Returning to the origins of “The Side Trek”, sometimes we’ll take back roads to new and fun destinations: restaurants, hotels, hidden gems of New England and beyond. Read Carol’s TripAdvisor reviews where she is a Top Contributor.
All photos by the talented Dr.Husband. Click on them for full effect.
William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington, Ma- Heading west out Route 9, trek up to the Creamery with the cow on the roof and hang a left up 112 North to the Bryant home. This is where he retreated to think Thanatopsis thoughts and pen pastoral poetry.
San Francisco Side Treks- View from our Hotel Vitale stays across from Ferry building which houses our favorite restaurant Slanted Door, and another fave next door, Boulevard. We loved Nancy Oakes’ boite, L’Avenue, too.
More SanFran Eatz: Benu, SOMA, chef from French Laundry. Frances, Perello in the Castro. Quince, not sure how it translates to new locale, was favorite of ours in Pacific Heights. Spruce love it, trendy spot in Presidio Heights. Down the Embarcadero from Hotel Vitale to Four, Dane Boryta, local Hilltown grown, original of ertswhile Circa in Northampton, is Executive Chef at Sens, soon to open Bottle Cap, home of Ed Moose’s former Washington Square Bar & Grill.
Side Trek Sonoma- Wine Country day trips trigger fond memories. On freezing foggy summer weekends in Pacific Heights, we’d high tail it over GGB north to Sonoma, a quick afternoon jaunt to guaranteed hot sun. We’d take little Ben to Viansa Winery, site of his 4th birthday party, for Italian picnics, then visit vintage airplanes at the airport below. Train Town was a must stop, not anymore. Into Somoma Square, site of 2nd birthday cake. Buena Vista, Ravenswood nestled up the hill. When we had more time, we’d meander from Sonoma Mission Inn’s Soda Fountain up Route 12 into Valley of the Moon to Kenwood, and Chateau St. Jean. Outdoor theater was fun in Glen Ellen, home of Jack London. Then, we’d wind over the Oakville Grade, into Napa Valley.
Napa Valley Treks- Once in Napa, Route 29 is the main drag from Yountville, to Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena (Hel-EE-na), Calistoga. Old haunts still there. Behind Tra Vigne in St. Helena, the Olive Oil Company a must stop. Diamond Mountain north is gorgeous, take the tram to Sterling Vineyards. Silverado Trail has sprouted wineries everywhere, it parallels 29, used to be less congested. Meadowood Resort was a funky getaway. Now, it’s $900 for a room. Oh, well.
Early Spring 2011, Connecticut River, Pioneer Valley- Leaves will come out soon. Up the river through Hatfield, to Sunderland. Down Route 47 into North Hadley.
To the Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island: Take Route 32 to 2 to Westerly. It’s even gorgeous in late Winter. Room with a View.
Wending Route 9 West to Winter in Williamsburg, MA:
Continuing to Wind North and West: West Hatfield Road towards Haydenville, just around the bend. Serene cemetery by the barns.
Back Roads to the BlueBar: A beautiful way to go to our favorite restaurant, north on Route 5 and take a right to Hatfield Center. Passing by the colonial gems along Main Street and the Connecticut River, it becomes aptly named River Road. Winding into North Hatfield with open fields and tobacco barns, Mount Sugarloaf is in the distance on a clear wintry day. Bearing right at 116, we cross the friendly bridge into Sunderland Center where Blue Heron Restaurant is in the original Town Hall on the left. One has a martini, the other drives.
Shelburne Falls, MA: Last Spring 2010, we took a drive to Shelburne Falls, again out Route 9 West to Route 112 North through Ashfield into Buckland where Mary Lyon’s homestead was, but don’t bother to go there, it’s a long bumpy dirt road to a hole in the ground. In Shelburne Falls you’ll stroll across the Bridge of Flowers down the street to a glassblower then peer over the fence to see glacial potholes. There are good local eats, one casual spot overlooking the bridge, Cafe Martin, bistro Gypsy Apple, wine bar next to a bike shop and boutiques to buy cool jewelry. Bridge of Flowers Update: large cracks recently found under bridge, investigating whether dangerous. Dr.H told me not to jump up and down.
The Good Time Stove Company: You have got to stop and look at this place. It’s a quirky cacophony of twisted metal and hidden gardens in Goshen to Ashfield on Route 112N before you get to Shelburne Falls. A larger than Oz Tin Woodsman greets you. Go through the store, see the stoves & sculptures from spokes to caps to the botanical maze. Unique. Click on photo to get full effect!
