There's No Place Like Home

I'm on a roadtrip with a six year old. As we drive our sturdy Honda throughout New England, Vermont and the Delaware Valley, we are eating local food in ten states in ten days. Something tells me we're not in New Jersey anymore. It's been an adventure full of surprises and a lot of fun. I'm writing this on day five from Portland, Maine and we've already hit 5 other states. Four to go, the fourth being what turns out to be the best foodie state of them all - New Jersey.

Eating out is one of my favorite indulgences and outdoor fitness and activity is one of my favorite hobbies. Taking advantage of the local landscape, we are having a blast going horseback riding, down mountain coasters, kayaking, hiking and swimming. Not to mention 4 amusement parks. But the greatest travel sport of all is finding a good place to eat on the road.

We are eating well and loving it, but I am looking forward to getting home and my daughter really misses the dog. Besides, there is so much to explore in NJ right where we live in Westfield. One of the first things I plan to do is catalog every episode of "Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins" that was filmed in NJ. He and I like the same places - today for lunch at Becky's Diner in Portland, Maine I saw Guy Fieri's picture on the wall for the third time this week.

On Day 2 we stayed in Glen, New Hampshire. My daughter fell asleep and I finally had the freedom without negotiations to watch the show of my choosing. After flipping around I settled on an episode of DDD that featured the Bayway Diner in Linden NJ. Here I am in food heaven, and I'm seriously stoked to get back home to try it out. Why do I have to be on vacation to have the adventurous dining spirit?

Next day we are at Attitash Mountain, where they have a mountain coaster - it chugs up the face of the mountain and then slaloms down at breakneck speed. We also bungee tramped, took a scenic chair lift ride and swam with our clothes on for the first of three times that week. While on line for the rock climbing wall, I noticed the guy in front of me was wearing a Westfield Lacrosse t-shirt. I introduced myself and we passed the time chatting about our hometown and playing the name game. 

We said our goodbyes and I shouted out "see you at Dillons," which led to another conversation. I guess it is now the Publick House. Imagine being the random guy in New Hampshire breaking that news to the Westfield Foodie herself! I hope they keep the sushi pizza. I wish the new owners Bernie and Laura Goncalves the best of luck with their restaurant. Everyone I know loves your place so please don't go anywhere.

(And a shout out to random New Hampshire guy - let me know if this blog found you!)

Finally, I got a list of recommendations for lobster from my dad's friend, who is also my friend's dad. His daughter is my best friend and our older daughters go to a sleep away camp in Southern Maine. So there I am in the mess hall drinking bug juice with fellow Jerseyite Mr. O, and he and I are talking lobster. This is a guy with whom I grew up chowing down on crustaceans at a little out of the way restaurant that was within walking distance of our neighboring houses. Sammy's in Mendham had the best lobster, french fries and super vinegary salads. He just came from where I am going - to Portland - so I was in the right place at the right time.

Kind of like Dorothy when she is roused. She appreciates what she had all along.

Lauren Weiss blogs for Westfield Foodie and writes the Foodie State column at The Alternative Press. Contact her at westfieldfoodie@gmail.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.