Photo crawl today

Taking a cue from the book's "Sprinkler Park Crawl," the Divas headed out today on a much-needed "photo crawl" to collect images for the new edition. We blasted through four destinations in one day!

First stop was the Butterfly Place in Westford, where we snapped photos of the delicate winged beauties of every hue surrounding us. Then, after fueling up with yummy cheeseburgers and some middlin' fries from Five Guys in Lowell, we swung by Chip-In Farm (Bedford) for fresh corn and peaches and the petting zoo. 

Caitlin held a chicken! The pig was huge! More photo snapping.

With the afternoon waning, we peeled over to Garden in the Woods and New England Wildflower Society in Framingham, where we met up with new communications director Julia Homer, circled the Lily Pond, and checked out the "fern maze" under construction in the children's play area. Then came the slow crawl up 128/95 toward home with the rest of humanity.

Whew! It felt good to return home, but it was so refreshing to spend a day away from the screens.

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Pictured is DayTripper intern and Diva-in-the-making Caitlin Morrow, with the camera bag and the itinerary she prepared for today's photo crawl.

Care for some cranberries with your football?

Photo by Caitlin Morrow

Football season is right around the corner and many New Englanders are setting their sights for Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place. But for the rest of us, a picturesque, quintessentially New England secret lurks just behind Bass Pro Shops at Patriot Place. For those who've had enough of sports, concerts or shopping, the Ocean Spray cranberry bog and half-mile nature trail is a great spot to take the kids to see wildlife like birds or turtles, and for strolling couples and active walkers looking for a change of scenery.

Look! A Crane!

This cranberry bog was planted in 1929. Because the flower of the cranberry looks like the crane, head, and beak of a sandhill crane, the name "crane berry" came to be. Dating back to the 17th century, these berries have been used for medicinal purposes and health benefits. Along the path, there are red signs that reveal information about cranberries and their environment. It's a perfect blend of history and nature. 

Fauna with your flora

On our recent visit, the DayTripper Divas spotted an adorable pair of turtles, perched on a small wooden plank, basking in the warmth of the sun, and an "aw, so cute" escaped our lips. A variety of other animals are await explorers of all ages here.

Photo by Caitlin Morrow

With a separate parking lot, a sign pointing you in the right direction, and a DCR "Healthy Trail" certification, this destination is a hidden gem. We visited in mid-summer, but it's also strikingly beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing and the bright-red cranberry harvest is underway!

Oishii Desu Yo!

Scorpion bowl to share!
Photo by Caitlin Morrow

If you're gallivanting down Newbury Street in search of delicious sushi or authentic Japanese cuisine, then don't pass up a meal at Itadaki Japanese Restaurant and Bar: just look for the giant "scorpion bowl" outside! With a cute, close-knit outdoor seating area, it is the perfect spot to bring your friends to enjoy a summer night out. The name is a shortened form of the Japanese word "itadakimasu," which is said before every meal in Japan. It is like saying "bon appetit" in French. 

For those that have been fortunate enough to visit Japan, this is pretty darn close to the real thing. They have selected a group of actual Japanese chefs and American servers that know "what's what" in the Japanese food world. A personal favorite, gyoza, or pork dumpling, can be found on the menu and is delicious or "oishii!" In Japan, they have restaurants that serve all-you-can-eat gyoza, which are very popular there. Let's not forget to mention the fresh sushi and sashimi, which is melt-in-your-mouth tasty right here in Boston! 

Everything appears to be served with chopsticks, so it's the perfect place to practice using those wooden utensils or ask a friend to help ya out! 

 With quick service, a happy waitstaff, and a great location...Boston is the new Tokyo :) 

Address: 269 Newbury Street 

Web: http://www.itadakiboston.com

Castle Island: Where am I?

A photo taken of a passing sailboat amid vibrant yellow wildflowers.
Photo taken by Charlotte Pierce

"Am I in the city, the park, at the airport, or the beach?"

Located in South Boston, Castle Island offers a miscellany of settings, thinning the line between commercial industry and nature. It is the perfect place to take a walk, fly a kite, have a picnic, lounge in the sun, or simply contemplate life. Smack dab in the center is a large pentagon-shaped structure, known as Fort Independence. Overhead, one will continuously see the arriving airplanes, beginning their descent on Logan Airport. They are so close that one can easily see, without squinting, where the aircraft originated from. 

If you're looking for a nautical adventure, look no further than the Harry McDonough Sailing Program on the adjacent pier. When hunger sets in, Sullivan's is a quick and great place to order a "lobstah" roll or some fish n' chips! If you feel like catching your own food, bring along your fishing poles and head to the Lt. John J. McCorkle, Boston Fire Dept. Memorial Fish Pier. The seagulls will join you as they catch crabs off the seaweed-covered rocks. 

A perfect place to spend time with your "main squeeze," this place can bring back nostalgia for some. If you classify yourself as a "beachcomber," why not scavenge the beach for something of value or interest? The next big photographer or lacking in creativity? Castle Island's varied landscape lets you experiment with different camera angles, perspectives, and lighting. 

If nothing I hinted at seemed to "float your boat," then at least come to 'people watch.' You might even come across two elderly women, matching in their white sweatshirts and blue pants, taking in the sights through their binoculars!!! 

Capitol Theater block anchors vibrant East Arlington

http://fieldtripper.com/c/5wM0uNE_468/capitol-theater-building I thought you might find this interesting, too. *It's your world, explore it.*: http://fieldtripper.com

Arlington Public Art: Chairful Where You Sit 2013

Are you sitting down? Check out Arlington Public Art's blog for an eyeful of "Chairful Where You Sit 2013." Join this wonderful, artful community event for its second year and create your own throne of fanciful splendor! Guidelines for Chairful 2013 are here.

Mountain biking on reservation lands

Dust off those wheels and tune 'er up! When trails dry out sufficiently, usually by mid-May, Leominster State Forest offers some of the best mountain biking around, within an easy day trip of Metro Boston. Click here to see a trail map. For general information on trails on central/western Massachusetts accessible lands, plus conditions and opening dates and ways to volunteer and contribute, contact The Trustees of Reservations, Doyle Community Park Center, 464 Abbott Ave., Leominster, MA 01453; phone: 978-840-4446.

Other Trustees of Reservations properties that allow mountain biking include Brooks Woodland, with 693 acres and 13.5 miles of trails at East St. and Quaker Dr, Petersham; North Common Meadow, with 25 acres and a half-mile trail at 22 North main St & 27 East St, Petersham; and Tully River Campground with 31 acres and 22 miles of trails at 25 Doane Hill Rd, Royalston, 978-840-4446. You can also bike some of the trails at Willard Brook State Forest. Rt 119. Townsend, MA. 978-597-8802; and Pearl Hill State Park, New Fitchburg Rd. West Townsend, MA. 978-597-8802.

When you're on the trail, Tweet your photos and reports to @DayTripperDiva to win biking gear! The Johnny Appleseed Visitors' Center would also like to see your photos and videos of biking in North Central Mass; post on Facebook page or upload to their website.

Spring Splash at Old Frog Pond Farm

Buds appear on the apple trees in mid-April

One of our favorite spots, any time of year, is Old Frog Pond Farm in Harvard, Mass. Families can visit, volunteer, and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the organic farm stand. Adding to the experience are outdoor sculptures by Farmer Linda Hoffman and her colleagues, which surprise the visitor around every turn, and perfectly complement the farmscape.

Right now, the buds on the apple trees are beginning to open (see photo). First, a bit of green peeks out, then the bud-leaves start to unfold. Orchardists have names for every stage of the bud opening. This one is called 1/2 in green or mouse ears, an apt description for the tender leaves. The amazing small signs of life in the orchard affirm the mystery of growth about to burst forth. We're clearing out all of last year's canes, fertilizing the young plants, and beginning the spring weeding. Volunteers are always welcome, please send an email if you have a few hours to share. It's lovely out in the fields with the plants.

In Linda Hoffman's sculpture studio, "3D Play" sculpture workshops are led by Linda and

Applying bio-fertilizer.

Margot Stage. In the first class, participants made sculpture with wire, wood, apple branches, and found objects, learning to attach disparate materials and ground their project with a solid base. The next two classes will be sculpture that hangs in the air and sculpture that floats on water. To be on the list for future classes, email farmer/sculptor Linda Hoffman.

"Right now, there is a spreading carpet of greens growing - salads, kale, spinach, mesclun, and more. We will be selling greens directly from the farm. The first planting will be ready in two weeks," Linda told the Dispatches. To be to be notified, send an email to vegetables@oldfrogpondfarm.com.

Adaptive skating - it's the coolest!

The DCR's Universal Access program is the coolest! Use your wheelchair, an ice sled, or conventional skates on the ice! There's no describing the feeling as you spin, slide, race, slalom, socialize and play gently competitive games with others! Ice sleds and conventional skates available. For more information or to register, call 617-626-1294 to register or email Gigi Ranno. To volunteer, contact Marcy Marcello.

Cronin Skating Rink
850 Revere Parkway
Revere, MA (781) 284-9491

Tuesdays: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Dec. 11, Feb. 19, March 12, April 12
Fitzpatrick Skating Rink, 
575 Maple Street
Holyoke, MA (413) 532-2929

Sundays: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Dec. 2, Jan. 20, Feb. 10, March 10
Thursday, Feb. 21 2:30pm - 4:30pm

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Not too early to think skiing!

AMC guide points out animal tracks on a cross-country ski
expedition at Great Glen, near Wildcat Mountain in NH.

If the flakes last week got you in the skiing mood, the Massachusetts DCR (617-626-1250) offers a great site for places near and far to cross-country ski, and also offers resources for adjacent downhill ski areas.

Another great central site to search for ski opportunities is the Appalachian Mountain Club. Join the AMC for discounts on their White Mountain Lodges like Joe Dodge, near Great Glen (and Wildcat for the alpine skiers among us).

If you're not into skiing but your kids are, sign them up with the venerable (since 1969) Massachusetts Ski & Snowboard Club, which will bus them every weekend to a different ski area in New England, for quite affordable rates.

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King Richard's Faire

Every year, King Richard's Faire comes to Carver on week-ends from September through the end of October. Our Divas went on Sept. 3rd, the first day of the Faire, when Carverites can attend for free (admission is usually $26.). Once you are within the gates, everything is quite expensive. Reading reviews about the Faire, we can understand why some people feel it's "outrageously overpriced." But if you don't eat at the Faire, you can save quite a bit and still enjoy the sights and entertainment. - from Elizabeth Evans via Gather.

The Paper House ~ Recycling in the 20's

Horsing Around at Sweet Meadow Farm

In August, we headed out to celebrate a friend's birthday party at Sweet Meadow Farm in Sherborn (where my daughter and her friend Anna blissfully attended camp this summer). Owner Patty Michaud starts birthday parties at the barn and kids get to work with ponies, then tack up the horses. Each guest gets to ride and feed the horses. Then everyone heads up to the pet store at the Michauds' house, where they can observe and handle the guinea pigs, kittens, birds, and other small animals. Finally, guests enjoy a small party at the farm house or the new indoor barn, which includes a Sweet Meadow gift for the birthday girl. It's a bit pricey at about $30 per guest, but we are huge fans of Sweet Meadow. The Michaud family gives back to their community by donating equine therapy, and they do a great job of educating kids about animal care and enjoyment. (Grownup Alert: Sweet Meadow is also near the Natick Mall if you want to drop off!)

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Piling it on at Kitchen Little

"You need to add Kitchen Little to your list for places to eat in Mystic/Stonington," writes Jenny, a DayTripper contributor. "Excellent, excellent breakfast! Tiny, tiny place, but a nice outdoor seating area (you'll share a table with other diners outside) right on the water so kids can watch the boats going by. Outside, the ground is just rocks, so my 3 1/2 year old was infinitely entertained sitting under the table making rock piles while we waited for our delicious food! Coffee's pretty good, too."

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Drop of Hope Photography Project

The Roots & Shoots youth organization invites everyone to participate in this year's Drop of Hope Water Photography Project. There are even a couple of spaces left in a special photography workshop at Deer Island on Sunday, August 23.

The project encourages youth participation in celebrating bodies of water, building awareness about water issues, as well as creating and enjoying art. Roots & Shoots is again working with the Griffin Museum of Photography and Boston Photography Center on this project. Roots & Shoots is founded by chimpanzee researcher and environmental activist Dr. Jane Goodall.

This project involves three stages:

1. Young people take photos and briefly write descriptions about bodies of water they have visited, projects they have done with water or water issues that are of concern to them.
2. Exhibit the photos and descriptions in an online Roots & Shoots photo gallery, allowing visitors to the gallery to learn about and comment on the photos. (Anyone may submit photos for this portion of the project.)
3. The eventual exhibition of a selected number of the photos in the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA. (Only photos taken by Roots & Shoots members can be selected for this opportunity.)

click here for more information

Into the Mystic - and Stonington

Stonington & Mystic, Connecticut, are less than 2 hours from Boston and make a fabulous extended day trip at any time of year.

Stonington's big draw is a charming, very walkable village known as Stonington Borough, with several terrific restaurants on Water Street, which is the narrow, one-way main road along the water through town. Noah's and the Water Street Cafe are both charming, casual, with upscale menus, open for lunch and dinner, reasonably priced, and Skipper's Dock is on the water, in good weather definitely opt for the deck, good food, especially seafood. Boom is at Dodson's Marina and has a view of the water, a little pricier and the food's richer. The best and most charming place for coffee, tea and cookies in Stonington Borough is The Yellow House.

Water Street is lined with wonderful antique stores, art galleries, marine shops, unique clothing boutiques, and such, but it's relatively low key, very tasteful and not too touristy. Lots of artsy New Yorkers summer here, but there's also a working group of fishing boats. Down near the boats, there's a house where you can buy local fish and scallops on the honor system. You just pick out what you want, put the money through a slot, and take your change out of a can. There's a farmer's market nearby every Saturday morning in season, and some gorgeous old captain's houses. Everyone likes to walk around on the docks and see the boats at Dodson's - there are some beautiful classic yachts there. The lighthouse (above) and museum at the end of the Water Street is open to the public, and you can climb up to the light for spectacular views. Nearby, the Palmer House is also worth a visit, as is Stonington Vineyards, which is open year 'round and offers tours. (continued below)

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Just down the road is Mystic (interesting note, Mystic is not a town - half of it is part of Stonington and half is part of Groton). The Mystic Seaport Museum is definitely worth a visit - you and/or your kids will love climbing over the old ships. There are restaurants in and near Mystic Seaport, but the best is Bravo Bravo in Mystic Village for either lunch or dinner. The village has good shopping, a little touristy, but the drawbridge is fun to watch - the river's busy, so it goes up and down a lot.

On the way home, go via Rt 1 through Westerly, RI. In Charleston, stop at the Fantastic Umbrella Factory on the Old Post Rd. - a unique shopping experience. It's a collection of artsy shops in old barns and sheds with treasures like great inexpensive clothing, cards, musical instruments, toys, jewelry, and posters - a really crazy mix. There's also a good vegetarian restaurant called the Spice of Life alongside a garden center and petting zoo and farm. It's straight out of the hippie sixties! I think it's just open weekends. Definitely not upscale, but fun.

The nice thing about heading to Rhode Island and Connecticut is that people from Boston mostly go to the Cape, so even on busy summer weekends, there's not a lot of traffic coming and going - and it only takes a bit more than 1.5 hours to reach Stonington and Mystic.

- The Day Tripper Divas thank reader Betsy Baldwin for this excellent roundup!

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The Trees of Harvard Yard

Harvard University turns out to be a great place to take out-of-town guests - and take in some natural splendor at the same time (see map). As the center of Harvard University since its founding in 1636, Harvard Yard has always been a popular tourist attraction. Each year, countless faculty, students, locals, and tourists from every corner of the globe pass through the green oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. Even with outrageous real estate costs, Harvard has chosen to expand its space in the Allston area of Boston rather than sacrifice its priceless green space. The diverse green canopy that extends over the campus each summer only adds to the reputation and tradition that surround Harvard. "The [trees of the] Yard exude a sense of security and stability in a dynamic and ephemeral society," muses Harvard grad Ryan Lynch, creator of a fabulous interactive map to the arboreal splendor of this icon of American acadaemia.

Get More with Your Mass Value Pass

Times may be tight, but help for DayTrippers is at hand. Click here to sign up for the monthly Dispatches newsletter, and we'll zip you the amazing Mass Value Pass, which provides hundreds of summer-season discounts on lodging and day trip destinations across the Commonweath through August 31. To request by email, click here and specify "Mass Value Pass" in the message subject. If you aren't a subscriber, request the pass anyway and we'll add you to our free and secure "opt-in" mailing list. You'll be able to unsubscribe any time you wish. It's our way of saying "thanks" and encouraging DayTripping in times that are tough for many of us.

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Meadow Magic at Garden in the Woods

New England Wild Flower Society will celebrate "Meadow Magic" Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, 2009, at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA. Garden in the Woods is open both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., however, special Meadow Magic events are scheduled noon to 4 p.m. There is free parking on premises both days.

See peak meadow bloom from ground level and above on the new Observation Deck. This will be the inaugural event for the 12' X 24' Observation Deck which will put a whole new perspective on looking at the meadow. Be amazed at the height of the wildflowers in the meadow. This can mean native species in bloom up to 7 or 8 feet tall. Beside these "giant sized" plants are others that are quite small and delicate.

Look for butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and more as they fly from flower to flower collecting and spreading pollen. Learn about plant pollinators, play games, and more. The Bugmobile brings craft projects and live bugs to the meadow. Enjoy a scavenger hunt in the Garden too. A beekeeper will join us at the Garden to explain how bees work in the web of life. Discover what a bee hive is all about, how bees make honey, and which bees make honey. Meet some fun, costumed characters who explain their roles in our ecosystems.

Take a special walking tour of the 45-acre botanic museum, scheduled at 2 p.m. both days. Tours, included in the price of general admission, cover the Invasive Plant Jail, Idea Garden, Lily Pond, Lost Pond, and unique New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants.

Visit the Garden Shop and its nursery to find which plants could bring beautiful insects and wildlife to your garden. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in a butterfly garden design, birdhouse selection, or plant combo for a great container garden. Books and eco-friendly gifts complete the Garden Shop experience. Visitors receive a special discount on merchandise at he Garden Shop on August 15 and 16; 10% off the cost of native plants, books, eco-friendly gifts, clothing, and tools.

Founded in 1900, New England Wild Flower Society, the nation's oldest native plant conservation organization, promotes the conservation of temperate North American flora through education, research, horticulture, habitat preservation, and advocacy. The Society owns and operates Garden in the Woods, a 45-acre public botanic garden in Framingham, MA, and Nasami Farm, a 75-acre native plant nursery in Whately, MA, as well as ten sanctuaries located in New England. The Society's vision is a future where vigorous native plant populations live in healthy, balanced, natural ecosystems—protected, enjoyed, and beneficial to all life. For more information, visit newenglandwild.org.

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Beat the Heat at Reservoir Beach

Finally, it feels like summer! DayTrippers can keep cool locally - and frugally - at Arlington's Reservoir Beach. Located on Lowell Street in Arlington Heights, Reservoir Beach has a filtered/chlorinated swimming area, bathhouse, playground, and is supervised by certified lifeguards. Get a daily or a seasonal pass at the Recreation Department at 422 Summer Street or at Reservoir Beach. Arlington residents get a break on the gate price; season tags are an even better deal.

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