Defenders of Beer || Brooklyn Brewery

March 14, 2017 Scrimshaw Collective

By Marie Kloor & Dan Nielsen for Scrimshaw Collective

Jack Nicholson said it best: “Beer, it's the best damn drink in the world”! Can't say we disagree with the man, especially after our visit to the Brooklyn Brewery last week. A celebrated institution here in North Brooklyn, the brewery straddles the line of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. While the surrounding area has become laden with upscale hotels and clubs, the Brewery retains an unmistakable air of authenticity - reminiscent of the young entrepreneurs who decided to build in the bustle of Brooklyn back in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

As chance would have it, childhood friend of Scrimshaw, Drew Bombard, serves as Brooklyn Brewery's Lab Manager and Microbiologist. Needless to say, he rolled out the red carpet and gave us a private tour of all the inner workings and history of the Brewery. And yes, we had a drink… or five.

Drew grew up in Boulder, went to Colorado State and has spent a lot of time in the beer business. Before Brooklyn Brewery, Drew worked for New Belgium (Fat Tire shout out) and has since become an expert in microbiology as it relates to the brewing process. His workspace donned with petri dishes of yeast cultures, microscopes and other various "Dexter's Lab" accoutrements had us second guessing our life decisions on spending our days married to a cubicle desktop. Seriously though, a big part of Drew's job is creating new flavors of beer alongside the Brewmaster himself! His specialty and greatest influence to Brooklyn Brewery is the introduction of Lactobacillus, which is used often in sour beers. New to the bottle lines this year is the Bel Air Sour (trust us it's amazing) that was officially named after Drew's 63 Chevy Bel Air. Yup, his job is pretty awesome.

After the tasting room and the lab, we went on the more traditional part of the tour where you see the entire brewing process from raw material to bottled deliciousness. The HQ location in Williamsburg churns out 55K barrels of beer a year - every time you get a Brooklyn Brewery beer on tap in NYC it comes straight outta BK. Despite things getting rather scientific at points, that hardly diminished the unmistakable air of fun throughout the brewery. We were even able to crash an after work party at the loading dock (every Friday the crew gets together, pulls out the kegerator, plays corn hole, skates and barbecues). The tasting room opens to the public at 6:00 PM on Fridays and starts up again at 12:00 noon Saturdays and Sundays. As Jackie Boy said, "I don't think many people have a very good understanding of leisure and the importance it plays in our lives". So in the spirit of that, go grab some friends, order a delivery pie, and enjoy the ever rotating taps down at the Brooklyn Brewery.

Scraping The Skies NY Style

March 9, 2017 Scrimshaw Collective

Never had I ever been in a helicopter. And I'd say for my maiden voyage, given a crystal clear day above the world's greatest city, the experience was pretty epic. We recently teamed up with Manhattan Helicopters to take an aerial tour of New York's iconic skyline. Their company was fantastic, and our guide was awesome. No joke, he was pumping Jack Johnson while we swung around One World Trade. With nothing but blue skies, we witnessed amazing views of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Central Park, and beyond! Check out our shots from the ride and enjoy The Big Apple from up above! NOTE: no drones were used the making of this production, just an SLR and some rocky turbulence.

Whistler Blackcomb || From Sand to Snow

February 23, 2017 Scrimshaw Collective

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to float among the mountains and hover above the clouds? So have we, until we didn’t have to wonder anymore. Welcome to Whistler, British Columbia.

Trading in our surfboards and waves for a weekend, we found ourselves at Whistler Blackcomb, surrounded by fresh powder, peaks, blades, with plenty of KIND Snacks to stay energized on the slopes and for after, unlimited après-ski. With a foot of snow gracing the ground the night we arrived, hitting the slopes in the morning was an experience like no other. The conditions were almost if we were snowboarding on air in a winter wonderland. Snowboarding on and off trails that had yet to be touched and among trees that were perfectly frosted created a rush of ecstasy and adrenalin that left us just wanting more.

There is something so addicting and freeing about truly emptying your mind and solely focusing on the rush of the present. Snowboarding Whistler allowed us to forget about the daily grind and focus on the moment. Surrounded by good friends, a perfect mountain, drinking hot toddy’s in our ski-in-ski-out lodge (pre and post snowboarding) and exploring the local flavor of the dive bars at night made, for an ideal weekend.

Easy Livin' in The Crescent City

January 30, 2017 Scrimshaw Collective

One of the many b-e-a-utiful architectural sights getting lost in The Garden District.

January has been a very long month, especially the past week... But Scrimshaw recently hopped a quick flight south for a weekend of easy living in Louisiana’s Crescent City, the extraordinary metropolis of New Orleans! A speedy 48 hours exploring Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, led to a single overnight in The Big Easy, and boy was it worth it. Upon arrival, we happily checked into one of the city’s best new accommodations, the Ace Hotel New Orleans; an extremely gracious staff bumped us to a massive room stacked with our own record player (accompanied by a lovely personal collection of vinyl), a wicked nice guitar (that to-be-honest… remained untouched), and all the accoutrements you’d need/want (i.e. the dopest fleece robes). After catching a killer view of the skyline from their rooftop pool and bar, Alto, we hit the town.

Blackened fish and Abita beer; I need nothing else in life. New Orleans’ food scene is out-of-this-world delectable and they’ll have you rolling down the streets in no time – with a drink in hand of course! The night’s most magical 45 minutes came towards the end, with an intimate musical performance by the Preservation Hall All Stars at the legendary Preservation Hall. Tucked off Bourbon Street, on St. Peter in the French Quarter, one of the most energetic and talented group of performers I’d seen in some time, played six or so jazz tunes for our small group, and made me realized why music is so important (P.S. you won’t see any shots below from this, as there’s no recording of any kind once inside; but please make sure to play the audio clip at the top of the page – a song performed that night!).

Day two, involved lots more food, including King Cake from the infamous Sucré, getting lost in the Garden District, plus an exceptional guided tour of the oldest extant cemetery in New Orleans, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (which is still the site of several burials a year!). The cemetery’s past was extremely fascinating, as is its future; actor Nicholas Cage actually has a massive white pyramid-shaped grave lined up there for his final resting place (find photo below). A very brief trip to The Big Easy resulted in these photographs, but mainly solidified a new found love for such a diversely creative and historically important city in our country. Astounding music and tasty beignets, fused with to-go cocktails and loads of voodoo, are just a few reasons why we can’t wait to get back to New Orleans, LA.

Dîner en Blanc || NYC 2016

September 22, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

One week ago today, a bunch of New Yorkers dined al fresco along the Hudson River. The sun was setting - as it so famously does - fading west across the rest of mainland America. But this sunset was particularly different than most. Édith Piaf’s melodious voice echoed across Robert F. Wagner Junior Park, amongst 5,000 new friends. All of who were dressed in white; head to toe, all out. From feathered hats that rivaled (and would most likely outdo) The Derby, down to the freshest-to-death white leather brogues, this sea of outfits was on point (on fleek… if you will). Bread had been broken, Moët was flowing, and hundreds upon hundreds were dancing to the beautiful French tunes. This wasn’t just a fancy picnic in the park, this was a secret pop-up supper that took every breath away; it was Le Dîner en Blanc.

(Photo courtesy of Dîner en Blanc.) — (*Photo courtesy of Dîner en Blanc.*)

Le Dîner en Blanc is an experience like no other, and finally getting the chance to be a part of it (after three years on the waitlist) felt right. It just felt right. And it felt even “righter” when I found out that this year’s event had a waitlist of roughly 45,000! Le Dîner en Blanc started nearly 30 years ago by a group of friends in Paris, and is now celebrated in over 70 cities worldwide; from Rwanda to Japan, Argentina to Sweden, Le Dîner has truly grown into a full-blown international phenomenon!

So here’s how it goes… once you get off the waiting list that is. The following information, briefly summarizes the gist of how the event happens:

You can only wear all white (top, pants, dress, shoes, accessories, etc.). All white, no exceptions.
As this emulates a picnic, you must bring something to eat, and obviously something to eat off. But wait, no blankets, fast food, or paper napkins here! You are required to pack in a three course meal (you can now purchase dinners catered directly through Le Dîner), to be served on non-disposable dishes/cutlery. And not a reusable plate from REI, we’re talking about the good stuff. Bust out the old silver set, and grab those crystal champagne flutes you’ve been yearning to use (or just dreaming about them). Plus, our own white chairs, table, and a crisp white tablecloth to boot. Nothing is pro died for you.
Pack out what you brought in, so it doesn’t seem as if we were even there (bring a white garbage bag!).
HAVE FUN and make as many friends as possible!

But I think the best part about it all if the secrecy of it. You essentially don’t know the location until you arrive there! Of NYC’s roughly 5,000 attendees, everyone meets at different pre-assigned locations scattered across the city between 5:00 & 6:00 PM. We met at Madison Square Park, and there were about 200 of us on the corner of 23rd & Broadway. Quite the scene for those commuting to and from wherever their day’d taken them. Our larger group was getting lots of inquisitive looks. A couple hundred people, all dressed to the nines, with portable tables and chairs. Picture an impromptu wedding reception, about to setup on the sidewalk - dressed thinking like they’re all the bride. But this meeting is facilitated by a group leader and their Dîner squad of sub-leaders, who in turn led us down into the subway… On a Thursday… at 5:45 PM. If you didn’t already catch my drift, it’s rush hour - on the N train, and we quickly find out we’re heading downtown. Whispers turn to shouts, and you hear - “Take the next N train, 8 stops! EIGHT STOPS!” And that’s when we all quickly calculate we’re heading to South Ferry. Are we possibly going across to Governor’s Island? The thought crossed our mind, but orchestrating this many people onto ferries seemed a bit much.

After a relatively calm commute, as our group emerged back above ground at the southern tip of Manhattan, every direction you looked was full of other groups of 200 people, all doing the same thing: walking towards the setting sun into Battery City Park. This was the slightly chaotic part; we were all trying to line up with our assigned group (who you’d just traveled with). Somehow, we all made it through, got our tables set up, and then the event ceremoniously started by having all the dining guests spin their white linen napkins over their heads in unison, hooting & hollering, commemorating the official kick-off to 2016’s dîner. It’s kind of hard to explain how much fun it all was, and how it looked, but please check-out last year’s reap video for some visuals.

If you’re interested in learning more about the roots of the soiree, seeing photos of years past, and most importantly on how to join the party (here, there and/or everywhere), check out Le Dîner en Blanc’s website for more info.

Welcome to Maine || The Way Life Should Be

September 12, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

As it so happens every year, we quickly approach a change of the seasons. Another blissful summer will soon again fade into a refreshingly crisp autumn. Now, don’t get us wrong – we’re seriously stoked to wash down countless apple cider donuts with some strong hot toddies (sorry, no PSLs here) – but we’re also keen on never letting go of those sun-kissed days. And there’s no better place to chase the tail ends of summer than a quick trip to New England’s Vacationland, the great state of Maine.

With a three day weekend packed alongside a tent, fins, vintage racquets, and a full crate of Allagash, the journey North began. What was already expected to be a great few days of weather, turned out to be so much more. On the rare (and utmost momentous) occasions when brilliant minds gather to play fiercely competitive tennis, you mix in copious amounts of keg beer & rosé (plus a dash of sea water), and you’re left with one hell of a weekend. With a belly full of laughter (and lobster), I present to you some of our favorite shots taken from a recent microadventure to Orrs Island, ME. Hosted by dear friends, and surrounded by new ones, this trip was one for the ages. Enjoy the scenery – and if you haven’t already… get your ass to Maine ASAP.

P.S. Shh… don’t let everyone know, but Maine in the fall is just as amazing as summer. Plan a getaway soon (even if just for the weekend), and experience the way life should be.

Devil's Punchbowl

September 5, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

Jeffrey Bowman put it perfectly by saying "Spending time in nature is a humbling and inspiring experience. From the adventurer who sets out to conquer the highest peaks and overcome the greatest of physical challenges to a group of friends sitting around the glowing warmth of a campfire on a cold fall night, there are endless opportunities to enjoy our vast and open landscapes." It is our belief here at Scrimshaw that every man, woman, and child has at some point in their life this internal yearning to explore. This exploration takes hold of individuals and gets them out of the house, off their phones, into physical reality, showing them what it means to view the unknown. Yes, I totally understand the irony as most of you read this via your phone or laptop, but what we hope to do by showing you our passion in wanderlust is to ignite a deep feeling within you that makes you want to see what is out there.

As I sat rooted to my desk chair this week, the traveller within made it very clear it was time for a little adventure. A couple phone calls were made and plans were set to take to the California desert and visit the small oasis known as the Devil’s Punchbowl. Saturday morning arrived. After putting down a quick breakfast burrito, the lot of us jumped into a car and raced out to the desert to try and get a quick start before the midday sun. Stepping out and on to the trail, it was evident that it would be gorgeous, but also incredibly hot with the temperature a balmy 100 degrees. The hike was gorgeous and looked only slightly better than my desktop background ;) After a couple hours of hiking in the sun and dirt we arrived at this random pack of trees down in the valley that opened up into a serene pool and waterfall. I thought to myself, wow, this looks like something out of a movie, but then you realize the movies were made based on mini adventures like this. The day, the company, the conversation, the views, the Devil’s Punchbowl, and the exploration were amazing. This is how Scrimshaw saw the Devil’s Punchbowl:

Cheesin' in Greece: Where the Feta is Betta

August 24, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

Sunset view from our AirBnB right at the entrance to the town centre of Mykonos.

A strategic crossroads for three continents nestled between the Ionian & Aegean Seas, considered by most as the cradle of Western civilization, Scrimshaw Collective recently bopped around the stunningly beautiful and admirably perseverant country of Greece. We didn’t stick around too long on the mainland (sorry Athens, catch ya next time!), but quickly headed out to sea. With a tight schedule, and lots of sun to soak up, we ventured to the Cyclades to explore the islands of Tinos and Mykonos. With a few AirBnbs tied down, and some serious SPF, we took the waves and had a whirlwind of a trip.

A relaxing, slower paced stay on Tinos (full of plenty of wine and octopus), geared us up for a wild weekend in Mykonos (heavier on the ouzo and prawns). But we didn’t forget about the cultural significance of this part of the world, and made a day trip to the archaeological island of Delos. The islands and their people were all magical in their own way, and really were places to see. If blue and white weren’t already a staple, Greece sure took that cake – and made it even sweeter. Check out our photos from the adventure below, hope you enjoy – YAMAS!

Leaving the island of Tinos, headed off to Mykonos.

Standing on the tallest point of the archaeological island of Delos.

London In Colour: Street Art of Shoreditch & Brick Lane

July 20, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

Amidst the overcast skies of June, life was blooming with colour against a mix of restored warehouses & shops in London's buzzing neighbourhood, Shoreditch. We loved meandering the streets of Shoreditch, especially down Redchurch and our favourite, Brick Lane, to scope out the vibrant collection of murals and street art - plus some serious people watching!

Scroll down to check out our top pics from our afternoon exploring the East End of London Town. And remember, on your way out, exit through the gift shop. ENJOY!

Sailing San Diego: Tack to the Pacific

March 23, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

It's Sunday Morning, you are laying on the beach, sunglasses on, iced coffee in hand, soaking in those morning rays, and procrastinating on your Sunday to-do list. There really isn't much you would rather be doing. Your phone rings and on the other line you hear "we are going sailing. Get some beers and meet us down here." You realize, this is what you would rather be doing. Sunday transforms into Sunday Fun-Day, and your weekend continues.

Barbados: A Proper Bajan Broasting

February 3, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

You almost felt guilty stepping onto the hot tarmac at Grantley Adams International Airport, knowing that you’ve left behind two feet of snow blanketing the eastern United States. But after a few fresh breathes of light breezy air, you quickly forgot what you’ve escaped and started looking forward for what’s to come. Touching down on the beautiful island country of Barbados was just what the January blues needed – and considering the round trip non-stop flight from JFK was under $200… you couldn’t afford NOT to go! With packs on our backs, and shades on, we were ready to explore the tiny 166 sq. miles in search of surf, music, and sun!

View from the apartment looking out at Surfers Bay, just west of Silver Sands.

With a slight delay leaving New York City, we made it through immigration & customs in a timely fashion (remember you NEED your passport for this trip!), and raced out to collect our compact Suzuki rental car. Its easy to get an automatic, but note that they drive on the LEFT side of the road – so if that’s new to you, just take it slow… and be forewarned, if you’re not in the larger towns, there are barely any road signs so when in doubt – HONK it out! There are mini-buses (vans) zipping all across the island for incredibly cheap ($2 BBD = $1 USD) and their car horns are amusingly musical, make sure to listen for them! After a 15 minute drive to our apartment down near Silver Sands, we checked in with the owner, Stefano (he’s originally from Sardinia, and has been on Barbados for over 20 years now – check out his digs on TripAdvisor), rented some surfboards from him and headed straight to his suggested spot of Freights Bay – less than a five minute drive away. With just about an hour of light left, fun was had by all as surfers and sea turtles bobbed along with the waves. Once back at the flat, we strolled around the corner from our place to the Surfer’s Bay Beach Bar, where we closed off the busy travel day with an assortment of rum drinks plus fresh mahi-mahi & shrimp. Within the first eight hours, Barbados had already won our hearts.

Up early the following morning for another surf, we then made our way into the town of Oistins for food. We refueled with breakfast at an awesome hole in the wall called Surfer’s Café, then stocked up on provisions across the street at a Super Centre market (i.e. juice, bread, fruit, rum, and Bajan BANKS beer). The second day was the perfect opportunity to discover the area down by our humble abode. Walking along the sea towards Freights Bay, we stopped at both the popular South Point surf spot as well as the South Point Lighthouse. After a quick lie on the front porch with rum in hand, we checked out some live music back at Surfer’s Bay Beach Bar, then took off for a night in St. Lawrence Gap (aka “The Gap”). We grabbed dinner (fresh fish AGAIN J) at one of the al fresco stands, then made our way to a happening joint called The Old Jamm Inn – which was 100% jammin’ with more live music! Taxis are all along the main strip, as are fantastic food stalls; definitely make sure to get a greasy cheeseburger and a fresh coconut (different vendors… but it would be nice if they joined forces!).

Ruins of a small pink building on the beach at Bathsheba, Barbados.

Day three was our most adventuresome day, as we drove all around the island! First we headed northeast to the iconic beaches of Bathsheba, where’s there’s a popular surf spot called Soup Bowl. We perched up and watched the few guys out there tearing it up. Along the beach there are some amazing rock formations, which includes a tiny abandoned pink shack built up on a ledge. There were a few people about, but overall a much less populated area than the south. A rather hilly drive back around the coast, we continued north along the Atlantic towards one of the island’s highest central points, Farley Hill National Park. A dilapidated mansion stands shaded beneath a grove of mahogany trees, with a lookout that beats no other – highly recommend visiting this little park ($6 BBD to enter the park with a car). From Farley Hill we drove northwest to a secret surf spot we were recommended called Maycocks Bay. Hiking down a steep trail with boards and bags, we eventually opened up to some beautiful waves, a protected beach and absolutely NO PEOPLE! Despite there being a cement factory just south along the beach, this was an ideal oasis for both surf and sun.

Looking east from the top of Farley Hill National Park, Barbados.

Scorched and sandy we started the drive back to Silver Sands, opting to route down the western coast, driving through Speightstown, Holetown, and Bridgetown. A posher vibe on the protected Caribbean side of the island, included high-end shopping, more tourists and resorts. After surviving the capital’s rush hour traffic, one more quick surf was squeezed in before the sun went down. Then all of a sudden, it was FRIDAY NIGHT; and there’s only one place to be on a Friday night in Barbados… the Oistins FISH FRY. A huge market sandwiched between the Main Road and the beach draws thousands of people to indulge in fresh catch, good (cheap) beer and LOADS of dancing! An absolute must do if you’re in town on a Friday – and if you’re keen for some rowdy karaoke, find Hercules Bar across the Main Road from the fry.

Wrapping up a solid surfing safari day at Freights Bay, Barbados.

Before we knew it, it was already the last day - Saturday. After a morning surf down at Freights Bay, we feasted on a royal breakfast at home, then headed to one of the island’s oldest rum distilleries, the Foursquare Rum Distillery and Heritage Park. Unfortunately closed for the day, we found someone on the grounds that said we were welcome to roam the property and guide ourselves around! Unfortunately there weren’t any tastings or even rum to purchase on site, but we explored the facility and gained some knowledge along the way (from the factory’s info placards!). As the afternoon quickly approached we tried the island’s fast food chain, Chefette, devoured some rotis and mauby, and b-lined it back for a final sunset sesh at Freights. We cheered rum on the bluff overlooking the bay after the sun went down with some friends, and closed out our final evening back at our local watering hole, Surfer’s Bay Bar!

Barbados boasts incredible weather, great surf, but most importantly kind and vibrant people. It’s as if the scenery is a painted landscape, preserving a natural art, and is something we hope you’ve enjoyed in our photos. But there’s no better way to see for yourself, so get online, scour for some cheap flights, and maybe we’ll catch you down there this summer for the island’s Crop Over Festival!

Meet | Wander | Create

January 21, 2016 Scrimshaw Collective

We recently caught up with an amazing group of travel-inspired creatives in Central Park for an NYC Instameet! Our pal Kristen over at @BorderFreeTravels co-hosted an Instameet with our new friend Jessica of @DiningTraveler called #MeetWanderCreateNYC. The New York Times Travel Show coinciding with the weekend, and this meetup in the Park was a perfect opportunity to share travel stories, meet other passionate wanderlusters, and capture some great photos!

There ended up being six of us, all working on different projects from all over the country (and the world!); continue along for more information about who we met up during the Instameet (please click-through the following hyperlinks to their personal sites/accounts):

· Border Free Travels [Kristen Kellogg]: Wanderlust Website + Creative Agency;

· The Dining Traveler [Jessica van Dop DeJesus]: Travel media specialist with a focus on food and attainable luxury travel;

· Dayvee Sutton: Sports, Lifestyle & Entertainment Journalist/Entrepreneur;

· Tida Jeab: NYC based Thailand Insider, working for the Tourism Authority of Thailand;

· One Carry-On Travel [Marie Frei]: Pack your own carry-on and explore a new destination with confidence.

These professionals are taking the travel world by storm across the globe, while reporting it all from their blogs, websites, and all social media outlets! Make sure to follow all of them along on their adventures, and enjoy a selection of shots from our Instameet.

Photo cred: @BorderFreeTravels — Photo cred: @BorderFreeTravels

Oh the Places We Will Go: Lake Tahoe

November 19, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Sometimes, a picture can explain the entire story. When you are standing at an elevation of 6,225 ft. looking at the largest crystal blue lake you have every seen, it is impossible not to be amazed. This is Lake Tahoe.

Rockaway Brewing Company || Extra Special Brewery

November 16, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

On the corner of 46th Ave. and 5th St. in Long Island City, you’ll find a rustic brick warehouse decorated with brightly colored murals, but what everyone’s actually talking about lies behind the building’s red doors. Originally starting off as backyard homebrewing out in the Far Rockaways by two motivated surfing neighbors, the Rockaway Brewing Company now calls the borough of Queens home and has grown over a few short years to become one of New York City’s most passionate independent craft breweries. With money from their own pockets, plus the love and support of family, friends, and a successful Kickstarter campaign, co-founders Marcus Burnett and Ethan Long have been able to expand and strengthen their business into something truly epic.

They’ve created an amazing space within their brewery for production purposes but also for consumer experience. As quoted on their website, “Someone’s always around doing something interesting,” so why not stop by and see what’s going on! Right when you walk in, there’s a stand on the left to collect all the RBCo. swag you need (ranging from slap koozies, to trucker hats and pint glasses), which then opens up to a tasting bar and lounge area. Hand cut wooden stools scatter the room, and for stopping by on one of the first cold days of the season, the place was packed.

They’re open every day of the week (except Tuesday) til about 9 PM, but are open their longest on Saturday and Sunday (Sa: 12-10, Su: 12-9). Plus they offer free tours of the brewery on Fridays and over the weekend. A vintage pinball table attracts imbibers to the back corner, while the sounds of Jim Morrison and the Beach Boys resonate amidst the patron’s chatter. They’ve also got a studio/gathering space upstairs for workshops, events and dinners!

We got a chance to chat with one of co-founders, Marcus, as we perused the brewing rooms. He provided us with a bit of their history, how they started out at the Rockaways, then found this amazing space in Queens, and decided to make the move. His enthusiasm to be a part of the craft brewery world in New York was obvious, but he was very proud to be paving their own path together with Ethan and the entire team. As he said, they’re not the first to be doing this, nor will they be the last. And the best takeaway was that they’re doing what they love, and doing it really well. Their signature brew is the sweet yet malty Rockaway ESB (extra special bitter), and definitely hits the spot! Their other elixirs include a black gold stout, farmhouse saison, pale ale, ale aged in bourbon barrels, and much-much more.

So go grab a pint, a growler (or five), and get a taste of one of Queen’s rocking breweries, at the Rockaway Brewing Company! CHEERS!

Halloween At Sea: 24 Spooky Hours on Block Island

November 4, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Block Island North Lighthouse has protected the northern tip of the island since 1867.

The town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island, lies 13 miles out at sea, south of Narragansett (RI) and northeast of Montauk (NY). The least-populous municipality in the state boasts a thriving community like no other with nearly 40 percent of the land preserved for conservation. We skipped the Halloween Parade and mischief of New York City this year, to get spooky elsewhere with a one-night escape to the Bermuda of the North, Block Island.

Block Island is just as ideal a New England oasis for seasonal visitors, as it is for a year round community of roughly 1,000 residents. With a diverse history rooted deeply in fishing, farming, sailing and tourism, Block represents a progressive 21st century island that will perpetually celebrate its past.

We’ve visited Block since we were kids, but hadn’t been in a few years, so we figured why not mix-up the routine Halloween debauchery by exploring a quiet island town on the spookiest of weekends! We took ourselves and our car on the traditional ferry out of Pt. Judith (RI). During the summer months, you can take an Amtrak or a Metro-North/Shoreline East combo directly to a high-speed (express) ferry which leaves from right behind the train station in New London, CT (note that this is walk-on only, so if bringing a car you must venture to Pt. Judith; alternatively there is a less frequent high-speed ferry that departs from Montauk).

Aboard the traditional ferry having left Point Judith (Galilee), RI for Block Island, RI.

Rather last minute we booked a suite at The Darius Inn, conveniently located just a two minute walk up the road from the Old Harbor on Dodge Street (directly next door to the Island Free Library). Two sister opened the inn in 2013 which includes all necessary amenities plus a fantastic bohemian charm. The rooms were decorated with global art pieces, funky patterned fabrics on all the pillows, sheets and curtains, plus each night’s stay included an evening happy hour and a full hearty breakfast every morning. The owners even left us a treat on our doorstep; a copy of the book Ghosts of Block Island, which perfectly set the mood for the night ahead. We ended their season (along with a few other tenants) by being the last night’s occupants before closing for the winter. Despite it being their last night, their gracious hospitality will keep us coming back for years to come.

Once checked in, we were off for a day of blue skies, warm weather, and a Spotify playlist full of appropriately queued sea shanties. With a picnic fresh from the island’s main grocery, we took off for the North Light. We set up shop on the far side of the North Light, taking in the incredibly sunny weather by skipping stones and wading in the waves. After that we went for a leisurely hike through the Clay Head Preserve on the northeast side of the island. On a trail running along the ocean cliffs, we spotted a shipwrecked motorboat, and a pod of four seals sunbathing on a rock down below! After nearly getting lost in “The Maze” (another name for the preserve), we headed south to catch sunset out in front of the old Coast Guard Station at the mouth of the Great Salt Pond. Over a celebratory toast, we read a story from our new book about Norman the cook, whose spirit still haunts the Coast Guard Station property to this day!

Hiking through Clay Head Preserve (aka "The Maze") along on the northeastern cliffs of the island.

After an awesome happy hour at the inn, plus a few quick lobster rolls and chowder at the Old Island Pub, we slipped into our Wes Anderson themed outfits and headed to Block’s highlight event for the evening: Yellow Kitten Tavern’s Halloween Costume Party! With over a hundred people dressed to the nines (including Pizza Rat) plus an unstoppable DJ (reminiscent to that of The Pequot House… R.I.P.), the wickedly themed bash quickly became a Halloween tradition we’d love to revisit.

With sand in our hair and full from a delectable breakfast, we kicked off the morning with a visit down to the Southeast Light then a pop over to the Mohegan Bluffs. The southern end of the island is truly exposed to the sea, and is at mercy to the elements; enough so that they had to physically move the lighthouse back 300 feet from the cliffs in the early 1990s! Falling into the wind off the bluffs was the icing on our Halloweekend cake. After a quick drive out to Rodman’s Hollow, we made it back to Old Harbor just in time for the ferry, homeward bound. So if you’re ever in the mood to get out of the city and get a little more “off-the-grid” for All Hallows’ Eve, we’d highly recommend checking-in for a full-fledged funky fest on the amazing Island of Block.

Walking west past the Coast Guard Station, with the mouth of the Great Salt Pond to the right.

Leaf Peekin' in Beacon: Autumn Days in the Hudson River Valley

October 14, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

View looking south of the Hudson River Valley, walking along trails connecting Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park and Madam Brett Park.

Sixty miles north of New York City in Dutchess County, a historic town with industrial roots now boasts one of the Hudson River Valley’s most thriving arts scenes, is home to a range of impressive preservation projects, plus has a range of great eateries, shops, and more. Scrimshaw Collective recently spent the day leaf (and art) peeping around the picturesque city of Beacon, NY. Originally settled where the Fishkill Creek meets the Hudson, Beacon became a mill town, operating grist, then quickly acquired a claim to fame (as far as “claims-to-fame” in the 1800s go), as the “Hat Making Capital of the US,” with an abundant amount of hat factories across the town. Now with a stronger touristy vibe than manufacturing scene, Beacon is a quick hour and twenty-five minute Metro-North ride up the Hudson River line – you could drive 90 minutes, but the views of the river from the train are gorgeous, plus everything’s very accessible by foot; leave the cars at home! The station (situated right on the river) is about a 15 minute walk east of downtown and extremely convenient for commuters and visitors alike.

Arriving on the platform just after 10:30 AM, we hopped off the train and headed south to the world-renowned contemporary art museum, Dia: Beacon, home to the Dia Art Foundation’s collections from the 1960s to today. Opened in 2003, with upwards of 300,000 square feet of space, the Dia: Beacon fills a former 1920s Nabisco box-printing factory, and utilizes the space majestically. Admission is only $12, the exhibits are out of this world, and overall very much worth the time. From fluorescent light displays, to sculptures that fill the room, the collection’s pieces truly range in medium and meaning – P.S. Look out for a feature specifically on Dia: Beacon under our “Art” page coming soon!

After an incredible museum visit, it was time to get back outside under the 70 degree October sunshine! We walked back towards the station, crossed the train tracks and entered Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park. Tucked along the shore, this park provides a beautiful green space and access point to the river (ideally for kayaks or canoes – so if you’re planning on bringing these, a car might actually be the better transport). A large red barn has been converted in to Scenic Hudson River Center, providing educational programming and events. We hiked south along a trail tucked between the train tracks and river, which eventually bends left (back over the train tracks) and turns up into Madam Brett Park. This preserve hugs the north side of Fishkill Creek (click left for trail map), and features an awesome boardwalk that runs parallel to an abandoned grist mill. A very pleasant stroll through the woods, provides great views of the foliage, a bit of history, and finishes with a great observation view of the Tioronda Falls.

Looking south down Fishkill Creek in Madam Brett Park.

Abandoned building along Main Street in downtown Beacon.

After the falls, we walked about twenty minutes north into town. Fashioned as many Northeastern river towns are, the quaint Main Street is full of solid brick buildings (storefronts with apartments up above). Right along the river were a number of old warehouse/factory buildings, some looking in better condition than others. A newly renovated hotel, restaurant and event space, The Roundhouse, looks over another waterfall, and sits across the street from a dilapidated building, that is proposed to be transformed into luxury lofts; a city folk’s fantasy – a mini-Williamsburg waiting to happen! Plus there’s street art (i.e. sculptures, murals, installed paintings) around every corner, which gives the neighborhoods some serious gusto, which mixes perfectly well with the foliage lined alleys. Perusing down Main St., we stopped some real quality sandwiches at the Beacon Bread Company, a little glass blowing exhibit at the Hudson Beach Glass shop, and finished off the afternoon with apple pie ice cream at the Beacon Creamery.

The full day was exactly what the seasonal doctor ordered, to get our fall on. If you need a quick trip out of the city, and are looking for some funky town energy, great art, and first place foliage, then Beacon is a perfect wanderlust outing for New York’s weekend warrior.

Great old cars scattered across town, especially this guy E-braked up a side street.

Postcards from Pastimes: Keeping it in the Family

September 21, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

There’s always something special about a good find at a thrift store, but a recent trip to a particular second-hand shop lead me to the ultimate wanderlust treasure. Back in our neck of the woods of southeastern Connecticut, during one of the last weekends of summer, I decided to peel off Route 1 and check out the jam-packed antique store, Mine. With some time to kill and nothing specific on my mind, I’d see if there was anything worth scooping up for the shoebox apartment I now call home in Manhattan. Little did I know that this quick pit-stop was about to become a moment I’ll never forget.

Perusing the shop, I made my way into a back hall, and spotted a perfectly folded American flag. 50 stars, all cotton, made in Pennsylvania, roughly 9x6 feet, for $28… I’d hit the jackpot. The quality of this flag was incredibly more impressive than those at such markets like the Brooklyn Flea, considering the size for less than thirty bucks. I picked up that flag, and continued hunting. Making my way to the very back of the room, I came upon a large rectangular basket with upwards of 400 postcards. Growing up, my mom would frame vintage postcards of our hometown and places we’ve visited. I guess I subconsciously now have a thing for vintage postcards, so I took a scan through the stack. Diving right into the middle of the batch, I came across a card depicting a scene of swimmers jumping in the Harlam Springs in front of the Arrowhead Hotel (the one just below with the palm trees and mountain range in the distance). I think to myself, now anywhere with mountains and palm trees, I could get used to that.

After studying the image on the front, I flip it over to see the note. “Oh you winter weather!” it reads, sent from Riverside, California on November 14, 1911, to the local town of Norwich, Connecticut. Initially, I think how awesome, a card more than 100 years old is in such great condition and made such a cross-country trip back in the day; how long did it back then for a postcard to travel from coast-to-coast? Then examining the sendee, I nearly fall to the ground. As mentioned, the card was sent to Norwich, CT (where my father and his family grew up), and the card is addressed to Mr. Arthur Crowell at 102 Williams Street… Well Mr. Arthur Crowell of Williams Street in Norwich happened to be my great-great grandfather. I couldn’t believe what I was holding. A postcard sent to my great-great grandfather nearly 104 years ago, and it had stumbled into my hands… I was quite honestly speechless.

I immediately went through the entire basket of postcards hoping to find another one to Arthur. After 45 minutes of looking postcards from pastimes, I found 21 cards addressed to Arthur Crowell, and six to his son Frank Crowell (my great-grandfather). Cards sent from all over the US, Canada, the UK, Bermuda and beyond, between the years 1908 and 1914. Having trouble processing what had just happened, I shared my story with the employees who rang me out with the “Fate Rate” giving me something like a family discount (only on the cards, not the flag). I walked out of there with my heart pounding and a new long list of destinations to add to my bucketlist. Someday I’d like to stand where the photos in the cards are from, and think back to the people who were writing these historic men of my family lineage. A really blah afternoon turned into a super surreal moment I’ll remember forever, and one that proves these cards were meant to come back to someone in the family; I’m just lucky they made their was back to me. Check out a few of my favorites photographed below!

36 Hours in Vacationland

August 24, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Scrimshaw recently covered some serious ground over a quick two-day/one-night weekend in Southern Maine, spending a jam-packed 36-hour whirlwind exploring island trails, cobblestone streets, and eating as much seafood as possible along the way. There’s a lot to see in New England’s largest state, but this summer we sunk our teeth into coastal Maine, scouring thousands of islands, searching for that perfect wanderlust getaway. An island was settled on for the first destination, a loose planned return itinerary was mapped out, and we were on our way.

After two trains, no planes, and one willing Prius, I hit the road for a little town called New Harbor, in pursuit of a 9:00 AM ferry out to the North Atlantic oasis of Monhegan. Covering nearly one square mile twelve miles out at sea, Mohegan Island boasts a year-round community of less than 65 people. Known traditionally for its lobstering trade, the island has more than 17 miles of hiking trails, a rusting shipwreck, Maine’s only island brewery, plus a thriving artist’s colony that blossoms during the summer months. After a fifty minute voyage, the ferry pulls up to the sole dock nestled in a quiet harbor. The much smaller island of Manana (pronounced like banana) hugs the Western side of Monhegan, creating a narrow channel, safe for boats to moor and people to paddle about. With no cars – nor paved roads – on the island, four pickup trucks await to deliver luggage (if you so choose) to passenger’s destinations; opting not to use the trucks, I headed up the dirt road on foot for my home for the night, the Mohegan House. Getting a room on the fourth floor, I quickly changed into my trunks, dug out my goggles, and sprinted back off the main town dock plunging into the blue ocean below. I swam furiously across to Manana attempting to ignore the 58 °F water. The neighboring rock historically housed a Coast Guard station (now uninhabited), but a rambunctious drove of goats (the local landscapers) run the place. The alpha-male goat wasn’t warming up to me as much as I’d hoped, so I quickly took in the picturesque view of Mohegan from across the bay, and dove back in swimming for a barnacle lined ladder fastened to the town dock.

After an al fresco lobster roll down at the Fish House, I spent the day leisurely strolling around. I stopped by the Memorial Library, caught a boat tour aboard the Balmy Days II around the island highlighting great views of the eastern cliffs, participated in the village’s live-auction to support MISCA (the Monhegan Island Sustainable Community Association), then finished the afternoon at the Mohegan Brewing Company. While sampling the island's ales in the brewery's side yard, I befriended a couple of seasonal regulars who’ve been coming here for years. As the stories began flowing and the pints kept pouring, we soon discovered we had mutual friends back in Groton Long Point! To make such a connection out at sea, reaffirmed that the world really isn't that big after all, and proved once again that life truly is good. I rang out the evening toasting G&T's over steak tips on my new friend's deck, followed by one of the most colossal Milky Way gazing sessions I’ve had in years; ZERO LIGHT POLLUTION!

Before I knew it, I was on my last grapefruit wedge of the complementary breakfast at the Monhegan House’s restaurant, tucked my most recent copy of AFAR magazine under my arm, and was running down to catch the ferry back to the mainland. My new friends met at the town wharf to bid their farewell, and introduced me to the awesome tradition of casting a handful of wildflowers over the side of the ferry into the ocean, as those staying wave goodbye! The amazing power of community out on Monhegan resonated over the sound as I watched the whale-shaped island disappear in the distance.

Back behind the wheel, I headed down Route 1 towards Portland, but had a few stops to make along the way. First stop was a tasty half dozen oysters on the porch at Schooner Landing Restaurant & Marina in Damariscotta. Followed by a wicked good flea market just south of Wiscasset, I then bought some fresh roadside blueberry jam from a happy toothless couple! I had a quick obligatory stop at Freeport’s Patagonia Outlet store, across from L.L. Bean, then descended into one the east coast’s best cities, Portland. I somehow found a parking spot with an hour on the meter, and made a dash for my go-to locales. Had a great visit with the guys over at Maine Surfer’s Union, and chatted with them about their recent “Any Port in a Storm” store throwdown. Off to my second round of oysters at the increasingly popular Eventide, I got a seat right at the bar near the shucking team who made the annoyance of opening an oyster look utterly graceful. With two minutes to spare on the meter, I had more stop to make before crossing into New Hampshire, and that was a newer brewery in Lyman, called Funky Bow. The father/son operated company had a live band going strong with a huge yard of tables and chairs (bustling with customers), brick oven pizza, puppies galore and a damn fine “So Folkin’ Hoppy” IPA! Their gracious hospitality, delectable brews, and laidback atmosphere only had me wanting more; everyone should make them a priority on their next New England micro-brewery tour!

Alas, the trip had come to end as I drove south along I-95, heading back to “reality.” The great state of Maine offers endless activities, incredible people, and lots of room to explore. So take up some of our suggestions on your next trip north and make sure to get a long pour of the incomparable Vacationland.

The Thimble Islands: A Coastal Connecticut Classic

August 17, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

One of the beautiful homes on the outskirts of the Thimble Islands, with intricate stone work along the porch and exterior of the property.

Just east of New Haven, Connecticut, lies the tiny village of Stony Creek (located in Branford). One of the many highlight’s of Stony Creek’s coastal historic district are the collection of pink granite rocks scattered across the harbor, known at the Thimble Islands; in addition to making a great foundation for a summer cottage - the Thimble Island's pink granite stone was also used to construct the base for NY's very own Statue of Liberty! The Thimble Islands are a very special group of islands that vary in size, usage, property value, and history. The first European to come across the islands, was Dutchman Adrian Block, more commonly associated with Rhode Island’s popular destination, Block Island. Through the generations, Thimble Islands have consistently maintained a truly New England charm like no other.

Operating off the end of the town pier on Indian Point Road, the Thimble Island Cruise line takes visiting tourists on a 45 minutes boat tour navigating the shallow waters. Avoiding swimmers, boaters and a heap of paddle boarders, the captain and first mate educate the onboard stowaways with a rich history of the various islands, their structures, owners (past and present), plus lots of fun tidbits thrown in. Picture a leisurely ride in one of Disney’s parks, except instead of taking pictures of mechanical puppets chiming in a high-pitched unison, you’re taking a joy ride on a tiny motorboat photographing multi-million dollar properties.

A majority of the tiny islands house single home properties, but there are a few islands that have more than one house on them. One of the more populated islands, Money Island, prior to the turn of the twentieth century, used to have a “thriving” year-round community on it, with a church, general store, post office, and even a single-lane bowling alley (although you had to set the pins up manually)! With names like, Mother-In-Law, Outer, Bear, Rogers, Horse, Cut-in-Two, these islands boast some really fun histories, and are simply fascinating to look at. Day dreaming of winning the lottery, we wrapped up the tour and headed back for ice cream at the hole-in-the-wall cafe, Stony Creek Marine & Cuisine. Devouring some well-deserved mint chocolate chip, we briefly contemplated buying one the cheaper islands currently on the market: a single rock with a wooden gazebo built on it for just under $200,000.00… but the catch is that - you can’t build on it! The current owner occasionally ties his houseboat up the small dock and hangs out in the gazebo during the summer months. Without giving any more of the tour away, the most expensive island property sold for $22 million not long ago, and is one of the craziest private oases we’ve seen!

Here’s a link for the tour company, Thimble Island Cruises, so next time you’re stuck on I-95 on your way back to the city, need a quick hour break on the water, and don't mind spending $12.00, check out their schedule to learn a little bit more about the nutmeg state’s coastal lineage.

Diner en Blanc: A Classy Flash Mob Dinner Party

August 5, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Finding yourself in the middle of a flash mob dinner party, with 5,000 New Yorkers dressed to the nines in all white clothing, is the perfect way to spend an evening in July.

Diner en Blanc is a dinner party that kept secret until minutes before the event actually begins. While this particular night has become cultish and more popular in recent years, it originated 27 years ago when Francois Pasquier wanted to have a dinner party with friends after returning from traveling. So many of his friends wanted to attend, he asked to meet at the Bois du Boulogne and to be dressed in all white, so they were recognizable. This event grew into the exclusive dinner party that it is today and is celebrated in only the most deserving cities all over the world.

Diner en Blanc begins when guests meet at their assigned locations all over NYC only to follow their table leader through the underbelly of the city to an undisclosed location. All this time, the people in attendance are carrying their picnic baskets full of food and their tables and chairs. Upon arrival, there is a sea of New Yorkers wearing decadent white clothing, who create elaborate dinner settings within minutes. In no time, Pier 26 transforms from an empty west side location into a thriving dinner party with thousands of guests, music, food, and lots of wine. While the event is located in NYC, the original Parisian dinner party is not lost due to the music and theme of the night.

When the announcement is made for guests to waive their napkins overhead, the night has officially begun. Between great conversation, cheering, popping of corks, clinking of wine glasses, professional bongo players and French music, the dinner is nothing short of the classiest flash mob anyone has ever been to. It doesn’t take long for the wine to flow and the dance floor to become packed, thanks to Miss Tara.

The night is filled with friends and couples, dancing, eating, drinking, and smiling all while wearing white outfits. But, just as quickly as we arrived, the event concludes and everyone disappears into the warm NYC night, ending another successful year of Diner en Blanc.