Bicoastal Digest, the fall issue, 2022

MAGAZINE

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MAGAZINE

Why do I love fall so much?

6 years ago, when I decided to finally leave NYC, I wanted something completely different, as far as possible from NYC. And of course, California was the winner. It was the best decision ever. I love California with all my heart. I have a long list of reasons why I love this place so much, but the weather is NOT one of them. (I know, I know this sounds crazy, but stay with me). While it is so pleasant and comfortable living in a nice weather all year round, a storm every now and then makes you appreciate more the sunshine. Change is really important in life. I quickly realized how much I'm gonna miss seasons from my first year in California, but I hoped I'll get used to it. Nope, I haven't. But California is home for now, and I love it, so I'll just try to cope with it, and travel more between both coasts, and embrace the nice weather while I'm here. I'm so lucky to live in this beautiful weather! I should be a little more grateful, right?

Anyways, forget my reminiscence... Obviously this issue is all about fall, so lots of New England, all things fall and foliage, and of course will include California too. While we don' have the colorful foliage from North East, we are big in crops, especially wine, so let's go for some wine tasting together.

Editor-in-Chief: Anca Chirita Publisher: Bicoastal Creative Group, LLC Contributing Writers: Shannon M. Shipman, Bob McGee, Kelly Mack, Jennifer Stout, Contributing Photographers: Shannon M. Shipman, Jake Doucette

Cover photo: Location: Acadia, Maine

By Shannon M. Shipman

I hope this issue will inspire you to appreciate the beauty of seasons, and also to appreciate where you live, and value life's gifts, while taking the time to care for your surroundings.

Let's be grateful and gracious!

ANCA CHIRITA, Editor-in-Chief

Bicoastal Digest, 5

Words by Anca Chirita & Jennifer Stout Photography by Jake Doucette

Every year, millions of people flock to New England during this time of the year to see the fall foliage.

Mother nature puts on an incredible show in this region, with the colors of leaves changing into a mix of burnt orange, red, yellow, and brown. But there is so much more about this picturesque corner of the world during fall. The cooler temperatures, (or call it the sweater weather), waking up to the crisp mornings with a pumpkin spice latte and a freshly baked apple cider donut, cozy evenings in front of a crackling fire, apple picking, pumpkin patches, the beautiful homes with their porches lovely decorated in autumn decor… Everything is magical. New England offers the best backdrop to fall enthusiasts. While it is practically impossible to go wrong with any small New England town, here are our top 10 favorites, from Connecticut to Maine.

Connecticut While it is the third smallest state in America, Connecticut is the fourth most densely populated. Its proximity to New York City makes it feel like a Big Apple suburb while maintaining its New England flavor, which makes it a perfect place for those who love both city life and a small-town vibe.

Fall in the Nutmeg State is beautiful, and it comes later in the season. The best time to check out the fall foliage in most of Connecticut is late October through the first week of November.

One of the best places to visit in CT is the quaint coastal town of Old Lyme. Its larger-than-life trees make it a top spot for foliage fans.

Kent, CT If you wanna go for a good hike while exploring the fall colors, Kent offers some of the best hiking trails through Kent Fall State Park or the nearby Macedonia Brook State Park.

Massachusetts If you’re not into small towns, try Boston for a city getaway. It’s still New England, so leaf peepers will have plenty of choices, including Boston Common along the Charles River Esplanade, all the way to Back Bay Fens, North End, and Beacon Hill. You should also check out Arnold Arboretum at Harvard, the oldest public arboretum in North America.

According to Boston.gov, the city reaches its best colors around Halloween.

If you love the spooky festivities of Halloween, Salem is your best destination in MA, thanks to the 90s hit Hocus Pocus. If you want to stay by the sea, the charm of Cape Cod small towns and villages persevere passed the summer, making its idyllic towns a fantastic fall destination.

Rhode Island It may be the smallest state in the country, but every square mile of Rhode Island offers a beautiful sight to take in.

Providence, the capital city of Rhode Island, is the perfect spot for a scenic stroll through Roger Williams Park. Bristol, a favorite among architecture buffs, has a lot of charm, especially during fall.

Stroll through Colt State Park and enjoy some of the best foliage. No matter the season, Newport never disappoints. If you’re a Halloween fan. The Newport Mansions offers some spooktacular Halloween shows.

By Jake Doucette

Rangeley, Maine An hour from the Canadian border and west of New Hampshire is Rangeley, Maine. An idyllic small town with 1,200 full-time residents during the winter months opens up to the well-seasoned traveler in the warmer seasons, doubling the town's population between June and November. New England is fabulous in any season. But fall is undoubtedly one of the best.

The closest airport is a 3-hour drive from town, but it's worth the trouble. Accommodations can be found in many spots in Rangeley.

One of those is The Loon Lodge. It provides the experience on the lake; it also features a restaurant where you can enjoy seafood, steak, and burger dishes. You can have a cocktail on the patio or enjoy the amenities provided in this beautiful mountain lodge.

If picking apples is your favorite fall activity, then you can head over to Ricker Hill Orchards located in Turner, Maine, which is about an hour's drive. This is also an opportunity to view the most glorious colors of the fall. At the orchards, you can pick apples, tour the apple/cider plants, and check out the country store.

Grafton, Vermont is a postcardperfect village to enjoy the change of season. Grafton is a 40–60minute drive from an airport with plenty of museums and art collections. The Jud Hartmann Gallery located on Main Street features bronze depictions of Native Americans. The attention to detail is quite stunning!

The end of September to early October is the best for apple picking and leaf-peeping! On Saturday, October 2nd, Rangeley will be hosting the 29th annual Apple Harvest Festival at the Episcopal Church on Main St. A "Lumberjack" breakfast will be served, children's activities, apple pressing, chainsaw demos, and vendors will also be featured.

Another point of interest would be Grafton Village Cheese, where you may see the process of cheese being made. TAll products come from their local dairy cows. The Garden Market and The Country Girl Diner provide plenty of delicious lunch and dinner options.

Rowell’s Inn, located in Andover, surrounded by mountains, is lovely.

Bicoastal Digest, 7

Kancamangus Highway, NH. By Jake Doucette

New Hampshire is another fantastic fall place. The Mount Washington includes the towns of North Conway, Berlin, and Gorham. The area is surrounded by high mountain ranges, offering perfect vistas. There are many things to do in the White Mountains area and many ways to see the fall foliage, the most exciting being the Conway Scenic Railroad. The train station has been running since the 1800s with updates, of course. Adult passengers are $25 for a one-hour ride to see the colors of the fall through the Mount Washington Valley and Crawford Notch. While in the area, you can visit one of the many breweries, including the Moat Mountain Brewing Company in North Conway, which also has a full restaurant and smokehouse offering pub fare, including burgers, nachos, sandwiches, and steak dinners. While staying in North Conway, check out The Red Elephant Bed and Breakfast Inn. Many travelers have praised the chef and the owner’s hospitality. The inn is within walking distance of the many amenities North Conway has to offer. Located in Center Conway is Sherman Farm, which is run by the 3rd generation of the Sherman family. At this farm, you can check out the corn maze or the market, which sells various goodies from the farm, or sample homemade ice cream from the Barnyard Scoop.

Kancamangus Highway, NH. By Jake Doucette

"Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons."

-Jim Bishop

Cannon, NH. By Jake Doucette

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

- Albert Camus

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

- Emily Brontë

Franconia Notch, NH. By Jake Doucette

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Why Vermont Has Spectacular Fall Foliage

By Shannon M. Shipman

Vermont is full of indulgent places to stay, knock-out farm-to-table restaurants, and villages that remind us of a simpler time in America; therefore it should be on everyone's fall bucket list. But before getting into planning your fall foliage trip, let's discuss why Vermont is one of the most beautiful Autumn destinations in the world.

Back in the 1890's Vermont was 80% deforested from logging. The Governor of Vermont realized this would do more harm than good to the state as it was cutting down wildlife, and tourism for hunting and fishing. So the state started implementing conservation laws. Because the soil that was clear-cut was warmer due to exposure, the state couldn't replant conifers. But they could plant maples. And maples are considered fall foliage royalties, displaying brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges - and the colors will vary year to year! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The North American hardwood maple also has lighter seeds and can reproduce faster than the conifer. By planting maples, the state created Vermont's booming maple syrup industry, and you can see sugar shacks all over the region. Now Vermont is 80% forested, which is why you see the lush, vibrant hues from the maples that cover Vermont.

While it is next to impossible to pinpoint time frames for fall color {every single season is different}, there are a few key factors that should help you plan your Vermont Fall Foliage trip.

1. The color starts in the North, in high peak areas, and, as the season progresses, it moves its way south through the region.

2. Colors usually start to show by midSeptember; unfortunately though, there have been some years where it has been early, and somewhere it has started later.

3. October is your best bet if you have to narrow down a time frame. In my opinion, I would say the first two weeks would be ideal. Yankee keeps this great Live Foliage Map tracker, updated constantly. While it doesn't really help anyone from out of town plan their trips months in advance, it helps us, the locals, schedule our leaf-peeping trips.

4. Best Vermont fall foliage seasons tend to be after wet springs and then dry and sunny Fall days with cool (but frost-less) nights.

The best advice for those traveling to see fall foliage is to be flexible. If there isn't enough color where you're staying, hop in the car and move a little further. You are guaranteed to see stunning colors during a day trip throughout New England. You'll be able to experience quaint towns full of apple cider donuts, farmers' markets, and dirt roads. Autumn truly is the time to fall in love with New England, over and over again.

Bicoastal Digest, 15

Woodstock, Vermont, is home to some of the most beautiful fall vistas in the state. Upon exploring its quaint town center and colorful surroundings, you will immediately fall in love with this small New England village. A state where covered bridges and stores filled with maple products are the norms, Vermont is home to several picturesque towns rich in history. One of these towns is Woodstock, Vermont, located in the Southeast section of the state. Years ago, the Industrial Revolution brought success to Vermont’s manufacturers, and the town became a popular tourism and leisure destination. Today, Woodstock’s tourism industry continues to thrive. The city has fewer than 3,000 people and maintains a free community Wi-Fi service covering most of the village.

The Woodstock Inn is a notable highlight, located right in the center of town. Established by the Rockefeller family, the Inn embodies a classic Vermont style. Originally a tavern built-in 1793, the Inn has undergone several changes and renovations, yet it still upholds 19th-century architecture and rustic feel. Staying at the Inn during the fall allows one to become immersed in plenty of seasonal opportunities, including a Red Barn Dinner series, exclusive resort packages, and the chance to leave the Inn and explore the town on foot.

The town of Woodstock in the fall seems straight out of a postcard. Walking along Central Street provides the opportunity to take in the crisp fall air as you’re surrounded by boutique storefronts and quaint homes covered in pumpkins and fall decor. Visit the Vermont Eclectic Co. to bring home hats, mugs, shirts, and other items, exclusively made by Vermont artists. And no trip to Vermont is complete without stopping by the Vermont Flannel Company for a classic flannel, the perfect fall attire for your trip.

After strolling through town, head over to the Billings Farm and Museum. The farm and museum is the town’s most popular tourist attraction. Similar to the Inn, the land and farmhouse were owned by Laurance Rockefeller and his wife Mary French Rockefeller.

The farm and museum include an operating dairy farm and a restored 1890 farmhouse. The museum offers visitors a chance to learn the history of agriculture and conservation in Vermont. During the fall, the farm offers hot apple cider and apple cider donuts to visitors. Visitors can stroll the property to visit the various farm animals and learn

about what it takes to run a dairy farm. This year, they are even offering a pumpkin bowling event during the fall! Definitely something to check out.

Across the street from the farm is Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park. The park preserves the site where Frederick Billings (Billings Farm & Museum) established a managed forest and a progressive dairy farm. The park contains 555 acres of forest, including trails and century-old carriage roads. Mount Tom is also within the national park’s limits, a small peak standing at 1357 feet high. The mountain contains hiking and running trails, all within walking distance from the town center. To reach the trailhead, visitors often first head to Woodstock’s famous “Middle Bridge.” This 139 foot covered bridge allows visitors to cross by foot, taking in the fall views along the Ottauquechee River. After walking along River Street, hikers will reach the popular trailhead to make the ascent.

Before taking in the panoramic view of Mt. Tom, grab brunch and a coffee at one of the many restaurants and cafes in town. Soulfully Good Cafe (a local favorite) offers delicious brunch options, including fall-inspired dishes such as Pumpkin and Pecan French Toast and Roasted Butternut, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Quiche. A recommended place to grab a Maple Latte is Mon Vert Cafe. They also have many tasty foods and drink options to indulge in, all made with local, organic ingredients. Both of these cafes are located right in town, on Central Street.

Woodstock is definitely one of Vermont’s most fabulous fall destinations. However, we highly recommend taking a scenic drive during your stay in Vermont to truly take in all of the fall beauty that Vermont has to offer. Whether it’s heading south along Route 106 to view foliage and farmlands or driving around to other local towns and stopping at charming country stores and shops, exploring the open road in Vermont is an enchanting activity on its own.

Article by Kelly Mack Photo by Jake Doucette

Bicoastal Digest, 21

Fall on the West Coast

Wine Tasting Tour Sonoma County

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Wine lovers love them both Both have their unique charms, amazing scenery, delicious food and, of course, incredible wine. Also, both Northern California destinations are less than 50 miles North of San Francisco, which makes them desirable locations among locals and tourists, attracting millions of visitors every year.

In the next pages we'll explore Sonoma County, but we encourage you to visit both if you have time and love wine.

Bicoastal Digest, 23

Wine Tasting Let's switch gears now and taste some wine on the East Coast. Long Island has a well established reputation for its good wine.Wölffer Estate Vineyard is a family owned, sustainably farmed vineyard in the heart of the Hamptons, and you need to check out this fall.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard AMERICAN WINERY WITH CLASSIC EUROPEAN TRADITION

139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack

Founded in 1988 by Christian Wölffer, the estate today is owned and operated by his children, Marc and Joey Wölffer and Winemaker/Partner Roman Roth. The estate spans approximately 175 acres including the acclaimed 55 acre sustainably farmed vineyard located in Sagaponack, NY.

In addition, Wölffer has a presence in North Fork, Long Island, in Mendoza, Argentina and in Mallorca, Spain.

For over three decades, Wölffer Estate Vineyard has been known as one of the finest producers on the East Coast and a center for innovation and hospitality.

6

Easy Recipes to Cook This Fall

Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread

Healthy Pumpkin Pie

All recipes by OLENA OSIPOV Reprinted only with permission

What to cook

Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread Ingredients 3 eggs large 1/2 cup maple syrup honey or sugar* 1 cup pumpkin puree not pie filling 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 3 cups almond flour 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds optional

Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line 9 x 5 loaf pan with unbleached parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, baking powder + soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt.

Whisk well until combined.

Add almond flour (don’t forget to skim the top of measuring cup with a knife) and mix gently with spatula to combine.

Pour batter into previously prepared loaf pan, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and bake for 50 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out somewhat clean. This bread burns fast, so don't over bake and remove from the oven while top still appears semi soft. They key to moist and firm bread is to let it cool down.

Remove bread from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool off for 20 minutes.

Holding onto the flaps of parchment paper remove bread from a loaf pan and let it cool off for another 60 minutes before slicing with sharp serrated knife.

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Ingredients Pie Crust: 1 1/4 cups almond meal or flour 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour + more for dusting 1/4 cup avocado or coconut oil melted 1/2 cup any milk I used unsweetened almond 1 tbsp maple syrup or liquid honey 1/8 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt Cooking spray I use Misto Pumpkin Pie Filling: 3 eggs large 15 oz can 2 cups pumpkin puree (not pie filling) 1/2 cup any milk I used unsweetened almond* 1/2 cup maple syrup or liquid honey 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 tsp salt

Healthy Pumpkin Pie

Instructions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray 9" pie dish with cooking spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine almond meal or flour, whole wheat flour, oil, milk, maple syrup, baking powder and salt. Mix with spatula continuing with your hands until a ball of dough forms. If necessary, add more almond milk or flour, use your judgement. On a flat surface, roll out the crust until it's large enough to cover the pie dish. First, flatten the dough ball with your hands and then use the rolling pin. Dust the dough with flour while rolling, and it might help to place it on a parchment paper half way through for easier rolling and moving.

Transfer crust into the pie dish and mould to fit using your hands. Cut excess dough with kitchen scissors or knife, and make nice edges with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes. While the crust is baking, in a medium bowl, add eggs and whisk for 30 seconds. Add pumpkin puree, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, salt and whisk really well. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F, pour pumpkin pie filling into pre-baked crust and bake pie for 55 minutes. Let pumpkin pie cool completely (!!!) before slicing. Using a serrated knife, cut into 8 slices and serve your favourite way.

Make Ahead: You can bake pumpkin pie the day before. Or make the dough and fill the day before, refrigerate and bake when ready.

What to cook

Buffalo Chicken Chili Ingredients 5 garlic cloves minced 1 large onion chopped 3 large carrots chopped 3 large celery stalks chopped 2 x 15 oz cans any low sodium beans drained & rinsed 28 oz can diced tomatoes low sodium 1/4 cup Frank’s red hot sauce 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey 1 tbsp cumin 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp salt 2 lbs chicken breasts skinless & boneless 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbled Avocado oil for frying Cilantro green onion, lime and tortilla chips, for garnish

About the Chef: Olena Osipov is the founder and recipe developer at iFOODreal.com. Originally from the Ukraine, she now resides on Vancouver Island in British Columbia with her husband and two boys. The focus at iFOODreal is on sharing easy healthy recipes with simple ingredients and mostly dinner recipes because “What’s for Dinner?” is a question that is never going away. From meal plans to everyday recipes, Olena is here to show you that healthy cooking can be enjoyable and delicious.

What to cook

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin 1 yellow onion 2 celery ribs 1 carrot 2 garlic cloves ½ cup red lentils 1 24 oz jar of pasta sauce ½ cup water Instructions: Start by rinsing your lentils under cool water.

Take this opportunity to look through the lentils and remove any little rocks (sounds crazy, I know). After rinsing, place the lentils in a bowl with warm water and set aside to soak and soften for about 45 minutes.

Once your lentils have finished soaking, finely chop your veggies and add them to a large pot with the olive oil and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and sauté for about one minute longer.

Ingredients: 1 Can Pumpkin Puree 15 oz 1 Cup Vegetable Broth ½ Cup Water 1 Yellow Onion Diced 3 Cloves Garlic Minced 2 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast 2 tablespoon Flour 1 tablespoon Rosemary Fresh, finely chopped 1 tablespoon Olive Oil ½ teaspoon Salt ½ teaspoon Pepper ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg ¼ teaspoon Ground Sage Instructions: Combine the olive oil, onion, and garlic in a large pan over medium heat. Cook for several minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.

Begin to cook your pasta following package instructions. Add your remaining ingredients (except the pasta) and mix together.

Continue to cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Blend with an immersion blender or let cool slightly and and use a blender. If you use a classic blender, be sure to slightly vent the top. Pour a good amount of sauce over your cooked pasta and serve right away.

Add the sauce, water, and drained lentils to the pot and bring to a boil. Once it has reached a boil, lower to a simmer and cover.

Simmer for about 20 minutes until the lentils and veggies are soft.

Serve with your favorite pasta or veggie noodles and enjoy!

Easy Vegan Lentil Bolognese

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Stay tuned for our next issue, The Winter Issue. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, so it's gonna be an extra special one.

Thank you all for your love and support!

Graciously yours,