As the care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled has progressed from state institutions to group homes and day programs, the buildings that once housed the state hospitals are left vacant. The process of deinstitutionalization has left impressive buildings to a variety of fates. Some, like Foxboro State and Taunton State Hospitals, have been […]
Seaside State Park Read More »
In August, Backyard Road Trips branched out from the blog into the world of podcasting. The clever name, “Backyard Road Trips: The Podcast” was born. Take a look behind the scenes of our podcast. In early summer, my good and longtime friend Jim Wheeler, hiker, photographer, craftsman, and musician extraordinaire, contacted me about the possibility
Backyard Road Trips: The Podcast Read More »
As Jim and I were sampling pumpkin beers a few months ago, one of us mentioned that there were notes of brown sugar in a beer that we tasted. (Listen to the podcast here). Jim offhandedly suggested that the Rolling Stones’ classic, “Brown Sugar” should be the next track to be a part of the
A Six Pack and a Cover Song: Brown Sugar Read More »
With the unfortunate news that the Norwich Sea Unicorns are no longer affiliated with Major League Baseball, I felt that it was time to reflect on minor league baseball at Dodd Stadium and what it has offered the Norwich area community for the last 25 years. Dodd Stadium began hosting baseball in 1995 with the
Dodd Stadium and Fun in Norwich, CT Read More »
I am forever trying to attain the perfect autumn afternoon. Driving on a serene, windy back road lined with stone walls while the foliage is in full colorful display is what I strive for. Warm apple cider, a hayride through an orchard, and the smell of wood-burning on the first chilly day is what I
Haunted Hike to the Horses Read More »
At Backyard Road Trips, we can’t get enough of the line of lip and body balms from Drew’s Honeybees. We’ve written about the company and even had Drew Burnett, founder of the company, on our podcast! What I love about Drew’s Honeybees is that not only are ingredients of the finest quality, organic, and environmentally
Drew’s Honeybees Hive Visit Read More »
Food must be on my mind. For the past almost year I’ve been researching classic restaurants for an upcoming book. In doing so, an idea dawned on me for a new BYRT series, “My Favorite Meal,” which features my favorite dish or dishes at restaurants that I love. The first comes from von Trapp Bierhall
von Trapp Bierhall: My Favorite Meal Read More »
Living on the South Shore for almost ten years now, one of my most memorable and reliable dining experiences has been at the Scarlet Oak Tavern in Hingham, Massachusetts. The tavern intrigued me since moving to the area, a colonial house with attached back building and barn. Even though located just off the busy Queen
Scarlet Oak Tavern Read More »
*Note, this piece was written in 2017, shortly after finding out that Benny’s would be closing. A few weeks ago, I was shocked to find out that you, old friend, were not doing well. That you were not going to make it to see the new year. I was heartbroken by this since you had
A Eulogy to Benny’s Read More »
I guess I’m a little late. The apple picking season has come and gone for 2020. Quite honestly, some places did not open this year and others had firm restrictions. No matter what though, even in late fall, most of these spots offer a fun fall excursion. With farm markets, cider, and doughnuts, these stay
Apple Orchards and Fall Fun Read More »
