It's true: Summer has officially wound down. But look on the bright side: solar deficit disorder offers all the more reason to escape the gray as winter approaches with an extended weekend elsewhere (to say nothing of the screaming shoulder-season deals to be had this month). From high alpine adventures in sunny Central Oregon to culinary explorations in the ray-baked Wenatchee Valley, we’ve picked a dozen destinations worth burning a few vacation days on. All you have to do is choose the weekend and the way you get there.