Fly on Water

FL Exit 147: Perched in the stadium seating with headphones for the informative narration, Captain Bob's Airboat Adventure Tours are like taking a Disney ride on the edge of the Everglades, only about 10 mi. off I-95. The boats can drive over the water vegetation without harming anything. They can inch very very slowly to glimpse gators, osprey (hope you get to see Ozzie and Harriet), peregrine falcons, armadillo or anhingas - or fly at high speeds across the open stretches of water. Wowie! www.airboatadventuretours.com Tel: 772-633-7849.
 

VA Exit 79: Heart pounding white water rafting down the James River is possible right here, in one of the nation's only class III-IV runs of rapids in an urban setting. At Riverside Outfitters headquarters, a throwback to the hippie 60's, you can also rent calmer outdoor gear: kayaks, canoes, mountain bikes, or stand-up paddle boats. If you need them, you can pick up arborist's gear, water shoes, T-shirts, caps and sun screen. C'mon, get out of the car and have some outdoor fun! 6836 Old Westham Rd., Richmond. www.riversideoutfitters.net Tel: 804-560-0068.
 

MA Exit 24: Just fall off this exit and into the water of the Charles River. At Charles River Canoe & Kayak you can take a cooling break in a kayak, canoe, paddleboat or a rowboat, and glide 3 miles up or down river (they even have infant vests). You can also take lessons or buy a boat. This site was always a place for fun - decades ago it was an amusement park (notice the design of the rental building) and amphitheater. www.paddleboston.com Tel: 617-965-5110.
 

GA Exit 49: If you want a break in the middle of your trip, why not go out in a canoe or kayak on a river, cypress swamp or salt marsh? Only 2 miles off of I-95, Altamaha Coastal Tours can provide rentals and tours (2-6 hours) which might have you getting up close to dolphins, alligators, otters, manatees, bald eagles, ospreys, herons or egrets. Overnight camping trips are possible. Call ahead, since the tides determine the day's events. Bikes can be rented too. 229 Fort King George Dr., Darien. www.altamaha.com Tel: 912-437-6010. 

ME Exit 197: Old Town Canoes (and now kayaks) has been around since 1898, and they are still creating a durable product. For your vacation you can buy one at this factory outlet store. There are many models on view, and brands you'll find here include Eureka, Thule, Silver Compass and Carlisle in products like fish finders, paddling gear, mounting racks, camping gear, medical kits and waterproof jackets. You might find some discounted boats with factory blemishes. Hey, there's even a demo pool to try them out in. 125 Gilman Falls Ave., Old Town. www.oldtowncanoe.com Tel: 207-827-1530 or 800-343-1555.

The brand NEW 6th edition of Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia in book form will be here soon. In this edition, which covers the whole length of I-95 from Maine to Miami, you can go nose to nose with a herd of bison in NC or catch the same view of the flag that Francis Scott Key saw "o'er the ramparts" in MD. In CT, at the PEZ Visitor Center, marvel at the limited edition Prince William and Kate PEZ dispenser set or gawk at the 1,700 lb. milk chocolate moose in ME or eat at a 30-year-old restaurant in NC which has only one item on the menu: rib-eye steak. Oh, the fun you can have along I-95.

You can order this new edition right now in downloadable PDF form to be used on a computer, laptop or iPad, or on our adorable USB key pictured below.

Right up to the delivery date of the paper book, we are offering the new edition for $22 with free shipping, a savings of $7.95, so hurry up and buy one for yourself and some for your family and friends - a very useful hostess or holiday gift. www.drivei95.com or 877-GUIDE95 (877-484-3395).

What's inside Drive I-95 6th Edition: Here's a FREE look