Fall Color Off to Slow Start in Western U.P., Says AAA

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 13 -- Michigan's annual fall color show is off to a sluggish start across the far western and northern Upper Peninsula, with the peak not expected for at least two weeks, reports AAA Michigan.

AAA's weekly survey of state parks and regional visitors bureaus shows only minimal color in most areas of the U.P.; however, in the Ontonagon area, colors are developing at a slightly faster pace. Naturalists at Porcupine Mountain State Park report that the reds and oranges of the maples, beeches and oaks are between 5- and 10-percent developed, well behind last year at this time.

In the Copper Harbor area, color development is between 5- and 8-percent. Recent dry conditions may cause some leaves to fall early. Across the rest of the U.P. and Northern Lower Peninsula, color is just beginning to appear.

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.