Water, water everywhere is not so good for farmers trying to harvest crops. But the water is making waterfalls flow at Starved Rock State Park.

"I photographed Kaskaskia Canyon in May of 2009 and was surprised to see how different it looked in late October of the same year," said Kathy Casstevens, marketing director for Starved Rock Lodge,

Beware: Hikers must use caution. Paths are muddy and slippery. Walking sticks are helpful when crossing streams. Trail maps are available at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center and the lodge.

Christmas at Branson

Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson, Mo., is offering the "Ozark Mountain Christmas Package" now through Dec. 30.

The resort is minutes from Branson and located on a mountaintop overlooking Missouri's Table Rock Lake.

The package includes two nights accommodations in a traditional king room; a $50 food and beverage credit at the resort for use during the stay; a specially-selected Chateau Christmas ornament; use of the indoor pool, hot tub and fitness facilities; and free indoor parking. It also includes two-day tickets for two adults to the Silver Dollar City theme park that celebrates "An Old Time Christmas" festival in November and December.

Cost based on double occupancy is $390 per room. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-333-5253, or visit www.ChateauOnTheLake.com.

Best casino hotels

Bellagio Las Vegas led the recently-published list of Top 10 Casino Hotels on Tripwatch.com. In fact, Las Vegas hotel/casinos held the top four spots. Wynn Las Vegas was second, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino was third and Caesars Palace Classic Hotel was fourth.

Eldorado Resort Casino in Shreveport, La., took the fifth position followed by Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, N.J.; MGM Grand Detroit; Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.; Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino, in Puerto Rico; and the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

Fly high

Speaking of Vegas, find yourself on Cloud Nine with a bird's-eye view of the Las Vegas skyline from nearly 500 feet in the air. The balloon is the City of Lights' latest attraction. Tethered to the ground, the balloon can safely take up to 30 passengers at a time. Tickets start at $17.50 for children and $22.50 for adults. For more information, visit www.Cloud9vegas.com. The balloon is across from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Best family resorts

Parents magazine recently published results of its first-ever 10 Best Snow Resorts for Families survey. Parents focused on reports with room rates of less than $250 per night, or $400 for an all inclusive daily package. Top finishers were: Jackson Gore Inn in Ludlow, Vt.; The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Beaver Creek in Avon, Colo.; the Lodge at Suncadia in Cle Elum, Wash.; Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H.; The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa in Telluride, Colo.; Woodloch Pines in Hawley, Pa.; Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt.; Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville, Mich.; Resort at Squaw Creek in Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa in Park City, Utah. Visit parents.com/snowresorts for more.