“Have car. Will travel.” — Not my official motto, but one that I’m trying to live my life by more and more. Once I have access, what’s stopping me from exploring other than myself? Am I right? Prior to Thanksgiving, my boyfriend planned a weekend trip for the two of us. The rules? No more than three hours away, reasonable pricing and newness, newness, newness! (We wanted to try something we both hadn’t done.)

We had a blast driving to Norfolk, Connecticut, taking the scenic route and driving through covered bridges, small towns and fall foliage galore. Here was our itinerary for the trip, with some slight commentary on my part:

• Arrive at the Manor House (3:00pm)
  • Operated by innkeeper Patti Sinclair, the Manor House is a cozy B&B built in 1898. With seven guest rooms, the Manor House is always bustling with guests, and the sense of community is surprisingly strong, given the brief stays of the Manor House’s visitors. I loved getting to know fellow Connecticut
    travelers, and especially enjoyed my time chatting with Patti. What a wonderful hostess! The Manor House is the perfect New England B&B– equipped with an excess of fireplaces, Tiffany glass windows and triple-berry pancakes. Lucky us, it even snowed!
• Dinner at Wood Creek Bar & Grill (6:15pm)
  • An awesome place for elevated bar food, Wood Creek is a great place to dine at prior to visiting the Infinity Hall. Grab a drink, or a Jalapeno Popper Burger, and enjoy yourself in the warm, friendly atmosphere. New England hospitality at its finest and most intimate!
• Infinity Music Hall (8:00pm)
  • The Infinity Music Hall has given Norfolk a much deserved tourism boost. Drawing in music enthusiasts from across New England, Infinity Music Hall is a converted Victorian Opera House that boasts some great musicians and performers. Garrett and I had the pleasure of dancing to Average White Band, a Scottish R&B and funk band. I have never heard a saxophone solo as impressive as that of AWB’s alto sax. So much fun, and definitely a venue I want to return to.
• Haystack Mountain Walk (9:00am)
  • Unfortunately, or fortunately (?), the foot of snow we received overnight prevented Garrett and me from taking our hike to Haystack Mountain. Apparently, it’s an easy nature walk that ends at a stone tower. Reason to come back!