Fall colors are expected to reach their peak this week (October 15-18) in the Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania, with hillsides about 85% full of bright oranges, yellows, reds and various shades of green. Located just two hours north of Pittsburgh, the forest is a mecca for recreation enthusiasts with miles of hiking and biking trails, meandering trout streams, rivers for canoeing and kayaking, and scenic drives and overlooks for those who like to sit back, relax and soak in the view. The Allegheny Reservoir is especially beautiful in the fall, as are the beautiful forests that line the winding Longhouse National Scenic Byway.

More Fabulous Fall Foliage:
Photo Gallery: Fall in Western PA
Western PA Fall Foliage Drives & Tours
10 Tips for Great Fall Photos
10 Best Places to See Fall Color in North American Forests

On January 31, 1956, a Mitchell B-25 bomber, on a flight from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to Olmstead Air Force Base in Harrisburg, crashed in the Monongahela River (locally known as the "Mon"), just outside of Pittsburgh. Four of the crew members survived, two drowned. What became of the plane, however, has become one of Pittsburgh's enduring mysteries. The Coast Guard searched the river for two weeks following the crash and turned up absolutely nothing. Since then, the B-25 Recovery Group has made several attempts to locate the remains of the plane. Still nothing. Theories about the plane's disappearance have been fanciful, to say the least.

This weekend, the B-25 Bomber Recovery Group heads out once again to search the Mon. With divers and today's sophisticated equipment they are confident that they will be able to recover something related to the plane and solve the 52-year mystery of the Pittsburgh B-25 Bomber.

In 1803, Georg Rapp, the leader of a German Lutheran separatist group, came to America and purchased 5,000 acres of land near Pittsburgh where he had his followers could begin a new life free of religous restrictions. The next year, three shiploads of his followers arrived in America and erected nine log cabins to begin the famed communal Harmony Society. After that first hard winter, the hardworking Harmonists got right back to work, clearing 150 acres and building 50 houses, a grist mill, a large barn and some shops. After only 10 years the Harmonists moved on to start a bigger community in Illinois (they later returned to Pittsburgh to establish a new community called Economy), and sold the entire town of Harmony plus about 9,000 acres to Mennonite Abraham Ziegler for $100,000. He and other Mennonite families led the area's resettlement.

If you like history and log cabins then an afternoon drive to the historic town of Harmony might be right up your alley. There are numerous log cabins to visit, along with the Harmony museum, and both a Harmonist and Mennonite Cemetery. The annual Zelienople-Harmony Country Fall Festival is set for this weekend, October 11-12, with arts, crafts, horse drawn buggy rides, homemade country foods, historic encampments, antiques and collectibles, and an authentic German dinner. The fall color out that way is just starting to develop, so you might also want to take a drive along nearby PA SR 108 between New Castle and Slippery Rock. The Log Cabin Inn makes a great stop for lunch before heading out!

I woke up to white frost on the ground this morning, which means one thing...the beautiful fall color of Western Pennsylvania is on its way. While fall foliage drives are a beautiful way to enjoy autumn's color, they aren't the only way to enjoy the season. Hang up the car keys, get out of Pittsburgh, and experience Western Pennsylvania's gorgeous fall foliage up close and personal with these 8 great fall foliage adventures.

While you're out and about, keep your eyes open for some of the area's unique covered bridges, or head up north to Elk country.