As a native of western N.Y. (that means west of Buffalo, a.k.a the 10th "worst place to live in New York State"), I recognize both its majestic beauty and the dark evil lurking underneath. For all of its wondrous nature, lively ecosystems, and fresh air, it's a minefield of allergens, driving there is dangerous, and a lot of it is haunted (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, mind you).

But as popular a destination as upstate is for weary city-dwellers and New England travelers, preparing for the downsides can greatly enhance your trip. Read on, and the next time you venture to upstate N.Y. be sure to pack plenty of Claritin, drive carefully, and beware of vandals.

Deer

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No deer is Bambi. In fact, many deer act suicidal and will hurl themselves at your car. Deer, when spooked, tend to hurl themselves in one direction away from perceived danger. But despite having excellent peripheral vision and sharp eyesight at night, they're nearly blinded by light (hence the frozen "deer in the headlights" reaction). But mostly, male deer become very stupid when they're in a rut. Some believe that most deer collisions occur during mating season, when male deer are so blinded by hormones that they walk into traffic in search of their next conquest.