered Dental Hygienists
and jawbreakers cling to teeth long after you finish chewing. Sour candies are another culprit, combining sugar with enamel-weakening acid. It’s best to leave those at the bottom of the candy bag.
2 | Elkins Dental
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