Want a fall festival you can really sink your teeth into? Then head south to the Georgia Apple Festival, held each October in the town of Ellijay in Gilmer County.

The festival is a paean to apples, with the football field arranged into streets with names like Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Jonagold. Everything apple can be found at this festival. And what's more American that apple pie? Maybe apple fritters!

The whole apple thing started in the early 1900s, when farmers in Gilmer County planted some apple trees. In 1922, the county's main crop, cotton, was attacked by the insect that nearly destroyed the south's economy - the boll weevil. But by 1922, Gilmer County was producing enough apples to help keep the county's economy from collapse, and the focus of their farming turned to apple orchards.

The festival offers a play area for children, with inflatable rooms filled with soft cushy balls, a climbing wall for older kids and teens, craftsmen of all kinds, and musical acts that include country, Gospel, and rock and roll. And don't forget the apples. You'll find apple fritters, fried apple pies, caramel apples, and more to eat, and apple dolls and apple art to buy.

The Georgia Apple Festival started in 1970, when local growers planned a fair to honor the fruit that saved the county. It's grown astronomically since then, so go early and be prepared to walk a long way along the apple-named "streets." Wear a cute pair of walking shoes like these darling Vianas from Tsubo to keep your tootsies comfy, and be environmentally conscious while you're doing your shopping -- bring along this Harvest Bag tote from Keen, made completely of recycled brown and white bags that would otherwise be in landfills, and big enough to hold all your purchases!

Even in Georgia, October evenings can be chilly, so bring a light jacket like this one from Patagonia, that combines classic fleece inside and out, with a wind-stopping layer sandwiched between. Enjoy the crisp air as you bite into a crisp apple or a warm fried pie, and you may never want to go home!

Most surfers, snorkelers, and ocean swimmers know that sharks and currents aren't the only hazards in ocean water. Jellyfish are becoming an increasing danger all over the world.

There are over 200 known species of jellyfish, and 70 of them sting. Jellyfish can detect changes around them, and react to changes. When they contact something solid, their reaction is to sting. The stinging mechanisms are nematocysts, capsules containing hollow coiled threads with barbs all along their length. There are hundreds of nematocysts on each tentacle and feeding arm of a jellyfish.

The most dangerous jellyfish is the sea wasp, a small box jelly found from Australia to Malaya. Their sting can be deadly because of the high toxicity of their venom. A person stung by a sea wasp can die within minutes, either from the toxin or from drowning because of the paralysis the sting causes. If you're in those waters, wear a full-body wetsuit to survive.

Sea wasps aren't in American waters but larger box jellyfish are. These jellyfish don't have the dome or bell shape that characterizes the class. Their sting is very painful, and if they are swarming and you're caught in the swarm, the number of stings can be lethal. If warnings are posted, or if you can see them, stay out of the water.

The other dangerous jellyfish is the Portuguese man-of-war. These aren't true jellyfish, but have the characteristic dome shape. They're recognizable by their blue color. Even dead ones washed ashore can sting. They're increasing in number as ocean temperatures rise, and moving steadily north.

You can survive a jellyfish sting by treating it with vinegar, so carry a bottle or two of that along with your bottle of drinking water. Carry allergy medications in your pack too because allergic reactions are common. Drench the sting with vinegar, then wipe the area with sand or a towel. Don't touch it as you could be stung as well. Get the injured person to a medical facility as soon as possible, especially if he's showing signs of anaphylactic shock, such as having trouble breathing.

If you think the deadliest wild animal is a grizzly bear, a wolf, or a cougar, you're wrong. Each year, deer kill more humans than any other animal in North America. Deer range almost everywhere in North America, except for northern Canada and Alaska, and parts of Utah. They don't attack humans as prey; they cause car accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are about 1.5 million car-deer accidents each year, and that number is rising. Those accidents kill about 150 people each year, although the number was higher in 2008 and the NHTSA expects it to be still higher in 2009. They cost at least $1.1 billion in property damage; in 1990, the cost was estimated to be over $100 million in Wisconsin alone, and Wisconsin isn't in the top ten states for deer accidents.

Most deer-car accidents occur between October and December, which partly coincides with deer hunting season. It's not hunting that causes the accidents, though; those three months are deer mating season. During the rest of the year, groups of deer have a fairly small home territory, and stay within it. In mating season, or "rut," deer head out to find mates, and are more likely to stray onto roads.

So, what does that have to do with wilderness adventures? If you've been in the back country in the fall, you'll probably be driving home. And you'll probably see deer crossing signs on your route. Some drivers ignore them; a smart driver slows down, especially in the evening, and watches for deer. If you see one deer cross the road, expect more to follow and slow down accordingly. Insurance companies advise using your brights, and warn that deer whistles don't work. Don't swerve if a collision is unavoidable; you may hit another vehicle or a tree and cause more damage.

During the fall, wear a bright jacket to avoid becoming a hunter's target. Good sturdy boots are also a must, and a bright flashlight of your own will help keep deer from your path. And drive carefully when heading home!