Google, My Trip Planner

The Green, Guilford, CT

 

Usually I'm a planner, especially when I travel. When I'm in a place for a short period of time I want to make the most of it and I enjoy researching places to visit and eat. I think I spent two hours looking for the best fish and chips in Dublin during my recent trip, and yes, I found some very good places. 

 

But I do a lot less research when I'm visiting familiar places, and Connecticut, where I grew up, is definitely familiar. On the spur of the moment I met my friend, Lonni, for a day at the Connecticut shore. Our custom is to search out the "best" lobster rolls in Connecticut. Instead of our usual research, we were quite casual and took the recommendation of one of her friends. The fish was very good -- my pick was clams this time -- and we stayed in New Haven and avoided the Saturday beach traffic. After lunch we had an entire afternoon and no set plans, not our norm. But we decided to get ice cream and turned to Google. Best ice cream of Connecticut led us to the extraordinary Ashley's. 

 

  So many flavors and so little time! Nutella chip and whipped cream over a layer of

grapenut ice cream, a New England favorite

 

Ashley's has several location, but we opted for Guilford and the opportunity to explore an unfamiliar town. Thanks, Google, for leading us to this citadel of fabulous homemade ice cream. We splurged with waffle cones and two scoops in an early celebration of my birthday next week. I was delighted to find grapenut ice cream, a quirky New England specialty that is made with grapenut cereal. The only other place I've seen it is in Maine and we were both happy to see it here. Ashley's has been voted best ice cream in New Haven and best ice cream in Connecticut. There are at least 40 other flavors to sample, so I anticipate many return visits.  

 

Guilford, situated on Long Island Sound, is as lovely a New England town as one could hope to find. It was named for Guildford, England, south of London, where its first settlers came from in 1639. It includes five historic house museums, which we will explore on another visit. We walked around the green, savored the architecture and browsed the shop windows. It was laid back, leisurely and a perfectly lovely afternoon.  

 

  Geraniums, topiary and flags for the Fourth of July!

 

I also discovered the most intriguing shed. No reason for a backyard shed to be dull.

 

The last stop of the day was at Evergreen Fine Crafts, on the Green. If I wasn't deep in the midst of deaccessioning -- sounds better than decluttering -- I could pretty much have bought half of the contents of the store. It's another definite return before Christmas.

 



Lots of fun and useful goodies here!

 

I so enjoyed my day in one of the loveliest of New England towns. A dear friend, great weather and homemade ice cream -- it doesn't get much better. I wish I could have brought all of Buttercupland with me.

 

It took me over a week to get back into my routine in New York City and then in a blink June is over, and July is only a few hours away. I've got a short fun trip for the Fourth of July and then it's my birthday, which always means the summer is in full swing. I'm taking this summer, like the trip to Guilford, easy. I have my Yoga and water aerobics, but I want be laid back about scheduling. I want time for the Farmer's Market and lots of iced coffee and reading books in the park. Here's to the glories of summer!

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy July!