This Issue | April 2017

My father is a car guy. When I was a kid, a parade of vehicles entered and exited the scene. There were periods when I wasn’t even sure how many cars my dad owned (was it five or 15?), and I’m not positive that my pop, who rented several different storage units, did either.

His collection often favored clunkers, but a few of the cars were spectacular, including a 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible. Packing both horsepower and beauty, it was deep red with a big block engine that sounded happy only if the speedometer was climbing. For some unknown reason, my father allowed his teenage son to drive that beautiful car on occasion. On summer nights, I’d take that ’Vette out with a friend and we’d roam all over southern New Hampshire, our hearts racing as we hit an open stretch of highway and brought up the motor. For a couple of 17-year-olds, it felt as though we were tapping into the very essence of summer.

Today, my car of choice leans toward the practical (a Volkswagen station wagon, thank you very much), but the excitement of hitting the open road, of seeing where the summer season will take me, remains. I suspect that many of you know what I’m describing, which is why I’m thrilled to share with you our favorite drives in New England. Coastal routes, inland journeys, mountain excursions—they’re all here. Expensive sports car not included, or needed. The season awaits. Happy travels.

Ian Aldrich Deputy Editor @ialdrich