Your bags are packed, passport and papers in order and you couldn’t be in a higher state of excitement preparing for travel to that wonderful, exotic location. This is vacation you have planned it seems forever. As you sit on plane, you and your partner discuss for hundredth time scuba diving you will do, awesome rock climbing and hikes into rain forest. Everything is perfect!

Life seldom gets better than this.

Despite all excitement of travel, Americans do have some concerns.

According to a survey by Chubb Group, more than 70% of Americans surveyed said their greatest concern when traveling is suffering a medical emergency...more than double fear of being mugged (30.7%), three times fear of being injured in a terrorist attack (23.4%).

What happens if a medical emergency arises when traveling overseas?

Many people assume that while they are out of U.S. or Canada they will be covered by their standard medical plan. However, most traditional health insurance plans are not designed for international travel.

The White Mountain National Forest is about a 4-hour drive north of Boston, Massachusetts. Deep in New Hampshire, mountains are part of Appalachian Mountain system that covers Eastern United States. Within forest park is White Mountains Trail, and it’s a drive that’s arguably most scenic 100 miles in New England. And so you’re in for a real treat. Let’s get started…

White Mountain National Forest Visitor Center…

Most people begin drive from White Mountains Visitor Center in North Woodstock on route 112 and head out on route 3N to Franconia Notch area.

If you’re traveling with kids then you’ll want to pencil dates back in this area at Clark’s Trading Post, and The Whale’s Tale attractions -- both in Lincoln on route 3N. At Clark’s you can see Bears, ride a steam train, climb towers, and generally keep young ones happy. The Whale’s Tale is a water park with a wave pool, picnic areas, changing areas, and live entertainment. Back on road head north towards Franconia Notch. This is a good stretch of road to have your camera at ready. I can’t list all stops you can make, but I’ll mention just two of my favorites in this area of White Mountains.

The Flume Gorge was formed over 200 million years ago when White Mountains were molten rock. It just so happens in this area when it cooled quickly, softer material was forced into fractures that formed. These fractures wore down with natural erosion much quicker that surrounding granite rock -- leaving gorge. And so now you get to enjoy a geological wonder at base of beautiful Mount Liberty.

The Gorge has a visitor center where your tour starts and ends. And don’t forget to check out covered bridge which crosses Pemigewasset River -- it’s one of oldest on White Mountains Trail. The famous attraction you can’t see anymore…

You’re probably thinking why would I mention something you can’t see anymore? Well, truth is... you can see some of it… but you’ll have to imagine rest.

The Old Man of Mountain was a jagged rock profile formed over 10,000 years ago during last Ice Age.

On May 3, 2003, admirers of White Mountains region around world were devastated, when this world famous monument to nature crumbled and crashed to bottom of Cannon Mountain. How could this be everybody asked? Aren’t rocks and mountains... forever? Well, this incident proves they aren’t. Despite years of gargantuan efforts by many people to preserve it, centuries of harsh winter climate found in White Mountains, finally took its toll. It’s worth a stop as you journey on White Mountains Trail to look and wonder at what once was. To me it’s a reminder that nature doesn’t play favorites.