BOOK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEEP I know, we say it every year, but there's a reason for our mantra. Mt. Washington Valley's fall foliage is among the most spectacular in New England. Everyone wants a chance to see the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows that carpet the mountainsides. Fall is a beautiful yet busy time in Mt. Washington Valley. We suggest booking your fall foliage getaway now while there's still plenty of availability at lodging properties, even for peak foliage weekends. Simply visit MWV and click on LODGING for a complete list of Mt. Washington Valley's 150-or-so lodging properties.

19TH ANNUAL WHITE MOUNTAIN BACH FESTIVAL White Mountain Musical Arts presents the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and friends, August 23-26 in North Conway, NH. From "A Chip off the Old Bach" concert for children to a wide selection of classical music concerts held throughout Mt Washington Valley, those who love classical music will enjoy a packed schedule. Most concerts are held at Cranmore Mountain's 10th Mountain Division Pavilion. Evening concerts are offered at 7:30pm. Single tickets are $10-20; four-concert passes are $30-60. For a complete schedule of concerts visit MWV Events.

WHITE MOUNTAIN RIDE GUIDE The White Mountain Ride Guide, second edition, written by award-winning author and columnist Marty Basch, provides over 40 scenic, easy and challenging bicycle routes for road riders and mountain bikers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. First published in 1998, The White Mountain Ride Guide takes riders of all abilities along rolling country roads, through mountain passes, down smooth singletrack and beside the region's beauty. The new updated and expanded 2007 second edition includes new rides and maps. Each route in towns including Bartlett, North Conway and Lincoln, Littleton and Franconia, comes with mileage, difficulty, easy-to-read map, narrative, cycling directions and driving directions to the starting point. Cyclists will find helpful tips on getting the most out of each spin through the White Mountains. According to a review from The Mountain Ear, Mt. Washington Valley's weekly news and entertainment guide, "The biggest improvement is the maps; an accurate map by Larry Garland, AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) cartographer, accompanies every ride description. The maps alone are worth the price. "What makes the book interesting and useful is the variety of rides: road rides, off-road rides, and back-road rides." To order online or to learn more about the 2007 Ride Guide, visit Marty Basch. Here you'll also find a number of articles and musings from local travel writer and cyclist, Marty Basch.

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY RETAILERS & ATTRACTIONS SERVE BIKERS Mt. Washington Valley has a great reputation for attracting rock and ice climbers mainly because of the great terrain and the retailers to support the sport. Yet little attention has been given to the fabulous biking in the region, and the many retailers offering everything from clothing and accessories to high-end bikes, just like the rock climbing retailers. From the 24-Hours of Great Glen Trails biking event to the grueling race up Mt. Washington and the Wild Man Biathlon, Mt. Washington Valley is alive with biking activity. Make a visit to MWV, and click on SHOPPING then Sports Equipment, and you'll find a long list of retailers offering designer clothing, such as Pearl Izumi and the Louis Garneau outlet. Bike shops including Red Jersey Cyclery, Bob & Terry's Sports Outlet and Joe Jones Ski & Sport offer everything from new gear to experienced mechanics for tune ups and fixes. A wide range of general outdoor clothing and accessories can be found at Olympia Sports, Ragged Mountain Equipment, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Stan & Dan's. For more information on trails for off-road biking, visit the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce's press room at: presskit or pick up a copy of Marty Basch's White Mountain Ride Guide.

YOUTH CIRCUS COMES TO NORTH CONWAY Circus Smirkus, Vermont's award-winning international youth circus, is celebrating 20 years of bringing joy and magic to towns all over New England. This summer, the traveling youth circus will perform an amazing 72 shows in 15 towns. Twenty-five teen stars, ages 13 to 18, bring polished skills and youthful exuberance from all parts of the country and the world. The Circus is presenting four performances at Cranmore Mountain Resort August 12-13, 2007 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm to benefit the Mt. Washington Valley Children's Museum. Tickets are $14.00 for children 2-12 years of age (2 and under are free) and $18.00 for adults (ages 13 and over) and are available in advance at smirkus and at The Mount Washington Valley Children's Museum. Tickets will also be available at the door starting one hour before show time. This is a must-see show for families visiting the Mt. Washington Valley region August 12-13th.

ATTRACTONS CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS, AUGUST 7-8 Two of Mt. Washington Valley's family attractions will celebrate birthdays in early August with events for the whole family. On August 7, Conway Scenic Railroad's will observe their 32nd Birthday celebration with a day-long schedule of events including birthday cake, Mo the Clown, balloons and special fares to Conway and Bartlett. Info: 603-356-5251 or Conway Scenic. On August 8, The 146th Birthday of the Mt. Washington Auto Road will give visitors a reason to continue the celebration. Vintage horse drawn and automotive stages, which have operated for the past 140+ years, will be on display. Vehicles with a "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" sticker attached prior to arrival will receive free passage up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Info: 603-466-3988 or Auto Road.

BACK TO SCHOOL TENT SALES AT SETTLERS GREEN OVP Where did the summer go? We hear it over and over again as parents begin preparing for sending kids back to school. Just in time for another school year, Settlers Green Outlet Village Plus will hold Tent Sales August 2, 3 4 and 5. Plan to shop from 9am to 9pm through Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday for bargains on summer clothing and best selection on winter and back-to-school apparel, accessories, shoes, and more. For more information, visit Settlers Green and click on events.

"SCIENCE AND THE MOUNTAINS" FREE LECTURE SERIES The issue of climate change is one that is growing in importance for New Hampshire our region and the world. However, with a lack of scientific content in our everyday lives, how do average people comprehend such a complex issue? Mount Washington Observatory in partnership with the University of New Hampshire's Institute of Earth, Oceans and Space, is presenting "Science in the Mountains," a free lecture series for residents and visitors to the Mount Washington Valley. This six-part lecture series continues in its second month on Wednesdays in August through August 15, from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Weather Discovery Center on Main Street in North Conway. The series examines the fundamentals of the climate change discussion, utilizing UNH's expertise in climate change research, and boiling the issue down to its facts, its implications and what our state and region can do to address the issue. Bring the whole family, as the Weather Discovery Museum will be open evenings on these Wednesdays. For more information, visit Mount Washington or call 603-356-2137, ext 203.

This month, the E-Traveler begins a series on B&Bs in Mt. Washington Valley. For many travelers, bed and breakfasts are an enigma; there are plenty of travelers who still think staying at a B&B means sharing a bath and sitting with the pastor at breakfast. Long gone are the days of "B&Bs-like-Gramma's". Say hello to Mt. Washington Valley's B&Bs offering luxury accommodations with everything from double whirlpool spas to see-through fireplaces, private balconies or patios, and family suites with everything the kids might want. Mt. Washington Valley offers more than 50 luxurious B&Bs and Country Inns, each with a distinctive décor, theme and history. From pet-friendly to romantic to outdoor-oriented, you'll find that Mt. Washington Valley's B&Bs and inns are ideal.

Unlike expensive urban hotels, Mt. Washington Valley's B&Bs offer plenty of bonuses, from complimentary breakfasts to hot and cold beverages and snacks 24-7, free wi-fi or Internet access, and rooms with phones and free local calling. The region's B&Bs are filled with value. In future issues, we'll focus on B&B themes from family and pet-friendly to romantic and luxurious, offering suggestions for any kind of B&B getaway you might want. Visit MWV and click on Lodging then B&Bs or Country Inns to view all the exciting possibilities in Mt. Washington Valley.