A Sojourn in the Northeast: New England
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good morning,
Greetings from the road! For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
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Northeastern Film Trip
I spent the past week filming in the northeastern U.S. It’s for new Conservation Nation episode we are releasing later this summer. (Note: Our California report from February should drop sometime after Memorial Day. Stay tuned!)
Before I started freelancing, I often traveled to the Northeast - including New England - while working for the Leadership Institute. The ambience, charming towns, and delectable seafood drew me in. I loved my days’ long sojourns up there. While the cold and its politics aren’t my cup of tea, the region grew on me and now holds a special place in my heart.
Driving up I-95, we stopped mid-way in Jersey City, N.J. The NYC overlook at Liberty State Park seemed like a good place to relax. (It came highly recommended from my parents.) I’ve seen impressive ground-level Manhattan skyline views from Brooklyn Promenade and city views from atop Empire State Building, One World Center, and Rockefeller Center. This view of Manhattan, however, didn’t disappoint. It’s also a lovely tribute to 9/11 victims.
Venturing to NYC mid-day, unfortunately, was not wise. After lunch and admiring the Big Apple from afar, we had to run a quick errand in Manhattan. Big mistake since we ended up having to go to TWO locations. Thankfully, we rectified the situation in Queens—which was, oddly enough, on our driving route. This episode taught me to never take DC traffic for granted again. Ever.
After escaping NYC, we again encountered traffic in Connecticut around 7pm at night. What gives!? (This is why I always took the Amtrak here.) After dinner in Bridgeport and driving past New Haven (home to Yale University) we were making progress. To be honest, the trek north felt like a never-ending journey. I always thought these states were tiny. Boy, was I wrong.
Exhausted but undeterred, we eventually arrived in Rhode Island just before 11pm.
Monday’s trek up north was longer than I anticipated. For a planner like me, I miscalculated big time. Nearly 500 miles and 12 hours later (with a couple stops) from our starting point in Northern Virginia. Whoops!
Believe it or not, this wasn’t the longest drive I’ve done. Last May, my videographer and I drove from Antelope Island State Park north of Salt Lake City, Utah, to Page, Arizona in roughly the same distance and time with stops for our southwestern film trip. Call us crazy, but we go above and beyond for interviews, I guess!
A consolation: We had a cozy and inviting Airbnb awaiting us near Newport. Score!
The next morning, Tuesday, we packed our things and filmed some preliminary shots in Newport. The town is known for their annual folk music festival, Naval War College, and Gilded Age mansions like The Breakers. Given the short amount of time available, we decided on downtown and ate breakfast at Drift Cafe off of Thames Street. (Highly recommend the wild oats breakfast with fresh berries). My stints in Newport tend to be short but sweet. I never have adequate time exploring it. Oh well. As they say: there’s always a next time!
Our next destination was Boston - my favorite big city in the northeast. And our first interview location was situated near Fan Pier Park in the Seaport neighborhood.
Of course, one can’t go to New England and NOT eat lobster. (I promise I did it for filming reasons.) I usually go to Yankee Lobster Company for their lobstah mac ‘n cheese but opted for The Barking Crab this go-around. And I stopped b Boston-based Israeli chain, Tatte Bakery, and grabbed some provisions for the long road ahead to the Jersey Shore - our home base for the week.
Stay tuned for Part II of A Sojourn Through The Northeast on Monday. There will also be an accompanying YouTube vlog showcasing all the spots we visited. Expect that from me by next Friday the latest.
Have a good Memorial Day Weekend, and remember to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms!
I’m Published in The Boston Globe
Also speaking of Boston: I was printed in The Boston Globe metro section this week. How cool is that!?
Although behind a paywall, I discussed how Senate Bill 430, a California AB 5 copycat, will displace upwards of 27% of Rhode Island’s small business force should it pass.
You can read it on IWF’s website too. Let me know what you think!
ICYMI
Articles/commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS
N/A this week
ARTICLES/BLOGS
Boston Globe: Reclassifying Rhode Island’s independent workforce could cost the state millions
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella
Wow you look so sweet baby