Southeastern travel: Outdoors

Erosion causes those jagged gullies to plunge as deep as 150 feet. The canyon’s soil pops in stark oranges, reds and pinks, frozen in permanent pose for shutterbugs snapping shots from the rim trail.

The park welcomes hikers to explore the canyon trail and venture down below. But rangers ask guests to stick to the trails and not explore past the fences or overlooks. Those picturesque canyon walls can collapse.

Stay safe and take a guided Geology Day tour (Oct. 4, Nov. 8 and 22). Those who register in advance can join ranger Trena Evans for an up-close-and-personal canyon experience. Providence Canyon’s remote location means no light pollution when the sun goes down.

Representatives from Columbus State University lead Astronomy Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 22, sharing telescopes and constellation chatter. Campers often take advantage of the available backcountry camping sites, while others simply nosh beneath the two picnic shelters. Although a crisp fall visit may be ideal, flora fans may want to come back in July or August as the rare plumleaf azalea blooms.

8930 Canyon Road, Lumpkin, 229-838-6870, gastateparks.org/ProvidenceCanyon

Surf fishing in North Carolina

Surf fishermen often congregate like schools of mackerel to get their hooks in the waters of the barrier islands of North Carolina. According to Max Gaspeny, editor of North Carolina-based fishing newspaper Fisherman's Post, Cape Hatteras may hold the title of best surf fishing in the world.

Specifically the point of Cape Hatteras, he says, remains the choicest of spots. That’s where the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current meet, resulting in highly productive marine life. Among the fish found in the surf, sizable red drum make it to the top of their class in popularity. Anglers often reel in large striped bass and cobia. Those happy with smaller bounty can likely snag puppy drum, speckled trout, whiting and pompano.

Other hot spots include Cape Lookout and Cape Fear. Newbies looking to get their feet wet surf fishing might consider setting up shop around the inlets, and cast lines near piers and jetties. Although swimmers should shy away from rip currents, those waters can make for successful surf fishing.

Yet all the tips in the sea won't get you far without the right equipment. Hatteras Jack (23902 Highway 12, Rodanthe. 252-987-2428, hatterasjack.com), Frank & Fran's Fisherman Friend (40210 N. Carolina 12, Avon. 252-995-4171, hatteras-island.com), Tradewinds Tackle Shop (1094 Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke. 252-928-5491, fishtradewinds.com, @fishtradewinds) and a netful of other area outfitters offer the right tools for the job. Grabbing a copy of the free Fisherman's Post at a local tackle shop, restaurant, gas station or marina can help enthusiasts point their poles in the right direction.

fishermanspost.com, @FishPoster

Alabama Birding Trails

Why do birding enthusiasts flock to Alabama? A copious amount of feathered friends — more than 430 documented bird species to be exact — can be found among eight of ’Bama’s geographic regions. The Alabama Tourism Department, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Birmingham Audubon Society joined forces to create this sprawling nest for bird-watchers.

This cohesive link spreads its wings across the state from the mountains to the Gulf. It includes 270 statewide spots in areas such as North Alabama, the Piedmont Plateau and Piney Woods. Peer through a pair of binoculars, and you might spot blue herons at Backbone Boat Ramp in West Alabama. The Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest in Bibb County lays claim to the state's largest population of the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Visit the trail website for a laundry list of specific locations and the inhabitants of each, from bald eagles to field sparrows. Click on the site’s news section for location tips and events including organized bird walks at specific locations.

Tennessee River Gorge

Tennessee lays claim to its own Southern-styled version of the Grand Canyon. Approximately 27 miles of the Tennessee River snakes through 27,000 acres of the rolling geography of the Cumberland Mountains. Approximately 17,000 of those acres are protected by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.

The gorge begins about 5 miles downstream from the heart of downtown Chattanooga, winding all the way to Hales Bar Marina (1265 Hales Bar Road, Guild. 423-942-9000, halesbarmarina.com) near Nickajack Lake. Eternally photogenic, blankets of lush and dense green cover the gorge's mountains during warmer months. Come fall, the flora morphs into rustic bouquets of brown and orange. Teeming with wildlife, the gorge proves to be a choice habitat for belted kingfishers, cerulean warblers and more than 180 species of other birds.Nearly 200 types of butterflies flutter about and more than 60 species of mammals — think raccoons, bears and more — call the surrounding area home.

Several campsites are located along the gorge as part of the Tennessee River Blueway. Hikers often explore scenic trails located at spots including Raccoon Mountain (319 W. Hills Drive, Chattanooga. 423-821-9403, raccoonmountain.com), Prentice Cooper State Forest (3998 Game Reserve Road, Chattanooga. 423-658-5551, tn.gov/agriculture/forestry/stateforest07.shtml) and along the Cumberland Trail.

Others prefer to take in the gorge by car. Beginning in downtown Chattanooga, the westward drive takes between one and a half and two hours. Yet arguably the most immersive gorge experience may be had by boat. Outlets including the Chattanooga-based Tennessee Aquarium and Blue Moon Cruises offer Tennessee River Gorge cruises led by an onboard naturalist.

Tennessee River Gorge Trust, 1214 Dartmouth St., Chattanooga. 423-266-0314, trgt.org, @tnrivergorge

Pet-friendly beaches in Flagler Beach, Fla.

When it comes to hitting the beach, dog owners who enjoy traveling with their pooches can easily bark up the wrong palm tree. There’s nothing like a no-dogs-allowed sign to damper a canine’s vacation. Leave it to Flagler Beach and its ruff reputation as an oasis for those visiting with four-legged family members in tow.

Dogs can sink their paws in the sands found north of North 10th Street and south of South 10th Street. (A no-dog zone exists between the two, located near the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier.) The pet-friendly sections allow dogs on leashes no longer than 5 feet.

Local businesses have been joining the pack. High Tides at Snack Jack (2805 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. 386-439-3344, snackjacks.com), a beachside retreat dating back to the early 1950s, welcomes pups on its patio. While pet owners bite into ahi tuna, blackened shrimp or a fish Reuben, a server will happily deliver a bowl of water for the family dog. Other like-minded pit stops include Java Joint (2201 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. 386-439-1013), Johnny D's Beach Bar & Grill (1005 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. 386-693-4814) and the BeachHouse Beanery (1112 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. 386-338-2484, beachhousebeanery.com). The latter offers patio seating they dub "the doggie deck."

Pet-friendly accommodations abound. The Si Como No Inn (2480 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. 386-864-1430, sicomonoinn.com, @sicomonoinn1) across A1A from the beach, rents a total of eight relaxed, cottage-style rooms where pets are welcome. Dogs shed their leashes at nearby Wadsworth Park (2200 Moody Blvd., Flagler Beach. 386-313-4020, flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=23). Its 60,000-square-foot fenced dog park has separate areas for smaller dogs and those weighing 20 pounds and heavier.

The reality remains, however, that you can't take your dog everywhere. Consider dropping him or her off at Bed & Biscuit Inn (711 John Anderson Highway, Flager Beach. 386-439-4006, bedandbiscuitinn.net) a dog park and boarding facility with its own swimming pool for pets.

palmcoastandtheflaglerbeaches.com, @VisitFlagler

Mississippi Petrified Forest

Prehistoric relics remain the stars of this privately owned National Natural Landmark. Wind through the forest along paved and shaded trails to touch and glimpse 36 million years of history.

Whopping pieces of petrified wood serve as monuments to the planet’s Cenozoic Era. Back then, these hunks of stone were towering fir and maple trees likely more than 100 feet tall.

So how did a log jam land in what is now small-town Mississippi? It's all because an ancient river rushed across the continent, leaving these humongous scraps behind. Today they continue to be snapshot fodder. This especially applies to what the park dubs "Caveman's Bench," a sofa-shaped piece of petrified wood that could easily furnish Fred Flintstone's living room. The unique form beckons visitors to take a seat. The trail leads to the Earth Science Museum, which houses examples of petrified wood from around the globe, fossilized dinosaur footprints, a full cast of a prehistoric camel and more. Budding geologists can pay $4 to roll up their sleeves for a gem mining session at the flume located on the park's rock patio. Miners keep their rock discoveries as souvenirs. It requires less work to swing by the gift shop and buy a piece of petrified wood or gemstone jewelry.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. through March; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 1 through Labor Day; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. $7; $6 students and seniors. 124 Forest Park Road, Flora, Miss., 601-879-8189, mspetrifiedforest.com.

OFFBEAT

Land of Oz, Beech Mountain, N.C.

While snow bunnies and ski bums navigate the slopes of Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain, N.C., during the winter, others take a nostalgic detour over the rainbow in the fall. In the midst of towering residential developments and rental properties sit the remnants of the Land of Oz theme park.

From 1970 until 1980, this “Wizard of Oz”-themed attraction dropped guests in the middle of a world inhabited by munchkins, wicked witches and flying monkeys. While much of the park can only be found in faded family photos, its winding yellow brick road remains. The same goes for Dorothy’s house, a cozy Oz-laden rental property with working cyclone effects intact.

Guests can even bunk in Dorothy's digs throughout the year (available through Emerald Realty and Rentals, 828-387-2000, emeraldrealtyandrentals.com), and some have even taken it a step further by exchanging vows upon the yellow bricks. The property's caretaker lives next door in what was Uncle Henry's barn. A bit of the park's old magic materializes each year for Autumn at Oz. On Oct. 4-5, guests hang with Oz characters on the Yellow Brick Road. The celebration spills out across Auntie Em and Uncle Henry's farm with bluegrass jams, face painting and more. Take a peek at some of the park's old memorabilia, including costumes and props from the original 1939 film, which would easily be at home in the Smithsonian.

“Autumn at Oz.” Oct. 4-5. $35. 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, N.C. Guests park in the Ski Beech parking lot. autumnatoz.com.