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Good Day & Weekend Trips & Ideas

Alphabet Day: a game for your day, your road trip, or time with your kids

8/13/2019

1 Comment

 

Jay Bell

Having more fun with the alphabet than I ever had playing crossword puzzles

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Our version of this game started with a summer sunrise, but it can be completed in a normal day.
​Sometimes you have those days that are pretty wide open: no long list of chores, no big plans, maybe you’re on vacation with a light itinerary for the day. We found ourselves with such a day recently when we were on vacation, and weren’t sure how to spend it. So, just like my friends and I would do as kids, we invented a game, complete with rules and everything.
 
The rules were simple: do whatever we wanted, but find letters that the activities correspond to. The goal was to do stuff that touched on every letter of the alphabet. Intimidating? Nope. This didn’t require doing 26 different things, just doing stuff that involved words starting with all those letters. That meant one activity could score more than one letter. Ready, set, go!
Picture"A... for Abandoned."
​This had the potential to be a stressful challenge that could leave us feeling over-programmed. But we started with a couple of things we definitely wanted to do, a possibility or two, and an assumption we’d find other stuff along the way. We opened up a new Note on my iPhone and marked down letters and words as we went along. If things were duplicates, we didn’t worry in the moment. We figured we’d sort stuff out later in the day and see what was left to tackle.

We wound up having a blast. It was a way to frame our day. It also led us to observe things we might have otherwise missed. And it also provided its own unique laughs. For example, when we went to visit a historical society and they didn’t show up to open their building, we declared we’d been “A… abandoned!” (Sigh.) 

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Hog Island was a good pitstop for lunch, an "I.P.A.", and to take stock of our results so far.
​Conversely, when we went to a local brewery to have lunch and assess what we’d accomplished and what we had left to do, we proudly realized we could declare a trifecta, as we were drinking an “I-P-A”. We spontaneously hit a flea market, and I wound up with a $2 book by one of my favorite authors, eventually needing his N for Novel. And when we thought we wouldn’t come up with an X word, we thought about using Q for Quit. However, we’d learned earlier from a tour guide about the sappy pine trees that were pervasive in our area, and discovered that Xylem is like a tree’s artery, moving the sap through the tree. That became the final letter that gave us the win.
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We stumbled across this farmers market. The natural popsicle was tasty and memorialized as our "P".
​While we played this on a vacation day, and could start the day off before dawn watching a sunrise at the beach, it can be done anywhere. If your summer trips are over and you’re out of ideas for the kids while awaiting the start of the new school year, you can go at it the same way. If you’re a couple staying home for the weekend, it might be a way to discover some new things in your neck of the woods. Our longest activities were about an hour, from our sunrise at the ocean to a tour at an historical society (not the one that didn’t open on time). By contrast, the shortest was about five minutes as we snagged some seltzer water at the Eastham Superette.
 
It doesn’t really matter if you finish, just as long as you have fun in the attempt. Here are our final results, to give you an idea of how random the letters were. Start to finish, we were gone for about nine hours, making it a full day but still fine.
RESULTS
Atlantic Ocean
Beach glass
Conservation Trust (a nature trail)
Driftwood
Eastham Superette
Farmers Market
Guided tour
Historical Society
I.P.A.
Jetty
Ketchup
Lighthouse
Marsh
Novel
Outermost Brewery
Popsicle
Queen Anne’s Lace (flower all around downtown Wellfleet)
One Room Schoolhouse
Sunrise
Conservation Trust
Uncle Tim’s Bridge
Visitors Center
Wellfleet
Xylem (who knew science was exciting?)
Yarrow flower
Zucchini
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This bouy pyramid on a town green didn't wind up being used for a letter. But it was still a fun find, and we'd never have checked out if we weren't playing this game.
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Walking among shops, we noticed plenty of Queen Anne's Lace.
​Again, there’s nothing magical about this. But if you decide to take the challenge, you’ll likely wind up getting absorbed into the adventure, and probably walk away with some random stories and some new discoveries. If so, we’d love you to drop us a comment or email and tell us about your own adventure!
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Old Colony Rail Trail: a unique way to explore a beautiful area

6/30/2019

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Jay Bell

Jay Bell, temporarily trading a beach and a bathing suit for a bike and a beer

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Cape Cod's Old Colony Rail Trail offers varied scenery at a leisurely pace.
Often, when people head to beach towns on summer vacation, they may have expectations of sitting by the ocean and digging their toes into the sand. But for those who enjoy being more active, sometimes there’s a craving to indulge in something physical to offset the downtime and daiquiris. Cape Cod’s Old Colony Rail Trail (OCRT) offers a chance not just for exercise, but also an opportunity to better explore the area in a way not possible by car or walking.
 
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is the most well-known bike path on the Cape, now stretching from Yarmouth to Wellfleet. But if you’re not an avid cyclist, the roughly-fifty mile trip is too far if you want to traverse the whole distance. The OCRT, running from Yarmouth to Chatham, is roughly half the mileage, offering a legit but shorter route. 
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The OCRT allows cyclists a safer route to explore parts of Cape Cod.
By way of background and perspective, the reclaimed path of an old railroad route promotes activity and appreciation of nature, and takes advantage of the clearing and grading previously done for the railroad tracks. Studies are now showing that these sorts of trails not only are enjoyable for users, but they also promote increased property values, support small businesses, and facilitate tourism-based economic development. Oh, yeah, they’re also a lot of fun!
For the OCRT, the Cape is already tourism-centric and filled with small businesses, so it’s in a good position to incorporate such an effort into its broad array of activities. It has a number of highlights along its fairly flat route, from cranberry bogs to ponds and lakes, and wooded areas to quaint parts of towns. The street crossings and pedestrians out walking with strollers or pets on leash are grounds for caution, but the crossings are well marked and the path is wide enough for multiple users. The minimal climbs also make this route less demanding, which allows more people to ride and more riders to focus on the views instead of the cranks of the pedals.
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Chatham Airport's Hangar B Eatery lets you rest and refuel while watching planes taking off and landing.
The OCRT initially is on the same route as the Cape Cod Rail Trail to Wellfleet before branching off. Along with the views, you can stop at Devil’s Purse Brewery in Dennis, First Crush Winery in Harwich, Short ‘n’ Sweet Ice Cream in South Chatham, and the Chatham airport and its Hangar B café.
 
At the halfway point, and before heading back, you can also lock your bikes up and stroll Chatham’s downtown, one of the better ones on the Cape. In addition to its varied stores, you can enjoy lunch at the Squire, its well-known dive bar. Or, you can grab a cold drink and a sandwich at Chatham Cookware and then sit outside on a bench and watch the crowds strolling along Main Stream. Alternatively, you can pop into Snowy Owl, tucked behind a Lily Pulitzer store along Main Street, for some small batch coffee to enjoy under the shade of a tree.
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Snowy Owl has a small coffee shop tucked behind Chatham's Main Street and under the shade of overhanging trees, to give you some energy for your return trip.
​For those inclined to give this a try, the trail was recently extended westward to Station Avenue in Yarmouth. But starting at the parking area on Route 134 in Dennis is easiest. You may choose to simplify, as you have the option to rent bikes from a bike shop adjacent to that same parking lot.
 
Devil’s Purse Brewery is close to the parking lot and is maybe a quarter-mile off the rail trail, making it a perfect spot for near-apres ride refreshment; cyclists regularly unclip and stroll in for a flight of these varied and excellent craft beers before finishing the last five minutes of riding.
 
Whatever your pit stops, and however long you choose to ride or shop or people-watch, the Old Colony Rail Trail allows you to cover a lot of ground. But, you can do so casually, without sitting in traffic, and seeing some parts of the Cape you might not otherwise run across, all at a more casual pace. There’s still plenty of opportunity for downtime at the beach in the morning or afternoon. But for those who also need to burn off the prior night’s mudslides or clam chowder, or for those who are just wired to often be on the go, the Old Colony Rail Trail is a hidden gem of Cape Cod.
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You've got a mile left to your 25-mile ride. Come on, pop into Devil's Purse for the perfect apres-ride drink. (You've earned it!)
Key Details
  • Old Colony Rail Trail map (~25 miles)
  • Devil’s Purse Brewery (Dennis) 
  • First Crush Winery (Harwich)  
  • Hangar B Eatery at the Chatham airport 
  • Short ‘n’ Sweet Ice Cream (South Chatham)
  • Barb’s Bike Shop (Dennis)
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Father’s Day Ideas: tips for the perfect gift!

6/13/2019

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Jay Bell

Wondering if this will be a source of inspiration for my own family...

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An executive course and best ball format can make golf easier and fun for everyone.
Sometimes, birthdays and bigger events like Father’s Day can seem more focused on the people organizing the event, or about objects, versus something more experience-based that also caters to the person being celebrated. In general, guys tend to be happy doing stuff outdoors, playing games, and maybe having a beer or some other drink. They also will never object to a group of people telling them how wonderful they are.  This can often work far better than a tie or a new grill or having to get dressed up for a fancy lunch.
 
So, for Father’s Day, if you were to play to the Dad of Honor, you might consider starting off with something outside. Perhaps it’s golf, which tons of guys like this. And it doesn’t have to be Pebble Beach. It can be anything from playing 18 holes as a foursome to mini golf with littler ones, or something in between (such as an “executive par 3” which is a pristine-looking golf course that isn’t as long so it can be quicker to play). Courses can also be played as nine holes instead of the full 18. Kids can enjoy driving the cart, too, and you can often rent clubs. Plus, you can always play a "best ball" format or just pick it up if need be. It's not about the score!
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Mini golf can allow younger kids to play dad's favorite sport. Maybe they'll even get a hole in 1!
Some examples of places that don’t get too packed or may not even require reservations include Pirate’s Cove mini golf with locations around the region and beyond; or the executive courses at the Berlin Country Club (no reservations) or King's Way on the Cape. Or the full-sized but not too hard Ellinwood Country Club in Athol (western Massachusetts) and Waterville Valley Golf Course in the heart of the White Mountains.
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New England has plenty of easy day hikes with fantastic views.
Or experience a more natural version of the outdoors, with a milder day hike or renting canoes. These can be casual, but can offer great views. Mount Monadnock in Southern New Hampshire and Skinner State Park both have killer views but reasonable hikes.
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Experiences can be unique but not strenuous.
You can easily rent canoes or kayaks in plenty of places, from just outside of Boston, to historic Concord; or  up near Bethel, Maine. Vermont Canoe & Kayak even has begun linking some of its routes with other places such as Boyden Valley Winery and Smugglers Notch Distillery. If these are too physical, you could opt for a trail ride on horseback, such as in central Massachusetts or behind Canon Mountain, New Hampshire.
Even if the special dad in your life isn’t outdoorsy, the premise still applies. He would probably get a kick out of a group hatchet throwing event, or driving souped up go karts.
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Hog Island is a craft brewer with food and games for the whole family.
​As noted with Vermont Canoe & Kayak, you can take the activity to a next-level experience by pairing it with something else, such as a family-friendly opportunity for a craft drink. In some cases, “family-friendly” may mean you can bring your kids, while in others it means you’re an adult bringing your older father. So, predictably, you’d just want to double check to ensure this fits with your family.
 
For example, Vermont’s Boyden Valley Winery and Smuggler’s Notch Distillery are more adult-oriented. But if you finished at King's Way, Hog Island is an awesome brewery, with food, lots of games, and a great atmosphere for all ages (including teens). Or the Nashoba Valley Winery, featuring a huge orchard, and wine, beer, and spirits, is extremely accommodating of all versions of a family, making it the perfect spot if you were at the Berlin Country Club; the nearby Battle Road brewery also has games, outdoor seating, and great BBQ at a renovated mill. Sunday River Brewing has a full service restaurant and often has live music, which pairs well with a couple of hours spent on the Androscoggin River.
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Any experience designed with activities dad would love will create lasting memories!
Lastly, don’t feel restricted to a Sunday event. Sure, it’s the official day so you’d need to at least do a little something. But it could be really minor. If Saturday allowed a day without work the next day hanging over his head, or a chance to venture farther afield on a road trip, the dad in your life would understand. If it makes for a better experience with family, then the day that it occurs isn’t nearly as important.
 
The point of all of this is that, as a father, I can attest that experiences mean more than material gifts, and experiences that show an understanding of what I enjoy doing are more meaningful as well. These don’t have to be elaborately constructed or expensive; they don’t require reservations made months in advance. They only require thinking about what I like, who I love, and how to combine all of those things. Those simple guidelines are all it takes to create a lasting memory.

Best of luck to you and the dad in your life!
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Top Ideas for Surviving New England's Mud Season

4/11/2019

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Jay Bell

Adding water to "dirt therapy" and seeing what happens.

Mud Season: that time of year when you can’t ski, when you want to get outdoors, but when the world hasn’t quite sprung to life yet. It’s a final tease from the weather gods, but there are a few ways you can embrace this dirtiness and actually take advantage of it that might be tough to do during the rest of the year
​1. Early-season mountain biking and hiking
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Nothing like a little mud, sweat, and gears to get the outdoor season underway!
Listen, these are dirty sports anyway, so why not go all in? I mean, really embrace that reality? Bombing through a mud puddle and feeling the splatter on your legs, then on your back from your rear wheel can play to your inner eight-year-old. You can eye muddy spots and guess how deep they are before recklessly charging ahead to find out. “Too deep” is a totally acceptable answer! Or, some shorter hikes can help rebuild your hiking legs, and the slipperiness is sort of like a full-body workout, as you fight to stay upright.  Of course, any time you do fall, it’s important to get on your feet as quickly as possible and exclaim to whomever you’re with (or no one in particular), “I’m OK! Nothing to see here!”
(Note: in this case, please be mindful and skip muddy areas if they’ll create erosion as a result. Puddles that reform instead of washing away are the ones to look for.)
2. Brush burn
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Possibly the most relaxing, enjoyable home improvement project you can do!
It’s really the world’s best home improvement project. You have a big fire going all day long, but half the time you’re sitting in a camp chair with a beer in your hand while you improve your property’s value a smidge. Easy-peasy! Plus, there’s something entertaining about having a marginally out-of-control fire that you allegedly can control with a metal rake and a garden hose. You can make the most of it by cooking over that fire – hot dogs or s’mores, anyone? Or order pizza and tell them to look for the flames rising several feet in the air. Tip: if you can get several friends over to help, just grab a log, periodically move around, but don’t work too hard. Friends won’t realize you’re not actually doing anything and they’ll do all the hard work! 
3. Volunteering for trail clean-up
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Towns and various conservation groups often have organized clean-up efforts, and the start of warmer weather is good timing for many of them. This effort helps prepare the trails for use over the upcoming months, can offer an opportunity for socializing and for exercise, and obviously supports a good 
cause. Sometimes, there are also planned efforts to expand trails. While the organizations may provide the clean-up tools and may also give you some snacks and hydration, it’s good to check beforehand. Town conservation departments or your favorite nonprofits may have details on their websites. NEMBA, a regional mountain biking nonprofit, often enjoys going to a pub afterwards. Whichever the case, it’s a good way to pay back for the trails you may spend the upcoming months enjoying.
4. Puddle hunting
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Sure, you could go around it. But why not jump through it instead?
When you were a little kid, there’s a decent chance that at some point you would jump in some rain puddle. In this case, especially after or during a soaking spring rain, revert to your childhood self. This can be particularly fun with your kids, who might be thrilled at the chance to seek out these puddles and mud spots and jump into them with gusto. Seeing their parent doing it alongside them might happily surprise them. It has a near-100% chance of enjoyment. I mean, think about it. How can you go jump up and down, get muddy and soaked, and wear a frown on your
face? No kid can, and I bet any grown-up giving this a shot can’t, either. Impossible!
(Again, a reminder to avoid puddles that will wash away and cause erosion.)

5. Off-roading
You get muddy, except you don’t personally get muddy. It’s just on the outside. Sure, you could get stuck. But if you can go off-roading, you’re probably smart enough to not get too carried away. Or you’ve got a friend with a winch. Even exploring and scouting for dirt roads while listening to music could be a fun way to kill a couple hours. There’s some fun afterwards, too. Let’s 
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I promise to get this thing muddier next time!
be honest, if you’re on the highway and some vehicle is nearby caked in mud, you’ll notice and probably admire it a little bit and wonder what fun they were having. Here’s your chance to be the one caked in mud. ​

​Whatever the case, mud season is short and will pass. But rather than lamenting it, just embrace it and see what adventures and stories might spring from that. Enjoy!
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Nantucket's Daffodil Festival Springs the Island to Life

8/13/2017

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Jay Bell

Purveyor of Road Trips

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Every year Nantucket bursts into life on the last weekend in April. The annual Daffodil Festival celebrates the arrival of Spring and awakening of an island largely dormant for the prior six months. With a wide array of activities, the biggest challenge is probably deciding what to do. 
 
A fast ferry rounds the daffodil-wreathed Brant Point Lighthouse at Nantucket’s harbor entrance. 
 
We’ve now been several times: with and without kids, and as day trips and a weekend-long stay, and all have been great experiences. Ferry tickets can book up, so we’ve made a point of reserving early. We also find the fast ferry to be a great option, especially for the return trip, since it isn’t very expensive and reduces the trip to less than half the time of the slow ferry. The one mandate is to wear yellow! 
 
Saturday is the focal point of the festival, with a parade of antique cars decked out with daffodils and some people picking their own unique theme. The procession is lined up in the cobblestone downtown beforehand, where onlookers can inspect cars up close, chat with the parade participants, and capture some entertaining photographs. But that parade is by no means the only event of note. 
 
Other theme-oriented processions and events center around dogs, hats, and storefront windows, all of which are decked out appropriately.  All can be fun to join or just to check out. But these events are just scratching the surface of this weekend-long celebration that starts on Friday.
A variety of tours are available to choose from, including historical walks around the downtown area, to van tours of the island for island newbies and photographers, to ghost walks. Options also include nature areas, lighthouses, and spectacular sunsets. Some of the walks can be brisk, and others require reservations, so some planning is important. 

There are also other types of events: flower and photography classes; historical society special events around whaling, founding families, and the Nantucket Whaling Museum’s interesting mix of exhibits and artifacts. For families with younger children, the family beach picnic is a great choice after the parade. Wine tastings can 
be fun for grown-ups.  Artistic movies, live music, and other events can also be fun to check out. 
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Many of the restaurants open at least briefly, as a way to dust off the cobwebs before May begins to see the uptick in tourists in advance of Memorial Weekend. Many stores also reopen, offering sales and a great mix of merchandise to browse. Cisco Brewers, on the far side of the island, also offers a familyfriendly atmosphere along with its beers, wine, and spirits, and live music in a great location; the shuttle running from downtown makes this easy and inexpensive to get to. 
 
We found that staying over for the weekend allowed an opportunity to really immerse ourselves in the experience. One day can be a blast, and also exhausting by the time we’re on the return ferry. Staying near downtown provided easier access to many events, and allowed us to briefly return to our room when desired. While Nantucket can be expensive, we found reasonably priced rooms to choose from. Choosing one with a small kitchen further defrayed our costs while giving us more food options. 
 
Aside of the official events, we also enjoyed simply strolling around downtown in the early morning fog, going for a run, sitting at a small park with an afternoon coffee as we watched a unicyclist successfully navigate the cobblestone street, and meandering through historic sites such as a cemetery where many of the island’s founding fathers are buried.  
 
The whole island is celebratory, and after a winter of seclusion, fate seems to typically want to reward it with surprisingly good weather. However, it’s not as busy as it becomes a month later, so this is often a 
good time to visit without having to fight the masses to get a table for dinner. We’ve not needed a car, which can be a real challenge anyways, opting for taxis for the limited times they’re needed.  
 
Nantucket’s rich history, easily navigated island, and mix of events have given us some of our favorite memories each of the last few years. Its online event listing is updated up until right before the event, which also helps us map out the key activities we want to enjoy. This, along with the great vibe, make Nantucket’s Daffodil Festival a must-do springtime event to check out! ​
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