"Roam if you want to/Roam around the world." The B-52s "Roam."
The Athens, Georgia band's hit from a generation ago was a perfect summer song since this is the season to explore. Now is the time to step outside of the familiar whether you're considering a trip to a part of the country you've always wanted to experience or by checking out a hidden gem in Asbury Park.
One of the coolest spots in Asbury Park is the aptly dubbed Laylow (603 Mattison Avenue, https://www.laylowap.com), which is beneath its sister restaurants Barrio Costero & Reyla. Laylow is an out of the way cocktail lab, where unique drinks are concocted. It's a fun hangout with weekly local DJ sets, seasonal menus and innovative pop-ups.
Cameo Love Market, (1213 Main St.,https://cameolovemarket.com) which was the site of a historic speakeasy, has a great vibe. It's a locally sourced farm-to-table experience. The menu is loaded with terrific options such as the Mediterranean tuna, the croque monsieur and the prosciutto di parma & fresh mozzarella.
The Paranormal Museum, (621 Cookman Avenue, https://paranormalbooksnj.com/about) is one of the most fun ways to spend an afternoon. The under the radar repository combines a curated bookstore specializing in paranormal literature, folklore and local history with an immersive museum experience that explores ghost stories, legends, unexplained phenomena and spiritual traditions from around the world. It has a strong connection to Asbury Park's own haunted past.
There's no place like the Antique Emporium of Asbury Park ((732) 774-8230, 646 Cookman Ave.) There is a myriad of unusual items ranging from vintage clothing to rare coins to offbeat trinkets.
And then there are so many options if you really want to get away, which is something that you owe yourself, at least once a year.
There's a number of ways to beat the summer heat by exploring via the road less travelled. A drive to West Virginia's New River Gorge to experience the Lower New and/or Upper New River is an inspired choice. The Lower New offers a number of relatively challenging class IV and V rapids while the Upper New features more mellow excursions that wind through select parts of the West Virginia waterways are perfect for young paddlers and beginners. For families, the adventures often seem like a soothing balm for their overly stimulated souls. It's a welcome opportunity to bond amid Mother Nature's picture-perfect work, outside the reach of screens and cell-phone reception.
Those on initial river runs fear not since capable guides at River Expeditions (304) 574-2827,https://raftinginfo.com) make the trek a breeze. It's never a good idea to venture down rapids without a professional, since the Lower New River can get dicey. Plus, guides offer critical tips in case of trouble. For instance, if you become a "swimmer," what you're dubbed when the water's force knocks you out of your kayak, the guides teach you to keep your feet up to avoid entrapment or bumps and bruises caused by rocks.
My sons Eddie and Milo had a blast while splashed by the walls of water and surfing!! The latter is riding a stationary wave created by rushing whitewater flowing over rocks or ledges.
River Expeditions also offers ziplines and lodging.
Key West is often a bucket list trip but America's Southernmost point is difficult to book for much of the year. Accomodations often open up and are most affordable from August through October. Hotel rates are sometimes cut in half. The summer heat can be intense but the best way to deal with it is to take part in a variety of water sports in Key West. A snorkeling adventure is almost mandatory. Milo and I enjoyed a peak experience snorkeling the coral reefs. Sunset Watersports (https://sunsetwatersportskeywest.com) also offers parasailing, jetski tours, dinner cruises, eco adventures and dolphin tours.
Aquatic is the way to go but don't miss Ernest Hemingway's Home and Museum (https://www.hemingwayhome.com). The legendary writer's home is just the way it was when Hemingway passed away nearly 70-years ago. It's also worth visiting to pet Hemingway's cats, which possess an extra digit or two.
It's quite a contrast from Hemingway's house in Cuba, which also remains in the state it was when the novelist fled the country in 1960. There's more to explore in Hemingway's Florida estate, which is the one of the few homes in the Sunshine State with a basement.
The Cuban sandwiches in Cuba suffer from poor ingredients. However, the American version of the classic sandwich, which is comprised of pressed ham and Swiss cheese with roasted pork, pickles and mustard on crispy Cuban bread, is tough to pass up. Grab one at
El Siboney Restaurant (https://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com).
Considering the state of the environment, now is the time to visit Glacier National Park. According to NASA scientists, (https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/world-of-change/glacier-national-park/), the park may be glacier free by 2030.
Who knows what the future will bring? However, the present is stunning at the pristine destination, which is located in northwestern Montana, on the Canadian-United States border.
Glacier is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road on an e-bike was invigorating even though it started pouring halfway through the six-mile journey. When looking up at the sky and screaming, "I wish it would stop raining," the Gods complied and it began hailing.
It was difficult to do anything but laugh. At least the sun prevailed while climbing the steeper grades. The adventure is a cyclist's dream. The river runs parallel and the sight of the surrounding mountains capped with snow is majestic. You can navigate the full-50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park (www.glacierguides.com) but it's a challenging full-day event. which typically takes more than nine hours.
There are plenty of lakes and bays to enjoy. While kayaking on the smooth, crystal-clear Somers Bay, (www.seamepaddle.com) eagles soar and geese land on the water. Navigating through the still bay is transportive since it's so quiet and relaxed.
A trip to Flathead Lake, arguably the cleanest, most pristine lake in America is almost required. The same goes for a visit to Flathead Lake's Biological Station (https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs) where you can experience Hungry Horse Dam, which is simply awe-inspiring. The arch dam is located about 15 miles south of the west entrance to Glacier National Park.
For anyone who complains about obsolescence, you'll love the Conrad Mansion Museum, (www.conradmansion.com) which is a welcome throwback. There are 130-year old Thomas Edison lightbulbs, which continue to function. The home was built in 1895 by Conrad and the architecture and craftsmanship are a sight to behold.
A staff of 24 were required for upkeep. Conrad's daughter decided that the house was too much for her in 1965 and handed over the keys to the city of Kalispell.
The wide western streets of downtown Kalispell feature Western wear shops and a number of old time establishments such as the charming Norm's Soda Fountain (www.normsdodafountain.com) , which is as quaint as it sounds.
The shop is out of a Norman Rockwell painting and the fare is terrific and a bargain. The pork chopper, a double is less than $10, features a fried pork chop sandwich with pickle, mayo and onion. It's different and delicious.
You can't leave the shop without trying a phosphate or a float. A root beer float with The Huckleberry Finn, huckleberry ice cream topped with huckleberry sauce, is sublime.
Kalispell is the land of huckleberry. The charming Josephine's Speakeasy offers cocktail-making lessons. The libatiion of choice is what else but the huckleberry cocktail.
There's more to Kalispell than drinks and dessert. The Holiday Garden Inn of all places houses one of the finest bistros in town, The Freestone Restaurant (www.freestonerestaurant.com) is surprisingly top tier. Start with bone marrow topped with roasted mushroom duxelles, pink peppercorn and Chimichurri Crostini. The wild caught scallops with mushrooms and capers is a can't miss entree.
Mercantile Steak's (www.mercantilesteak.com) 16-ounce boneless bison ribeye, which is dry-aged for 14 days, is local and fantastic.
If you're looking for a unique place to stay with breathtaking views, experience the Clark Family Silos (www.clarkfarmsilos.com) . They're off the beaten path but it's worth the trip. The metal structures are equipped with incredible views, fully functional kitchenettes, a patio and a fire pit. The Silos are ideal for a omantic stay or for a couple with a child since it's one loft bedroom with a king bed and one sleeper sofa and one bathroom.
It's a great home base for an atypical but memorable trip at a location that is overlooked but it's an experience travelers won't forget. There were once almost 150 glaciers in the park and now there are just 26 so the time is now for anyone who wants to experience glaciers in Glacier National Park, as well as plenty of outdoor activities and a bunch of culinary delights.
. Now is the time to step outside the familiar whether you're considering a part of the country or a hidden gem in Asbury Park.
There are so many options if you really want to get away, which is something that you owe yourself, at least once a year.
If you ever wonder why we are compelled to explore, check out Alex Hutchinson's book, "The Explorer's Gene." It's revelatory. “It’s easy to find arguments for sticking with the familiar; but sometimes you have to venture into the unknown and see for yourself what’s out there," Hutchinson wrote. Hutchinson details why we push our limits and why we crave experiencing something new often. Hutchinson writes that exploration can impact every aspect of our lives, if we embrace it. Hutchinson writes why climbers are willing to risk dying in order to scale Mount Everest. That's extreme exploration but there's also simple, everyday exploration such as restaurant choices. Some folks tend to order the same each time they hit a bistro. Perhaps though it's time to leave your comfort zone and try sushi or foie gras. Exploration is healthy for your body and your mind. Exploration fuels curiosity, drives innovation, and fosters critical thinking, ultimately leading to lifesaving technologies. My sons and I have visited Alaska four times over the last two years. Half of those visits have been during the dead of winter leading to unforgettable experiences. It's your turn.