Guest Author - Janet Collins

Fall is a great time to get outdoors. The cooler weather makes many activities, such as hiking, more pleasurable than they might be on the hottest summer days. The splendor of fall foliage is an added bonus.

The Appalachian Mountain Club organizes wonderful outdoor activities all year long, and this fall the group is offering up mid-week vacation specials for active outdoor travelers who are 60+. One example is the trip to AMC’s Highland Lodge. Senior members pay only $82 (non-members fork out $98) per night for a cozy private room. Short day hikes and tours of local historic sites are among the organized activities available. If preferred, you can plan your own activities, too.

AMC also offers a special seniors’ membership rate.

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest nonprofit conservation and recreation organization. The group offers more than 8,000 trips each year, from local chapter activities to major excursions worldwide, for every ability level and outdoor interest – from hiking and climbing to paddling to snowshoeing and skiing. Chapters reach from Maine to Washington, DC.

The great thing about AMC outings is the fact that you don't have to worry about accommodations. That's all part of the package. So you can hike or ski until your heart's content, knowing you'll have a safe dry place to spend the night. I've had less-than happy experience when I've planned my own hiking trips - the bed didn't quite match the wonderful outdoor experience. I especially like the fact that AMC offers a range of accommodation types. From lodges to camp grounds, there's certainly something there for everyone. And the range in accommodation types ensures that those with physical limitations - or those of us who just prefer a more pampered experience - can find a trip with a bed to suit our needs at the end of the day.