NE U.S. Travel

Posted by Sallie Schaaf Borrink

One of my favorite getaways ever was a three night stint my husband and I spent on Mackinac Island. We made reservations at a lovely inn on the water that was close enough to the downtown shopping district that we could easily walk back to shop or dine.

Because we went in early May, the mornings were still cool and misty. In the early morning hours we could hear the quiet clip clop of horses going by the front of the inn. We enjoyed a scrumptious leisurely breakfast at the inn before heading out for some fun morning activities.

In the afternoons, after a delicious lunch at one of the many unique restaurants on the island, we pulled up a couple of chairs in a coffee shop sticking out over the bay. We whiled away the time reading, talking, and sipping coffee. We enjoyed watching people coming and going in their boats in the nearby marina. There was peaceful music playing and it made for a wonderful way to unwind and just be together during our getaway.

In the evenings, we enjoyed watching the sun set after dining out. Back in our room we could hear the large freight ships going by out on the lake, blowing their low horns in the quiet of the evening.

There is truly no place on earth like Mackinac Island. I highly recommend it.

Posted by Sallie Schaaf Borrink

One doesn’t usually associate the words “tradition” and “travel.” But my husband and I have a few traditions related to our travels together.

When we head out of town, we always go out for breakfast. We like to hit the road early so we are up in the wee hours and usually hit the same particular restaurant for breakfast on the way out of town. There’s something about knowing it is time to finally leave that heightens the anticipation while we eat breakfast.

While eating breakfast we reminisce about previous vacations and trips. We talk about what we are looking forward to on our latest adventure. And we try to eat our breakfast, all the while eagerly anticipating what is ahead.

Another fun travel tradition we have is buying a Christmas ornament while on vacation. Sometimes we only buy one at a particularly memorable location. Other times we’ve come home with many. But each one we purchase is selected because it reminds us of some special aspect of our travels. Each Christmas we then have the opportunity to relive the trips and places we’ve been as we decorate the Christmas tree.

I'd encourage everyone to develop some travel traditions and enjoy the special memories you will create in the process.

Posted by Sallie Schaaf Borrink

I’m a planner when it comes to travel. However, I also love some of the unexpected events that happen to make a vacation memorable.

While driving in Maine the first time, we were naturally cautious about watching for moose. We wanted to see one and we also wanted to avoid hitting one! We live in Michigan and so we’re familiar with watching for deer when traveling, especially in northern Michigan and especially at night. The thought of hitting a moose (which is significantly larger than a deer) was not appealing in the least!

Imagine our delight when we did see one lumbering across the road shortly after crossing over into Maine. We weren’t quick enough to get a picture, but were pleased nonetheless that we saw one. And although we continued to watch for them, we never saw another one.

Imagine our surprise when we arrived home and heard that it is actually rather difficult to see a moose! One friend has vacationed every summer in Maine his entire life and has never seen a moose

So our moose sighting was a great part of our fall foliage trip. If you are planning a trip to New England any time soon or will be taking in the gorgeous fall foliage, keep an eye out for a moose. You might just see one!

Posted by Sallie Schaaf Borrink

Everyone needs a vacation on a regular basis. But sometimes you can't afford it - there simply isn't enough money in the bank to pay for one. A great way to get some time away at minimal cost is by volunteering.

There are numerous lighthouses that offer lodging in exchange for volunteering to care for the lighthouse. Some programs require a commitment of only a few days and others offer opportunities for a week or two. Responsibilities may include cleaning, hosting visitors, giving guided tours, or working in the gift shop. Training is usually provided so it can also be a great opportunity to venture out and try something new.

With lodging covered, the only costs are transportation to and from the location and meals. Most lighthouses offer a small suite with limited cooking facilities so the eating away from home can be done economically as well.

For ideas of lighthouses available in Michigan with such opportunities, check out Lighthouse Bed and Breakfasts.

Posted by Sallie Schaaf Borrink

I'm a planner when it comes to traveling. I rarely fly by the seat of my pants. I want my reservations made so I know I have someplace to sleep. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to see and do in each place I visit. The exception to this is dining. In this case, I might have some general ideas, but I wait until I'm there to know what is available and how our siteseeing has gone for the day. I never know what I want to eat until I'm in the moment.

But one thing I've learned about travel is that you should always take the time to ask the knowledgeable locals about what to see and do . My husband and I have discovered some real gems this way. One of those discoveries was the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. It is kind of ironic that we hadn't planned on going there since we are both history buffs and enjoy presidential history. But it wasn't on our map (so to speak) until the innkeeper suggested it. We decided to swing by there on the way to something else and ended up staying a long time. Visiting Silent Cal's tiny home hamlet was a highlight of our vacation and spurred me on to read more about this interesting president to the point it has become a little hobby of mine.

And all because we listened to the innkeeper!

Posted by Sallie Schaaf Borrink

So how great is it when someone gives you the opportunity to write all the time and as much as you like about something you really enjoy? That's how I feel about being named the new Feature Writer here for the NE U.S. Travel topic. Talk about a kid in a candy shop! There is so much to enjoy in the NE U.S. and I'm looking forward to exploring, writing, visiting , researching, and discussing all of it here on Suite101.

Please check back often for new polls, discussions and, especially, great articles written by folks who write about their favorite locations and events and share insights and secrets about those places.

Do you know of a great place that should be highlighted on Suite? Please drop me a note and let me know. With twenty-one states and the District of Columbia covered in this topic, there are sure to be many new places to discover for everyone who comes here!

Somethiing you've always wondered about that would make a great poll question? Drop me a line!

Looking forward to traveling with you in the days ahead!

Posted by Fran Folsom

I had six suitcases filled with essentials I thought I couldn’t do without; a change of clothes for each day and evening, matching shoes and handbags, an iron, a hair dryer, etc.

Porters and bellhops ran in the other direction when they spotted me struggling towards them, bow-legged under all my paraphernalia. By the end of the first week I ditched four of the suitcases and mailed most of my things home.

Before my next trip I consulted with my friend Frank, a 30-year Marine Corps veteran who had traveled the world with one duffle bag. He taught me how to pack using the military roll. Now I’m able to fit everything, no matter how long the trip is for, into one suitcase.

First, button and zip everything. Use a flat surface such as a table or bed to lay things out on. Always keep the roll tight. For shirts, blouses and jackets, lay front side down, fold at the shoulders, tuck sleeves in tight and roll from bottom to top.

Bring pant legs crease to crease. Roll from the cuffs working up to the waist. Fold the sides of skirts and dresses in, start rolling from the hem. Silk items will be wrinkle free if first placed in a plastic drycleaner bag, and then rolled.

It doesn’t matter if underwear, pajamas or bathing suits wrinkle, roll and place in the bottom of the suitcase. Tuck socks into whatever shoes you’re taking and place these around the inside edges of the suitcase.

Choose clothing that is lightweight and wrinkle resistant. You can create multiple outfits using basic colors such as black, tan, navy and cream. Use trial-size containers of cosmetics, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.

Put medications and important documents in your carryon. Use fanny packs or neck pouches that are thin enough to fit under your clothing.

As most baggage handlers were heavyweight wrestlers in another life, it’s a good idea to use luggage that’s made of tear resistant nylon.

Because we live in a post-September 11th world security at airports is tight, don’t lock your luggage, it’s subject to search. Photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport is required.

Something else when packing; when it doubt, leave it out.

Companies that specialize in travel related gear; LL Bean, TravelSmith, Magellan's.

Posted by Fran Folsom

Listed below is just a sample of things to do in Vermont in winter, go to Winter Activities in Vermont for more.

I love Vermont in winter, not being much of a snow person is not a problem as I always find indoor things to do. For instance, in Southern Vermont, Bennington, there’s the Bennington Museum with its excellent collections of American Revolutionary War artifacts, furniture and paintings.

Or, if in St. Johnsbury I head to the Athenaeum to browse their extensive library or admire the many paintings of Hudson River School painter Albert Bierstadt.

In mid-Vermont, Burlington, I like to attend performances at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. When visiting Manchester I cross country ski at Hildene. When I feel like taking my frustrations out by kneading dough I sign up for a class at the King Arthur Flour Baking School.

Located in northern Vermont, the Jay Peak Resort averages 500 feet of snow a season. This is where I go when I’m searching for the extreme in outdoor winter activities. Of course the fact that the resort has a beautiful lounge with a gorgeous fireplace to curl up and read a book by also influences my decision.

Winter in Vermont holds something for everyone.

Posted by Fran Folsom

The Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center has been an icon in Rockland since 1948. That’s Wyeth, as in N.C., Andrew and Jamie. The museum’s relationship with the Wyeths began in 1951 when it hosted the first public exhibition of Andrew’s paintings.

The museum has evolved from one building to four totaling twelve galleries. Its two historic houses are open to the public (summer); the Farnsworth Homestead an 1850’s Greek Revival home and, the Olson House, a 19th century saltwater farm featured in Andrew Wyeth’s work Christina’s World.

Housed in the museum are 7,000 works of art. Its permanent exhibit, Maine in America, consistis of works by some of America’s most important 19th century artists; Gilbert Stuart, Frank Benson, Thomas Cole, Fitz Henry Lane, Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper, and the Wyeths.

Upcoming exhibits for 2007 will include; The American Made Alphabet: Aerial Photographs by Margot Balboni; Factory Work: Warhol, Wyeth, Basquait; Andrew Wyeth at 90; Bo Bartlett: Still Point.

A must stop for lighthouse enthusiasts is the Maine Lighthouse Museum, a treasure trove of memorabilia. It has the largest collection of lighthouse lenses, artifacts and memorabilia in the United States.

Two miles from Rockland Maine, on Route 73, is the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of antique aircrafts, automobiles, and motorcycles dating from the early 1800’s to 1980.

Motorcycle enthusiasts will drool over the motorcycle collection that includes a Steffey motorcycle that dates back to 1901, a 1919 Harley Davidson, a 1938 Indian Scout and many other classic cycles.

Of their collection of twenty-eight vintage aircrafts the museums pride and joy is a reproduction of the 1903 Kitty Hawk that was flown by Wilbur & Orville Wright. There’s also an 1804 Cayley Glider, and a 1917 Fokker Dr. I Tri-plane, the type flown by Manfred Von Richthofen, the Red Baron of World War I fame.

Automobile classics include an 1885 Benz, a 1926 Ford Snowmobile and a 1963 Ford Mustang II convertible.

Near the museum is the Owl’s Head Lighthouse, built in 1825, it is still an active lighthouse. Climb the steps to its base for a gorgeous view over Penobscot Bay.

Posted by Fran Folsom

I write extensively about New England, but Stillman Rogers, writer, photographer and skiing expert knows the top places for skiing in Southern New Hampshire.

He and his wife Barbara Rogers, who writes for Southern Europe Travel, have skied all over their home state of New Hampshire.

Stillman is the author of It Happened In New Hampshire an anecdotal history of New Hampshire that includes the story of how the recreational ski industry, as we know it today, began in New Hampshire. He is co-author of New Hampshire Off The Beaten Path a travel guide to the known and unknown attractions of the state, including its many ski areas.

He has been skiing since his high school days, has tested the trails from Mont Tremblant, Canada, to Cortina, Italy, but still likes New Hampshire’s mountains the best.

Stillman is a member of the North American Snow Sports Journalists Association and Eastern Ski Writers, the Travel Journalist Guild and the Society of American Travel Writers.