Monday, January 13, 2014

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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Kentucky's Bourbon Frenzy

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Nov 21, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."


As bourbon's worldwide popularity continues its meteoric rise, Kentucky distilleries are expanding to make the visitor experience even better.
 
This unique distillery, tucked away on a scenic country road just south of Lawrenceburg, recently opened a brand new visitor center where tours of the facilities originate. The center also sells FourRoses bourbons from their popular "yellow label" to premium small batch and single barrel offerings.
Just north and east of Lawrenceburg, Wild Turkey also recently opened a large new visitor center high on a bluff overlooking the Kentucky River making its way through the beautiful countryside. You can buy a bottle of Forgiven, one on the most talked about blends of rye and bourbon created by the fortunate accident of a distillery worker.
This distillery, laid out on some beautiful property in the midst of horse farms, is expanding production by adding more tall copper pot stills and increasing warehouse capacity. They recently started producing a "double oaked" version of their bourbon that includes aging in an additional barrel before bottling. Woodford Reserve is also planning a rejuvenation of their visitor center.
This large distillery in Clermont recently opened the Jim Beam American Stillhouse that functions as a visitor center and gift shop.
Now you can experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in downtown Louisville. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in now part of the rejuvenated Whiskey Row section of downtown where you can experience a working artisanal distillery actually making bourbon. Tours conclude with a tasting and the gift shop offer an array of Evan Williams bourbons like the small batch Evan Williams 1783 bourbon.
The Urban Bourbon Trail is made up of over 25 bars and restaurants around Louisville that serve between 50-150 varieties of bourbon. If you want to experience the more traditional side of Louisville you can visit the Old Seelbach Bar. On the more modern end of the spectrum is Proof on Main part of the 21c downtown hotel.
Seven smaller boutique distilleries make up the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour and they spread beyond the traditional central Kentucky bourbon producing area. Old Pogue is located in Maysville, Barrel House is in Lexington, Corsair is in Bowling Green, M.B. Roland is in Pembroke, Limestone Branch is in Lebanon, Silver Trail is in Hardin and Willett Distillery is in Bardstown.
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Bardstown, KY: It's Waiting to Be Discovered

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Nov 1, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."
Though it's often overshadowed by Kentucky's largest city just 35 miles to the north, there's a case to be made for Bardstown as a vacation destination. As the western gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the home of the place that inspired the iconic song "My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen Foster, Bardstown gets its share of day trippers but very few overnight guests. There are more than a few great reasons to stick around for awhile.
Bourbon
There are three functioning distilleries within Bardstown's city limits. The Kentucky Bourbon Heritage Center at Heaven Hill Distillery is a great place to shop for harder to find bourbons after a tour of the facilities. Just down Loretto Road is the boutique Willett distillery, where the highly lauded craft bourbons Noah's Mill and Willett's Pot Still Reserve come from. Over on the west side of town, the Barton 1792 distillery continues to produce award-winning bourbons like the premium 1792 Ridgemont Reserve and Very Old Barton.
Just south of Bardstown in a quiet hollow outside the small hamlet of Loretto Maker's Mark makes the bourbon that ends up in the bottles with the iconic wax seal on top. In Clermont, just a few miles northwest of town, Jim Beam makes its namesake bourbon and recently opened a brand new visitor center called the American Stillhouse.
Food
For a town of a little over 11,000 Bardstown has a varied restaurant scene that runs from the casual to the sophisticated. The Rickhouse at 112 Xavier Drive is well known for its delicious steaks that range in price from 15 to 34 dollars. Its bar is stocked with a large selection of bourbons, too. The Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave., has a wide ranging lunch and dinner menu that includes the Kentucky favorite Hot Brown open-faced sandwich. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train winds through the scenic backdrop of Bernheim Forest and the Jim Beam Distillery property. Lunch tickets are $69.95 for adults, $44.95 for children 5-12. Dinner tickets are $84.95 for adults, $54.95 for children 5-12 years old.
Lodging
For a touch of history you can stay where Abraham Lincoln, General George S. Patton and Jesse James once slept. The Old Talbott Tavern has six well-appointed rooms. Rates range from $135 to $235.
Just down the street, the Jailer's Inn was a fully functioning jail built around 1819. The thick walls and heavy steel doors make for a very secure place to spend the night these days. Rates are $65 to $125.
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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The World of Wine - Part One

A Look at Some Wine Basics

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Dec 7, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."

The world of wine, especially for the beginner, can be a daunting one. With all the different grapes and regions involved in the making of wine it can make picking a wine for a special occasion or to pair with a meal more than a little confusing. The most important thing about choosing wine is to simply find what you enjoy no matter what anyone else thinks about it. Here are a few basics that should help you get started in the right direction.


Red Wine
Though attitudes constantly change, red wines are considered the ultimate in wine expression. Red wines tend to be more complex than white wines due to the inclusion of the grape skin in the production process. That complexity comes in large part from the tannins imparted by the grape skin and the tannins tend to add to the flavor profile as the wine ages. There are varying degrees of tannins in different red wines depending on how long the producer leaves the grape skins in contact with the grape juice at the beginning of the wine making process. Tannins impart a sharp mouth pucker element to the taste of the wine. Wines with fewer tannins are softer and fruitier.
Some Light Bodied Fruity Reds with Fewer Tannins
Beaujolais from France
Less Expensive California Reds
Some Medium Bodied Reds
Some Merlots
Less Expensive Bordeaux from France
Italian Chianti
Some Full Bodied Reds
Expensive California Cabernets
The Best Bordeaux Wines
Italian Barolo
If you're looking for a good red wine for a special meal or an important occasion and you don't want to spend a lot of money, it's hard to go wrong with a mid priced Cabernet Sauvignon.
Some people just don't like red wine but really enjoy a good white wine. Whites tend to be thought of as light and fruity hot weather drinks that pair easily with some fish and white meats but, there are plenty of fuller bodied white wines that rival reds in flavor complexity. Chardonnay is the most popular white wine probably because of its full bodied flavor profile and because oak is often part of the aging process that makes for an even wider flavor spectrum from one wine maker to another.
Some Dry and Crisp White Wines (No Oak Flavor)
Italian Soave and Pinot Grigio
Sancerre and Chablis from France
Some Dry, Full Bodied White Wines (With Oak Character)
The More Expensive Chardonnays from California or France
Most White Wines from the Burgundy region of France
Some Medium Dry White Wines (Some Sweetness)
German Wines like Liebfraumilch
Less Expensive American Whites
Riesling is becoming more popular these days because of its complex fruity flavor and a hint of slate underneath. There are dry and semi-dry Rieslings and they can be a nice change of pace for the chardonnay drinker.

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