Review This

ThermaCELL ProFLEX Remote Controlled Heated Insoles

2014-11-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

$159 on Amazon

Our Quick Take On ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles: They are expensive and take some time to get used to as your regular insoles, but they do work as advertised keeping your feet warm. The batteries last long enough for most day-long activities and the wireless remote makes it easy to control them. One of the coolest useful gadgets we have the opportunity to review.

PROS: Not difficult to get started with, Easy to use and control, Keeps feet warm, Charge lasts long enough for day-long activities
CONS: Expensive, A bit stiff and thick for an insole

Have you ever hiked in the winter and wished your feet could just be a bit warmer? We have and that was one reason we were excited to try out the ProFLEX heated insoles from ThermaCELL. As someone whose feet seem to get chilled as soon as I stop hiking, skiing or snowshoeing no matter what sock or what boot I wear, I thought a supplemental heat source that is almost built into the boot would be far superior than trying to use chemical hand warmers to add some heat.

“Remote controlled heated insoles...” I wondered too about things like wires, batteries and uncomfortable objects in your boots. I was surprised to find that ThermaCELL has done a decent job tackling these issues. The insoles are run by rechargeable batteries that fit into the insole and the temperature of the insoles is controlled wirelessly by a small remote control that you carry. The remote is small, light (only an ounce or two) and easy to carry in a pocket. The rechargeable lithium ion batteries for the insoles are located in the heel portion and are padded, so when they are inserted into the insoles, you notice very little difference between the battery and the rest of the insole.

There are three heat settings for the insoles: standby; medium; and high and there is an internal thermostat that regulates the insoles to keep them from overheating your feet. The goal of the insoles is to keep your feet at your regular body temperature and they work harder the colder it is to do that. On the medium setting the batteries last for about 5 hours, but I have found that I rarely use them continuously so they last longer. One thing to consider is that standby really is standby, the insoles are still using energy from the batteries. The only way to turn them off is to remove the battery, in which case the insoles cannot be used because of the hole the batteries would leave. Charging up the batteries is straightforward with the included charger.

For me, I find I turn on the heating portion of the insole when I stop hiking and I am not actively working to raise my body temperature. At those times, the insoles can kick on with some heat and keep my feet comfortable so they never dip into the getting cold territory.

What about comfort? This is probably the only place I am a bit disappointed with these devices. I do not find them to be as comfortable as a good pair of regular insoles in my hiking boots, but I have been on a couple of hikes with them now without any serious problems or foot pain. To me, it is more that they just feel a bit more stiff (most likely due to the heating elements inside) than a regular insole and take some getting used to. They definitely keep your foot a bit higher up in the boot, so you will have to adjust your lacing a bit. My first time out with them I ended up adjusting my boots several times until I was able to get to a comfortable spot for activities

Overall though, they do keep your feet warm as advertised and for someone who is often chilly during winter activities, I will be looking forward to having these with me this winter.

ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles are available in sizes from small to extra-extra-large and can be trimmed to properly fit your boot. When you purchase them, they come with the two insoles, two battery packs, a charger and power cord, the remote control with lanyard and a small carrying bag for the insoles and the remote. They are available through most outdoor retailers and sell from about $150 to $200.

Amazon.com Widgets

The insoles were provided to us free of charge in return for a review at our sister site Adventures in the Outdoors.

Woodstock, NY | Catskill Mountains

2014-07-06T09:24:00.001-07:00

Pros: Great cultural resources, Unique shops and boutiques, Lots of restaurants, Outdoor resources
Cons: Can get very crowded in the summertime, Hard to find parking at times

Between the cultural and natural resources of Woodstock, it’s an amazing place to visit, but when you hear the name Woodstock you might first think of the 1969 festival, but that was actually held in Bethel, NY. Woodstock has its own charms though and stands out on by itself as a destination worth your time.

Today, Woodstock is a small village tucked against the eastern escarpment of the Catskill Mountains and is in the shadow on Overlook Mountain. The village boasts a number of different restaurants, shops, galleries and cultural activities and is well worth the visit if you are in the Catskill Mountains.

Where’s Woodstock?

Located within the Catskill Park but outside of the major mountain ranges (it rests at the base of the eastern escarpment), Woodstock in nestled at the base of Overlook Mountain. It can be accessed via Route 212 and Route 375 and is about a half an hour from the Saugerties or Kingston exits on the New York State Thruway.

Places to stay?

There are a number of different hotels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds within the Woodstock itself and in the vicinity nearby. I’d suggest you have reservations ahead of time for most of the year, especially in the summertime when the most people visit the Woodstock area.

What makes Woodstock special?

For most of the last century Woodstock has been home to an active artist colony and has hosted a number of different artists. Today the artist colony is still there and there are a number of different galleries and spaces where you can explore and learn about the arts and crafts being created in Woodstock.

The artists colony in Woodstock draws a lot of people to the area, which has resulted in a small town with some really big cultural offerings. Not only are there art galleries and display spaces, but playhouses and theaters along with musical concerts throughout the area.

That cultural base has also drawn in unique retail outlets which make up the heart of the village. You can walk down the street visiting small shops that sell local jewelry, art, books and more. Best of all – you won’t find a single chain store in the area – almost all the shops are unique to Woodstock.

In addition to the shopping opportunities, Woodstock hosts a number of restaurants and people can find almost any kind of food that they are looking for. There’s everything from simple pizza places to more elaborate (and fancy) restaurants.

What to do in Woodstock?

Depending on what you want to do, you can probably find it in Woodstock. Being in the Catskills, the natural world is never far. There are several trail heads within 15 to 20 minutes of Woodstock that let you hike and climb into the mountains to the north and west. The Esopus River is nearby and offers visitors a chance for white-water rafting and tubing. In the wintertime, Belleayre Mountain, Hunter Mountain and Ski Windham are all nearby ski resorts.

For those who want to stay right in Woodstock, there are art galleries, display spaces, theaters and concerts to visit and attend. Not only that, many of the artisans offer various classes and workshops throughout the year for those who are interested in the arts. You can attend a workshop on painting or photography or get your chance to act on stage.

If shopping is what you like, there are plenty of unique and individual shops scattered throughout the downtown village of Woodstock. You can stroll along the streets exploring these shops and then when you get hungry, there are a number of different places to eat – from very simple to very fancy.

One of my favorite activities in Woodstock is getting to people watch. The town attracts so many different kinds of people and its fun to sit in the Town Square and watch everyone go by. I usually get myself some ice cream and we sit and relax and watch the world go by.

Getting around Woodstock

For the central village area of Woodstock the easiest way to get around is to park in one of the municipal lots and then walk around. The village area is small enough to walk around and gets so crowded that it’s hard to drive and find a parking spot in the village itself. For the more distant activities in Town, it’s easy enough to drive and find parking either in provided lots or along the street.

My experiences in Woodstock

Having grown up in the Mountains just to the north of Woodstock, I often visited first with my parents and then on my own with friends and nowadays with my spouse.

On almost every visit we take the time to explore the shops in downtown. My favorite is the bookstore, which is so crowded with books that I always find something new on each visit. Not only are there lots of books, but it’s one of the best resources of local books around.

We often go down to Woodstock for dinner too – always calling ahead for reservations, especially in the summertime. There are a number of great places to eat and while not every meal has been perfect, we haven’t run across a place we really haven’t liked.

Final Thoughts

It might not be the real location of the Woodstock festivals, but Woodstock, New York has a vibe that is all its own. Filled with artisans and their work spaces, playhouses and theaters, unique shops and almost limitless restaurants, Woodstock has a lot to offer in such a small area. I think it would be hard for anyone not to find something that they enjoyed in Woodstock.

Not only that, Woodstock is in the Catskill Park and is surrounded by the natural resources of the Catskills. You can go hiking nearby, tube down the Esopus River or in the wintertime go skiing.

Between the cultural and natural resources of Woodstock, it’s an amazing place to visit. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to fully explore it – since there is just so much to find and explore.

More to Explore in the Catskills

Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway | Lake George, NY | Adirondack Mountains

2014-06-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Pros: Great views, Easy Drive, Located close to Lake George
Cons: None really

Are you in Lake George on a clear day? Do you want to get a great view of the entire area?

If you do, you should consider taking a drive up the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. The road travels up the mountain and ends on its summit where you can get some amazing views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.

Well worth the small toll, this road is a great way to spend a few hours.

Where do I find the Prospect Mountain Highway?

That Highway actually starts in Lake George, not that far from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.

The Highway begins at the intersection of Route 9 and 9N where it then crosses over I87 (The Northway) and comes to a toll booth. From the toll booth the Highway makes its way up Prospect Mountain. There are a number of really good views on the way up.

My favorite on the entire road is one that gives you a liner view of the Lake George Valley. The lake fills the valley and the mountains climb up on either side. It’s especially pretty in the fall as the mountainsides are bursting with color. It's actually the view that shows up here on the review!

Driving Up

Don’t expect the sometimes harrowing drive of the Mount Washington Auto Road here. The Prospect Mountain Highway is a well constructed, 2-lane, paved and generally gently graded road from its base all the way to the summit of Prospect Mountain. It’s a very easy drive, which shouldn't challenge anyone’s driving skills.

There are a number of parking areas along the road at the various viewpoints along the way. I’d suggest stopping at each one, even if you don’t get out of the car as they are all beautiful views and worth some of your time.

The entire road is just under 6 miles long so it won’t take that long to reach the summit, even if you are stopping and enjoying the views along the way. Depending on just how long you spend at each view, expect to spend about a half an hour to an hour traveling up the mountain.

Once you’ve made it to the top, there’s a large parking lot and extensive views. On a clear day its said you can see about 100 miles, which is well into Vermont to the east, the Adirondack mountains to your north and west and into southern New York and a bit of Massachusetts to your south and southeast.

I always make sure to pack a sandwich when I make the drive up Prospect Mountain. With good weather, it’s the perfect place to relax, take in the view, and enjoy a picnic.

The drive back down is via the same road where you have an opportunity to stop at a view point that you may have missed.

Considerations

I really wouldn't bother driving up Prospect Mountain via the Highway unless it’s a nice day. The real attraction at Prospect Mountain is the view and with a lousy day, it isn’t really worth the toll to drive up the mountain.

Plan on at least 2-3 hours for a trip up and back down Prospect Mountain. You’ll spend most of that traveling up the mountain and then enjoying its summit. The trip down is usually quick as you’ve already seen everything on the way up.

The roadway is only open during the late spring, summer and early fall months and is only open to traffic during the day.

Final Thoughts

If I’m vacationing in Lake George, I make sure that we get up Prospect Mountain sometime during the trip when we have a clear day. It takes a few hours and it’s a great way to show off the area to someone who’s never been there. Not only that, even if you’ve already seen it, the views always change and I always find the few hours rewarding.

My favorite time of the year to travel the Proposect Mountain Highway is in the fall. The foilage along the way is stunning and the views offer you a chance to see the gold, yellows and reds as they spread across the neighboring valley and mountain sides.

I’d recommend that anyone vacationing in the Lake George region take a few hours out of their day (on a clear day) to make this trip. You won’t be disappointed.

Lake George Historical Association Museum | Lake George, NY | Adirondack Mountains

2014-06-28T19:58:00.001-07:00

Pros:Free! Interesting and Educational, Covers a wide variety of topics
Cons:Probably at least somewhat boring to kids (except for the jail cells)

If you are visiting the village of Lake George and you are looking to spend some time learning about the history of the area in a laid back (and free) environment, the Lake George Historical Association's Museum is a great stop.

Finding the Lake George Historical Association Museum

The Museum is very easy to find. It is located right on the main drag of the village (290 Canada Street) towards the northern end of the village. There is some parking for the museum, but the vast majority of the parking in Lake George Village is on-street parking that you must pay for. There are a few lots located in the outskirts too if you can find them.

Getting In andSpending Time

One of the great things about the Museum is there's no admission fee. After paying through the nose for other activities in Lake George, this is a nice change. They do ask for a small donation, but you are not required if you visit the museum.

I would plan to spend about 45 minutes or so to go completely through the museum and read through each of the exhibits. Kids will probably spend less time as the exhibits tend to be static. There are lots of pictures and artifacts to look at and lots of explanations to read, something kids probably will not be that interested in.

What's there?

There are three floors to the museum. You enter on the 1st floor, which is home to the old courtroom along with a small exhibit room and a small gift shop and informational center. Upstairs are several more exhibit rooms and down in the basement is a recreation of the old courthouse's jail along with several other exhibits.

The courtroom is home to exhibits on the history of the area in general. On our most recent visit there was an exhibit on Lake George as a whole, which lets you locate and identify various historical locations along the lake. There was also information on the local battles during the French and Indian War and information on revolutionary war history. In the small exhibit room before the courthouse, there was an exhibit on contributions of women to the Lake George region over the years.

Upstairs were a number of different exhibits. The first was on the history of ships in Lake George and the archaeological investigations of the sunken ships from the French and Indian War period. I thought this was really interesting as there have been some amazing discoveries at the bottom of Lake George and there's even an underwater historical park protecting these shipwrecks that I did not know about. There were also a few exhibits on life in the Lake George area through the different time periods since its founding.

Down in the basement was my favorite part. It was a bit damp and musty, but they have a number of exhibits that you travel through as you make your way to the jail cells all the way in the back. There were exhibits on the history of Prospect Mountain, along with a number of others that were interesting to read through as we made our way. We enjoyed checking out the cells and getting pictures of each other ‘in jail' too.

Experiences

This is not a world-class museum by any measure, but the Historical Association has done a great job and pulling together a number of different aspects of the history of the Lake George region. I know I learned a thing or two in the 30-40 minutes or so we spent wandering around the museum.

Final Thoughts

I think a trip to the Lake George Historical Association Museum in the village of Lake George is something that anyone visiting the village should do. It is something free to do in Lake George (a rarity), it is quite interesting and I bet you will learn a thing or two about the history of the region. I know I did and I have spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks and the Lake George region.

Autumn Garden | Chinese Takeout | Uxbridge, Massachusetts

2014-06-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Do you live in Blackstone Valley area of Massachusetts and want to visit a good Chinese food restaurant? While focused on take-out, Autumn Garden Chinese Restaurant has some of the best food that I've had at a Chinese restaurant. Seriously, this place is that good. We've yet to bring someone there that hasn't enjoyed their meal and we've brought quite a few people to "that Chinese restaurant we rave about" as people we know call it.

We first discovered Autumn Garden when we were living in Uxbridge, since it is located there and it was the closest Chinese take-out for us. We loved the food from the start and even though we left Uxbridge several years go, we still go back almost once a month to have a meal there.

Finding Autumn Garden

Autumn Garden is located in the Hannaford Plaza along Route 122 just north of the center of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The plaza has plenty of parking and the restaurant is between the Hallmark Store and a hair salon.

Autumn Garden is primarily a take-out restaurant, however there are about five 4-person tables where people either wait for their take-out or eat. In our case, we eat there.

Autumn Garden address is 158 North Main Street, Uxbridge, MA 01569 and their telephone number is (508) 278-9399.

Loving Autumn Garden

Okay, so there's some ambiance that's lacking, but the restaurant makes up for this in good food. The two owners, a married couple work there and make all the food themselves, which I like because over the years my partner and I have developed a casual friendship with them and so when we come in, it's not like just walking into a normal restaurant. We're greeted, they already know what we want to have and it just feels good to be there.

Not only that, but we love the food. We always start with a wonton soup which is one of the best wonton soups I've ever had. We have one friend that comes with us just to get a large bowl of the wonton soup she loves it so much.

What can you eat?

There are all the standard choices you'd find at any restaurant with a selection of soups, appetizers, fried rice, and entrees. My favorite part of the menu though is the fact that they have a wide selection of combination meals for both lunch and dinner. It seems like there's almost a combination for everything and to please everyone. For me, I almost always get the D11 or the D12 which is beef or chicken with broccoli. In addition to that, you get pork fried rice, chicken fingers and chicken teriyaki. Other combinations include a more appetizer based one that my partner loves, the D1. That comes with the fried rice, chicken teriyaki, boneless spare ribs and chicken fingers. There's also combination meals that include other entrees and other appetizers depending on what you like.

The best part? None of the combination meals are over $10. You get all that food at a great price.

At lunch there's a smaller set of combination plates available at a lower cost (you get one less appetizer in general with the meal), but you can still get the main combination plates too.

Since this is a take-out restaurant, there's a refrigerator that has a selection of drinks available too. However that's it for refreshments.

Service

For take-out the service is pretty straightforward. You can either call your order in or stop in and order and they'll put it together and package it up for you. Most stuff can be ready in less than 20 minutes, but for bigger orders, give them some extra time. We often order from Autumn Garden when we get together with family that still live there and we usually call our order in about an hour ahead of time to give them enough time to get everything together.

If you're going to eat there, don't expect anything fancy. The seating is in booths and the owners will break out the meals for you along with some duck sauce and utensils. If you need anything else, you'll have to get up and ask for it.

I actually like eating at the restaurant since I think the food tastes better. It's not packed in styrofoam or other containers, plus when it's brought out to you, it's fresh from the kitchen as opposed to sitting around and waiting for you to eat it.

Prices

The best deals are the combination meals. We can usually get three of those along with soups and drinks for just over $20 for the two of us. Besides the combinations, the prices on the individual servings are competitive, if not a bit lower than you'll find at other Chinese take-out restaurants in the area.

Final Thoughts

For us to drive close to half an hour each month to have Chinese food in a restaurant that's mainly take-out, you know something has to be good about it. Simply put, we just love Autumn Garden and we like the people that run it. They've always provided us with great tasting food at a good price with good service.

If you're in the Uxbridge area and you want some great Chinese, check out the Autumn Garden Chinese Restaurant.

Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts

2014-06-26T09:23:00.004-07:00

If you're visiting Plymouth and want to take in all of the town's historic sites, you make sure you climb Burial Hill and take in the history and the sites of this historic cemetery.

If you are visiting the Plymouth, Massachusetts area, one place you should not miss is Burial Hill. This hill, located above the downtown area is home to the graves of Plymouth's first residents the Pilgrims, along with other notable residents. The hill also provides a nice view of the village below and Plymouth Harbor beyond. On a clear day you can get quite the view of the surrounding village and the ocean.

Getting There

Burial Hill is easy to access. The cemetery is part of the Pilgrim Trail which travels throughout Plymouth (including stops at Plymouth Rock, Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Mayflower II and the Brewster Gardens), is accessible from the First Parish Church and from side side streets on the northern side of the hill. Parking can be a bit difficult in general in Plymouth so it's probably just best to walk to the Hill from wherever you can find a parking spot.

Some of the access walks are a bit steeper than others. The one that travels up from the Grist Mill area has a pretty decent slope and then some stairs and the one from the First Parish Church comes up several flights of stairs. I would think that in general, the site isn't all that handicapped friendly since even the paved walkways that avoid the stairs can have quite the slope.

The cemetery is open from dusk to dawn.

What to expect

The hill is a do-it-yourself kind of destination. There are a few interpretive signs around the site and on specific graves but in general, this is the kind of place you just wander around and find interesting things.

You'll see plenty of graves of all ages since people had been buried on the hill from the time of the Pilgrims right through the 1950s. The hill was also the site of the first fort and meeting house in Plymouth.

Expect to spend about an hour wandering through the graves. You'll find tombstones from all different eras and it's interesting to see how the gravestones have changed throughout the years.

The view from the hill is also nice. From the top you look down on the main downtown area of Plymouth and out to the harbor and ocean beyond. On a clear day you can see well to the south and north too. It is hard to get a good picture though as there are trees that seem to be strategically placed to prevent you from getting a good shot of Plymouth or the harbor.

We didn't have one, but there are guidebooks for the Pilgrim Trail and for Plymouth in general that will give you more information on Burial Hill than you'll get from the grave markers and informational signs. I would think this would make the site a little more interesting since while I enjoyed it, I would have liked to get more information while I was there. So since our visit, I've gone and read a few write-ups on the Hill and knowing what I know now, I think it would be interesting to visit again, just so I can pick up on some details I might have missed without that information.

Ghosts?

Burial Hill, like many graveyards is supposedly haunted, though in our explorations, we never ran across anything out of the ordinary. There are ghosts tour run that go throughout Plymouth at night and these tours include a stop in the cemetery. I'd imagine that being there in the dark would probably be a lot more creepy than wandering around during the day.

Final Thoughts

Burial Hill was actually one of my more favorite places to explore in Plymouth. It's removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of town and besides offering a nice view, the cemetery was an interesting window into the history of Plymouth. Not only that, but it would have been kind of cool to see a ghost!

I'd suggest if you're visiting Plymouth and want to take in all of the town's historic sites, you make sure you climb Burial Hill and take it in.

More Plymouth, Massachusetts attractions and sites of interest

Mayflower II - Pilgrim's Mayflower Ship Replica | Plymouth, Massachusetts

2014-06-26T08:59:00.004-07:00

If you have already visited Plymouth Rock and you want to get even more out of your visit to Plymouth, Massachusetts, a stop at the Mayflower II, only about 100 yards from Plymouth Rock is a great way to spend a few hours.

The Mayflower II is a replica of the original Mayflower, which brought over the original colonists in 1620. The original ship was lost after making the voyage, so this ship is a replica of the original ship. It was built in England and then sailed to Plymouth, where it is now docked at Pilgrim Memorial State Park, just down the shoreline from Plymouth Rock, and is owned and managed by the Plimouth Plantation.

How to get there

The Mayflower II is located in downtown Plymouth along the shoreline in Pilgrim Memorial State Park. You can get there either from the north or the south by taking Route 3 and getting off at exit 6 (Route 44), which will take you into downtown Plymouth. Once in the downtown area, signs will direct you to the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock, which are both located off of Water Street in the state park.

During the off-season you may find parking along the street adjacent to Pilgrim Memorial State Park. However during busier times, it’s likely that only handicapped parking will be available there. In that case, municipal lots are scattered throughout Plymouth and generally even on the most crowded days, parking is available if you search for it.

The Mayflower is open to the public from March 25th through November 26th and is open 9 to 5 during that time.

How much does it cost?

Check the Mayflower II website for the latest admission fees. There are rates for children, seniors and adults.

What’s there?

Besides just the ship, the dock surrounding the Mayflower II has been turned into an outdoor museum space with many different information displays that discuss and explain various features of the Mayflower, the original colonists and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony.

There isn't a whole lot of room on the dock as you progress through the displays, so it can get crowded. We were there on the off-season (the last day of the fall that it was open) and it was fairly crowded, so expect to take some time in order to wait to be able to view and read the displays. They are generally worth the wait – as I traveled from display to display, I did learn a few things I hadn't know about the Mayflower voyage and the pilgrims’ landing in Plymouth.

The exhibit leads you to the gangplank that brings you onto the Mayflower II. From there, you can walk throughout the ship, exploring just about every corner of the ship. You’ll walk through the captain’s quarters, look at what the colonists had to live through for over 7 months.

My first impression of the ship was “gosh it’s small.” Over 100 colonists, along with the ships crew lived on that ship and just by looking at it from the docks, it didn't seem like all those people could fit. After walking around the ship, I still couldn't believe all those people, along with their animals and their supplies were able to fit in this tiny little ship. Not only that, I couldn't imagine being crammed in with all of those other people, trapped on a ship that is only slightly over 100 feet long and maybe 20 to 30 feet wide at its widest point. No on board entertainment for these travelers – everything must have had its space and you basically must have done the same thing every day for months at a time.

Exploring the Mayflower II, you’ll get a good idea of what the colonists had to go through to get to New England. The colonists’ quarters on the lower level are dark, tight and uncomfortable.

There are both costumed actors role playing as colonists and Plimouth Plantation staff who are both there to answer questions and provide a background on the Mayflower and the colonists voyage. The role players stay in character and provide a real insight into the colonists aboard the Mayflower. While it’s only acting, they give you a sense of what it was like for those on the ship, from their clothes, their attitudes, and their occupations.

The non-role playing staff present help to explain the details of the ship and the history of the Mayflower II, which is interesting in its own right. They will also answer any questions that you may have about the colonists and the ship.

As you exit the ship off another gangplank, you are brought into an exhibit area that showcases the history of the Mayflower II. It was built in England and then sailed to Plymouth, where it is now under the care of the Plimouth Plantation.

How much time do I need?

We spent about 1 ½ hours between wandering through the exhibits and then the ship. At that time it wasn't overly crowded, so we were able to get into and out of the various portions of the ship fairly quickly and we could browse through the exhibits generally at our own pace.

I would imagine that the more crowded the ship and the exhibit area got, the longer you should plan for your visit, to make sure that you get a chance to see and experience everything in and around the Mayflower II. During the summertime, I’d expect to spend at least 3 hours, with less in the spring and the fall when the crowds are thinner.

Was it worth it?

The money we each spent to get on the ship was well worth it to me. I had no idea how small that ship was before I there and to just think of spending months cooped up on the Mayflower sends chills down my spine.

I also got a chance to learn more details about the colonists, their journey and their landing in Plymouth that I didn't know just from reading history books. Plus I got a chance to actually see and experience a small portion of what it must have been like for those people.

Final Thoughts

If you are in Plymouth, Massachusetts and you’re visiting Plymouth Rock, it’s well worth the few hours and a few dollars that it takes to explore the Mayflower II. It’s an amazingly accurate replica ship that truly gives you a great feeling for what it must have been like for those first colonists as they made their way to the Americas. The Mayflower II is a way to experience history up close, as opposed to just reading about it and I would be willing to bet you will learn a thing or two, even if you have already studied the Pilgrims’ trip to America.

More Plymouth, Massachusetts attractions and sites of interest

Death Valley National Park

2014-06-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Home to the lowest surface point in the Western Hemisphere and the hottest temperatures in the United States, Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes – from the peaks of the snowcapped Panamint Range at over 11,000 feet to Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level at the bottom of Death Valley. Anyone visiting this park cannot fail to be impressed with the natural beauty here.

Just as it is hard to convey all of Death Valley in a single visit, it’s hard to convey through words the stark beauty of the Park. The scenery is simply amazing throughout the park and the extremes make it incredibly interesting to visit. Standing at Badwater Basin, looking up over 11,000 feet towards the Panamint Range, you see everything from one of the driest and hottest points, to a land with snow, rain and plenty of vegetation.

Where is Death Valley

Death Valley National Park is located just to the west of the Nevada/California State line (though a bit of the park is in Nevada). There are several ways to access the park with roads entering the park both from the east (Nevada Routes 267 and 374) and from the west (California Route 190 and the Badwater Road). California Highway 190 travels through the park and provides one of the best routes to see the major sights of the park in a fairly straightforward manner. There are several other roads that make their way into and out of the park, but they are generally 4x4 roads and are more difficult to travel and require some advanced planning

When should I go?

It depends on what you want to do and what you want to experience. During the Spring, Summer and Fall months, Death Valley gets very hot – well over 100 degrees hot. Other times of the year, the weather is more temperate – with temperatures in to 40s to the 70s in the wintertime.

If you want to experience the heat, by all means go during the summertime, but if you are interested in exploring the Park outside of your car, I would suggest early spring, late fall or wintertime visit to the Park. This gives you the ability to get out, hike around and really explore the various sites throughout Death Valley and gives you a much better overall experience than just driving through the valley when it’s 115 degrees.

When is the Park open?

Death Valley National Park is open year round. Some of the campgrounds on the valley floor close during the summertime due to the extreme temperatures (who really wants to camp in 100 degree weather?). Most of the services in the park are open during normal business hours during the week and on the weekend.

Fees?

Like all National Parks nowadays, Death Valley requires user fees. The only benefit is that the majority of these fees go towards funding improvements and maintenance in the Park itself, instead of going back to Washington where they took away the money for the park in the first place, leading to these fees. There are several self-service pay stations at the entrances to the Park and you can also pay the fee at the Visitor’s Center. If you have a National Parks Pass or a Golden Eagle Pass, all you have to do is display that while in the Park and you won’t have to pay an entrance fee.

Big destinations?

There are three major destinations with services in the Park. Furnace Creek is home to the Visitor’s Center, gas station, a ranch, lodging, dining and a luxury hotel. Stovepipe Wells Village offers gasoline, camping, Park information, dining and lodging. Scotty’s Castle, in the northern portion of the Park offers gasoline, dining and park information.

You may think its odd to mention gasoline, but with long distances in the park and the surrounding area undeveloped, it’s important to watch your gas tank, since the last thing you want to do is to run out of gas in the middle of the desert and literally in the middle of nowhere.

Must see sites

There’s a lot in Death Valley that you could see, but if you don’t have that much time, there are several sites that you must stop at to get an idea of the Park. My most see sites in Death Valley include:

Salt Creek
To the north of Furnace Creek and home to the tiny pupfish, this creek in the middle of the desert is an amazing sight. Due to the local geology, groundwater from the mountains is forced to the surface and runs year round for about a ½ mile. The water though is very salty and the upper, wetter portion of the stream has grown up like a giant salt marsh. The lower portion of the stream is interesting as well, as you can watch the water being evaporated and reabsorbed into the ground as it tries to continue to run downstream. Walkways along the stream allow you to explore most of the creek and see the tiny pupfish in the stream. This species of pupfish isn’t found anywhere else in the world.

Furnace Creek
After driving through the stark desert, it is odd to find the Furnace Creek area – an oasis in the Valley that is fed by the groundwater emanating from Furnace Creek Canyon. The Visitor Center and surrounding development are nestled among palm trees and other vegetation that just doesn’t exist elsewhere in the Valley. The Visitor Center is also a great place to learn about the Park – including expansive exhibits, an interpretive movie, and information from the Rangers.

Also the Furnace Creek Ranch is located here, which is home to two hotels, some restaurants, a ranch and a golf course should you want to stay in Death Valley or just grab a bite to eat.

Devil’s Golf Course
On the road south to Badwater Basin from Furnace Creek, the drying salt of the valley floor forms strange and interesting shapes here in the Devil’s Golf Course. Here you can walk among the formations, listen to the salt cracking as it dries and even perhaps watch salt crystals forming in pools of brine.

Badwater Basin
About 18 miles south of Furnace Creek is Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level. It just feels deep and it’s an amazing location. The walls of the Black Mountains rise over 5,000 feet directly in front of the Basin to the east and the top of Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range on the western side of the valley rises over 11,000 feet from where you are standing. Not only that, it might be 90 to 100 degrees at Badwater Basin and as you look up to Telescope Peak, there could be snow on the mountain.

Not only that, but here in Badwater Basin, in only a small pool that is maintained by springs year round are more pupfish. These pupfish are different from the ones at Salt Creek, isolated for tens of thousands of years since the lake that used to fill Death Valley dried up.

From the Basin you can also easily walk out onto the salt pan, which is well worth it in moderate temperatures. This gives you a better view back towards Badwater and the towering Black Mountains directly behind it.

Also, if you are standing and facing Badwater Basin, to your right is a large alluvial fan at the base of a small canyon on the Black Mountains. This fan right near the mountain front is cut vertically near the mountain face – with the portion of the fan against the mountain about 6 feet or so higher than the rest of the fan. This is an example of the faulting going on today in the valley – where the Black Mountains are slowly rising and the floor of the valley is slowly dropping.

More to see

If you have the time to explore more of the park, there is any number of different places to explore. These include driving along Artist’s Drive, visiting the abandoned Borax Works, touring Mustard Canyon, off-roading through Titus Canyon, visiting Scotty’s Castle, hiking up to the Natural Arch, visiting Ubehebe Crater and looking at the tracks of the mysterious sliding rocks at The Racetrack.

The biggest hurdle for all these visits though is time and anyone wishing to really explore the Park will need to spend more than a day as the Park is very big and it takes quite some time to get from one end to the other. My suggestion would be to spend at least a night in the Park at Furnace Creek which gives you one day to explore the northern portion of the Park and another day to explore the southern portion of the Park.

Many locations are only accessible by vehicles with high clearance or only by 4x4 vehicles. Both times I’ve been in the park I’ve wished that I had a 4x4 vehicle, as it would open up so much of the park to exploration. Next time I’m going to have that SUV with me.

Heat

Any review of Death Valley wouldn’t be complete without a quick mention of the heat. Temperatures in July and August can climb to well over 100 degrees, making dehydration and heat stroke serious problems. You should have plenty of water in your car and if you are hiking in warmer temperatures, make sure you bring enough water to keep yourself hydrated as there is generally no water in most areas of the park (and if there is water, it’s usually salty except for streams in the higher mountains).

It’s also important to watch your car when driving in Death Valley – you don’t want it to overheat and break down – as you would be stranded in the desert. That’s why it’s important to keep supplies in your car and to know when your car may be overheating and take action to prevent it.

Experiences

I’ve visited the Park twice, once in late April and then again in late December. In April the temperatures warmed up to around 90 degrees while in December, we were lucky if the temperatures climbed out of the low 50s, even at Badwater Basin.

And funny enough, on both of my visits to Death Valley, it rained! I know, one of the driest places in the world and it rains on both of my visits.

On both trips, which were day trips from Las Vegas, we were able to get out and explore and do some hiking as the temperatures weren’t that warm. Out of the two, my favorite time was in April – as many of the desert flowers were blooming and many of the valley slopes were bright yellow in color – with thousands and thousands of flowers blooming almost everywhere.

An easy hike, except for all but the warmest months is the hike up to the Natural Arch. You walk up a dry river gorge with towering walls until you reach a natural arch that has been carved out of the gorge walls and where the river, when it flows, now flows through. It’s a great way to see some of the massive forces at work in the valley and when you turn around and walk down, there are some impressive views of Death Valley spread out below you.

Another interesting stop if you are entering the Park from Nevada along Route 374 is the ghost town of Rhyolite just before you get to the Park boundary. This town was booming in the very early 1900’s, but now is just a series of long abandoned buildings. Managed by the Park Service, it’s free to visit and you can wander among the buildings and along the roadways.

One of the things that is most interesting to me about Death Valley is the starkness, emptiness and silence of the Park. When you are away from the busier tourist destinations you are literally alone in this park. You hear the wind blowing and perhaps you can see a car or a person far off in the distance but overall – you are in this land where its incredibly dry, incredibly hot and besides the occasional plant, is almost bereft of vegetation. It’s so different from anything else that I’ve experienced and it is what keeps drawing me back to the Park.

For my next visit, I want to spend at least two full days and preferably three days in the park and would stay at Furnace Creek for the visit (I’d probably stay at the hotel, I don’t want to camp in the desert especially if it’s quite warm). This would give me a day to travel north in the Park to Scotty’s Castle, Ubehebe Crater and the Racetrack Playa, time to off-road through Titus Canyon and then spend a day in the southern portion of the valley, using the backcountry road on the western side of the valley to explore both sides of the valley and to get a different view of the Park. I would also like to come in from the west and explore the portion of the Park on the Panamint Range, getting a chance to hike and climb in the mountains that form the western wall of Death Valley. The view down from those peaks must be amazing and up to 11,000 vertical feet of relief spreads out below you – that’s almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a day or many days, Death Valley National Park is well worth a visit. This park gives you a chance to explore Mother Nature’s extremes and all that is in between.

Cuisinart DCC-450 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe

2014-05-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

$34 on Amazon

The DCC-450 brews 4 cups of coffee at a time, doesn't take up much counter space, and is easy to clean up

Pros: Decent coffee, Easy setup and clean up, Auto shut-off feature, Small footprint
Cons: Coffee cools off too quickly, Doesn't brew hot enough

2 1/2 stars out of 5

This little coffee maker brews small batches of coffee, maxing out at four cups. There's a a thermal carafe to keep the coffee warm. I had been using a Keurig before this machine and was not really happy with the coffee from that machine, so I wanted to go back to a traditional coffeemaker. I don't tend to drink a lot of coffee - usually two cups at the most, so I had hoped that between the small sized brew and the thermal carafe, I could have decent tasting coffee that stayed warm. Overall, I wasn't really disappointed, but I have to admit that this coffeemaker does not brew coffee as hot as other coffeemakers I've had and for some reason, even with the thermal carafe, the coffee cools off too quickly once it's brewed.

Machine Basics

There really isn’t anything too fancy or complicated about this coffeemaker. It’s small, easily fits on most counter areas (I had it tucked into a corner), brews up to 4 cups of coffee at a time and the thermal carafe is supposed to keep coffee hotter longer than a standard coffee pot. That thermal pot is also stainless steel, so it gives the coffeemaker a bit of a modern look and it could go with your stainless steel appliances I suppose.

Brewing a pot of coffee is easy. Just start out by filling up the machine with as much water as you want (the reservoir is marked by cup so you can brew from one to four cups at a time). Then place a cone coffee filter in, add your ground coffee, close the top and press the on button. The coffee starts to brew and within a few minutes you have your coffee brewed and waiting for you in the thermal coffee pot.

There is an automatic shut-off on the coffeemaker after 30 minutes so you don’t have to worry about leaving the coffeemaker on all day (I know this is something I worry about). You can also pour coffee before the coffeemaker is completely finished brewing as there’s a brew-pause feature on the machine. I don’t find much use for this personally since the machine doesn't brew much coffee – can’t you wait a minute or two for it to completely finish?

Coffee Taste?

For a smaller coffee maker that only brews 4 cups, the coffee tastes okay. I was satisfied with the results overall, finding that it was more pleasing in taste to me than the coffee I had gotten from the Keurig machine, though the lack of a high temperature brew really does impact the taste of the final cup off coffee.

You get four 6-ounce cups of coffee when you fully fill the DCC-450. That’s enough for about 2 standard coffee mugs or one travel mug with a bit left over. You can brew less than the 4 cups if you’d like, but I never did that. I always found that the 4 cups was a good amount for either the travel mug or for my morning coffee on weekends. I usually only have a little bit left in the pot and I’d rather brew it all at once than have to go back and brew more.

My biggest problem with this coffeemaker was even with a heating element and a thermal carafe, the coffee seemed to cool down way too fast. Unless you took the coffee from the pot right after it brewed, it cooled down to the point within 10 minutes or so that I found it to be undrinkable. I shouldn't have to microwave my coffee after I've just brewed it to keep it warm! That is what finally did me in with this coffeemaker and I upgraded to a larger one that brews coffee at a hotter temperature and keeps the coffee warmer.

Clean-up

The DCC-450 is easy to clean. The filter basket easily comes out (it’s got its own handle) and you can then toss the coffee filter (or compost it!) and rinse out the basket. The coffee pot’s lid pops off and it’s also very easy to rinse it out. I’d say it takes me about a minute or two to clean up the coffeemaker when I’ve finished with it.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a smaller, standard drip coffeemaker, the DCC-450 from Cuisinart is not a terrible choice, but I think other similar coffeemakers probably brew a tastier cup of coffee. However the DCC-450 brews 4 cups of coffee at a time, doesn't take up much counter space, and is easy to clean up.

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker

2014-05-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

$18.99 on Amazon

An inexpensive option for a decent cup of coffee

Pros: Inexpensive, Easy to Operate, Easy to Clean
Cons: None really if you expect to get what you paid for
3 1/2 stars out of 5

I've got a thing for coffeemakers, I admit it. I've probably gone through a dozen over the years and still I search for the one coffeemaker that will make me a great cup of coffee. Some have come pretty close and some have been pretty awful. The newest in my collection, the Mr. Coffee 12-cup Switch Coffeemaker replaces the Cuisinart thermal 4-cup coffeemaker I've been using for a while.

Basics

This coffeemaker does not have the bells and whistles of some models. It is a 12-cup coffeemaker with a glass carafe. There is no programming to this model, the switch merely turns it on or off. The only 'special feature (which I think all models have now) is that there is the brew and pause feature which lets you get coffee before the entire pot has brewed. The heating element will stay on until you turn it off (this model isn't even fancy enough to have an auto-shutoff feature). The coffeemaker is basically all plastic inside and a few pieces do seem a bit flimsy, but so far I haven't had any problems.

Getting Ready & Brewing Coffee

Setting up this coffeemaker was a snap. I unpacked it, washed out the glass carafe and washed the removable plastic parts. I also took a warm cloth and wiped the interior of it. I also run it once with just water to let it self-clean a bit.

When that was done, I put in the water, fitted the coffee filter in, added my coffee and turned the switch on. The coffee brews quickly enough and I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised at the overall quality of the coffee that this coffeemaker brewed. The coffee was hot and well rounded and the heating element keeps that coffee hot for as long as you want (one reason I really disliked the 4-cup coffeemaker this one replaced). I brewed a full 10 cups on that first run, but since then have brewed smaller amounts and in general there is not really a change in quality between small runs and larger, full pot runs.

Cleanup is easy. Pull out the coffee filter holder and rinse it, wash the carafe and wipe down the interior parts of the machine that can't be taken out. I've been using it now for a few weeks without any problems.

Final Thoughts

I'm fairly certain I'll be getting another coffeemaker in the future, but for now, the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker meets my needs and makes a decent cup of coffee for a machine that sells for under $20. If you are looking for an inexpensive coffeemaker that makes a good cup of coffee, you could do a lot worse than this machine. I'd have no problem recommending it.

Catskill Mountains and the Catskill Park of New York

2014-03-15T10:59:00.001-07:00

Have you heard of the Catskill Mountains? They are the home of the real Woodstock, the land where Rip Van Winkle slept for years, the Mountains first seen by Henry Hudson on his maiden voyage up the Hudson River, a vacation destination for many downstate New Yorkers, home to some of the first grand resorts in the country, and what has always been America's First Wilderness that is only about 2 1/2 hours north of New York City by car.

At times the Catskills are lost in the shuffle of all that is New York State, which is, in many ways, so many different things. The first thing someone thinks of when they hear New York is of course, New York City. But that's not fair either. Mention “mountains” and “New York” and most people will probably think of the Adirondack Park in the northern portion of the state. So unless you are from the area, or you have had a reason to be in the Catskills, you probably haven’t heard of them, or might have some faint idea that there are some mountains south of Albany but north of New York City. That or you think of the former Borscht Belt in the Catskills very western margins. Now that is part of the Catskills, but there's just so much more to explore that that single area.

I grew up spending most of my weekends in the Catskills right near the stunning 2000 foot to 3000 foot escarpment that marks the boundary between the Catskills and the Hudson Valley. I was there just about every weekend from the time I was born, until I went away to college. I lived there full time when I was a assistant forest ranger in the Catskills and when I lived and worked in New England, I made sure I was back every chance I had. Nowadays I've lucked out and I am back living and working in the Catskills and it is great to be home.

Maybe I’m biased, but I haven’t found an area that hits me the way that the Catskills do yet and I have been to plenty of mountain ranges around the Northeast and the rest of the country. Sure, New Hampshire and Maine have higher mountains with stunning alpine areas, the Adirondacks in northern New York are larger, same with the Greens in Vermont, there’s the Berkshires in Massachusetts too, but the Catskills have a certain charm and mystique that I think is almost indescribable and makes them so very special.

Where are the Catskills?

For some simple geography, the Catskill Park is about 50 miles southwest of Albany and about 150 miles north of New York City. To the east the mountains are bounded by the Hudson River Valley and to the west they gently taper out into gently rolling terrain. The largest concentration of the highest peaks and rugged terrain is in the Northern portion of the mountains, but the highest peak, Slide Mountain at 4,204 feet is located in what would be considered the Southern Catskills. There are also several other higher peaks located near Slide including Wittenberg and Cornell Mountains which make up the "High Peaks" of the Catskills.

The Mountains Themselves

Want some geology speak? The Catskills really are not mountains in the truest sense of the word. Millions of years ago there was a great mountain range along the east coast of the US (today’s Appalachians are the basement remnants of those mountains) and as those mountains eroded over time, the debris flowed westward out across New York and Pennsylvania. Over time the eastern mountains eroded and the debris from them was buried further, and eventually then uplifted. So in a sense, the Catskill Mountains are really just an eroded plateau. If the climate was more like the southwestern US, the area would probably look a lot like the Colorado Plateau region.

One of the most striking features of the Catskills is their eastern escarpment. This is where the rocks of the Catskills end, and the Hudson Valley begins. With the Hudson River at sea level (0 feet), the mountains rise up in a wall that is 2000 to over 3000 feet in height. Driving in the Hudson Valley – this imposing wall greets you to the Catskills.

To the west, the mountains slowly decrease in height and eventually the terrain becomes flatter and flatter – there is no great escarpment in the western Catskills. The roughest and wildest terrain is in the northeast Catskills, which include the Schoharie valleys along with the Devil’s Path Range, the Blackhead Range and several other smaller ranges of mountains.

The Catskills have few lakes (except for New York City’s reservoirs) and most mountains are very steeply sloping with frequent lines of cliffs as you travel up the mountains. There are some spectacular waterfalls though, Kaaterskill Falls, which is one of the highest waterfall in New York State is located just south of North and South Lake in the Northeastern Catskills.

The Catskill Park

The Catskill Forest Preserve (along with the Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks) was were created by the New York State Legislature in 1885 to protect forest and water resources. The original law creating the Forest Preserve included Ulster, Sullivan and Greene Counties in the Catskills and Delaware County was added as a Forest Preserve County in 1888. In a first for the state and the Catskills, New York made its first fiscal allocation for a trail on the Forest Preserve here in the Catskills, for what would become the bridal path that climbed Slide Mountain, portions of which are still used by trails that climb Slide Mountain today.

In 1892, the Adirondack Park was created by the legislature and defined in law as a “blue line,” hence the language we use today when we talk about something being inside or outside of the Blue Line.

Following the creation of the Forest Preserve and the Adirondack Park, it quickly became apparent that the legislative protection afforded to the Forest Preserve by the original 1885 law was insufficient to truly protect the resources in the two preserves and legislators began working on a constitutional amendment which would permanently protect the Forest Preserve lands as Forever Wild.

In November of 1894, an amendment to the New York State Constitution went before voters and was passed by the citizens of New York. In part, the Amendment stated that “The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall be kept as wild forest lands. They shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed.” This amendment took effect on January 1, 1895 and the Forest Preserve lands of the Catskills and Adirondacks were permanently protected as Forever Wild Forest Preserve lands.

Following the creation of the Adirondack Park and the constitutional amendment providing further protection to the Forest Preserve, the Catskill Park was created by the New York State Legislature in 1904. Over the years since 1904, the Forest Preserve and the Catskill Park have grown, with the Catskill Park now comprising approximately 700,000 acres, about half of which is public Forest Preserve.

All of the public land owned by the State is open to the public for hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. Private land access is variable and it depends on the landowner. However, most trailheads are located on public land, so as long as you stay on marked trails, you will not run into any problems. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference publishes the most comprehensive map set for the Catskills - Catskill Trails - which provides detail on all of the Park's hiking trails.

The State owned public lands in the Catskills are broken down into various management units and depending on their size and location, managed as either Wild Forest or Wilderness Areas. Some of those areas include the Hunter Mountain Wild Forest and the Westkill Mountain Wilderness Area.

You can camp anywhere in the Forest Preserve so long as you are at least 150 feet from any open water (streams, creeks, rivers and lakes), 150 feet from any trail, 150 feet from any road and below 3500 feet (and it hasn't been posted as a no camping area). Elevations above 3500 feet are more fragile high mountain habitats and thus camping is prohibited above this elevation.

There are several state run campgrounds through the Catskills. Two of the most popular are North and South Lake Campground and Woodland Valley Campground. Both provide great access to the rest of the Catskills with North and South Lake in Haines Falls, providing easy access to the northeast Catskills and Woodland Valley near Phoenicia, providing good access to the south-central Catskills. Another state campground is the Devil's Tombstone Campground and Day-Use Area located in Stony Clove Notch about halfway between the Towns of Hunter and Phoenicia. These campgrounds provide basic services, but do not have electricity or water available at the sites.

Hiking in the Catskills

If you are looking for some day hikes, the majority of the Catskills are available to you to explore. Some great day hikes include the various mountains of the Devil's Path Range (Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, Hunter & Westkill). These mountains are located in the northern portion of the park and all have maintained trails over them. There are several different trips that you can make and depending on the location, offer the potential to make loop trips so you don't need to backtrack what you've already hiked. Further to the northeast there is the Blackhead Range near the Town of Windham. In the south, the Catskill Mountains tallest peak, Slide Mountain is a great day trip, as are Wittenberg and Cornell, two mountains near Slide. Even further south and west are the trails and ponds of the Willowemoc Wild Forest. In this family friendly hiking area you will find easier trails that visit a number of small ponds and lakes.

If you aren't looking so much for mountain climbing and instead just want some great scenery, there are several trails that offer this. The Escarpment Trail, running along the eastern edge of the Catskill Mountains doesn't climb or descend too much, but it offers stunning views across the Hudson Valley almost constantly. The Dutcher Notch Trail offers a walk through mostly levels woods to some stunning fields and a quiet, wilderness notch. Trails in the more western parts of the Catskills are also gentler, as the mountains out there are more rolling and generally lower than they are in the east. The hike up to the base of Kaaterskill Falls is short, though it is a bit rugged. However, you are rewarded with a view of the highest waterfall in New York State when you reach the end of the trail. New trails are being designed and built every day through the hardwork of many regional organizations including the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, the Catskill Mountain Club. These new trails include miles of backcountry trails, but also new trails such as the Shavertown Trail on New York City lands near the reservoirs.

An very popular destination for hikers are one of the five restored Fire Towers in the Catskills. These towers used to be staffed by Fire Wardens scanning the mountains for signs of forest fires, but today they are staffed in the summer months by volunteers who provide interpretive services for hikers and visitors.

If you are planning on hiking in the mountains, it's best to get your hands on the Catskill Trails Map Set. This map set will give you just about everything you need to find the trails and follow them throughout the Catskills. Other maps include the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map for the Catskills and there are several guidebooks available, including ones from AMC and ADK. For general advice and hike descriptions from the Catskills, Adventures in the Outdoors maintains a great resource page for the Catskill Mountain Region.

Towns and Villages in the Catskills

Several major towns and villages dot the Catskill landscape.

Woodstock
The Village of Woodstock is just south of Catskills proper, located just beneath Overlook Mountain. This Woodstock is the “true” Woodstock of festival fame. The original Woodstock festival took place several miles to the south and west.

The real Woodstock village offers an eclectic choice of curiosity shops, book stores, clothing stores, new age stores and more. The village green, at the center of town is one of the best places for people watching. Woodstock also boasts some local theater companies and other types of public performances. Both a summer and winter destination (though best in the summer) – Woodstock is a definite stop on any Catskill trip.

Hunter, Tannersville and Haines Falls
These three towns in the Northern Catskills are home to the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort and provide access to the Mountains of the Devil’s Path Range (a range of mountains, all over 3500 feet tall that run for over 20 miles – the Devil’s Path – one of the Catskills’ few long distance trails runs over this grueling range), along with several other small mountains. North and South Lake Campground is located in Haines Falls. All three offer restaurants and some shopping opportunities. In addition to the Hunter Mountain Ski area, Hunter Mountain is also home to the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower, which is located near the mountain's summit in the Forest Preserve and offers some great views of the area.

Windham
Windham is a quaint village in the northeast corner of the Catskills near their northern escarpment. It's also home to the Ski Windham Ski Resort. In addition there are quite a few excellent restaurants and shops.

Phoenicia
The Village of Phoenicia is the gateway to the southern Catskills and also the base of the rafting businesses on the Esopus River. You can eat at some great restaurants, shop, or if you are feeling adventurous, take a rafting or tubing trip down the Esopus River. The Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort is located about 20 miles further up the road and the world's largest kaleidoscope is located just to the south of town at Emerson Place. Just south of the village itself on Route 40, is the trailhead for the trail that climbs to the summit of Tremper Mountain and to the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower that sits on the top of the mountain. You can get some great views of almost the entire region from this Tower.

History of the Catskills

The history of the Catskills is in many ways the history of Wilderness in America. The Catskills are known as America's First Wilderness, first as the imposing mountains above the valley where colonists settled, then as an escape for the city dwellers with massive and spectacular hotels and railroads, a place that led to the birth of America's first school of landscape painting, a place that helped launch the conservation movement and to today where the Catskill Park protects some truly wild areas just hours from New York City's doorstep.

So Why Should You Visit The Catskills

All the words in the world will be unable to give you an accurate picture of these mountains, from the imposing and amazing escarpment, to the hidden waterfall deep in the forest, the Catskills truly are a wonderful and amazing place. You will find popular destinations, historic places, and private, secluded and secret treasures. Take a few days, hike a trail, go skiing, just take the time to absorb the mountains that the Dutch settlers called the “Devil’s Playground” because there truly is wonder, mystery and amazement here.

Best time to visit the Catskills?

Depending on your preferred activity, summer and fall are the best times to visit the mountains I think. Holiday weekends can be quite busy, even on the trails, so plan accordingly. If you're a skier, then by all means get up there for the snow in the wintertime!

Some Web Resources on the Catskills:

There are plenty of web resources on the Catskills, here are just a couple of links on some basic information:

Final Thoughts

The Catskills are their own destination in New York State. Everyone will find something of interest here - and it is amazing that there is such a wilderness and wild experience that is less than three hours from New York City.

Baxter State Park, Maine

2014-03-14T15:04:00.006-07:00

Anyone who climbs and hikes in the Northeast who hasn't heard of Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin must have had their head in the sand. It's an almost mythological destination with superlatives better suited to mountains in the western United States and a park bureaucracy that makes getting reservations almost as hard as having lunch with the Pope.

And for anyone that has made the pilgrimage to the park, you'll understand just why so many people are in love with the park.

Plus Baxter isn't just Mount Katahdin and the Knife Edge, there's a whole other set of mountains that are just as exciting and interesting throughout the park.

Where is Baxter State Park?

Maybe it's the fact that Baxter is located in the heart of Northern Maine that adds to the allure. It's a long way from everywhere, even from places in Maine! You'll spend about 3 ½ hours getting there from Augusta, somewhere around 4 hours from Portland and somewhere around 6 or 7 hours getting there from Boston, depending on traffic (heck, with Boston traffic, figure 10 hours).

The park is located just to the north of Millinocket, Maine - which is about a ½ an hour to the west of Interstate 95. There are two ways to access the park - the main entrance is the southern entrance just north of Millinocket, while a second northern access is open at the northern top of the park.

There are actually quite a few ways to get to the entrances, either on official state and local roads or via the timber company "paper" roads that crisscross the timber company lands outside of the park. A good map of the area is a must if you're planning on trying any of these more "rustic" trips to the park.

Getting into the Park can be a challenge...

You either need reservations or need to be incredibly lucky to get into Baxter. Bother overnight and day-use is strictly regulated in the park with caps on the number of people that can be in the park at any one time.

Getting reservations can sometimes be like getting Willa Wonka's golden ticket. It used to be that you'd send in your request the week between Christmas and New Years and if it got to the Baxter offices that week, you stood a chance of getting something, but probably not what you originally requested. Sometime in January the park would call you collect and you'd haggle over reservations and eventually end up with something. The only other way to get the reservations was to wait in line that same week at the park headquarters and get a reservation in person. I remember living in Maine and this would be a big news story - the lines of people in Millinocket, waiting for Baxter reservations.

Reservations now, instead of all the reservations for the year going in at the beginning, are rolling. Basically you make reservations 4 months in advance - so you need to plan ahead and get your reservations in at the right time.

For day-use activities, unless you're at the park gate at about 5:30 in the morning (the gate opens at 6), it's not likely you'll get to go to the area you want. There are three major access points for day hikes on Mount Katahdin and Knife Edge (Abol Slide, Katahdin Stream and Roaring Brook) and all three fill up very fast. Once a certain number of people has been reached, the park will not allow other people to go to those lots. Don't think you can sneak in either after saying you're going somewhere else. You must display a day-use pass in your window and it clearly says which parking lot you are supposed to be in. Access points for other parts of the park beyond Katahdin don't fill up as fast, so if your heart isn't set on climbing Mount Katahdin, it's not quite so hard to get into the park for a day.

It's also important to realize that Maine residents get first dibs on both overnight reservations and day-use in the park. A certain number of overnight slots are saved for residents and generally a Maine resident will have an easier time getting into the park for the day. Plus Maine residents pay a reduced day-use or overnight fee in the park.

There are gate fees, day-use fees and fees for overnight reservations, so be prepared to pay. The fees all stay within the park, as the park is a self-sufficient entity that doesn't get its money from the State. The park is completely run off of fees and the income from the trust that Percival Baxter set up when he donated the park to the State.

What you'll find inside the park

There are two major areas in the park. The southern portion of the park contains the Mount Katahdin massif. This is where you'll find Baxter Peak (the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail), the Knife Edge (a mile long hike along a ridge that in places is only 3 to 4 feet wide), the Great Basin, North Basin, the Tablelands and the Northwest Basin. In the northern portion of the park you'll find somewhat less impressive mountains that are nevertheless, still impressive in their own right. You'll also find a lot more "quiet" areas in the northern portion of the park - it's significantly less crowded and beyond the mountains, there are many stream valleys, lakes, ponds and bogs to explore.

Mount Katahdin

To be honest, Mount Katahdin is the reason that probably 90% of park visitors are in Baxter. The mountain is the highest mountain in Maine, it has a huge area of alpine tundra, the knife edge ridge is like nowhere else in the eastern United States and the North Basin was home to the east coast's last permanent snowfield (it finally melted in the 1800s).

There are several different access points for Mount Katahdin. Day trippers and overnight campers alike can climb to Chimney Pond from Roaring Brook and make a loop out of the mountain. There's day-hiking access up very steep trails from Abol Slide and Katahdin Stream and for campers, a several day trip around Katahdin and up through the Northwest Basin is one of the most amazing trips anywhere in the Northeast.

Most campers book a few nights at Chimney Pond campground (located in the Great Basin, directly beneath the summit of Mount Katahdin and the Knife Edge) and use it as a base camp to hike the Knife Edge and explore the other areas nearby (the Tablelands, Hamlin Ridge, and the North Basin).

The day trips from the other areas are long and steep and don't set themselves up for loops as much as a trip through Chimney Pond would, but they are shorter (7 or 8 miles versus 14 miles for a day-trip loop through Chimney Pond).

The Knife Edge

No trip to Baxter would be complete without a traverse of the Knife Edge. This ridge, located between the summit of Mount Katahdin (Baxter Peak) and Pamola Peak is a mile long, narrow ridge, that in places goes down to about 3 feet wide. At it's narrowest point, an almost sheer cliff drops down into the Great Basin a Chimney Pond for a few thousand feet (it's a bit dizzying).

The ridge is barren, exposed and above tree-line and will test just about anyone. In bad weather (high winds or icing), the park will close the route (they will also close other exposed trails) but even in good weather, the route can be intimidating for some.

Honestly on my first trip across, while I didn't crawl on my hands and knees, I tried to stay as close to the ground as possible and when I got to the narrow section, I was pretty freaked out. It took a lot of nerves to make it that first time and even to this day, I still get a bit weak kneed going across in places. Of course, I've also seen people that literally have thrown themselves against the rocks and are screaming "I can't go on," so I guess I'm not that bad.

The Northern Portion of Baxter State Park

For anyone who's gone to Mount Katahdin, a trip to the northern part of the park is a completely different experience. Forget the over-protective (and zelous) park rangers around Mount Katahdin and the "we need to know where you are at all times attitude," things are more laid back in the north. There are a few major campgrounds and a few overnight backcountry areas. The majority of the mountains and other areas can all be reached by day-trips, including one spectacular mountain called Doubletop.

Unlike almost any other mountain I've been on - Doubletop is, as the name suggests, a mountain with two tops. The two summits are connected by a narrow ridge. Nowhere near as narrow as the Knife Edge, still the ridge is an incredible walk and ends on the northerly summit where it seems like you're standing on the edge of the world - the mountain's summit ends in a large cliff that gives you an expansive view of the entire park.

There are also the Brothers which give you a close-up view of Mount Katahdin, the Traverler, a large, partially trailless peak and several other smaller mountains that are all interesting in their own right.

Beyond the mountains there are several lakes and ponds to explore and for you geology buffs out there, the very northern portion of the park is home to some of the earliest fish fossils ever found. Though don't remove anything if you find it - fossils are protected in the park.

My Park Experiences

I've been in the park several times for both camping trips and day trips (living in Maine had its advantages) and I still love every time I get to go to this park. Mount Katahdin is so intriguing - I would stop take a look whenever I was driving by for work and I still get all excited when I'm coming up from Millinocket to the turn in the road where the Katahdin massif seems to rise from the plain.

While I hate the over-regulated nature of the park, I realize for such a popular place, it's probably the only way to manage the use. You'll still run into crowds, but the park does not seem overused and beat out like other areas in New Hampshire or in the Adirondacks. Baxter has something special and their main goal is to protect that, which is admirable.

There's no "right way" to climb Katahdin or explore the park. No matter where you go or what you climb, I'm willing to be you'll not only enjoy it, you'll be wanting to come back for more.

The Park throughout the seasons

In the late spring, summer and early fall, the entire park is open for overnight and day users. In the wintertime select campgrounds are open.

There is a bunkhouse available at Chimney Pond for winter use, but any parties attempting to climb Katahdin in the winter, you must prove to the park authorities that you are equipped and experienced enough to handle the mountain. There are also extensive rules and regulations for winter camping that should be reviewed before you even considering visiting in the wintertime.

Also in the winter the main access road (from the North Gate to the South Gate) is open to snowmobiles, but the access road from the South Gate to Roaring Brook Campground is only open to skiers and snowshoers (which makes for a very long approach to Chimney Pond).

For More Information

The park maintains a comprehensive website that includes information on reservations, day-use, park regulations, maps, and more. Anyone considering visiting should take the time to check out the site beforehand.

You can also check out the Appalachian Mountain Club's Maine Mountain Guide for the most complete guide and map set to trails in the Park. National Geographic also publishes a Trails Illustrated Map for Baxter State Park.

Final Thoughts

Baxter State Park is one of those places that everyone should get to experience at some time. You may not be able to make it across the Knife Edge, or get to explore every nook and cranny of the park, but just being there is really an experience. Mount Katahdin is unlike any other mountain in the Northeast and the rest of the park is just as engaging.

Plan well ahead to get into the park and no one will be disappointed by what they'll find once they are inside.

A Walk In The Park - Acadia's Hiking Guide by Tom St. Germain

2014-03-09T09:54:00.002-07:00

$13.00 on Amazon

Have a vacation to Maine's Acadia National Park planned and want to go hiking while you are there? A very useful reference for your hike planning would be Tom St. Germain's A Walk in the Park, Acadia's Hiking Guide. In this small book, St. Germain provides a really good overview of the hiking opportunities in the park and has produced a reference guide that should well serve all but the most ardent explorers of Acadia National Park.

The book is an excellent reference guide and provides trail descriptions, maps and elevation profiles of each of the hikes. The book couldn't possibly describe all the trails in Acadia and remain the size that it is, so the main hikes in the region are chronicled, along with information on the other trails, especially with maps showing all of the trails in a certain area.

Book Basics

There are five main sections to the book, which correspond to different areas of Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park. The sections are:

The Bar Harbor Region
The Ocean Drive Region
The Jordan Pond Area
Western Mountain
Somes Sound and Seawall Hikes
The sections basically work from east to west across the island and cover the vast majority of the park where you will find trails.

Within each of those sections you'll find descriptions for the major trails in those areas. Each section averages about fifteen or so trail descriptions with a few having a couple more and the others having less. The most trails are described around the Bar Harbor area and the Jordan Pond area. Those with the least include the Ocean Drive region and the Somes Sound area.

In addition to the trail descriptions, the book includes a short introduction from the author talking about his experiences in Acadia along with an index to all the hikes and a glossary for all the trails. I thought the glossary was an interesting touch – something I hadn't seen in any other guidebook. Basically every trail in the book has an entry and there's a one sentence description of the trail following its name. Think of it as cliff notes for trails.

Trail Descriptions

Of course the trail descriptions are really what make this book. I've found them to be very helpful, for both planning hikes and as a resource as you are hiking. That's because the trails of Acadia can be very dense – trail junctions are all over the place and there are multiple trails diverging from various places. Thus you need to have a good map and guide with you to make sure that you are staying on the hike that you wanted to complete in the first place.

With A Walk in the Park this is easy to do. The description does a good job at giving you an idea of what to expect on the trail. It'll describe the walk itself, what you are going to see on the hike and where to go when you come to various trail intersections. The maps are just as good, if not better. They show the topographic relief of the area along with the roadways, town areas, parking and the other trails in the area. There's also a locus map which shows you whereabouts on Mount Desert Island the trail is. My favorite reference though is the vertical profile on each trail description. This shows you how much elevation you are going to gain and lose while you are hiking and gives you a good idea of what to expect beyond the map and the description while you are hiking. In addition, a few of the descriptions include small black and white photographs of sights along the trail.

Experiences

Every time I get to Acadia I make sure to take at least one hike since you really can't have a bad hiking experience in the park. All of the trails are just that amazing. However I like to plan ahead and Tom St. Germain's A Walk in the Park does a really good at making that easy. I can find, figure out what to expect on the hike and find its trailhead and parking via the included maps.

I really like the book and considering the number of trails in the Acadia region, St. Germain has done a good job at providing descriptions for the best of the bunch.

Final Thoughts

I would recommend this book for anyone traveling to Acadia National Park who is looking to do some hiking. You'll most likely be completely bewildered without a guidebook and for an introductory guide to many of the Park's best hikes, definitely pick up a copy of Tom St. Germain's A Walk in the Park, Acadia's Hiking Guide, you won't be disappointed.

More information on Hiking in Acadia National Park at Adventures in the Outdoors.

Amazon.com Widgets

Wild Gardens of Acadia | Acadia National Park, Maine

2014-03-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

If you don’t have the time or the ability to visit all of the various ecological zones of Acadia National Park, but still want to get an idea of the various types of plants throughout the park, then stop by The Wild Gardens of Acadia. These gardens are host to native flora of Acadia, from the ocean to the tops of the mountains.

While I’m sure that not everyone wants to learn about all of the plants in Acadia, the Wild Gardens should interest just about everyone, if only to get an idea of the variety in flora that the park supports. Not only that, but the gardens themselves are quite nice too look at and depending upon the time of the year you arrive, may have quite a number of plants in flower.

Getting There

The Wild Gardens of Acadia are located adjacent to the Sieur de Monts Spring area.

The Sieur de Monts Spring area is off of the park’s main loop drive and is also accessible from Route 3 where it crosses the loop drive nearby. Both the spring and the Wild Garden area are well signed, both on the loop drive and on Route 3. There is parking provided along the roadway to the site, but during busier times it does tend to fill up and parking is allowed along the side of the roadways. For the thinnest crowds, try to hit the area early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as the parking and the crowds tend to be lighter, especially on weekends.

The vast majority of the people visiting the Sieur de Monts area are visiting the nature center, the spring and the Abbe Museum, which leaves the Wild Gardens a bit quieter and a nice place to take some time to walk around and explore.

What do you get when you visit?

Upon entering the garden, a small brochure is available that describes the various habitats and the plants that are found in each of those habitats. The garden is broken up into 12 different habitat ‘zones’ that represent each of the major habitats found in Acadia National Park. The zones include:

Mixed Woods
Roadside
Meadow
Mountain
Heath
Seaside
Brookside/Damp Thicket
Bird Thicket
Coniferous Woods
Bog
Marsh
Pond

Small paths travel throughout the garden and serve as delineators, separating the various habitats from one another.

For those without much botanical background, I think the most interesting aspect of the gardens is the way that they show the diversity of the park. You go from the plants that grow right along the seaside to the plants at the tops of the bare rock summits and everything else in between.

Kids will likely enjoy the Bog habitat where they can find the native insectivorous plants. The sundew, bladderwort and pitcher plant are all there and if you can find yourself a fly or a mosquito, you can feed it to the plant.

For those with stronger botanical backgrounds, it’s interesting to see all the various plants and habitats brought together in a relatively small area, whereas in nature they are generally not found together. It can also be fun to try to identify as much as you can without cheating and looking at the labels that are on representatives of most of the plants in the garden.

There are benches scattered throughout the gardens so people can sit and rest or just take in the surrounding gardens.

An interesting thing to note is the clarity of the water in the stream that travels along the western and northern edge of the gardens. It’s the outlet of the Sieur de Monts Spring and is crystal clear.

Is it worth a stop?

I have been to the Wild Gardens, once in the early spring before the majority of the plants were growing and then once again with my partner in the early fall. Both times, we spent a good amount of time walking around the garden, looking at the individual plants and the habitats in general. When I was there in the fall, my partner and I spent almost an hour wandering through the garden, mostly because he wanted to be able to identify as many plants as possible, which turned out to be quite a challenge since not everything is labeled and my plant identification skills have rusted up a bit since college. However, we both had a really good time and the gardens were a great place to just wander and enjoy each other’s company.

The gardens are free to visit with your park pass. However, should you want the brochure, a small donation is suggested to help defray the costs of production since the brochure is put together and published by the Garden Club of Mt. Desert, who also maintain the gardens.

Final Thoughts

A trip to the Wild Gardens of Acadia makes a great stop on your tour of Acadia National Park. You can spend as much time as you want wandering through the gardens, exploring the various habitats and native plants of the park, all in one spot.

Amazon.com Widgets

Sieur De Monts Spring and the Wild Gardens of Acadia - Acadia National Park, Maine

2014-03-09T09:26:00.001-07:00

If you’re visiting Acadia National Park, one stop you can’t miss is Sieur de Monts Spring, which is home to a nature center, spring house, hiking trails and the Abbe Museum. In addition, the Wild Gardens of Acadia are next to the site.

The Spring makes a great stop as you travel along Acadia National Park’s drive and gives you a chance to explore both the natural and human history of the Park.

Where is it?

Sieur de Monts Spring is off of the park’s main loop drive and also accessible from Route 3 where it crosses the loop drive. It’s well signed, both on the loop drive and on Route 3. There is parking provided along the roadway to the site, but during busier times it does tend to fill up and parking is allowed along the side of the roadways. During those times, it can be quite a walk from your car to the site.

For the least crowds, try to hit the area early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as the parking and the crowds tend to be lighter, especially on weekends.

What’s there?

Sieur de Monts Spring is home to the spring itself, a small nature center, the Abbe Museum, several hiking trails and adjacent to the site, the Wild Gardens of Acadia are accessible.

When you park along the access drive, you first encounter the nature center. This center, run by the National Park Service showcases the nature of Acadia National Park with dioramas, exhibits and stuffed animals you can look at and touch. There are also rangers on duty to answer any questions and who offer interpretive presentations throughout the day during the tourist season (Memorial Day through Columbus Day).

Leaving the Nature Center, the Wild Gardens of Acadia are off to your right, but you continue along the paths, walking by the outlet of the Sieur de Monts Spring. Continuing on you come to the spring itself, which is encased in a canopy that protect that spring. This canopy was built by George Dorr in early 1900s, and he was the one who carved “Sweet Waters of Acadia” on the boulder next to the spring house. From the spring, the waters drain to the small stream by the Nature Center and then continue on down through the Wild Gardens of Acadia and into the valley beyond.

From the spring house, there are two routes to explore. One takes you to the hiking trails that radiate away from the area. The most impressive of these trails is probably the Dorr Mountain Trail, which was built in the early 1900s and features numerous stone steps and staircases up the side of the mountain, which the builders hoped would allow anyone to be able to reach the summit of the mountain. You don’t have to walk very far to find some of these steps, which are well worth the short walk because of their impressiveness. If you are going to hike Dorr Mountain, it’s advisable to bring plenty of water and wear good hiking boots, as even though the trail is very well constructed, it’s still quite a climb to the summit of the mountain. The other trails are equally well constructed and any of them make for an interesting hike. Should you be interested in hiking, I’d suggest you pick up a copy of a hiking guide to Acadia (they’re available in almost every gift shop in the park) - which will provide a map and descriptions of all the trails in the area.

In addition to the hiking trails that radiate away from the Sieur de Monts Spring, you can visit the Abbe Museum, which is just up the hill from the spring and is an easy walk for anyone. The museum showcases the Native American history and culture in Maine.

There’s a small admission fee for the museum, which also gets you into the Abbe Museum location in downtown Bar Harbor. The museum is fairly small – and is located within a round building, so you can enter and then work your way around the museum. Displays, exhibits and dioramas are present in order to explain and illustrate the various pre-historic periods and the Native American culture – there are over 10,000 years of human history is presented in the museum There’s also a small gift shop that sells Native American goods and other items such as books on the natural and human history of the area.

There are full bathroom facilities next to the Nature Center.

How long will I spend there?

Depending upon how interested you are in the various portions of the Sieur de Monts Spring area, you can probably spend anywhere from about an hour to a full day (if you decide to go hiking up Dorr Mountain). To really view the nature center, the spring and the Abbe Museum, plan on at least 2 hours of time. If you also visit the nearby gardens, tack on another hour and if you go on any longer hikes, expect to spend several hours climbing the mountain.

Experiences

On my latest visit to the area, my partner and I spent the better part of one of our afternoons in Acadia at the Sieur de Monts Spring area. We were visiting on Columbus Day Weekend and while the park was busy, it wasn’t overwhelming. At the Sieur de Monts Spring parking was tight and we ended up parking down the road a distance and walking back. At the nature center we browsed through the exhibits and then sat in on a nature talk by one of the rangers. Following that, we walked up the spring, up the Dorr Mountain trail a short distance and then over to the Abbe Museum where we spent a good amount of time going through the exhibits and browsing the gift shop.

Is it worth visiting?

I think the answer here is an unqualified yes. The nature center, the spring and the hiking trails are all open to the public and the small admission fee for the Abbe Museum is well worth the price.

While it might be busy at times, especially on the weekends, you really shouldn’t skip this area as part of your tour of Acadia National Park. It gives you an opportunity to learn about the natural and human history of the park through the nature center and the Abbe Museum. There’s also an opportunity for hiking and if you visit the nearby Wild Gardens, you can learn about all of the plant life living in the park.

Final Thoughts

Don’t skip a visit to the Sieur de Monts Spring if you are visiting Acadia National Park. It’s an easy stop along the Park’s loop drive and is well worth the time.

Amazon.com Widgets

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine

2014-03-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

The village of Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island in Downeast Maine and is the gateway to Acadia National Park. It offers lots of options for shopping, dining and lodging and it makes for a great place to start your Downeast vacation.

One thing I really like about Bar Harbor and all of Mount Desert Island is the lack of runaway commercial development. Sure there are plenty of shops, restaurants and stores, but they are all part of the community. You won't find any Walmarts, McDonalds or anything else like that in Bar Harbor or on the entire island. It's a refreshing escape from that seemingly endless strip commercial development you find elsewhere.

We visit Bar Harbor and Acadia almost every year and we have almost always ended up staying close to the downtown area of Bar Harbor. There are hotels further out that are less expensive, but you are further from the all the services of downtown. We generally stay right on the outskirts of the downtown area. The hotels are slightly less expensive and you don't have to deal with the hustle and bustle of downtown whenever you want to leave and go to the rest of the island.

How do I find Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is actually quite easy to find. Taking Route 3 south from Ellsworth on the mainland, you'll cross over onto Mount Desert Island and then several more miles south you'll enter the village area of Bar Harbor. Route 3 skims around the downtown core of the village and then cuts through the southern portion of the town, passing by the common area. From Route 3 there are a number of side streets that travel into the downtown area.

It's about an hour or so south of Bangor, 3 hours from Augusta and about 5-6 hours from the Boston area.

Parking is probably the biggest headache for Bar Harbor. The majority of parking is of the on-street type except for a parking area on the pier on the waterfront. However during busy times, it's almost not even worth seeing if there is a parking spot down there. In the off-season, you can pretty much park anywhere, but during the busier season if you luck out with a spot that's close to downtown, you're really lucky. We usually end up parking a fair distance away and having to walk in.

What's in Bar Harbor?

Lacking the typical strip development you'll find elsewhere, Bar Harbor is filled with unique shops, restaurants, stores and galleries. There is a little of everything for everyone I think. We walk around and browse various shops (which do have their share of touristy stuff), check out the various art and furniture galleries (and wish we had more money) and always enjoy our meals in town.

The vast majority of the shopping is centered on the downtown area just uphill from the waterfront along Main Street and off a few of the side streets from there. Beyond that initial downtown area, there are other stores and restaurants scattered through the village, including north and south along Route 3 on the outskirts of town.

Since we've visited Bar Harbor many times, we don't spend hours wandering around the village, but we have our favorite restaurants and shops that we like to check out. If you are visiting the area for the first time, I'd think it would take at least a few hours to walk through the entire village area. That also includes quite a bit of walking, so make sure that you wear comfortable shoes.

Where to stay in Bar Harbor?

There are a number of hotels and inns within the village of Bar Harbor. These tend to be the most expensive places to stay in the area, but they offer the convenience of being right in the downtown area and you won't need to drive or find a place to park to go out shopping or eating.

We actually have never stayed in the immediate downtown area, just because it's so expensive for a room. However, I would like to at some point, especially during the busy season, since you wouldn't have to search for parking or walk miles from a parking spot to get into the downtown area.

On the outskirts of town there are plenty of other less expensive options for lodging. Not all are within walking distance of downtown (a mile or two), but to the north and south of the village on Route 3 are a number of hotels, motels and inns. There are also a number of restaurants in these sections, so you won't necessarily have to go all the way into town to eat.

On most of our visits to the area, this is where we stay. We spend most of our time in Acadia, so this provides us with easy access to the park without having to deal with the downtown area. However we're close enough that it's either a quick drive or a longer walk to the village. In general, we just drive, since the majority of hotels are at least a mile or so from the downtown area. However with the restaurants that are in this area, especially on the north side, you don't always need to go into the downtown area.

Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park. The main entrance to the park is about 2 miles or so from the downtown area, but you can reach the park from a number of roads that leave the village area and go across the island.

Everything in the park is reachable from the Bar Harbor area once you get on the park roadways. I have always found that the Bar Harbor area makes for a good base to explore the park. We always go to the grocery store on our first day there and stock up on cold cuts and bread so we can make sandwiches (if our hotel has a fridge in the room) and we can be out biking and hiking in the park all day. Then we come back to our hotel, relax, clean up and hit Bar Harbor for dinner and entertainment.

Things to note...

If you want to stock up on groceries or other items like that, there's only one grocery store in Bar Harbor. We generally stop at the Walmart or one of the grocery stores in Ellsworth before coming on to the island. That way we can get some soda and other things to last us while we're on the island (plus we don't have to pay island prices).

There aren't too many "cheap" dining options in Bar Harbor beyond a sandwich shop, a Chinese restaurant and a few pizza places. The majority of the restaurants are more upscale dining and the prices and representative of this. That's why we just often use the cold cuts for sandwiches and skip having lunch in town.

Bar Harbor hosts cruise ships in season, so from time to time you'll see a large cruise ship come up into the harbor and the town will quickly be inundated with visitors from the ship. This can make it very hard to find a place to eat or even get into some of the shops.

The Busy Season and the Off-Season in Bar Harbor

Talk about a tale of two cities. Visiting Bar Harbor in the summer and the winter is like visiting two different villages. The summer tends to be very crowded, busy and bustling, while the winter is much quieter and only a handful of shops and restaurants are open.

We've visited during both periods and both have their pluses and minuses. I like the off-season because you can go anywhere and do anything without lines. The park is still open if the roads are snow-free and you don't need reservations and you won't have to worry about any lines in Bar Harbor.

Final Thoughts

I really love Bar Harbor. It's quaint, it's comfortable and it offers a lot for my partner and I. We always enjoy our vacations to Mount Desert Island and we always stay in the Bar Harbor area. On every trip we spend plenty of time in the downtown area and we never get tired of it. Not only that, but it's the perfect place to start your adventures on the rest of the island.

If you're looking for an interesting place to stay in the Downeast region of Maine, check out Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island. You won't be disappointed, I know I never have been.

Amazon.com Widgets

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor

2014-03-09T08:55:00.005-07:00

I love Acadia National Park. Maybe it's because I love Maine, but there's definitely something special about this park and its amazing scenery. The park is located along the Maine Coast on the Schoodic Peninsula, on Mount Desert Island and on Isle Au Haute. However the majority of the park is on Mount Desert Island and that is where we spend most of our time since there are almost 200 miles of hiking trails, the miles of coastline to explore and the village of Bar Harbor to enjoy.

Not only that, but Acadia National Park is America's easternmost National Park you can watch the first rays of sunshine hit the United States on the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Simply put, in my mind, Acadia is an outstanding park and should not be missed!

My History with Acadia

I had lived in Maine for almost a year before I first visited Acadia and realized what I had been missing all that time (even though I lived about 2 1/2 hours from Acadia up in the Greenville area). Acadia is one of those magic areas that when you are there, you quickly realize how wonderful it is that the area is protected by National Park status. Now that I'm not living in Maine, but in Massachusetts, I still try to get up there and I stop by every time that I'm in Maine.

On my first trip to Acadia, I toured and trekked through the park in mid-April and found that there were almost no crowds at even the most popular destinations in the park. While the days weren't all that warm and the weather wasn't perfect, the park was still there in all of its glory. If anything, it was even better because there were so few crowds. Wherever you wanted to go, you were able to get there with little or no trouble. No traffic jams, no shuttle buses, you did what you wanted when you wanted.

Even Thunder Hole, one of the must sees in the park and one of the most famous locations in the park, had maybe 20 people at any one time there while we were there. We were able to get right down to the edge of the rocks and experience, without the pushing and shoving crowds, what makes the area special. We even managed to get hit by several breaking waves as they crashed through Thunder Hole. The bad weather made it even more interesting, as the storm was whipping up the ocean, so the waves were even bigger than normal.

Since then I've visited Acadia several more times at different times of the year. Each has its pluses and minuses. In the summer months all of the attractions are open, as are all the store and restaurants in Bar Harbor and surrounding villages. However hotels are very expensive and just about everything is really crowded. Spring tends to be stormy and in a snowy winter, you'll have to wait for the snow to melt to do a lot of the hiking. The area during the early fall is almost as crowded as the summer months since everyone is looking at the changing leaves, but later in the year, like in November, the park empties out and if it hasn't snowed yet, just about everything is still open park wise (trails and attractions). However the shops and restaurants tend to close up in Bar Harbor and the other towns.

Visiting Acadia

Depending on when you decide to go to the park, your options for taking in Acadia change. In the spring or in the late fall you can really take your time explore the park without any crowds. This includes the trail network and the attractions like Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole. During the summer months exploring on this level is difficult, if not just impractical, since nowadays in the height of the tourist season, most roads within the park are really crowded. The only saving grace is that there are shuttle buses that run from the hotels and campgrounds in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth into the park so that you don't need your car at all. This is all in an effort to reduce air pollution in the summertime at the park. In the winter time most of the park is not easily accessible since not all the park roads are plowed. This includes the Cadillac Mountain Road and most of the park roads except for a portion between Sieur de Monts and Blackwoods Campground. The rest of the roads are open to walking and skiing, but that can make for long approaches for some of the mountain hikes.

Things to See

While at Acadia you have to take the drive (or hike if you are up to it) up Cadillac Mountain. The view is awe-inspiring and the drive itself can be quite an experience (especially for those with fears of exposure and heights). The road is well maintained and is not difficult to drive, however, in several places, you just look out into the wide open as you are coming around a turn. Nothing at like the Mount Washington Auto Road, but it is a really interesting drive none-the-less. Part of the reason that Cadillac Mountain is impressive is because it is right next to the ocean. So even at its somewhat short height, you are looking down over 1,000 vertical feet of relief to the ocean. The mountain will give you excellent views across the park and to the surrounding areas.

Another great spot is The Beehive, which is a small mountain right across from Sand Beach. The hike is maybe at most, a ½ a mile, but it climbs up and over what could be considered by some to be a cliff. There are ladders and steel cables bolted right into the mountain along the trail,, so that people without technical climbing experience can make their way up. The views are great, the exercise gets your blood pumping and you can make quite a few hiking loops from the top of The Beehive to get back down to your car at Sand Beach.

Sand Beach itself is also worth a visit. This is one of the few sandy beaches on the coast and while it is open for swimming, the water is very cold, even at the height of the summertime. Most people just enjoy the sun on the beach and skip going into the water.

For people less interested in climbing mountains and who want to enjoy a stroll along a wooded path or a bike ride down some nice bridle paths, there is a very extensive system of very well maintained bridal paths (originally horse and carriage roads) that are open to walking and biking that go around almost the entire park. You can ride your bike on them, walk on them and take horses on them. There are stables in the park where you can get a horse too.

The Schoodic Peninsula, which is about a an hour and a half drive from Bar Harbor and the main portion of the park is the only part of Acadia on the mainland of Maine. It's about 45 minutes to the east on Route 1 from Ellsworth and is worth the drive if you have the time. A single solitary ocean drive makes its way around the tip of the peninsula offering vistas across the bay to Mount Desert Island and up the coast to the east.

There are a ton of hiking opportunities in the park, which has almost 200 miles of trails. These trails explore just about every corner of the park and make for some great day trips. There is no overnight camping in the backcountry though, so all of your hikes have to be day trips. In the summertime the shuttle system makes its easy to link together trails for longer hikes since you don't have to worry about coming back to where your car is. Some of my favorite hikes include the Beehive, Penobscot Mountain and Beech Mountain. The trails are all very well maintained and thanks to the work of the CCC back in the 30's the quality of the trails in places is simply amazing. One trail literally is made of thousands of granite steps up the steep face of a mountain.

The Jordan Pond House is worth a stop when it is open. They serve lunch and dinner within the park and are famous for their afternoon tea that is served at tables that are on the lawn of the house. It makes for an incredible experience, either dining there or having tea surrounded by the mountains of Acadia.

Sieur de Monts Spring is home to the spring itself, a small nature center, the Abbe Museum, several hiking trails and adjacent to the site, the Wild Gardens of Acadia are accessible. The Spring makes a great stop as you travel along Acadia National Park's drive and gives you a chance to explore both the natural and human history of the Park.

While I'm sure that not everyone wants to learn about all of the plants in Acadia, the Wild Gardens of Acadia should interest just about everyone and if you don't have the time or the ability to visit all of the various ecological zones of Acadia National Park, but still want to get an idea of the various types of plants throughout the park, then stop by the Wild Gardens of Acadia. These gardens are host to native flora of Acadia, from the ocean to the tops of the mountains.

Bar Harbor and Downeast Maine

While at Acadia you will have to stop in the nearby town of Bar Harbor to get a flavor of the region. While Bar Harbor is a richer version of Downeast Maine culture in general, it is an interesting and fun place for those who want to explore. Don't forget to stop in a seafood restaurant and get a taste of some Maine "Lobstah." You won't be able to go wrong, because they are all great (and that's coming from someone who doesn't even like seafood, but never found a place his friends didn't like when he took them down there).

If you want to experience true Downeast culture, I would suggest a trip further east, out towards Machias, the unorganized townships that include Trescott and ultimately, at the very eastern tip of Maine, Lubec. Don't expect to find the kitschy shops and trendy restaurants of Bar Harbor, expect to find the true spirit of the Downeast area. It's an experience worth having and is one that very few people are lucky enough to experience (I was lucky because I got to cover the Downeast region for a year when I was working in Maine. Even though I worked out of Augusta, I was still up there as much as I could).

Camping and Lodging

There are campground facilities in the park for those wishing to stay (reservations are recommended and probably almost impossible to get in the summer unless you book way in advance), along with private campgrounds and hotels outside of the park in the Bar Harbor area and surrounding towns. In the summertime, just about everything is booked up, so without reservations, you are out of luck. I was down there once and the closest available hotel room was in Bangor, almost 2 hours away.

Dining

The only restaurant in Acadia National Park proper is the Jordan Pond House. There are also a few shops that sell some snacks and water. The rest of the dining is located in Bar Harbor and the other nearby towns. Bar Harbor has the most with everything from deli's and pizza places to fine dining restaurants. You should be able to find almost anything. Reservations are generally needed in the summer unless you want to wait a while. In the off-season, some places close, but generally there's no waiting for the remaining restaurants.

Final Thoughts

So I'd say if you live in the area, or are planning a trip to Maine, Acadia National Park has to be on your list of must-see places. While I love Acadia in the summertime, if you really want to get a good look at the park, I would shoot for visits in the spring or the fall to beat the crowds and to take the hassle out of your trip.

Otherwise if you are going in the summertime, prepare for some crowds, but even with them, you'll love the park.

Amazon.com Widgets

Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino - Uncasville, Connecticut

2014-03-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

While it used to be the forgotten step-sister of the Foxwoods Resort/Casino now, through some major expansions, Mohegan Sun is giving Foxwoods a run for its money and at least in some ways, has surpassed Foxwoods as the destination for gaming and entertainment in eastern Connecticut.

A high-rise hotel, casino, and “mall” all opened at Mohegan Sun several years ago, effectively doubling, if not tripling the size of the complex. Before the expansion, Mohegan Sun was just a casino that was fairly large and a few restaurants, but it did not have any hotel facilities and did not have any other facilities that might be associated with a casino resort.
Now, since that expansion, Mohegan Sun has two (and a half) casinos, numerous restaurants, a hotel, a spa, a sports/event arena, a cabaret, the world’s largest planetarium (located on the ceiling above the new casino), and a mixed shopping/attraction “mall” between the old and the new casino. Not only that, Mohegan Sun followed that expansion with the opening of a third (albeit smaller) casino.

Where is it?

Mohegan Sun is located almost directly off of Interstate 395 (which shoots off of Interstate 95 in Connecticut and then goes up to the MassPike/I90 in Massachusetts). It’s about an hour and 45 minutes or so from Boston and about 3 hours from New York City.

My Mohegan History

Back when Mohegan was still small – I loved visiting it. It was almost homey. My boyfriend and I knew someone that worked there and no matter when we went, we’d run into her – we’d chat and we’d have a good time. We’d also bring friends down (since I do have a gambling buddy) and all in all, we all agreed that for a purely gaming experience, we all enjoy Mohegan much more than Foxwoods. At that point, Foxwoods was starting to go downhill (aka, things weren't be cleaned as much, the payouts seemed small, etc…) and things at Mohegan seemed to be very nice.

Once the expansion started, it appeared (from a casual gambler's perspective) that payouts decreased somewhat and the crowds increased astronomically. The first night we were there after the second casino opened, but before the hotel itself opened, the place was so crowded that we had to park at least at least a half a mile from the casino and walk – no shuttle buses were provided.

Then when the hotel opened up, along with the arena and the other entertainment destinations, the crowds only increased further. Now I understand that casinos are crowded (except maybe in Vegas because there are so many) but I don’t expect to go to one and be forced to spend 90% of my time wandering around looking for a slot machine or a table that I could sit down at. It was that crowded.

My other big complaint at that time was the lack of quarter slot machines. It seemed that almost everything in the new casino (and much of the old casino too) was in 50 cent and $1.00 denominations. I don’t mind playing them occasionally, but if I want to go and just spend a small amount of money, I’m going to want to play quarters or a low denomination table and you either just couldn't find them, or they were always so busy that you couldn't use them.

Add to that my experience after that. My boyfriend and I, along with two of our friends had gone down for the evening. Part of the reason was we had received coupons for a complimentary meal at the new buffet. So we go to the buffet and we are having a good time when our first round of drinks were all finished up and our waiter was nowhere to be seen. I finally manage to flag down another waitress and ask her for another round of drinks. She comes back with the drinks and then probably about 5 minutes later, the original waiter comes back and says that he got the drinks. I wasn't in a mood to argue at this point and just said – “No, we had another waitress bring them.” At this point, he started arguing with me. He was raising his voice, as was I when I finally told him to get out of our faces and leave us along because we didn't want to be bothered with him. I went and got the manager and started to talk to him when the waiter came up to the both of us and started to call me a liar and started fighting with the manager. The managed assured me it would be taken care of and we got a new waiter afterwards. Since the meals were already comp’ed (from the coupons) it wasn't like we could get a free meal, but it would have been nice to get something – however, other than an apology, nothing happened.

Between the crappy service and the crowds - we all pretty much swore off of Mohegan and started to only go to Foxwoods in place of Mohegan. We also noticed that with the new competition, Foxwoods started to clean up it’s act – replacing and rehabbing a lot of the resort, adding new slot machines, cutting hotel rates and in general, just doing a better job at running the place. In addition, the payouts were improving, along with service so we focused on going to Foxwoods.

Going back

Eventually though, the new expansions at Mohegan Sun opened that included a new mall, a new casino and a hotel and we started going back to Mohegan Sun. The new casino effectively doubled the size of Mohegan Sun and the mall added a whole new range of shopping opportunities and dinning choices.

When I first went back to Mohegan I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. All of the new facilities were open (such as Michael Jordan’s restaurant, a new buffet, along with several other new restaurants, the spa, and more shops in the mall section). The crowds seemed to be a bit more manageable (at most times) and the payouts didn't seem to be so poor that you didn't even want to bother playing.

Those first few tentative visits convinced me to start focusing on Mohegan when I went to gamble with friends or family. It was clean, well run, and staff that was generally much more pleasant than the staff at Foxwoods. Not only that, their rewards program seemed to be a lot better than Foxwoods.

The New Mohegan Sun

Nowadays Mohegan Sun is my first choice when it comes to gaming. Chalk it up to years of playing there since the new expansion opened along with their player services. I enjoy the comps that are offered to me when it comes to tickets, hotel rooms, dining and shopping. Not only that, I’ve always had better luck at Mohegan now – winning bigger jackpots and generally just having a much better time than I ever have at Foxwoods.

Plus Mohegan Sun is nowhere near as dirty or rundown as Foxwoods is. Not only that, their air circulation system is much better. As a non-smoker I realize people smoke in a casino, but at Mohegan Sun generally that smoke is quickly sucked up and out of the casino, while at Foxwoods, it tends to just sit in the casino, even if you are nowhere near anyone smoking.

Another plus is the fact that like Vegas, Mohegan seems to get the latest and newest slot machines quite often. At Foxwoods, you have to often wait years before a “new” slot machine shows up. It’s something different and it’s fun to play with the new machines.

While incredibly overpriced, the rooms at Mohegan’s hotel are quite nice, the standard room has all the expected amenities and in general, because they are so new, are quite nice, probably even a bit nicer than the room that I stayed in at Foxwoods. However, like I said they are expensive and unless you get a discounted offer, are generally more than I would pay for a room.

With the opening of the new restaurants, your food options at Mohegan have grown exponentially. There are two different buffets. One serves all three meals, the other only lunch and dinner. There are also 3 other restaurants in the old casino (a steak house, a Chinese restaurant, along with a 24-hour “diner” type place) along with a food court and a coffee bar. The new mall has several new restaurants including Michael Jordan’s restaurant, a seafood place, a Johnny Rockets, a Starbucks coffee shop and another food court. The new casino itself has the new buffet along with a few snack shops scattered around it.

If you’re at Mohegan to shop, even though the stores in the mall are all fairly well known, prices seem to be quite high. So expect to spend some money on anything you buy here. You have to go and look at the giant fish tanks though – even if you don’t buy anything – one store’s door is arched over by a fish tank and it’s so amazing to walk through – surrounded by water and fish. Makes you almost lose your balance.

Mohegan’s Players Club

Mohegan also offers a player’s club, just like Foxwoods, for people who gamble at Mohegan. For every $80 that you spend gambling, you earn one point in the club. When you get your card, you enter a PIN number and once you have a balance on your card, you can use it at most establishments throughout Mohegan to purchase items or pay for services (1 point = 1 dollar). The player’s club is also the way that Mohegan tracks your play at the casinos and how it figures out what kind of complimentary offers it gives to you. These include coupons for food, discounted hotel room, even tickets and more. The complimentary offers are generally not as extensive as Foxwoods.

Casino of the Earth

Mohegan’s original casino, Casino of the Earth is still my favorite. It’s in the shape of a very large circle (you’ll find yourself going around and around) and has a ton of different slot machines and table games. In the middle of the circle is the Wolf’s Den, a small stage area where various acts perform in free concerts. So you can be playing on the slots and watch a show at the same time.

On the outside of the circle are some shops, restaurants and other gaming areas. There’s a high limit slot area along with a slots room, a non-smoking casino and an Asian gaming area.

I think one of the reasons this is my favorite casino is because it’s comfortable. It has high ceilings which keep the cigarette smoke from bunching up, it’s big enough that crowds tend to get disbursed and you can always find a machine. I also like the lighting, which is bright enough to see, but otherwise is fairly low.

Casino of the Sky

The Casino of the Sky was Mohegan Sun’s second casino to open. This casino is probably slightly larger than the Casino of the Earth and is more open and brighter. It features a high limit slot area in the center and various slot and table games around that.

In the middle of the Casino is a “mountain” that holds a lounge at its peak. Above that is a planetarium so you can actually watch the stars and the constellations on the ceiling. It’s kind of cool but I almost always forget to look up.

There are a couple of restaurants and buffets around the casino along with shops.

Thanks to the high ceilings air quality is good in this casino and besides a few areas near the entrances and exits, it’s almost never all that crowded so that you can find a machine or a table to play.

Casino of the Wind

Mohegan Sun opened their third casino in August of 2008, which they have named the Casino of the Wind. This casino isn’t as large as the other two casinos, but it does have a number of different slot machines, table games and provides access to the new Poker area. Probably the most striking feature of the new casino is the water wall in the back of it. This stone wall is lit and has water cascading down its front. The lights are constantly changing giving you a constantly changing wall to look at. I actually find it a bit disconcerting to walk past – it’s easy to get a bit off balance if you’re watching it and not watching where you’re walking. However when you’re sitting at a machine, it is cool to watch for a bit.

The Casino of the Wind is a lot more intimate than the other casinos at Mohegan Sun. It’s fairly small and has the slots and the table games fairly packed in so it can get crowded. The ceilings are also a lot lower than in other portions of Mohegan so the cigarette smoke does tend to build up here. That’s one reason I try not to spend too much time in there since it can be very smoky.

In the back of the Casino of the Wind is the entrance to Mohegan Sun’s poker room. I’m not a poker player so I’ve never been in there, but from what I can see, it does look a lot nicer than the old poker room that had been in the Casino of the Earth.

You can eat and drink at the Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant and bar, which is accessible through the casino and grab a sandwich at the Chief’s Deli. There’s also a bar in the middle of the casino that offers video poker as you sit and enjoy your drink.

I don’t mind playing in the Casino of the Wind as it does tend to have newer slots than other portions of Mohegan Sun, but it is fairly crowded and the heavy cigarette smoke gets to me quickly. I usually swing through and play a few games and then move on, if only because I don’t like being crowded in and the smoke can get pretty thick.

Final Thoughts

All in all, I really like the new Mohegan Sun. Instead of ignoring it like I used to in years past, Mohegan is my first destination for gambling and Foxwoods is a distant second. When I am offered a good deal (or a complimentary one) I have stayed at the hotel, but with the current rates (almost nothing seems cheaper than $200 a night right now), I can’t justify staying there and then spending money to gamble too if I don’t get an offer. It seems a little extravagant, when for another $100 or so, I could fly to Vegas, and spend a few nights up there. However, Mohegan Sun is worth a visit even if you don’t stay there overnight and the new casino and mall area are quite extraordinary to behold. The waterfall in the center of the mall and the mountain with the planetarium above it in the new casino are both must-sees.

Don’t miss Mohegan Sun – it’s definitely eclipsed Foxwoods as the gambling destination in eastern Connecticut. There are two large casinos with almost endless slots and table games, a nifty smaller casino, a number of different restaurants, an entire shopping mall and a nice hotel.

April 21st, 2009 Visit Update

It's been a while since I've stayed overnight at Mohegan and since I just had a recent experience, I figured I'd provide an update on that hotel side of Mohegan Sun.

My partner and I, along with a friend were spending the night at Mohegan to celebrate my birthday and our recent wedding anniversary. When we had booked the room, which was a complimentary room, we asked for a room with two queen beds. We called the night before we arrived to confirm the two beds, but then when we arrived for check in, we were told that they only had rooms with a single king-sized bed.

I think all three of us were a little flabbergasted and my response was “well you realize there's three of us.” The check-in person explained that a reservation isn't a guarantee of a certain room, just that you'll get a room. I can't say I was exactly thrilled that we'd have a room with one bed. She did say we could have a roll-away bed which wasn't really much of a consolation, though at least our friend wouldn't have to be sharing the bed with us. There really wasn't even much of an apology or anything, it was basically “this is how it is, live with it.”

The rest of the stay was pretty uneventful, though the three of us were squeezed into a fairly small room and with the roll-away bed, it was even tighter.

Our view wasn't that great, we looked up across the casino and out the access road towards the gas station instead of towards the river.
Room service was quick with our morning coffee and the staff did check in with us to make sure that the roll-away bed had arrived and that we were happy.

Overall it was a decent stay, but if I had paid full price for a room ($200-$400), I would have been livid if they had only given me a room with a king-sized bed for the three of us, even if they had given us a roll-away bed. With a complimentary room, I could learn to live with it and since I didn't have to sleep on the roll-away bed, it didn't bother me too much.

March 15-18, 2010 Stay

I have to say that our check and rooms were better on this visit. This time we went with a friend and my brother. My partner and I checked into a non-smoking room (which we did have to argue for) with a king bed and they got a smoking room (didn't really want one) with two queens. The rooms were fine and room service was efficient. We found that there aren't many options for breakfast other than the buffet or Tuscany. Dining options in general are kind of limited at the moment since Pompeii and Caesar along with Bamboo Garden and the Longhouse Steak restaurant are all closed for renovations and the remaining restaurants are generally either pretty basic or very expensive. Not much middle ground. The pool was nice and we spent a lot of time there.

Winter 2011 Stay

Our experience was not that great when it came to check in. We had checked in as part of a large group and there was a serious miscommunication about the entire process. The front desk didn't have records of the reservations and some of the people staying, ended up being billed twice, once to the company that reserved and paid for all the rooms and another charge to the individuals staying there. It took us several weeks of wrangling with Mohegan Sun customer support to figure out and straighten out the billing.

2013 Updates

I have not stayed at Mohegan Sun since the Winter 2011 stay, but I have visited the site multiple times. Several restaurants have been closed and then reopened as a new restaurant. The casinos are more or less the same as they have ever been. Big name entertainers often do a show at the Mohegan Sun Arena. I've seen several concerts there and because it's a big venue, but not too big, they can be some great shows.

The Hudson River School Art Trail

2014-03-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

The Hudson River School Art Trail is one of the more unique trails in the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The Trail provides the chance to walk in the footsteps of the 19th century artists who pioneered American landscape painting and created the Hudson River School of painting.

What is the Hudson River School Art Trail and where is it?

The Hudson River School Art Trail links up several different sites in the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains that are important to the Hudson River School of painting. Beginning at Cedar Grove, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, the Trail makes its way via local roadways through the Hudson Valley and up into the Catskill Mountains, ending at the Catskill Mountain House site at the North and South Lake Campground in the Catskill Park. Brochures with information and maps are available at Cedar Grove, Olana and the Mountaintop Historical Society with information also available online from Cedar Grove website.

Cedar Grove is the home and studio of Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School of Art. At this stop on the Trail you learn about his life, and his art. From Cedar Grove you head east across the nearby Rip Van Winkle Bridge to visit Olana in Columbia County, the home of Frederic Edwin Church, a former student of Thomas Cole and another Hudson River School artist. The views from the grounds are spectacular across the Hudson to the northern Catskills, about 10 miles distant. Returning across the river you can stop along Route 9W at Catskill Creek and the view the scene that Thomas Cole enjoyed so much that he painted it more than any other, including his painting, the View on Catskill Creek.

From the village of Catskill the Trail follows Route 23A west towards the prominent eastern escarpment of the Catskill Mountains. As the road makes its way into the mountains through the Kaaterskill Clove, your next stop is at the parking lot for the trailhead for the Kaaterskill Falls Trail. From the parking lot, carefully walk back down Route 23A to the trail, which begins on your left just after crossing the bridge in front of Bastion Falls. The trail ends abruptly at the base of the falls where you will see the view that greeted Hudson River School artists including Sanford Gifford, who painted Falls of the Kaaterskill.

The Mountain Top Historical Society, which is the next stop along the Trail is at the top of the climb on Route 23A, just after the road levels off and on your right. The site is home to the Hudson Valley Art Trail Interpretive Center, along with other exhibits on the history of the mountaintop region including the restored train station. After your stop at the Historical Society, you will turn right on Route 23A for a short stretch and take a right onto North Lake Road. From there it's about two miles to the gatehouse of the North-South Lake Public Campground, which you will have to enter to reach the last stops along the trail. After paying the day-use fee you will have access to the grounds of the campground, including the beaches and trailheads.

The three remaining stops along the Art Trail are all located within the general area of the campground. Cole did his sketch for Lake with Dead Trees from the bank of South Lake. Sunset Rock provides outstanding views of the lakes and was the view that Jasper Cropsey painted in Catskill Mountain House. At the former site of the Catskill Mountain House, you can see the view that served as the inspiration for Church's painting Above the Clouds at Sunrise.

The hike out to Sunset Rock walk is the longest walk of the Art Trail at about a mile and a half long and follows one of the Catskill Park's well known trails, the Escarpment Trail. This walk is only about three quarters of a mile in length and starts at the North Lake Beach parking area. From Sunset Rock, you can see North and South Lakes, the former site of the Catskill Mountain House, South Mountain rising behind the site, Kaaterskill High Peak and Roundtop beyond and the Hudson Valley to the east. The view was the inspiration for Jasper Cropsey, when he painted Catskill Mountain House, which captured the lakes, the Mountain House and the mountains beyond. To return to your car, retrace your steps.

The walk out to the former site of the Catskill Mountain House is a short walk from the South Lake Pavilion parking area. From the back of the parking lot a gravel roadway leads to the Catskill Mountain House site. It is a few hundred yards to the site, which is now a large mowed grassy area where you can see vestiges of the Mountain House's foundation in addition to outstanding views of the Hudson Valley. This was the view that inspired Frederic Church.

My Experiences

I have lived in the area and enjoyed the landscape paintings of the Hudson River School of Painting, so it is nice that there has been more effort into promoting the history of the area and showing the existing vistas that inspired those painters many years ago. One amazing feature is that many of the views today are just as stunning and just as wild as they were when they were painted, thanks to the protection of the Catskill Park.

Final Thoughts

While all the places that make up the Art Trail are interesting to explore on their own, the opportunity to take a guided to all of them is well worth it and I would highly recommend getting the map, brochure and heading out on the Art Trail.

The Hudson River School Art Trail is a unique way to explore this portion of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills while giving you a unique insight into the Hudson River School of painting.

For more info

Hudson River School Art Trail Website

Need More Information on Hiking and Planning Outdoor
Adventures in the Catskill Mountains and the Catskill Park?

Check out Adventures in the Outdoors' Catskill Mountain Information Page for hikes, advice, travel and planning information. Need a hiking map for your hikes in the Catskills? We recommend the Trail Conference's Catskills Trails 6-Map Set. These maps are some of the best available for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Catskills and the Catskill Park. How about a guidebook? Both AMC and ADK publish trail guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps for hiking and exploring the Catskill Mountain region.

Review of Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport, MA | Alternative to Crowded Cape Cod Beaches

2013-05-06T12:58:00.002-07:00

With somewhere near 600 acres of beach and sand dunes, Horseneck Beach is a great place when you want to get to the beach without having to deal with Cape Cod traffic. It’s located in the very southern portion of Massachusetts on the western end of Buzzards Bay and is about an hour or so for Boston Metrowest residents, probably about 2 hours for Boston residents and about 45 minutes or so for Providence residents.

What’s there?

You probably guessed there’s a beach! The park has about 2 miles of beaches that are open to swimming. The beach is the most crowded near the parking lots and with some effort (and a lot of walking) you can generally find less crowded and quieter areas to relax and enjoy the ocean. In addition to the beach itself, Horseneck offers facilities for the beachgoers that include changing rooms, showers, restrooms and a snack bar if the munchies get you while you’re out swimming. Except for the snack bar, the facilities are all free to use once you’ve paid the day use fee to get into the park. The snack bar is very pricey – it’s better to bring a cooler with some food then to try to buy yourself lunch. For my boyfriend and I, lunch ran us almost $20 and that was like 2 hamburgers, 2 sodas and fries and I think a dish of ice cream.

There is a 100-site campground located behind the dunes of the park, but within earshot of the ocean. The campground is nothing to write home about – the sites are all fairly open with trees few and far between and the sites are quite closely spaced. Campers looking for a quiet, tranquil and peaceful experience probably won’t find it at Horseneck, but for those of us who are more interested in being close to the ocean and having easy access to the beach, the campground is great. The sites have water, but no electricity and dumping stations are available to empty out your camper.

For people who enjoy watching birds, the mixture of beach, dunes and salt marshes at Horseneck Beach make it a good location to see various birds. Not being a big birding enthusiast, I couldn’t really tell you what birds you’ll see, but I have seen plenty and my friends of the birding persuasion tell me at times it’s quite the place to be.

There are no trails in the park and the public is required to access the beach through marked “access points,” through the dunes to prevent further erosion of the dunes.

How much does it cost?

Horseneck Beach is one of the best bargains out there for people who are looking to spend an inexpensive day at the beach. The day-use fee for the beach and its facilities is only $7 per carload.

The campground is slightly more expensive at $15 a night, but you are paying for the convenience of being next to the ocean, literally. Plus if you are staying at the campground, you don’t need to pay the day use fee, so think of it as you’re only paying $8 to spend the night at the park.

How’s the beach?

Horseneck is hardly the best beach in Massachusetts, but on the whole it’s clean, the water is usually warm enough to comfortably swim in, the facilities are nice, and the almost ever present breeze off the ocean keeps it a reasonable temperature when the rest of Massachusetts is sweltering.

The beach slopes gently out to the ocean – so most swimmers can get quite far out before they’re unable to touch the bottom – which can be a comfort for people who don’t like to swim in the ocean, or for people who just want to stand in the water and not swim.

While not quite open to the open ocean, the waves can vary quite a bit – from little waves that even a small child would be comfortable in, to really big waves with some serious rip currents. Swimming advisories are posted as you enter the park and if conditions deteriorate too much, the park will stop all swimming.

With the constant wind, Horseneck is also a popular place with windsurfers and when you’re on the beach or in the water, you’ll often see them sailing around just off-shore.

Facilities?

Everything is kept up and the facilities at the park are generally quite clean. There showers feature warm water (a nice change from those cold water rinse-off showers at some beaches) and changing rooms.

The snack bar is expensive, but the food isn’t half bad and if you’ve forgotten suntan lotion or something else, they do offer a few items like that.

Campground?

You’ll need reservations to stay at this campground (http://www.mass.gov/dem/recreate/camping.htm) throughout most of its season (May through October). The rates aren’t bad and while the sites have something to be desired aesthetically, you are close to the ocean and close to the beach. You can roll out of your sleeping bag and in five minutes be on the beach.

In addition to the public-use bathrooms and showers at the beach, the campground has its own showers and restrooms for campers to use.

Crowds?

Yeah, some weekends or really hot days, traffic will back up for miles getting to Horseneck Beach. Your best bet is to either stay away on weekends and go during the week, or if you really want to go on a weekend – get there as early as possible to beat the crowds or go late and get in a little bit of sun and swimming.

The beach, especially right by the access points can get very crowded, to the point where you have to climb over people to walk along. However if you travel away from the access trails through the dunes and move further down the beach, you’re likely to find a less crowded (and hectic) area to lay out and enjoy the day.

No, nos

There aren’t any pets allowed on the beach or in the campground, so Fido is going to have to stay at home.

You have to stay on developed trails or the beach – just about everything is off-limits due to revegetation efforts on the dunes and in the marshes.

Final Thoughts

A quick trip for me, Horseneck Beach is a great escape when I want to go to the beach, but don’t want to have to go out to Cape Cod or to the beaches closer to Boston. I generally stay away on weekends because of the crowds, but even then getting to the park early or late generally helps with avoiding the crowds.

What I do, when a great day comes along – I call into work and tell them I won’t be in – and I go and spend the day on the beach, enjoying the sun and intermittently swimming. There are still people on the beach, but the crowds are significantly smaller and the whole experience is much more pleasant.

I’ve never purposely camped at the campground, but I have stayed with friends who stayed overnight and I’ve stayed at their site. It’s not my cup of tea when it comes to having people literally right next to you in the next campsite, but I did like having the ocean just on the other side of the dunes.

So…

If you’re anywhere from Boston west to Worcester and south into Southeastern Massachusetts, Horseneck Beach is a great day-trip when you want to enjoy the beach or an overnight location for those who enjoy camping on the beach.

Think ahead to deal with crowds and you shouldn’t have too many problems getting to the park or finding a place to enjoy the beach.

You’ll have a nice a beach, semi-warm water, reasonable waves, and clean and neat facilities to use when you’re visiting Horseneck Beach and at only $7 a carload, the park is steal!

Horseneck Beach State Reservation Page

This review was originally published on Epinions.com

Work Out: Over 60 Minutes of Continuously Mixed Dance Music | Remember 90s Dance Music!

2013-05-06T12:49:00.004-07:00

Work Out was put out by Out Magazine on Atlantic Records in 1997 and is at first glance, a collection of dance music and remixes for “working out,” and appears to be targeted to mainly the gay community, though straight folks who enjoy dance music won’t have any trouble enjoying this CD. Following this theme, you have your shirtless gym guy on the cover of the album, the back of the album and for the inside sleeve, you get to watch the gym boy go through several exercises. Actually, the information provided is a full body work out that has a generally higher intensity than what you may be typically doing in the gym on a daily basis. Personally, I have never followed through on the entire workout, but some of the exercises are ones that I have done or currently do. I’m not sure Out or anyone else expects that you would follow the workout while you are exercising, but it is a useful addition and provides some useful information.

What about the music I hear someone saying, I’m getting to it. The CD has over an hour of continuously mixed dance music. This is great for when you are listening to the CD, but isn’t the greatest thing when you are trying to rip songs off the CD, you can’t get a clean start and finish to each song. The music is high intensity and is great for working out, jogging or playing at a party (another plus on the continuous mix). Just remember that the album was released in 1997, so don’t expect today’s type of dance music.

The album opens with Armand Star Trunk Funkin’ Mix of Tori Amos’ Professional Widow. For you Tori fans out there, this is not like the original cut of Professional Widow, but for a Tori dance track (which are fairly few and far between, eg. Blue Skies), it’s quite good. The remix of Tori provides a great opening for the CD and is a good combination of Tori’s vocals and remix.

For the rest of the CD you have:

Full Length 12” Vocal Mix of America (I love America)
A quieter mix after Professional Widow, America moves us more into the vocal side of dance music.

Tony Moran Club Mix – For the Love of You
For the Love of You moves us into the vocal side of dance music all of the way, and if I might add, is quite gay at the same time. I have this vision of a bunch of drag queens performing this song in a club (which, by the way is not a negative thing – I’ve seen plenty of great drag shows)

Original Mix of The Bomb!
A very danceable mix as we slide back away from pure vocals on the dance tracks.

E-Smoove 12” Mix of Heartbeat
Not one of my favorites of the album. The falsetto voice on the vocals I find annoying, but once again, I know this song would be a hit in certain circles.

Close to Trance Remix of Close to You
A remix of a Fun Factory classic, this is on of my favorite songs on the CD. The mixture of the beat, the vocals and the use of what I can only describe is the sound of one of those Andean flutes mix together and make the song.

Ken Lou 12” Mix of The Boss
Very reminiscent of bad disco…I’ll leave it at that

Def Mix of Once in a Lifetime Love
A quick and enjoyable mix.

The Basic Mix of Make My Body Rock (Feel It)
Not bad and not great, it’s another that will be playing in the background. Not eminently danceable to me and quite slow compared to the other songs on the CD.

Junior’s Deep Factory Mix of Never Get Enough
I like it and part of the reason is that this mix is closer to the house mixes that I enjoy today – there’s plenty of vocals, but the song is mixed up enough to give it a different flavor to the original.

Fluid Mix of Tonight is the Night
Could we have a gay album (or any dance album compilation) from the mid-90’s without Le Click and this song? This mix isn’t all that much different from the originals (except that it’s mixed into the preceding and the following songs). If you enjoy Le Click and this song, you’ll like it, if you don’t push next.

Back in the Days Mix of Everybody be Somebody
Strangely slow ending to the CD with a somewhat annoying mix at times.

So buy it for the pictures of the cute boy on the cover, or for the dance remixes, but either way, you’ll be enjoying the music on Work Out, one of the better earlier “gay” dance compilations (some were really bad and somehow my “pride” made me buy them all). But don’t let Out’s backing or the gay overtones scare you off if you aren’t gay, if you enjoy this type of dance music, you’ll enjoy this CD. I think in the end, one of the biggest pluses for this album is it’s continuous mix status, which makes this a great CD to put in and leave alone and you don’t need to worry about any of those annoying breaks in the music. No single song will probably make you stand up and say “wow,” but taken together, the album is a cohesive unit of great dance music.

This CD can be a challenge to find nowadays - dance music on Amazon is probably a good place to start.

This review was originally published on Epinions.com

Review of the Pilot Precise Rollerball Pen - Extra Fine

2013-05-06T12:43:00.001-07:00

$21.63 on Amazon

The Pilot Precise Extra Fine is really a fine a pen! The pen is available in blue, black and red (and perhaps others). What makes this a great pen? For years, all through high school and college I was a pencil guy and a mechanical pencil guy at that (especially in all those geology classes). I loved the precise lines you’d get with those mechanical pencils and I hated using pens because the ink would never flow evenly or it would be too sloppy looking for my own tastes.

Thus the only time I’d break down and use any sort of pen, was when I was taking a test that required a pen.

When I started working in my first office job in Maine, I was soon introduced to the world of office supplies. I was able to try just about every pen out there. From the standard Bic to the fancy roller-point pens, I tried them all. I fell back on the old mechanical pencil. I did all of my work either in pencil or on the computer. Then I actually sort of stumbled on the Pilot pens. Our secretary ordered a box of them by accident and offered them to me when she realized that she had a mistake.

At first all I managed to do was get little blue spots all over me (since it is a roller tip, if you let it either touch your skin or anything else, the ink will bleed out onto whatever), but I soon discovered that it was a great pen (minus the ink spots of course). My job involved a lot of editing (you never can edit a land use permit too many times) and this pen made quick order. A big complaint I had while I was using other pens was that the editing that you scribbled in on a page, would often cover up or smudge around with the text that you were editing. That’s why I went back to the mechanical pencils, you could write quite small and it wouldn’t smudge or cover the other text.

But, the Pilot is precise enough so that you can write quite small without smudging (the better the paper, the more precise you can write) and within a few seconds, the ink dries enough so that you do not have to worry about smudging it (except for glossy papers, where the ink takes significantly longer to dry).

The pens are not refillable, but it takes quite sometime for the ink to run out. With regular use, I’ve found that they last at least a year or so before finally kicking the bucket and running out of ink.

They will occasionally explode (the ink reservoir I am talking about – not the whole pen!) when you expose them to extreme temperatures. I have lost a few pens that way in my car – either through it being very hot or very cold.

If you’re in an office, you aren’t going to be paying for a pen, but if you want these for home (and you’re not one of those office supply cleptos) then they are about $1.25 a pen, or about $14 for a pack of 12.

I’m sure that everyone has got a favorite pen – the Pilot Precise Extra Fine pen is mine. I make sure I don’t leave home without it. I liked it so much that when I started working here in Boston, they weren’t able to get the pen, so I went out and got it myself and brought it in for me to use. A small price to pay for then pen that you will be using all the time.

Review originally posted on Epinions.com

GSI Outdoors Lexan Fork

2013-04-14T06:34:00.003-07:00

The Takeaway: Are you looking for what’s arguably the lightest and most durable backpacking fork out there? If you are, you should check out GSI’s Lexan Fork, which can satisfy both the toughest users and the most conscientious weight measurers.

A lot of first time backpackers tend to start out with steel silverware and for most first time campers or those who aren’t worried aboutsteel, they are probably pretty happy with them. But if you are concerned about weight, don’t like the heat transfer characteristics of steel or aluminum (they get hot, fast!) and want another form of silverware that will last for literally as long as you take them camping and hiking, you should consider purchasing the GSI Lexan silverware.

And what better way to start your collection than to get yourself a Lexan Fork. Just be aware that once you get the fork, I’m willing to bet you’ll shortly be out purchasing the knife and the spoon too.

Fork Basics

GSI produces the Lexan Fork in three different colors, glacier ice, eggshell and emerald green. The glacier ice and emerald green colors make the fork translucent, while the eggshell is a solid, non-translucent color.

The fork is just slightly longer than the average dinner fork you’ll find in a regular household silverware set – but it has about the same heft as that dinner fork. It won’t feel uncomfortable in most adult hands, but could be considered slightly oversized for younger children who are out camping with their parents.

The fork weighs in at an almost weightless 0.4 ounces – it’s enough to feel in your hand, but not much beyond that. On average that’s about half the weight of similar stainless steel camping fork.

The fork is practically unbreakable – Lexan is used in applications where you don’t want the material to break (such as bullet proof glass for bulletin boards) and the fork is much the same. Lexan is incredible resilient and will stand up to crushing and bending and will tackle normal wear and tear without a scratch. While I don’t have proof, I don’t doubt the manufacturer’s claim that ounce for ounce, the Lexan Fork is stronger than a similar steel fork.

You can expose the fork to temperature extremes with little worry – from the crispness of a winter morning into boiling water – the fork won’t crack, deform or otherwise be harmed by these changes (again thanks to the Lexan). Along those same lines once you get the fork home, you can throw it in the dishwasher – since the fork won’t be harmed by washing it in the dishwasher.

You don’t even need to worry about your fork turning red after you use it with tomato sauce. The Lexan is resilient to the stains and you can eat anything and after a quick wash, the fork will look as good as new.

Another plus for the Lexan Fork is the fact that Lexan does not transmit heat as readily as aluminum as steel does. Thus you can be using the fork to stir something hot or have it in a hot liquid and you’ll still be able to hold the other end of the fork – something you could never do with a steel utensil.

Experiences

I’ve had a Lexan Fork (actually multiple forks) for many years now and never had a single problem with it. It’s been packed away in my backpack, stuffed in a pot with my backpacking stove and been a piece of silverware in my kitchen utensil drawer – all without a problem or even a single scratch.

The Lexan is just that durable – after years of heavy use it really does look the same as the day I brought it home from the store. The Lexan doesn’t scratch or stain and even after years of using the fork, flexing it, and bending it – it’s in perfect shape. I don’t think you can really ask for anything more from a 50 cent utensil.

I have both the glacier ice and the eggshell colors and there's no difference between them - the durability is the same and when it comes to color, it's just a personal choice.

Final Thoughts

For the price, you cannot purchase a better backpacking and camping fork. The Lexan Fork will literally last almost forever and the fork, even years from now will look practically like it was just purchased new.

It’s light, it’s strong and it’s better than anything else out there – if you’re looking to replace your camping fork or just looking to start out with a camping silverware set, you should definitely invest in one of GSI’s Lexan Forks.

Review originally published on Epinions.com

Smartwool Light Hiker Socks

2013-04-14T06:29:00.002-07:00

The Takeaway: If you want really comfortable socks for hiking, check out smartwool light hiker socks – they are comfortable, built-to-last, and made with a hiker in mind

I’m not generally the kind of person who feels that I need to have specialized socks for when I’m going hiking. For years, regular socks have served me well and in colder weather, slightly heavier wool socks worked for me.

However being Christmas and all, I could never look a gift-horse in the mouth, especially with the gift coming from EMS. So it was that I now have a pair of the Smartwool Light Hiking Socks and because of the strangely mild winter we’ve been having so far – I’ve had my fair share of hiking since Christmas time and I’ve had a chance to check out the socks.

Sock Basics

These socks look like your basic crew socks – that is they go about halfway to your knee when they are pulled tight. They are slightly thicker and heavier than the typical ‘white cotton’ crew socks and are somewhat more substantial than those socks.

What’s the trick inside smartwool? They are made up of a wool blend that includes about 70% wool, 29% nylon and 1% elastic. This combination gives you the warmth and comfort of wool, the wicking and evaporation of the nylon and the stretch of the elastic in a single sock.

I’ll be honest, I noticed a difference when I first put them on. They feel comfortable on your feet and they lack that typical ‘wool feel’ that many things that are made out of wool have when you wear it against your skin.

Because the socks are a mix of the wool and the nylon – you get the best of both worlds. The wool will continue to remain warm when it’s damp and with the nylon, that moisture has a chance to wick to the surface and evaporate quickly, helping keep the socks dryer than most other socks.

The sock itself is designed to make hiking more comfortable. The sock is knit in a way to better fit your foot – including knitting to reinforce your foot arch, a reinforced foot-bed to provide more cushioning, a side panel that doesn’t squeeze your leg and a top that holds the sock where you put it – so you won’t be pulling up the socks all the time.

After a few miles of hiking you’ll notice the difference. The thing I liked the best? The reinforced foot-bed – it really does provide some extra cushioning between you and the trail and helps to even out the shocks that you sometimes get.

When you’re done with your hiking, the sock can be washed in a machine and can be dried in a dryer – you don’t have to worry about it shrinking like an article of clothing completely made out of wool would.

If you have boots that are tight with thinner socks – these socks will probably make wearing that boot uncomfortable to impossible. They are somewhat thicker than regular cotton socks and are quite a bit thicker than the liner socks that some people use.

Sock Experiences

Most of my experiences with this sock have been in temperatures from about 30 up to around 50 and the sock has remained comfortable in all those temperatures. The sock really does keep your feet warm in the colder weather and cool in the hotter weather – by keeping your foot feeling dry and keeping the socks dryer than the average sock.

That’s not to say you can’t get these socks wet and they’ll stay wet – step in a puddle or a stream that’s over your boot and your sock will be soaked. However because it’s wool, you’ll have a better chance of keeping a foot that is at least somewhat warm (wool holds its warmth even when wet unlike cotton which just gets cold). Plus if you take the sock off and wring out that soaking water – the sock will dry itself enough while you’re wearing it to feel dry again.

Yeah – I’ve never been good with stream fording – there’s always that one slippery rock…

I’ve washed the socks several times at this point and I haven’t noticed any shrinkage. It’s great because I can just throw them in with the rest of my laundry, no special needs for these socks.

The socks seem to take wear and tear in stride – I haven’t noticed any degradation of the material, even in the areas that are in the strongest contact with my boot.

Overall Thoughts

At somewhere between $10 and $11 a pair, I’m unlikely to run out and buy myself more of these socks, but I have to admit as a present for a hiker, they made a great gift to me. I like wearing them, I find them comfortable and I’ll continue to use them, but for me – the price to increased usefulness ratio is just a little too high unless it’s a present or I’m looking to treat myself.

So if you want really comfortable socks for hiking – check out these smartwool light hiker socks – they are comfortable, built-to-last, and made with a hiker in mind. You’ll have warm (or cool) feet and you’ll stay dry 99% of the time.

In the end, it’s probably worth having a least one pair in your hiking stockpile.

Originally published on Epinions.com

Review of the Colonnade Inn - Lyndonville, Vermont

2013-02-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

The Colonnade Inn is located in Lyndonville, Vermont and is one of the lower priced places to stay in the area. The hotel does not offer many amenities, but does the basics well enough that I have stayed here a few times on my visits to the Lyndonville area. I do not think you will be wowed but this hotel, but if you are looking for a clean room and decent prices, the Colonnade Inn should not disappoint you.

The Colonnade Inn is located on Back Center Road, almost at the end of the that road where it intersects with Route 5. The Inn is also located less than a minute from the Exit 23 Interchange of Interstate 91. It is located near the southern end of Lyndonville, with most of the downtown area, including restaurants and shopping options, to the north. There really is nothing within walking distance of the hotel.

With the hotel close to Route 5 and Interstate 91, the Inn provides access to many of the different destinations in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Read our full review of the Colannade Inn on Epinions