Valencia Luncheria - Norwalk, CT

Had dinner last night at Valencia Luncheria, one of my favorite restaurants in Fairfield County.  Its super casual and not expensive.  Their new location makes getting a table easier but this place does get packed quickly.  If you haven't been there for their great empanadas, arepas, cerviche, etc. you are missing out!  For the quality of food and quantity, its a great deal.  If you start ordering the drinks though...its gets expensive quickly.

The Outdoor Dining Area

Guacamole - Yum!

Port Stuffed Arepa - should have taken more pictures but we just dug into the food as soon as it came

Its all about these two sauces - they are the best

Ah - kick off your shoes and enjoy the sand underneath your toes when dining outside

For directions, hours and their menu, go to: http://www.valencialuncheria.com

Bear Mountain - Tallest Summit in Connecticut

Hiked Bear Mountain in Salisbury, CT this weekend.  Its a fairly easy hike with a bit of a scramble at the top but nothing too difficult- though a climb is a climb and all climbs are tough for me.  As Bear Mountain is on the Appalachian Trail (AT) we had lunch at the summit with a bunch of Appalachian Trail hikers.  It was a lot of fun talking about their experiences on the trail and when they expect to finish.  This is the time when a lot of AT hikers are in CT, so its fun to meet with some of them and talk for a while.

Bear Mountain in Salisbury, CT is about a 60 minute to 90 minute drive from most parts of Fairfield County.  Salisbury is a very small town but very cute and we stopped after our hike for an ice tea in town at a local bakery.  The pies did smell delicious but we didn't try any.  It was a great and inexpensive day out, only paying for gas, our bagged lunches and of course the ice teas.  Salisbury is also very close to Kent and its always fun to stop off in Kent for an ice cream or to just walk around the stores and art galleries.

For information about hiking Bear Mountain (which by the way is the tallest summit in Connecticut but not tallest point, that goes to Mount Fissel but the summit is in Massachusetts) to go: http://berkshirehiking.com/hikes/bearmt_salisbury.html

We took UnderMountain Trail

Being in Connecticut, a lot of the trail looked like the above

Are you coming?  Our Dutchie is a bit impatient with us while hiking

The Summit

This seating area was built in the 1885 to enjoy the view.  Not a good picture as it only shows the side.  There was enough seating for everyone to have lunch and there was probably ten of us when we had lunch.

The View

Massachusetts in the background

Salisbury for some Ice Tea and watching all the AT hikers in town

Minnewaska State Park, Ulster County, Stunning Park!

Spent today at Minnewaska State Park, just past the town of  New Paltz, NY, about 90 minutes to 2 hours from Fairfield County.  This was my first time to the park but I have hiked in the area.  I have to say that this park is now a new favorite.  The scenery was stunning and it really is a park for all activity levels.  Carriage Roads wrap around the park, perfect for family walks and bike riding.  There are also hiking trails for the more adventurous but the hikes are not too steep.  Older children should have no problem, but the hike we did was to a cliff ridge, so of course be careful.  We did come across mountain bikers on most of the trails, but the further we got from the carriage road, the less people we saw. We only did one little corner of the park, so there is much more to see for our next trip.

The parking fee for the Park is $8 a day.  Kayaks and small boats are allowed on most of the lakes but a permit is needed.  Swimming is allowed but only in lifeguarded areas.  Fishing is not allowed but as the lake is pretty acidic, there really isn't much to catch. For information go to: http://nysparks.com/parks/127/details.aspx

Today we walked the Carriage Road off lake Minnewaska to Millbrook Mountain, to Gertrude's Nose and then back onto the Carriage Road around Lake Minnewaska.  It was roughly a six to seven mile trip.

The View from Millbrook Mountain Trail - the trail was very rocky throughout

Some parts of the trail - that's rock, just smooth rock

Heading to Gertrude's Nose - All the Scotch Pine on top

A man and his dog - and a cliff edge

Is it a bad sign when the vultures are so close and not scared of you

This is the Carriage Road System.  Very wide and user friendly.  

Walking around Lake Minnewaska

This is Awosting Falls.  It wasn't so impressive this time of year but people were swimming in the pool.

After our day of hiking, we went to Mountain Brauhaus, a five minute drive from the park parking lot.  We did not sit in the main dining area because we had out dog but was able to get an outdoor table with the limited bar menu.  I can't wait to go back to this restaurant because limited bar menu food - was amazing.  Seriously the best German Food I have ever eaten and Ich Liebe Deutsch Essen!  It was also really cheap. For information and directions to the Mountain Brauhaus, go to: http://www.mountainbrauhaus.com

I had the Beef Roulade with Spaetzle.  Amazing.  

Mead Park and Restaurant, New Canaan, CT

If you are going to be in New Canaan and interested in a little break, head over to Mead Park on Park Street in New Canaan.  For directions, go to: http://www.mapquest.com/us/connecticut/business-new-canaan/mead-memorial-park-265876286

Mead Park has three baseball fields, a playground, large pond and tennis courts. The clay courts are for New Canaan residents only who have purchased a tennis pass.  There is one court open to anyone but its condition is not great.  There is a the back wall for practice, behind the tennis courts.  The park is also adjacent to the Bristow Bird Sanctuary which has trails for walking (next post).

Next to the tennis courts is the Mead Park Snack Bar.  The building was built by the New Canaan Baseball Assoc and has public bathrooms; and for public bathrooms they are very nice.  The snack bar is run by Apple Cart Catering and it is a great inexpensive dining option.  The menu is large and its not your regular greasy spoon place.  The snack bar is open from end of March until mid-November.  It is based on weather and stays open late during evening baseball games and tournaments at the park.  The staff do an excellent job of getting quality food out as fast as they can.  The Fall menu includes a soup of the day, Lobster Bisque on Fridays being my favorite.

The Mead Park Cafe

The Falafel Platter - not just for vegaterians

The Best BLTs - seriously

The Chicken Cutlet Wrap Combo - the kids' favorite

A little hard to read but you get the idea

Should you want to go to the Snack Bar but unsure of hours, you can always give them a call at (203) 966-1113.

Yoga Retreat in the Berkshire Mountains - Kripalu

Do you like Yoga?  Well, I hate it.  Absolutely hate it and I have seriously tried.  Its just not my thing.  Which might make it strange that I'm advocating going to a Yoga retreat center.  Kripalu is located in Lenox, MA - a beautiful two hour drive (or less) from Fairfield County on Route 7.  The building, a former monastery,  overlooks the Stockbridge Bowl in The Berkshires and right next to Tanglewoods.

If you like Yoga, this place is for you.  The Kripalu catalogue is filled with Yoga programs.  If you don't like Yoga, like me, there are plenty of other programs as well.  I typically go with some friends for their weekend R&R Program.  I can take classes on meditation, go to a program about organization (R&R programs offer special classes that always change), go on a guided hike, go to a Saturday night concert, Saturday afternoon African Drum Dance (this is fantastic), etc.  I'm in sweats and a t-shirt all weekend and its very welcoming and relaxing.

The R&R program is roughly $350 for the weekend.  This includes dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday.  The food is mostly vegan but they now offer one meat dish at meals.  Don't be scared off by the vegan food as it is amazing; I could go back just for their bread.  The accommodations in this price range is a dormitory style room with bunk beds - there is a key card to the room and lockers for valuables.  If you don't want to bunk with strangers, there are other accommodations but it does increase the price.

Is this place for everyone?  No!  Alcohol is not allowed and if you want a big steak, this is not the place for you.  However, if you want to decompress in a welcoming and laid back environment, you will most likely enjoy Kripalu.  Also, I go for the Healing Arts Center.  Massages, facials, etc. are extra but cost less than in Fairfield County.

I don't take pictures while there but you can check out some pictures on google images: https://www.google.com/search?q=kripalu&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=VzLgU_nULY6GyATFhYCABw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&biw=1295&bih=904

For information on Kripalu or to order their catalogue, go to: http://kripalu.org

Where to eat when driving to Maine?

Yes, this is a random blog post as it has nothing to do with Fairfield County. However, we were in Maine this weekend and today while talking to a friend, she complained about the drive to Maine (understandable) and the lack of food options on the drive.  What?  There are a few great places right off of the highway.  So if you plan on heading to Maine anytime soon, check these out:

1. Rein's Deli in Vernon, CT.  Exit 65 off I-84 http://www.reinsdeli.com/ordereze/default.aspx
Rein's is an institution!  Its located right off the highway in a strip mall.  The parking lot will be packed and its all due to Rein's.  Not to worry, even if there is a long line, they get everyone seated quickly.  Its a great New York style deli-restaurant and every table gets a bowl of pickles.  The potato pancakes, corned beef sandwiches and motzah ball soup are my favorites.  We always pick up frozen motzah ball soup to bring home from their freezer section.

2. Kimballs Farm in Westford, MA Exit 32 of I-495 http://www.kimballfarm.com
Kimballs Farm started out as an ice cream stand and their original location in Westport is like a mini New England Disneyland.  It is about five minutes off exit 32 of I-495, which I'm going to assume you will take to Maine rather than go through Boston.  This place is seasonal so visit Spring through Fall.  It is about a three hour trip from Fairfield County, so if you are doing a day drive, a perfect place to stop and allow the kids to let off some steam.  The outdoor grill has great seafood and I love their lobster rolls.  The prices aren't necessarily cheap but its good food and nobody will be left hungry.  The problem is that you need to stay hungry for the ice cream.  The portions are ridiculous.  Order a kiddy size and you can still share it between a few people.  Bumber boats and an arcade are next to the food court if you want to spend anymore time at this venue before getting back on the road.

3. Newicks Lobster House in Dover, NH http://www.newicks.com/index.html
Newicks Lobster House is right before the bridge into Maine, part of the very tiny bit of New Hampshire coast line.  Newicks is more of a diversion off I-95 as it is a ten minute drive off the highway.  For lovers of fried seafood and big portions, it will fit the bill.  Is it gourmet?  No.  Does it do fried fish well?  Absolutely.  The place is huge, its on the water and don't be surprised to see buses in the parking lot.  Food is served on paper plates and the "chowdah" is good.  For the portion size, its a very good deal.  My kids love it.

4. Bob's Clam Hut, Route 1, Kittery, Maine http://www.bobsclamhut.com
This place is right next to The Kittery Trading Post in outlet shopping Kittery.  Its been on numerous tv shows as one of the best roadside eateries in the U.S.  I think that is pushing it a bit but they usually do have very good fried clams.  Just beware that lines can be long and finding an outside table can be hard.  Its not my favorite on this list but if we are shopping in Kittery or the traffic is too much on a Saturday out of Maine, will be stop here if we need to get out of the car.

Alander Mountain on the NY/MA Line - Bash Bish Falls

A 90 minute to two hour drive from Fairfield County is Alander Mountain in Mount Washington State Park.  This mountain is in the southwest corner of Massachusetts, right on the state line with Copake Falls, NY.  The biggest attraction in the area is Bash Bish Falls and most activity in the area will be people heading to see the Falls.  Books often list Bash Bish Falls as a hike itself but its really just a one mile walk from the parking lot to the Falls. It is an uphill walk from the parking lot, enough to make young kids cranky but its not a hike.

Alander Mountain has an elevation of 2239 feet.  The mountain is surrounded by 10,000 acres of conservation land, so the views are stunning.  The trail is a 7.6 mile loop and its a moderate to strenuous hike.  We did pass some people who were not wearing appropriate hiking gear and they were in the process of giving up; so just because its not one the 4,000 footers in NH, don't think its not a tough hike.

Get directions from: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-west/mt-washington-state-forest-generic.html   We came from the direction of Copake Falls, NY - so we followed Route 344 east for two miles (turned into Falls Road when we crossed the state line) and we parked in a parking lot on the right.

The hike began with us crossing a small brook,  but as it had just rained the night before, it was a pretty strong current.  If my kids were with us, I would not have gone across, as the Falls are not far from this location.  Pretty soon after the brook there is a very steep climb and a metal fence for safety, as it a sheer drop on the other side.  It was more like climbing at this point but the dog had no problem.  Right after this area, however, is where were met a lot of people who were giving up.  Don't, its not a bad hike after this part, the beginning is really the toughest.  Just make sure to bring plenty of water and food.

Okay, but it was kind of hard, didn't want a picture.  This area of the hike was beautiful.  No views but in the middle of trees and ferns.  

The views are great.  We stopped at this area for lunch and watched hawks in the distance.

Bash Bish Falls 

(I know, you want to call them Bish Bash - everyone does)

At the end of the hike you will come to Bash Bish Falls.  This is where you will see a lot of people.  The Falls are beautiful and there will be police there trying to keep people out of the pool by the Falls.  There are pools going down from the Falls to the parking lot area.  We did see a lot of people in those pools, but not sure if those are off limits as well.  

Bash Bish Falls is somewhat infamous.  It has been rated as one of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the U.S. and the World.  I know, they don't look dangerous.  Cliff jumping, which is not legal, claims a lot of lives as well as strong currents sweeping people down river.  The problem is also the rocks to view the Falls.  When you get to the Falls, you climb down some steep stairs.  A lot of people are dressed in sadals, sneakers, etc.  The rocks are slippery!  Last time we were there, paramedics were preparing to hoist up a guy who slipped on the rocks while taking a picture and hit his head.  He was complaining that he couldn't move his legs - so take caution.

For more information on the Falls go to: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-west/bash-bish-falls-state-park.html

If you are interested in hiking in this area or New England, I highly advise the book 100 Classic Hikes in New England by Jeffrey Romano.  

http://www.amazon.com/100-Classic-Hikes-England-Massachusetts/dp/159485100X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406901370&sr=8-1&keywords=100+classic+hikes+in+new+england

Before we got to the Falls the dog needed a drink - by biting the water.  First hike where when we got to the car, our Dutchie immediately curled up and went to sleep.