While I’m a fan of the outdoors — trekking or pedaling into the great unknown — I’m also a big fan of “adventure lite.” Not every outing has to be a white-knuckle thrill ride or lung-busting hike. It’s OK to chill just a bit. This is where cross-country ski areas shine. Add the magnificent real-life … [Read more...]
‘Welcome’ is the essence of the Cranmore Inn
North Conway is synonymous with New England ski history. In reality, it’s synonymous with the broader history of New England outdoor adventure. Which is why the Cranmore Inn, just a few steps from Main Street/Route 16, is such a wonderful throwback, a continuous thread that runs through generations, … [Read more...]
Take a weekend tour of four outstanding lift-serviced mountain biking destinations
Thirty years ago, shortly after my future wife and I discovered the joys of off-road pedaling, we were invited to join a few friends at Killington in Vermont for a little fat-tire adventure. These were the early, heady days of lift-service riding, when many ski areas first envisioned the mountain … [Read more...]
The perfect pint is closer than you think
Hoisting a pint at your favorite New England brewpub is a summer tradition, and there is no shortage of offerings across all six states. Here is just a sampling in the Bay State and northern New England. Massachusetts Newly built and opened in the autumn 2017 by the father-and-son team of Gary … [Read more...]
The best golfing experiences in New England
In my estimation, golf is only “a good walk spoiled” if you concentrate too much on the game itself and not your surroundings. I’m sure that’s sacrilegious to some diehard duffers out there. But I prefer an adage from one of my celluloid heroes, Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry: “A man’s got to know his … [Read more...]
The best spots for mountain biking in New England
The COVID-19 pandemic likely will impact our lives, and our sense of carefree fun, for years. But if there’s a silver lining, the pandemic also has reminded us of the joys of getting outside, and appreciating the blessings that Mother Nature offers. For many of us, that translates to more time on … [Read more...]
Find your own oasis at Ocean Edge
Let’s address the 800-pound gorilla in the room right from the get-go. After Memorial Day, traveling to Cape Cod can be an excruciating exercise. There’s just no way around it. Ever a popular destination, the Cape swells to crazy numbers during the summer, when world-weary visitors try to find their … [Read more...]
Whether you prefer Boston or seaside retreats, Massachusetts delivers
When I first moved to Boston’s North Shore in Massachusetts as a cub reporter in the early 1980s, I had a lot to learn. Coming from New Hampshire, I knew about Boston and Cape Cod, but not much else. And I had plenty of time to explore, provided I didn’t stray far from my apartment. My reporting … [Read more...]
Coastal adventures are just part of the story in Maine
When you adopt the nickname “Vacationland,” you better be ready to back up the boast. Maine does, with a flourish. Coincidentally, the “Vacationland” moniker was adopted by Maine in the 1960s, at the height of American car travel, so it’s particularly appropriate now, when the coronavirus … [Read more...]
O’Connor: Lovin’ the sounds of lake life
Sleep sometimes eludes my daughter Maddi, so my wife bought her a sound machine. I’ll never forget the first time I heard it. It was late at night, in winter. I went to kiss Maddi good night. As I walked into her room, the gentle sounds of water lapping against a shore stopped me in my tracks. I … [Read more...]
Kulkea has it all in the bag
Walk into any New England ski lodge, and you’re bound to find ski boot bags — piled atop tables or packed into corners and cubby holes — adorned with the name Kulkea. In fact, you’re likely to be seeing more and more of them, given the brand’s increasing popularity. But Kulkea is no overnight … [Read more...]
Thayers Inn fits the bill for Cannon and Bretton Woods fans
Lodging in New England’s ski country runs the gamut, from historic grand hotels and sprawling apartment-style condo complexes to secluded bed and breakfasts. In short, you can truly find whatever kind of accommodation you and your brood are looking for. If my travels take me to northern New … [Read more...]
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