Lime Rock Park

Are you and your family looking for a thrill on your vacation in New England? Or for New England residents a fun filled "staycation" nearby? The adrenaline filled thrills are bracing the tracks at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. This historic yet modern race park was the first road racing track to be engineered using highway-safety principles and designed scientifically to ensure the safety and pleasure of all it's attendees.  It is 1.5 miles of up and down hill track which may appear to be simple but it's creator coins it "immensely challenging to drive quickly."  Even after a brand new repaved tracked in 2008, owner Skip Barber has strived to uphold the original layout in which he includes the width, camber, radius and elevation.

The track includes a half mile autocross course and skid pad open on public lapping days as well as for private rentals.  Public lapping days known as Open Autocross Days are an ideal way for amateur racers to get out in their car and experience the track.  Open Autocross Days cost $225 per person and they encourage groups and car clubs to experience these days as well.  Upcoming Open Autocross Days are scheduled for March 22nd, April 9th and June 18th.  Participating in an open or private autocross day automatically increases your chases to compete for quickest autocross driver of the year.  The Lime Rock Park staff will record the times of the quickest drivers and record them in a year-long scoreboard and at the end of the season, the 20 quickest drivers of the year will come back to compete in a free, invitational shootout. The Autocross Invitational Shootout is open to all racers in any kind of car except for go-carts and motorcycles.

This unique vacation experience only lasts from mid-March until early November but within this short time period it is packed full of opportunities.  Driving school, test-and-tune days, electric vehicle competitions, charity events and private testing are only some of the exciting adventures they offer.
The owners also like to open up the venue for weddings, bar mitzvahs and graduation parties.

This video shows the track, from a dashboard view.

Resources:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/2012/06/02/newenglandtravel/AUVwVIvBd7DTAmh0hZ6oAI/story.html
http://www.limerock.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=65

Cupcakes Across New England

Cupcakes are America's favorite, nostalgic sweet treat without a doubt.  The cupcake craze has exploded not only on television but bakeries specific to cupcakes have been popping up all over the country.  Whether you buy a single cupcake and enjoy it for yourself or buy a box for your family, the cupcake will be a treat we always go back to.
What makes cupcakes so lovable is their diversity and experimental qualities.  Lately, cupcake makers have been straying from the classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate and creating "specialty cupcakes," a new term coined for these less than traditional flavors.  Providing a larger variety for consumers is what keeps these specialty cupcakes shop flooded with business and the continued demand for the beloved cupcake.

A new franchise assembling across New England is Cupcake Charlie's.  They have three locations currently in Newport, Rhode Island, Mashpee, Massachusetts and Plymouth, Masschusetts and a new location opening soon in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  The Newport shop was filmed for the TLC show "Cupcake Wars," expanding their notoriety even more.

Another sweeping craze they're strongly supporting is the idea of a tower of cupcakes rather than a traditional wedding cake.
For special occasions people are choosing special arrangements, making a unique statement and straying from the norm.  This unique option is also very affordable, with each cupcake starting at $2.50 and a display tower starting at $50. Delivery and set-up starts at $150; prices at different locations may vary. Cupcake Charlie's also does custom orders of the gourmet cupcakes, offering edible chocolate molds, edible handmade fondant, special colored frosting, and edible sugar molds all custom made to order. They also have a large variety of merchandise including t-shirts, iPhone covers, bags, coffee mugs and sweatpants.

Cupcake Charlie's also specializes in other gourmet treats like "whoop cakes;" which consists of cake, frosting, and filling in whoop cake form. Their cake cups include cake, frosting and filling in a little single serving cup.  The bakery's push pops are layered cake, frosting and filling in a push up pop.   Their cake pops are cake and frosting formed into bite sized balls and covered in chocolate.  And lastly their frosting shots are a shot of buttercream frosting in a cup.

If you're looking for the traditional cupcake though, they have a wide variety of flavors suited to satisfy all.  Just some of their decadent flavorts include Rockin' Red Velvet, Oreo Delight, Lemon Drop, Orange Dreamsicle, Grammy's Carrot Cup, Chocolate Mint Madness, Peanut Butter Pleasure, Chocolate Overload, and Chocolate Raspberry Surprise.  Almost all of the flavors include a delicious cream or ganache filling to accompany the moist cake and fluffy cream frosting.

Consider visiting one of Cupcake Charlie's three New England locations because "Life is short... Eat a Cupcake."



Resources:
http://cupcakecharlies.com/newport/index.html
http://gonewengland.about.com/od/newportdining1/ss/Cupcake-Charlies-Newport.htm