HERE
Mountain bike sessions for girls
Prepare your little ripper for a new season of Little Bellas mountain bike camps and programs. Founded in 2007 by former pro racing drivers Lea and Sabra Davison, the Vermont-based company now offers 57 programs nationwide for girls ages 7-15. Riders learn bike skills, gain confidence, and have fun in small groups led by local mentors. Sign up for weekly programs in Carlisle, Massachusetts (starting July 25) and Lebanon, NH (starting June 23) for children ages 7-13, and on New Hampshire’s Upper Valley Trails (starting June 14) for kids ages 12-12 and 15 years. Or choose from half- and full-day camps or weekly programs in Williston, Vt., Ages 7-15 (starting May 22). Adventure outside New England this summer? Little Bellas is offering new programs in Baltimore, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Park City, Phoenix and Grand Junction. Prices start at $ 150; financial and equipment support available. Insider tip: Summer programs fill up quickly – register now. littlebellas.com
The fantastic creatures of the glass exhibition
The whimsical new exhibition at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center can put a smile on almost anyone’s face. In “GLASSTASTIC”, which will be shown until June 13th, more than two dozen glass sculptures by children and professional artists can be seen showing a selection of creative creatures, from “flightless snails” to so-called Snoogle, Kelpie, Pegamallow and hunt Beetis. See works by kindergarten teachers to sixth graders from New Hampshire to Washington State. The biennial exhibition also features a digital gallery with nearly 800 drawings by children across the country. Take time to explore the museum, which opened four more new exhibits over the past month. Walk-ins are welcome or you can book tickets online in advance. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is based on your wishes. 802-257-0124, www.brattleboromuseum.org
A piece from “GLASSTASTIC” in the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Handout
THERE
Amtrak restores train traffic
Thanks to the new funding and people’s interest in getting back on rails, the summer train ride looks more like it did before the pandemic. Amtrak plans to fully restore daily service on 12 long-haul routes starting May. The Lake Shore Limited train, which connects New York and Boston to Albany, Buffalo and Chicago, begins May 31, while four more east coast routes resume on June 7, and New York with New Orleans (the Crescent), Savannah, Georgia, connect. the Palmetto) and Miami (the silver meteor and the silver star). Amtrak will also introduce new Viewliner II sleeping cars on the New York-Miami route. improved linens, towels, and linens in private rooms on the auto train that runs between Washington, DC and Florida; souped-up Amfleet II railcars along the east coast routes with new seats, cushions, carpets, curtains and LED reading lights; and new diesel-electric high-performance and lower-emission locomotives that will replace the long-haul fleet from this year. There is also the debut of the Metropolitan Lounge in the Moynihan Train Hall at New York Penn Station. Prices vary. www.amtrak.com
Amtrak plans to fully restore daily service on 12 long-haul routes starting May. Handout
New year, new adventures
Your international travel may be on hold, but you won’t find a shortage of cool domestic tours this year. REI has launched 17 new trips in the US, from backpacking to kayaking, women-only to family adventures, and itineraries to tented camping routes. Choose from a five-day backpacking trip up Yosemite Half Dome to explore the backcountry after your ascent. a five-day family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park that includes hiking to alpine lakes, visiting an old mining ghost town, and rafting on Cache la Poudre; and a four-day women’s biking, camping, and culinary adventure in the San Juan Islands, where participants climb Mount Constitution (the highest point on the islands), explore historic lighthouses, and sample local wines. Travel starts at $ 899 per person (for a three day Yosemite trip). www.rei.com/adventures
ALL OVER
Get your National Park diary
Ready to hit the streets and national park hopping this summer? Bring with you a copy of the National Parks Bucket Journal, a spiral-bound publication that doubles as a trip planner, resource, and journal. It is divided into six geographic regions and includes two sites in each of the country’s 62 national parks. The first page contains the website and phone number of the park and then space to fill in the most important details for your trip: entrance fees, attractions you want to visit, wildlife viewing and park statistics, from the number of visitors per year to the highest altitude point. Record your personal experiences on the second page, including when and why you visited, where you stayed, memorable places and anything funny, surprising or disappointing – then draw a sketch, insert a ticket stub or add a parking stamp to the blank box. $ 39.97. mybucketjournals.com
Keep your DSLR camera dust-free, dry and comfortable with Matador’s new Camera Base Layer.Handout
Use this protective camera bag
Keep your DSLR camera dust-free, dry and comfortable with Matador’s new Camera Base Layer. This lightweight, padded bag (it’s like a puff jacket for your camera) has a roll top closure and protective flap with a strong magnetic closure that work together to seal in moisture during your trip. Adjust the length of the camera holder – based on the size of your lens – with a drawstring, similar to an adjustable sleeping bag. The bag, which is suitable for mirrorless and compact DSLR cameras, has a hidden zippered accessory pocket for smaller items such as memory cards, car keys or a camera filter, as well as a strong clip for hanging the bag in your backpack or sling. The reinforced nylon back of the bag provides additional durability and prevents abrasion. $ 74.99. matadorup.com
KARI BODNARCHUK
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