Summer in New England

Every summer for the last 18 years, I meet my friends and family at Cardines Field at 20 America's Cup Avenue to hear the first crack of the bat during the opening game of the Newport Gulls, a summer collegiate baseball team based in our hometown of Newport, Rhode Island. Founded in Cranston in 1998, we take pride in saying we’re one of the NECBL's most successful teams, winning six Fay Vincent, Sr. Cups to date.

Entering Amtrak’s 1950s-era domed railcar was like stepping back in time. With my feet kicked up and my Australian Shepard, Max, in tow, I never knew a two-hour, car-free connection on the Downeaster train from North Station in Boston to Wells, Maine, could be so enjoyable and land me only 5 miles from Kennebunk. From passing New England’s most beautiful stretches of pristine coastline to enjoying vistas of the idyllic countryside, I enjoyed my steamy cup of chowder from the Downeaster Café while Max chewed on his favorite bone. Seated in the train’s upper level with panoramic windows on all sides, this daytime adventure proved an added perk before my vacation even began.

There’s nothing like biting into a steamy fried clam roll while sitting on the beach overlooking Sakonnet River, the juiciness of the oyster seeping out to form the ultimate creamy combination with homemade mayonnaise. It’s hard to believe this sandwich, one of our most illustrious traditions, was all but unfathomable at the dawn of the 1900s when New Englanders only ate their clams steamed, raw on the half shell, or chopped in chowder.

Shallow, clear, and like a bowl of tranquility, nearly one thousand kettle ponds dot the brilliant terrain of the Northeast. When my family and I first began to plan our trip to Mayflower Inn & Spa, I thought we would spend all of our time enjoying the area’s plentiful hiking trails through meadows and woodlands. But thanks to an insider tip, we ventured off-the-beaten-path to these isolated freshwater pools, where we had the water all to ourselves.

My husband and I are happy to get our hands dirty for the sake of renewing the farming culture of Southern Maine. On our four-acre property, Frinklepod Farm, you can spend the day with us to explore our acreage and three greenhouses—we’ll get you out of the city and into the soil.

The city that never sleeps often sends me seeking elsewhere to find restoration— and a long afternoon spent over peach wine amid the rolling hills at Hopkins Vineyard is usually that place. The haven along the Connecticut Wine Trail, a collection made up of 24 vineyards statewide, is something out of a countryside fairytale. With a charming red barn and endless greenery, the vineyard melts away the memory of city hustle and bustle and soothes you into savoring the sweetness of countryside life.

Hiking has always set me at ease, and I look forward to trips to Connecticut for the serenity that comes with being immersed in the surrounding natural splendor. That’s exactly why I keep returning to the trails that wind along the Steep Rock Preserve. Not only does the 998-acres of idyllic hiking trails reveal sweeping viewpoints, lush hillsides, and babbling brooks with every step, but also unveils historic, hidden gems along the way.

Any fan of the television series “Gilmore Girls” has undoubtedly fallen for the show’s fictional town “Stars Hollow.” Boasting legendary New England charm, the parallels between Stars Hollow and Washington Depot, Connecticut are striking— and it’s no accident. In fact, Gilmore Girl’s writer, Amy Sherman-Palladino, drew inspiration for the comedy-drama during her stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa (later to influence the show’s fictional Dragonfly Inn). Seven seasons later, the cult classic’s first Gilmore Girls Fan Fest was held in Washington Depot, attracting over 1,300 fans in 2016. However, you don’t have to attend a fan fest to get a taste of life in Stars Hollow. In simply exploring the whimsical towns within Litchfield County, you might find yourself retracing the steps of the Gilmore Girls.

"Ai Chi is a meditative movement carried out while standing in water. More often than not, I will meet guests seeking ways to quiet the mind and de-stress, but find it difficult to sit still through traditional forms of meditation. Ai Chi enables participants to experience the benefits that meditation promises through physical movement— it’s a stillness in motion, if you will. At an Ai Chi class, you can expect for the water to be a warm 92 degrees, and chest deep. There are always a few participants that are happy to learn that they will not be going underwater— you do not need to be an expert swimmer to take Ai Chi, and you can count on your hair and makeup remaining perfectly intact."

Sometimes, I feel like I’m in a long-distance relationship with Kennebunk. We may live on opposite coasts, but Maine’s mystical coastline has my heart. From wide sandy beaches sprawled with delicate sand dollars to rocky stretches of seaside that sound of waves crashing up against dramatic cliffs, I’ve spent my most tranquil, cherished moments sharing these striking sights with my husband. When I refer to my “happy place,” my family knows exactly where I’m talking about— and when I miss it’s lobster rolls and warm beach days, I take out my favorite souvenir: White Barn Inn’s hand soap.

My ideal day in Rhode Island starts with a morning hike spent amid nature at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. With 325 acres and seven miles of marked hiking trails, there are many routes to choose from but I always seem to opt for the Hanging Rock Trail. The trails close at 5:00pm, so save your sunset for Sweet Berry Farms— which takes me to my next Rhode Island must-do.

Rain or shine, the Averill Farm Stand is open, and rain or shine, I go for the heavenly apple cider donuts. A true must-visit in the town of Washington, Averill Farm is primarily a fruit orchard that has been family-run for 10 generations and counting. The hidden gem awaits at the end of a lovely drive, minutes from the Mayflower Inn. Abundant with the simple delights of the countryside— cut flowers, homemade jams, honey, cheeses, locally-sourced pies and more— the charming farm provides a special experience to immerse in the farm-to-table culture of Connecticut.

On Wednesdays throughout the summer months, the renowned Aquidneck Growers’ Market awaits a 10-15 minute stroll from The Vanderbilt. Take your pick of seafood, colorful produce, local mushrooms, fragrant flowers and other specialty products—but whatever you do, save time to grab the famous, juicy pork taco that’s sure to run down your hands and beckon you back for seconds.

Meet the Coronet— a schooner yacht first launched in 1885 and was one of the most elegant sailing yachts of her time. Under restoration at The International Yacht Restoration School since 1995, the Coronet Building is open to the public for viewing and only a 15 minute stroll from The Vanderbilt’s front doors.

I’ve been studying Reiki for 26 years when my path to the healing art began in 1990 when my hands started talking to me. The message was clear: they wanted to be used as instruments for change. Now as a Reiki Master in the Traditional Usui System, my technique includes channeling healing energy to you through my hands, which activates the natural healing processes of your body to restore your physical and emotional well-being, shifting your perspective on life and allowing space for you embrace self-responsibility to operate from a place of love instead of fear.