Two Great Hikes in Jackson and Bartlett, New Hampshire

In my 20s I hiked up Carter Notch (with a backpack. In the winter. It wasn't pretty.) I more or less completed Outward Bound in Montana (bigger backpack, even uglier!). I also spent many nights at AMC lodges in New Hampshire. But my husband isn't fond of mosquitoes or tents and my 3 year old would be happy to live in a stroller. So I am proud to report that we did our first two family hikes and had a fantastic time. Both hikes were listed as "very easy", but when you have a 25 pound child in a frame pack and your three year old keeps saying, "Hold me, Mommy," even an easy hike can feel like a challenge. But at the end, despite needing to bribe my son with apple juice to keep walking on his own, it was completely worth it.Our first hike was to Diana's Baths, which is right off West Side Road in Bartlett, New Hampshire. The hike is along a 1/2 mile path that would even hold a narrow trail stroller. It is a lovely walk into the woods. And at the end was a spectacular series of waterholes. Other people clearly swim here as they passed us with their towels and picnic lunches. We were content to dip our feet in, to check out the beautiful butterflies and the snake that slithered by.
The second was to Glen Ellis Falls which is located right on Route 16, just before Pinkham Notch. You park on one side of the road, and then go under the highway, through a tunnel. The hike is more like a stairmaster in the woods, as you climb down a series of rock stairs to a gorgeous 65 foot high waterfall. The toddler needed to be supported as he walked on the slippery steps, but he loved it.

For a great list of waterfalls in New Hampshire, click here.

Places to Eat in North Conway, Glen, Jackson and Bartlett New Hampshire

The truth is, that we travel in large part to eat great food. If you are headed up to the North Conway/Glen/Bartlett area of New Hampshire and need a full stomach to hike or go to Story Land, here is a quick review of the places we tried. They are all kid-friendly and relatively inexpensive.

Moat Mountain-North Conway. The food here was fantastic! We ate the best hush puppies I have ever tasted. They tasted like the most delicious, freshly fried cake donut. Yet they were also savory and filled with corn kernels. My husband dipped them into the maple syrup that was served on the side while my toddler and I just devoured them plain. They also have wonderful flatbread style grilled pizza and addictive fried chicken wings (which are on the kids menu). I had a combination platter that I literally couldn't finish over 2 dinners. It consisted of moist chicken, meaty ribs with pork that fell off the bone and smoky pulled pork. On the side was a small skillet of cornbread that was just baked. I loved that it was filled with cheese and jalapenos though it was too spicy for my husband. We both enjoyed the homemade coleslaw that was full of fresh veggies. The weakest part of the meal was the fact that they only offer two barbecue sauces. I liked one, but it was also too spicy for my husband. The other tasted like pureed tomatoes. Needless to say, this meant that my 16 month old, instead of my husband, ate the brisket that on its own was just too dry. In terms of keeping toddlers entertained, they have a number of TVs stationed throughout the restaurant, as well as a porch for adults without kids.

Glen Junction-Is great for children as there are two toy trains that travel on a track overhead. The prices were also reasonable, but our lunch (two wraps, grilled cheese and a hot dog) was mediocre.

Red Fox Bar and Grille-This place is absolutely perfect for kids as they have a play room and movie room for those moments that kids need while waiting (for table, for food). It was a great value overall as we fed our family of 4 for $30. The kids had delicious grilled cheese and hamburgers. I enjoyed a rare steak sandwich with chipotle dressing, while my husband liked his wood grilled burger.

Kringle's Country Store in Glen-a cute little store and pizza place. Decent pizza that was great for taking back to the condo when we could tell the kids couldn't handle another restaurant.

Trail’s End Ice Cream has home made ice cream from Bobby Sues in Freedom. It was so good that we went back 3 times. The first location in Intervale is good for a quick stop. But the second location near Attitash Mountain in Bartlett is good for a whole activity as it has a large area for sitting and a fantastic playground for the kids. I loved the peach frozen yogurt which had huge chunks of sweet peaches, while my kids devoured every scoop they could eat. Even the chocolate chip had hand chopped shards of dark chocolate.

Bagels Plus in North Conway-These weren't New York bagels, but they were very good and very friendly. They also have some unusual flavors such as whole wheat sesame, peanut butter and chocolate and spinach and garlic.

Yesterday’s in Jackson-delicious breakfast. Sarah took over the restaurant 7 years ago and makes a variety of homemade breads and muffins each day. We enjoyed a delicious wrap with eggs, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese and basil, as well as plate sized pancakes. Very relaxed and reasonable prices.

As You Like It Bakery and Cafe-for delicious baked good such as muffins and homemade donuts, in addition to bagels and toast. Also in Jackson.

Story Land, Glen, New Hampshire

There isn't much less appealing to me than amusement parks. In my mind they are overpriced marketing nightmares designed to get you to spend as much as possible while standing in line before the kids collapse from exhaustion. Yet, after so many of my friends shared rave reviews of Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire, I began to rethink my preconceptions. And, in fact, my friends were right. Instead of being a repository of commercial hype, Story Land is a model of family fun. It was clean with great rides for children (especially under age 8) and adults. And best of all, instead of being filled with cartoon creatures, the theme is nursery rhymes. While I can't say I am sold on amusement parks, my family had a wonderful time.You can check out the Story Land website for the full map and descriptions of all the activities. One of the brilliant parts of Story Land is that there are a range of great activities for each age. For example, four of the rides are designed for older kids (e.g. a roller coaster, and two water rides.) However, the preschool area was one of the highlights for our kids. There were two different ball pits (one for toddlers and one for infants) as well as some animals, a giant piano, and many other little rides.My three year old loved that he could ride on a train, drive an antique car as well as a tractor and fly in a whale and a shoe. He was just as mesmerized by the ferris wheel and the sprinkler park. He loved the chance to get on his first merry-go-round, while I appreciated that it was over 300 years old. We also went for a lazy ride in some swan boats. He was too skittish to stay in the circus, but my husband raved about it afterwards.Throughout the park are little designs that make this place so perfect for families: free strollers, "Mama's Rooms" for nursing and changing babies, misting rooms to cool down without getting soaked, buttons to press so children can listen to stories, calm characters meandering through the park, such as Mother Goose, and clear signs that made it easy to decide which rides were best for our children.While Story Land isn't cheap (it costs $25.00 per person over 3 years old), it is still a good value for a few reasons. First, as Story Land covers over 35 acres, has 20 rides and 5 theme shows, you can literally spend an entire day there. In addition, after 3:00 p.m. on the first day, you can then use the same tickets to return the very next day. Story Land also offers promotions and a number of hotels offer special deals that include tickets to Story Land. Be aware that as the park is 56 years old, there is a charm in some of the more dated sections (such as Little Red Riding Hood's house.) However, there are also rides such as "Bamboo Chutes" that with Chinese music playing are not the most ethnically sensitive. Finally, bring your own water, snacks and food and picnic inside or outside of Story Land. Not only does it save a tremendous amount of money, but despite offering carrot sticks, the majority of the food was more typical of the greasy, calorie ridden types that you would find at most parks.  This time Story Land generously provided us with tickets to try it out and next summer we will be back on our own!

Story Land, Glen New Hampshire Route 16, 603-383-4186

The First Family Vacation, Nordic Village, Glen, New Hampshire

For the last three years we have been the masters of the staycation. Short of money and the motivation to pack a trailer’s worth of items to feed, clothe, and nap our two little ones, we have barely left our home town. However, we recently had the opportunity to take our first family trip. And it was a total success.

There are an overwhelming number of places to stay in the North Conway/Glen/ Bartlett/Jackson area of New Hampshire. You can find a wide range of price points and types from small, inexpensive motel rooms to plush houses. I initially looked into two cheap motel rooms with adjoining doors. However, just when I was about to sign the paperwork for lumpy beds, the generous folks at the Nordic Village Resort offered us an incredible deal to try out their property. It was a smart move as we fell so completely in love with the place that we are already figuring out how we can save enough to come back.

We were smitten by so many aspects of the place. First, the condo (listed as a two bedroom townhouse) was perfect in many ways. The boys had a nice sized bedroom with two twin beds. There was a large kitchen, dining area and an enormous sitting area that looked out onto floor to ceiling windows. But it was two other elements that captivated me. First, the screened-in porch on the side of the condo gave the illusion that you were literally in the trees, while the back porch had a gorgeous view of the White Mountains.
However, it was the master suite that was nicer than any I have ever stayed. Up a spiral staircase, it include a huge king sized bed, a walk in closet, a lovely sitting area and a nice sized bathroom. The bedroom was defined by French doors that were etched with beautiful stained glass. In the bathroom, a Jacuzzi tub was framed by more windows that opened so that you could bath while checking out the views of the mountains.

Although we ate out a lot (I desperately needed a vacation from dishes), it would be easy to stay here and never eat out, keeping the costs in check.

The other aspect of this place that was so fantastic was the facitilies (which did cost another 12 % more). First, they have 3 swimming pools. Two are outdoor pools that range in depth. There is a also huge indoor pool, perfect for rainy days along with two Jacuzzi tubs. Yet just up the hill in a spectacular building was another pool and hot tub, along with a fitness center-for adults only. (And after day 2, my 15 minute soak in the hottub, under the evening sky was worth every penny. My only complaint was that it closed at 8:30, just when the kids had settled down to sleep).Our kids loved the little beach area where they could take their first boat trip and that each night there is a campfire to roast marshmallows. In addition, they have special events, such as musicians, a clown. Our favorite was Todd the King of Silly who made the adults laugh as much as the children. He then patiently stayed to make every child their own balloon creature. There are walking trails and games throughout the property, a game room and horses for pony rides. We easily could have just stayed on the property for a few days. Finally, there is Internet access, making it possible to come up here, work and still feel relaxed.

Nordic Village isn’t perfect. First, it clearly isn’t cheap: our place is normally over $300.00 a night! However, they do have two bedroom suites for $159.00 in addition to chateaus that can be shared with other families.

Finally, although our condo was perfectly clean, the paint was chipping in places (e.g. along the deck) meaning we had to carefully watch our son. In addition, the two staircases meant that we had to babyproof each time we returned home. You can, though, rent baby gates from Nordic Village or bring your own. Finally, the furnishing is a bit dated (e.g. the comforter.) For us, all of these were minor issues and in fact, I liked that the place didn’t feel too fancy to put my feet up and relax. So, while we can’t afford to return as soon as we would like, we will at least treasure the memories of this for a long time.

Nordic Village Resort, Route 16, Jackson, New Hampshire 1-877-564-7829

This Week at the Natick Farmer's Market

Raspberries, black raspberries, organic baby fennel, organic carrots, zucchini, kale, beets, turnips, herbs, a few more shell peas, some more Queen Anne cherries, many types of lettuce and cabbage.

An Ode to Clear Flour Bread Bakery (and a Stop at Lawton Park)

Tucked into a corner of Brookline is the Clear Flour Bread, one of the best bakeries in New England. Flour in Boston has incredible pastries and focaccia. B and R’s French bread is pretty phenomenal. Clear Flour is so small that a line typically snakes out the door as no more than 4 people can fit inside. Yet they also have the best selection of wonderful breads and baked goods outside of Seven Stars in Providence. Their baguettes are as close as I have had to those in Paris. The baguettes have a lightly caramelized exterior, a crisp and moist crumb, and a flavor that only comes with slow fermentation and just enough salt. Those alone are worth discovering this place.But there is so much more. Enjoy their buttery free form French style tarts, bittersweet chocolate cookies, baked currant donuts, raspberry Financiers(a rich almond, brown butter cookie) and decadent buttery, flaky croissants. Today I stopped in to discover a new indulgence: the Gibassier. A special from Provence, it is a tender, sweet roll enhanced with anise seeds and candied oranges. I also tried their "shortcake biscuits." It was so tender and nutty with the addition of cornmeal.

Their selection of breads is also impressive, including one called Paris Night with walnuts, rye and whole wheat flour. I love their olive rolls, filled with rich, savory olives and a bite from red pepper. Or the rolls that are topped with lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Put their black sesame sticks with herbed butter in the toaster at 350 for 5 to 10 minutes and then inhale the garlicky scent.

The truth though is that they have one item that I have only had from a bakery tucked in the corner of a Parisian side street: Canelle. They are easy to miss, even though they are perched on the countertop. And their appearance, although unique, doesn’t give a sense of how good these are. You bite into one and flavors explode in your mouth. First, the outside has the bitterness of dark caramels. Yet the next layer, brings the moistness of a good popover or the egginess of Yorkshire Pudding. Finally, just enough sweetness permeates. These are so good and well worth the 85 cents each. Warm them up at home in the toaster at 350 for about 5 minutes for more ethereal goodness. They do run out, so go early.

However, if you need one more activity (or to race around with toddlers to work off the pounds), right across the street is a wonderful park that just reopened last year. It is has some unique play structures that are both safe and fun. Note, though, that I took these pictures in the winter, so there really are lovely trees and flowers there, too.

Clear Flour Bakery, 179 Thorndike St, Brookline, MA 617-739-000

Chef and Future Chef: Tony and Charlie Maws

In 2008, Chef Tony Maws’ life changed in two significant directions. First, in November he moved his lovely and intimate Craigie Street Bistro into a much larger space in Central Square where it became “Craigie on Main.” But before that, in June, he became a first time father to son, Charlie. After having a phenomenal Father’s Day meal at Craigie on Main, Chef Maws kindly took the time to answer a few questions about being a new father. In that brief conversation it became clear that the passion that he shows for food has quickly extended to his son, but that his son is also taking in his parents’ love of good eating.

Unlike my children who started off with pureed chicken (organic, but jarred), Charlie’s first experience with meat took the form of blood sausage! Chef Maws had given his son rice, but his foodie son smartly reached over to his dad’s bowl of dirty rice and began gobbling up the good stuff. Lamb tongues and sweetbreads have already been among Charlie’s first bites, though Charlie is also a huge fan of noodles that he slurps down at Chinatowns’ restaurants while he “double-fists short ribs while laughing.” But Charlie can also be found at Craigie On Main, watching his dad “holding food and cooking. He sits where you sat [kitchenside] and is completely entranced by the clank, clank, clank. He can’t get enough.”

Chef Maws noted that there were two things that directly shaped his childhood memories of food. First, visits to his grandparents’ home was a regular part of growing up. In fact, his grandmother (whose image hangs over the kitchen at Craigie on Main), cooked all the time. Chef Maws fondly recalled “tremendous memories…of the smells that would emanate from her kitchen. They were phenomenal. It was a treat and an honor to be there.” In addition to his grandmother’s cooking, his parents regularly took him to Chinatown to eat authentic Chinese food. So from a young age, Chef Maws learned to use chopsticks and “not to be afraid of anything.”

Chef Maws was clear about two elements that have already contributed to his son’s passion for food. First, Chef Maws praised his wife Karolyn, multiple times (endearingly!), as a “phenomenal cook” who gets “more credit than anything I do.” While Karolyn is a sixth grade teacher, she still somehow finds the time to make homemade purees such as parsnip and celery root that now fill their home freezer. Yet Chef Maws shared the contribution towards the atmosphere at the dinner table. Both he and his wife make sure to put the same food in front of Charlie that they themselves would want to eat. In addition, they make sure “not to act differently at all. If Charlie doesn’t eat it, we don’t make a big deal about it.”

Chef Maws pointed out that he has always been very conscious about what he eats and that he cares deeply about the philosophy and politics of food. To extend that understanding to his son means to not only teach him to cook, but to share the process of watching food from farm to table. So, while I am proud that my 3 year old can help to make bagels, Chef Maws can’t wait to teach his son to fish, and to break down a pig (!). Chef Maws also highlighted that pasta can be one of the best items to cook with children as you can “mess around with it” and it can still turn out well. This year Charlie loved to pick strawberries at Drumlin Farm, but next year Chef Maws is looking forward to transforming those fruits into jams and jellies.

I reminded Chef Maws that Chef Ana Sortun has brought her 3 year old to Craigie on Main. I then asked (somewhat ambivalently!) if he had any plans to transform Craigie into a “family-friendly restaurant.” Luckily for those of us that treasure the more mature style of cooking and the atmosphere at Craigie, Tony said he didn’t have any plans to do so. In part, he noted, because people often seek out Craigie for a romantic dinner, and to have a certain experience. But he also emphasized that brunch at Craigie is intentionally a more relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to bringing children. Other favorite places that Chef Maws highlighted were Sportello in the Fort Point Channel, Highland Kitchen in Somerville and the Blue Room in Cambridge. For a more personal and very funny take on Charlie's eating adventure in Chinatown, you can read Chef Maws’ blog post here.

To talk to Chef Maws is to talk to a man who is already so proud of his son, of his wife and of being a father. I wonder, will Charlie Maws be the up and coming chef we all should watch for in about 20 years?

Craigie on Main 853 Main Street, Cambridge, 617 497-5511