My Ideal US Family Great Getaway | Ten Talents...

I have long been planning (and hoping!) for my ideal US family great getaway!  Now, I must confess from the start that this getaway is specific to me (and my family), and I don't pretend that many others would enjoy it.  Still, I hope to one day take a small road trip to visit the Yankee Candle factory while touring the New England coast during the fall.  It would definitely be the family trip of a lifetime. I do believe that I have been begging my husband to take me to visit the Yankee Candle factory in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, pretty much since the day we got married.  I know it seems like a random location to plan a dream vacation around, but I want to go SO much.  I just so happen to have a pretty good sniffer, and I love Yankee candles!  Not only does their flagship store have the King candle, the largest candle in the world, but it also has a vast majority of their scents for sale.  I can't even imagine how wonderful it would be to walk around in this store.  I can totally see why my husband isn't as excited as I am about visiting, but still...anyone else out there with me? The Yankee Candle store isn't the only reason why I've been dreaming up this vacation for so long.  I also happen to love the fall.  The colors on trees during this time of year take my breath away in a way that not much else can.  I have seen so many beautiful pictures of New England in the fall, and I would really love nothing more than to spend some quality time in a car with my family driving around looking at the foliage.  I get excited just thinking about it, and though I don't know how you can plan such a thing since trees seem to change colors on their own schedule, not man's, I still dream of this every year! I admitted in the first paragraph that my Yankee Candle-centered road trip is one that only a few would be able to enjoy, but I'd love to know what you think!  What's your opinion of my great getaway?  If you live near this area, is there something else you'd suggest for our road trip?  I'm sure there is so much that we would love to see in this area!  Would you choose something similar or is this your idea of a nightmare getaway?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and maybe get some more ideas.  Who knows...

Adventure guide to Maine

Fodor's Maine Coast

Maine register, state year-book and legislative manual

Plunkett's Retail Industry Almanac 2008

Plunkett's retail industry almanac