In a recent poll at timesfreepress.com, 79 percent of readers voting said they were limiting weekend driving because of the gas shortage. Fuel availability and escalating prices could constrain leaf watchers’ enthusiasm for Sunday drives to admire Mother Nature’s autumn splendor as well.

But Chattanooga’s topography affords panoramic views of fall color from land, air and water. Dan Zink at Lookout Mountain Flight Park says hang-gliding traffic goes up 50 percent on fall weekends. Denise Godfrey at River Canyon Adventures suggests a family kayaking trip on the Tennessee River. Or boat through the river gorge aboard the Southern Belle, Blue Moon charter boat or Tennessee Aquarium’s River Explorer.

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