Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Driving into Skaneateles is kind of like stumbling onto small town America as it once might have been. The nicely maintained and numerous Victorian houses, the little downtown park complete with gazebo, the small locally run shops and restaurants that line the main drag and, oh yeah, the crystal clear Skaneateles Lake. It's just hard not to feel good when you find yourself in such a place.
Kim Edwards' latest novel The Lake of Dreams draws its insperation from the area and the author, who now lives in Lexington, KY, once lived in Skaneateles. The title of her book fits as the incredible vistas provided by the lake's long channel from the town's viewpoint has a real dreamscape quality to it.
The Sherwood Inn, a one time stagecoach stop, is one of the main focal points for locals as well as visitors. This is about as far as you can get from today's chain hotels. Each room has it's own individual style and the lakeview rooms are especially popular. What really makes the place special is the almost public house atmosphere of the cozy tavern. This is where you'll gather the most town gossip while enjoying some great pub grub and perhaps an offering from one of the Finger Lakes many wineries.
Speaking of wineries, just down West Lake road is a fairly recent addition to the Finger Lakes Wine Trail. Anyela's Vineyards has already produced some of my favorite reds (2005 Overlay) in a wine region known mostly for its whites. If you're doing the wine trail or parts of it, make sure this one is on your itinerary.
If you like your seafood, try Bluewater Grill just down the street from the Sherwood. This almost always bustling place is literally "on the water" and during warmer weather, the view from the outdoor deck is about as good as it gets. Bluewater is also positioned at the start of the downtown shopping area that's packed with unique shops.
If you do stay at The Sherwood, be sure and take advantage of their complimentary breakfast served on their enclosed porch with a great view of the lake, and, the croissants are made fresh each morning at the inn's own patisserie adjacent to the main building.
Published by Stephen Pinder
Stephen loves travel and travel writing. He also enjoys sports and golf with old friends and new ones he meets on the road.  View profile
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Monday, January 13, 2014

Going Vegan: It's a Process

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Jan 13, 2014 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."
I was surprised when, about four months ago, my doctor started my annual checkup by handing me some papers that detailed the benefits of going vegan. I was even more surprised to find out he had started down the vegan highway because he had been on both high blood pressure and cholesterol medications. I was shocked because he was a few years younger than me at 45 and he looked to be extremely fit owing to his three day a week jogging routine.
He went on to explain that so much of our health is pre determined by genetics and, depending on the person, exercise and weight watching can help but only up to a point. A doctor friend of his had given him The China Study by T. Colin Campbell PhD. that detailed a 20 year study of rural Chinese people who were able, in some cases, to reverse some serious cardiac diseases after going vegan. My doctor told me that after adopting a vegan diet about three months prior to my appointment; he no longer took any of his medications.
This sounded pretty good to me as I'd been trying, without success, to get off my own high blood pressure medication. I went with some of the dietary ideas that were part of the papers he had given me and began my own vegan adventure.
I was under no delusion as to how difficult it would be to change after fifty years of eating anything I wanted and the fact that I love eggs, cheese, steak, fish and ham didn't help as vegan means no animal products, none, nada, zilch. I started off by substituting oatmeal for eggs at breakfast three days a week and eventually got that up to only one egg breakfast per week. The next step was to eliminate beef which wasn't as hard as I'd imagined because I had already almost entirely stopped eating anyfast food over the last two years. I found that beans of all kinds can be a good substitute for beef and, in a pinch, I can fall back on a veggie burger every once in a while. I've definitely increased my vegetable and fruit consumption and I've developed a real fondness for the Portobello mushroom sandwich.
Without trying I dropped almost 12 pounds over a three month period and I cut my high blood pressure medication from every day to every third day. All was going well until Thanksgiving rolled around.
Like many Americans, I find the holidays and the overabundance of food that comes with them to be impossible to escape. But now that the calendar has moved on to another year my resolution is to get back on the vegan highway because I've seen firsthand how effective it is.
Published by Stephen Pinder
Stephen loves travel and travel writing. He also enjoys sports and golf with old friends and new ones he meets on the road.  View profile

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Things to See and Do Around Lexington, KY

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Jul 31, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."



Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg
Just south of Lexington, Shaker Village is one of those places just about anyone and any age can enjoy. You can eat local fare in the Trustee's Dining Room, spend the night in a period themed room in one of the restored Shaker buildings or take a tour of the grounds and learn from presenters in Shaker attire how life was back in the day.
Woodford Reserve Distillery, 7855 McCracken Pike, Lexington
Go a few miles west of Lexington through some beautiful Kentucky horse farm country to Woodford Reserve nestled in a quiet stream fed hollow. The tall copper pot stills and handsome stone aging warehouses make this one of the most picturesque distilleries in the world. You can take a tour and grab a bite to eat from their award winning kitchen.
The Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington
If you have even a passing interest in any type of horse you should take some time to explore the Kentucky Horse Park grounds and the Museum of the Horse. You can learn about the history of the horse, visit some retired thoroughbred racing champions and have a close up look at breeds from around the world.
Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington
They only have live horse racing in April and October but, they're open year round for simulcast racing and you can have breakfast at the no frills Track Kitchen where you can sample cafeteria style southern fare and rub shoulders with the horsey set and maybe catch some early morning thoroughbred workouts on the track. The beautiful grounds are open to the public and provide a great place for a human workout too.
Joseph Beth Books, 161 Lexington Green Circle, Lexington
If you like books and independent book stores, you'll enjoy a visit to Joseph Beth Books, one of the region's largest and most popular. They also have Bronte's Bistro, an onsite café where you can get a bite to eat or enjoy a book with a coffee, wine or bourbon.
Back Roads and Byways
The horse farms and natural scenery that surrounds Lexington make for some memorable drives. Take Old Frankfort Pike west and stop at Wallace Station, a small restaurant with a country store atmosphere and great sandwiches made with homemade breads. Or, you can drive on to tiny Midway and check out the many shops and restaurants there.
On your way back to town, take Old Frankfort Pike east then turn right on Pisgah Pike, left onto Paynes Mill Road then left on Redd Road that loops back to Old Frankfort Pike.
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The Finger Lakes: a Great Place Gets Even Better

The New York Wine Region Now Has an Ale Trail and Distilleries to Visit

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Apr 26, 2012 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."

I was pleasantly shocked when I overheard a conversation about the new breweries popping up among the well established wineries of the Finger Lakes. I was at my favorite watering hole in Skaneateles, the cozy tavern in The Sherwood Inn, enjoying a very nice Middle Ages IPA, brewed in nearby Syracuse, when I overheard the couple setting beside me. It had been four years since my last visit to the lakes region and I was about to find out just how much things can change in that length of time.

The next day I make my way over to Senaca Lake for a visit to Wagner Vineyard and Brewery. I'm pleasantly surprised again when I see the sprawling property that includes a busy restaurant in a building seperate from the winery/brewery. They picked a good place to set up shop; the view of Senaca Lake is as good as a trip to a therapist and quite a few people are taking it all in as they sit at picnic tables down by the grape vines. As I walk into the brewery area I'm hit by one of those too good to be true moments, a winery and a brewery in the same place; could it get any better? As a matter of fact, it does. When I sample the India Pale Ale I'm reminded of Benjamin Franklin's quote about beer being proof that God loves us; it's just an excellent balance of malt and hoppy goodness and I waste little time getting a couple of six packs to share with some of my ale loving buddies back home.

Just down the road is 2 Goats Brewing Company where the tin shack exteriot motif of the brewpub is almost as eyecatching as the view of the lake. I'm happy to find they have a fine India Pale Ale in their brewmaking arsenal and I'm also happy when I find out how well it pairs up with their slow cooked roast beef sandwich. This is the place to go for a laid back meal with a view as good as they come.

I venture on down Highway 414 to another place I was told about that turns out to be the biggest surprise of all; Finger Lakes Distilling. The spartan white walls of the main building look just right where it sits in the middle of a vineyard. The look inside is warm and inviting and full of examples of the distilleries end products. I see several bottles of vodka, gin, brandy and grappa displayed in the hardwood floored main room, and then there's what I'm really interested in; the whiskeys. I'm from bourbon country and I'm always interested in how whiskey is made outside of Kentucky. Distillery owner Brian McKenzie, has come up with an ingenious idea to use grains produced by neaby farmers and also using used wine casks as part of the whiskey aging process to give his bourbon and rye whiskeys a unique finish. His Pure Pot Still Whiskey, a salute to the Irish Whiskey style, is aged in the used bourbon and rye barrels, the ones used in the first part of the bourbon and rye aging. The size of these barrels is smaller (10 gallon) than the ones used in Kentucky and, as this allows for more direct whiskey to wood contact, the aging process is compressed; the smoothness normally aquired over a much longer time is accomplished in only eighteen months and, after I do a little sampling of the product, it really does taste like they've been aged much longer. I'm taking a bottle or two of each back home to see what my whiskey snob buddies think about these New York Whiskeys.

You can find more information at fingerlakeswineries.org. 

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Fantastic Freebies on Cape Cod

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Aug 1, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."



A vacation on Cape Cod can get expensive very quickly but, there are some quality free activities that combine learning and recreation for the entire family.
Bike Paths
The Shining Sea Bike Path is a 10 mile stretch of paved path that runs from Woods Hole to just north of Falmouth. The scenery changes from town to thick woods to a wide open vista of Nantucket Sound. There are no complimentary bikes provided but, you can also walk or rollerblade. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is 22 miles long and takes in the full scope of changing scenery between South Dennis and South Wellfleet.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
During July and August WHOI volunteers conduct free tours through the normally off limits facilities around their campus. You can get a behind the scenes look at how scientists research the planet's oceans and how it gets reflected in the classroom.
They also have the Ocean Science Exhibit Center that's open to the public from May through October. There's no formal entry fee but donations are accepted.
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium
This small aquarium in the tiny scientific community of Woods Hole is a treat for kids and adults. The seals out front have their own custom swimming pool and there's also a touch tank inside for a hands on experience of the local marine life.
Walking Trails
There are 12 year round trails on The Cape Cod National Seashore where you can walk in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau while you enjoy the unspoiled beauty around you. There are trailheads in Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet and Eastham.
Free Tours
Cape Cod Beer and Cape Cod Chips in Hyannis both offer free tours and you can sample the beer at CCB if you're over 21. Cape Cod Winery, in East Falmouth also has free tours and tastings.
Chatham Light/Lighthouse Beach
You can enjoy a free tour presented by members of The Coast Guard Reserve at Chatham Lighthouse just west of downtown. The lighthouse overlooks the expansive Lighthouse Beach that's also free. There's a thirty minute parking limit but you can walk or bike from town.
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Interesting Lincoln and Civil War Sites in Kentucky

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Aug 14, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."

If you're interested in how Abraham Lincoln became one of the most respected of United States Presidents, you can go to his birthplace where it all began. Seen firsthand, his rise from the backwoods of Kentucky to the ultimate seat of power seems all the more remarkable. There's the added benefit of being surrounded by the beauty of the Bluegrass State.
A symbolic cabin that represents Lincoln's birthplace sits inside a handsome neo-classical memorial building in this 74 acre park. This is a very peaceful place setting when there aren't too many visitors. Nearby is a facsimile cabin on the Knob Creek property of Lincoln's boyhood.
The downtown Hodgenville museum has dioramas, wax figures and drawings depicting people and places of the Lincoln era along with memorabilia from the Civil War.
The Battle of Perryville took place about 50 miles east of Hodgenville in October 1862. One of the Civil War's bloodiest battles was technically a Confederate victory but ended up being perceived as a Union win because the rebel forces quickly retreated to the south. Today, the large park has a museum and serves as a setting for battle reenactments.
Mary Todd was born in Lexington and enjoyed a much more privileged life than her husband. The late Georgian house where she was raised has fourteen rooms on three floors and offers a glimpse into what life was like for the well off around the Civil War era. The museum if furnished with period pieces from the 1830s and 1840s and along with some original Todd and Lincoln family pieces.
Published by Stephen Pinder
Stephen loves travel and travel writing. He also enjoys sports and golf with old friends and new ones he meets on the road.  View profile

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12 Things You Didn't Know About Kentucky

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Aug 13, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."


Just about every time I'm more than 500 miles away from my Kentucky home and I tell someone where I'm from, I can count on them saying something with the words Kentucky Derby in the sentence. If we end up talking for any amount of time questions about moonshine and most of the population going barefoot invariably come up. It's almost like Kentucky is still lost in some pre Civil War era where the rich folk ride around in horse drawn buggies while the women try to keep their hoop skirts from catching in the wheel spokes.
 
Over the years I've come up with some facts about my beloved Bluegrass State to pass along to those who have a sort of one dimensional perception of a place rich in its complexity.
1 - A Louisville druggist invented chewing gum.
2 - The electric light bulb was first publicly shown in Louisville.
3 - Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, was born in Fairview, KY about 125 miles west of Abraham Lincoln's birthplace in Hodgenville.
4 - The National Quilt Museum in Paducah is the world's largest.
5 - Kentucky has the most beef cattle east of the Mississippi River.
6 - Food Guru Duncan Hines was born in Bowling Green, KY.
7 - 95% of the world's bourbon is produced in Kentucky.
8 - The Song Happy Birthday was written by Louisville sisters Mildred and Patricia Hill.
9 - Johnny Depp, Ned Beatty, George Clooney, Warren Oates and Harry Dean Stanton were all born in Kentucky.
10 - All Chevrolet Corvettes are now produced in Bowling Green, KY.
11 - Mother's Day was first observed in Henderson, KY.
12 - The radio was invented by Kentuckian Nathan Stubblefield.
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Cape Cod's Best Clam Chowder

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Aug 11, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."

My annual trips to Cape Cod have become, in large part, quests to find the best Clam Chowder in New England. You can find good and great chowder all over New England but, the Cape just seems to be the place where it tastes best.
The Squire, Chatham - Year after year, this laid back bar and restaurant tops my list for best chowder. It's such a cool hangout I'd go even if chowder wasn't on their exceptional seafood menu. The Cape Cod Beer they have on tap is a chowder's best friend.
The Landfall, Woods Hole - The best hangout in my favorite Cape Cod village also makes one of my favorite chowders. The bowl of cup full of creamy awesomeness always runs neck and neck with The Squire's for top honors. They also have Cape Cod Beer on tap.
Quick's Hole, Woods Hole - Just across the street from The Landfall, Quick's tops its chowder with delicious sweet corn to give it a touch of uniqueness in the crowded world of chowder. They also serve some of the best oysters on Cape Cod.
Captain Parker's Pub, West Yarmouth - A lot of folks I know put this one right at the top of their personal chowder favorites and for good reason. I must say, if I couldn't get to The Squire or The Landfall, a bowl of goodness from Captain Parker's would make me more than happy.
McGrath's Saloon and Sports Bar, Hyannis - Could there be anything better than a bowl of chowder a beer and a Red Sox game? This is the place to go if you want to watch the game while you enjoy McGrath's super creamy offering. If you're not in the mood for seafood, the Monster Burger lives up to its name.
The Lobster Pot, Provincetown - If you need a reason to drive all the way out to the very tip of the Cape, the Pot's chowder is worth every mile. This is one popular restaurant so, if you don't like crowds try to avoid the usual lunch and dinner hours.
Land Ho!, Orleans - A laid back atmosphere, good beer and great chowder generally make for a good time and Land Ho! Has all three. They also whip up a fantastic Sunday brunch.
Published by Stephen Pinder
Stephen loves travel and travel writing. He also enjoys sports and golf with old friends and new ones he meets on the road.  View profile

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Great Kentucky State Park Golf

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Aug 18, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."



Kentucky's State Parks prove great golf experiences don't have to be expensive. The following courses range from urban to rustic setting but quality golf and inspiring settings remain constant.
My Old Kentucky State Park, Kenny Rapier Course - Located right on the edge of downtown Bardstown, this course remains one of my absolute favorites in Kentucky. Its Bermuda grass fairways wind around the beautiful property around Federal Hill, the inspiration for the Stephen Foster Song. At 6350 yards from the back tees, it's more of a pleasant diversion than a stern test of golf. As an added incentive, the Kentucky Bourbon Heritage Center is right next door.
Yatesville Lake State Park, Eagle Ridge Course - If you really need to get away from it all, this course on the West Virginia border close to the small town of Louisa is the place to go. The challenge doesn't lie in its 6630 yard length but in the many drastic elevation changes you'll encounter. The remote setting is nothing less than stunning and you'll more than likely see a variety of wildlife as you make your way around.
Pine Mountain State Park, Wasioto Winds Course - Another stunningly beautiful course nestled in a valley in the southeast corner of the state. This links style course has quite a bit of water and its winter hardy strain of bent grass tends to stay green through all but the harshest of winters.
Kentucky Dam Village, Kentucky Dam Course - If the idea of staying at one of Kentucky's most heralded resorts and playing a Perry Maxwell course appeals to you then find your way to Gilbertsville on the northern apex of Kentucky Lake. This is a great place to hike, boat and fish and you can also take advantage of the Kentucky State Park's Tee's and Zee's golf package. As with the other courses, a beautiful place to play and you can choose between four tees for whatever level of challenge you're looking for. 
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Only in New York

There's More to the Empire State Than the Big Apple

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Sep 22, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."



It's perhaps only natural to think of the Big Apple when the words New York are printed or spoken but, the state of the same name is just as captivating and full of interesting things to see and do as the island city between the Hudson and East Rivers. If you were to look at a map of the sprawling expanse that is New York you'd see borders that touch two Great Lakes to the west, Canada to the north, New England to the east and a large famous island that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean that's also a playground for the wealthy and an escape for the average Joe. Inside the state lines are lakes, mountains and towns that must be seen to be believed.
The long time honeymoon destination is also a great place for families to witness the power of nature first hand. The falls are purported to generate negative ions that elevate the mood levels of visitors of the American or Canadian side.
The Finger Lakes
Eleven lakes were gouged out by glaciers in the western part of New York's Upstate and now provide a micro climate conducive to growing wine grapes. The wine trails continue to expand around the lakes region and have recently been joined by ale and cheese trails that also look toward future expansion.
The Adirondacks
Though not as tall and widespread as the Rocky Mountains, the Adirondacks do offer plenty of sensory stimulation. Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Lake George are popular resort areas where visitors can hike, boat, and fish and when winter rolls around skiing and snowboarding are added.
The Hudson Valley
A boat cruise up the Hudson is a good way to follow in the footsteps of Dutch explorer Henry Hudson when he decided to sail past what is now Manhattan to find what would become one of America's most important waterways. There is also the option of driving along the top of the tall banks of the river for where many uniquely interesting small towns wait to be explored.
Long Island
One of the planet's most well known pieces of land is also a diverse area made up of highly populated business centers to the west to the sandy chops that stretch out to the east. This is where quite a few of New York City's rich and famous have summer homes and where everyday folk might run into one of them in one of the island's small villages. Wine lovers enjoy the many high quality wineries spread around Long Island and fishing enthusiasts like to head out to Montauk Point on the tip of South Chop.
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Only in Kentucky

The Bluegrass State Has Plenty of Unique Attractions

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Sep 18, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."

One of the best things about living in a large country with 50 states is, we get to experience 50 unique and always interesting destinations. The Bluegrass State has an eclectic mix of old and new attractions that help make up its one of a kind culture.
Bourbon
A new golden era has dawned for the bourbon industry in Kentucky. As global demand keeps rising bourbon producers are expanding existing distilleries and bringing new ones online. The popular Kentucky Bourbon Trail has recently been joined by the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour, a trail made up of seven micro-distilleries that spread beyond the traditional bourbon belt of central Kentucky.The Urban Bourbon Trail is a collection of 27 restaurants with bars that stock at least 50 different bourbons and some have over 150 to choose from.
The Horse
While Louisville's Kentucky Derby is the most prominent aspect of the state's horse industry there are quite a few more pieces to the puzzle for those who would like to learn more about the sport of kings.
In nearby Lexington, you can take a bus tour of the sprawling horse farms that surround the city and make it one of the most uniquely beautiful areas in America. Lexington visitors can also stop in atKeeneland, one of the nation's most beautiful thoroughbred horse race tracks. There's live racing in April and October only but it's open year round and offers simulcast racing, breakfast in the track kitchen and morning exercise sessions on the track.
The Kentucky Horse Park is another Lexington gem that anyone interested in horses would enjoy. It's devoted to all horse breeds from hard working draft horses to the thoroughbred.
Special Places
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is one of the best examples of Kentucky's special places. The well restored village is one of the best Shaker time capsules anywhere and offers the visitor a glimpse into what life was like for the Spartan religious sect. In addition to the large collection of original buildings there are acres of hiking and biking trails on the rolling property next to the village.
The Corvette Museum in Bowling Green is devoted to the classic American sports car that's been around since the fifties. Today, each and every Corvette is made in the nearby General Motorsassembly plant.
The Louisville Slugger Museum in downtown Louisville is a great stop for anyone who enjoys America's favorite pastime.
Published by Stephen Pinder
Stephen loves travel and travel writing. He also enjoys sports and golf with old friends and new ones he meets on the road.  View profile

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