Synopses & Reviews
Have you ever wondered what backroad adventures might lie between the sandy shores of Cape Cod and Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner”? Have you explored the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” at Point Judith in Rhode Island or taken a ferry ride across Lake Champlain in Vermont? A celebration of New England’s character and natural beauty, this updated, portable second edition of Backroads of New England—written and photographed by local experts—takes you on thirty routes leading to the area’s most secluded and overlooked natural areas as well as sites that capture New England’s colorful history. You can explore Moose Alley on your way to Dixville Notch, small-town site of the country’s first primary election each year. You can drive the Mohawk Trail on your way to Mount Greylock to get a good look at that beautiful autumn color or visit actor William Gillette’s medieval castle on the banks of the Connecticut River. All these places and more are detailed within, including directions and maps to lead the way. Whether you’re planning a day trip, looking for unusual destinations, or simply want to learn more, Backroads of New England will lead you deep into the soul of New England—beyond the bustling cities and common tourist attractions.
Synopsis
From the sandy shores of Cape Cod to the distinct ridges of Vermont’s Mount Mansfield; from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner to the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire; and from tiny Lubec, Maine, at the “Beginning of America,” to the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” at Point Judith, Rhode Island, thirty of New England’s most varied and vibrant attractions are presented here, inviting you to explore them. Backroads of New England—written and photographed by local experts—takes you on routes that lead to the region’s most secluded and overlooked natural areas and sites that capture New England’s colorful history. Whether you’re planning a day trip, looking for unusual destinations, or simply wanting to learn more about the locale, Backroads of New England will lead you deep into the soul of New England—beyond the bustling cities and common tourist attractions.
About the Author
Kim Knox Beckius' previous books include Backroads of New England and The Everything Guide to New England. Since 1998, she has produced About.com's New England for Visitors web site (gonewengland.about.com), which offers a virtual tour of New England and provides weekly commentary on the region. She lives in Avon, Connecticut. William H. Johnson's work appears in Backroads of New England and in numerous magazines, calendars, cards, and exhibits. He was named Photographer of the Year by the New Hampshire Professional Photographer's Association and has earned several court of honor awards. He lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.William H. Johnson is a native New Englander who lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. For more than thirty years, his artistic landscapes have captured the spectacular New England countryside in all seasons. Johnson was the photographer for Backroads of New England and The New England Coast, and his images have appeared in numerous magazines, calendars, cards, exhibits, and advertising campaigns in New England and beyond. He was named Photographer of the Year by the New Hampshire Professional Photographer's Association, among other awards.
Table of Contents
ContentsIntroduction Part I Connecticut: True Colors
- Unexpected Connecticut: The Litchfield Hills and the Housatonic River Valley
- Blues, Pinks, Greens, and Maybe Gold: Connecticut’s Hidden Treasure Coast
- Between the Devil and the Shallow Blue Sea: The Connecticut River Valley
- A Rich Lega-sea: The Southeastern Shore
- Cruising the Quiet Corner: Northeast Connecticut’s National Scenic Byway
Part II Rhode Island: Go Your Own Way
- Inside Rhode Island: The Arcadia Management Area
- Beach-o-diversity: The South County Coast
- From a Light to a Light: The Shores of Narragansett Bay
- Get to the Point: The Secretive Southeastern Corner
Part III Massachusetts: Larger than Life
- Both Sides of the Berkshires: Bash Bish to Stockbridge
- New England’s First Scenic Drive: Mount Greylock and the Mohawk Trail
- Frozen in Time: Franklin County Contrasts
- Where American Seafaring and Fried Clams Were Born: The North Shore
- Pilgrimage to Provincetown: The Outer Cape
Part IV Vermont: A Paradox of a Place
- Lookout Points and Undercover Bridges: A Structured Drive through Southern Vermont
- A Sensory Patchwork: Classic Windsor County
- Vermont for Shore: The Lake Champlain Valley
- Rural Route: Foothills and Farmlands of Northern Vermont
- A World Apart: The Northeast Kingdom
Part V New Hampshire: Live Free or Die
- Elephants, Donkeys, and Moose: The Great North Woods
- The Fearless One: The Kancamagus Highway
- A Cut through the Blue: The Lakes Region
- Hill Towns that Harbor History: Hillsborough to Peterborough, the Long Way Around
- A Compact Coastline: Hampton Beach to New Castle
Part VI Maine: New England “In the Rough”
- Lobster and Lighthouses: Maine’s Southern Shore
- Go for the Gold: Mountains and Lakes of Western Maine
- Paradise Preserved: Acadia National Park
- First Light Drive: Downeast Maine
- Forever Wild: Baxter State Park
- Lakes and Logs: Aroostook County
IndexSuggested ReadingsAbout the Author and Photographer