The fact that Thomas Gardner is a foodie is written all over his landscape. Likewise, his fondness for flowers. Merge the two, and you have an Eden where dahlias jostle tomatoes and marigolds weave into peppers, with pawpaws loitering not far away. Because Tom sees no reason to segregate his summer squash or to banish […]
Contributing editor Jim Collins wrote about fields of dreams in The Last Best League (Da Capo Press, 2004), a narrative account of one season in the fabled Cape Cod Baseball League. “Of course, no ballpark in New England–or anywhere else–can touch Fenway Park,” he says. “But you already know that.” For photos and histories of […]
Bear biologist Ben Kilham lives in two worlds: human and ursine. Learn more about “the man who watches bears” in New England.
Bees buzzing around your gardens and property are a good thing, and beekeeping has been gaining popularity in the New England states. Sure, it’s a hobby with sweet benefits, but it’s also a way to boost bee pollination, ensuring that the optimum amount of plants are reproducing and bearing fruit — none of which could […]
The most direct walk up to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s hut on Mount Madison rises from the north, along the Valley Way, an ancient, eroded pack trail that lifts 3,550 feet in less than four miles. The gain is relentless, but the grade is moderate, well sheltered, and efficient, and therefore preferred by the hut […]
BEST GARDEN DOUBLE-HEADER Asticou & Thuya Gardens, Northeast Harbor On Mount Desert Island, it’s easy to pair Asticou, a 2.3-acre space famed for its Japanese sand garden, stone lanterns, azaleas, and waterlilies, with nearby Thuya, which blends semiformal English beds with woodland plantings. Asticou, Route 198; Thuya, Route 3. 207-276-3727; gardenpreserve.org BEST CRUISE INTO HISTORY […]
BEST PLACE TO LET ‘ER RIP Okemo Mountain Timber Ripper, Ludlow On the Ripper, billed as “Vermont’s first roller coaster,” riders rocket down 3,100 feet of curves and straightaways on the face of Okemo Mountain. Control your own two-person cart as it hurtles along steel rails at speeds of up to 25 mph. 77 Okemo […]
BEST AIRBORNE ADVENTURE Alpine Adventures, Lincoln Summon your inner child and fly through the trees with the White Mountains as your backdrop. If the rush of adrenaline awakens your competitive side, challenge a friend to a race on the dual zipline. 41 Main St. 603-745-9911; alpinezipline.com BEST PADDLING Androscoggin River & Pontook Reservoir, Milan Steer […]
BEST PLACE TO GET SCHOOLED International Yacht Restoration School, Newport Watch students restore and build classic wooden boats at this harbor campus, which includes a stone wharf and floating docks where you can check out visiting vessels. Or BYOB: build your own dory, canoe, or kayak during a weeklong class. 449 Thames St. 401-848-5777; iyrs.org […]
Yankee Magazine chooses Connecticut’s best local secrets for 2012. BEST MICRODISTILLERY Onyx Spirits Company, Manchester Moonshine’s rising, but no problem, it’s legal. Vodka and limoncello flow fine, too. Set up in Hilliard Mills, where Civil War blankets were once produced; today bottles filled here warm thirsty palates. 640 Hilliard St. 860-550-1939; onyxspirits.com BEST QUIET PLACE […]
Yankee Magazine chooses Connecticut’s best bargains for 2012. BEST BROAD BEACH Silver Sands State Park, Milford Tread across the salt-marsh boardwalk to the wide-open strand. At low tide, carefully cross the sandbar to Charles Island. Lucky visitors may even find Captain Kidd’s rumored treasure. Silver Sands Park Way. 203-735-4311; www.ct.gov/dep/silversands BEST HISTORY AT HALF PRICE […]
There’s a huge granite millstone paving the way to the front door of Skinner Mill, the house in Wells, Maine, that Tom Joyal, of Old House Parts,built for Elaine Triplett and Bob McLaughlin. A small white dog named Tarragon is jumping up and down on it, barking loudly. The sound of Branch Brook, which runs […]
