Condensed below, you’ll discover what some of the world’s most credible experts consider the best coffee desserts, submarines, secret parks, recipes, and much, much more.
Submarines
Though the Beatles all lived in a yellow submarine, the rest of us only get to go on tours of submersibles. Not that we’re complaining. “There’s something that just grabs the imagination about being in a boat underwater,” says submarine enthusiast and restoration specialist Richard Pekelney. A veteran volunteer and preservation engineer on the USS Pampanito in San Francisco, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Historic Naval Ships Association. Get below the surface with Pekelney’s picks.
USS Drum Mobile, Alabama
One of World War II’s unsung superstars has become a National Historic Landmark, now resting permanently on the grass at Battleship Memorial Park near the USS Alabama. Because Drum is out of the water, visitors can check out the entire hull from top to bottom, providing a rare and interesting perspective. Inside, the sub still attracts admirers who come to see the original equipment.
USS Cod Cleveland
A waterfront fixture, Cod is one of the most beautifully preserved subs in the country and the only one that hasn’t cut doors or stairways into the hull for easier visitor entry. You have to climb down the same hatch and vertical ladder that the sailors did. Once inside, the detailing of this boat—credited with sinking more than a dozen enemy vessels—really hits you. Original cups and plates stand in the galley alongside food cans with replicas of World War II–era labels. It feels like the original crew just walked off for a moment.
USS Pampanito San Francisco
Berthed at Fisherman’s Wharf, Pampanito remains one of the finest restored World War II subs. And I’m not just saying that because I volunteer here. More than half of the equipment still works, including a 4-foot-by-5-foot torpedo data computer and an 800-pound ice cream machine designed so that it could be disassembled and squeezed through a 21-inch hatch. An excellent self-guided audio tour provides a haunting sense of what the crew of 80 endured during Pampanito’s service in the Pacific.
USSNautilus Groton, Connecticut
The star attraction at the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum is the world’s first nuclear powered sub, and one of only two currently open to the public. The other is in France. Nautilus’s World War II hull shape and early Cold War–era interior may appear dated by today’s standards, but the vessel represents a dramatic technological leap forward.Once submarines were freed from the need to refresh their air and batteries, they became much more difficult to find. Nautilus performed some unthinkable feats for the time, like becoming in 1958 the first ship to cross the North Pole.
German U-505 Chicago
Very few German submarines survived World War II. In a bold maneuver, U.S. sailors climbed onto this sinking vessel after its German crew attempted to scuttle it off the coast of West Africa. Now U-505 is housed in an indoor facility at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. Visitors can explore the cramped torpedo room, petty officers’ and captain’s quarters, and engine room of the only German U-boat in the United States. Interactive exhibits here include re-creations of the U-505’s control room and conning tower that respond to your commands, and a set of touch-screen stations that test your “enemy” code-breaking skills.
Secret Parks
More than 62 million people visited America’s national parks last year, 15 million more than pushed through the turnstiles at Disney World. That makes the most popular parks more packed on peak summer weekends than Tomorrowland. But if you want to avoid the crowds, talk to Bill Wade. The former ranger and park manager now heads the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees. With three decades at eight parks under his flat-brimmed Stetson, Wade suggests four national parks you’ve probably never visited—but should.
Mesa Verde
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt authorized these 600 cliff dwellings in Colorado—270 miles north of Albuquerque, New Mexico—as the first national park to preserve the works of man. Two loop roads provide access to multiple overlooks that provide even better views. I grew up here—my father worked as chief ranger—and have always favored Square Tower, a four-story structure tucked back in a canyon near the popular Cliff Palace site; and Balcony House, which you enter by climbing a 32-foot ladder and then crawling though a tunnel on your hands and knees.
Dry Tortugas
A cluster of six sandy islands and reefs surrounded by the turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico, Dry Tortugas offers an experience unlike any other park in the system. Besides the incredible snorkeling and bird life, the main island houses Fort Jefferson, an enormous brick fortress built in the mid-1800s to improve America’s coastal defenses. Its military history stretches from the pirate days to the Spanish–American War. To get there, you’ll have to arrive by boat or seaplane from Key West, Florida, 70 miles east.
Canyonlands
The nearby Arches and Capitol Reef national parks receive twice as many visitors every year, which means you can move more freely in Canyonlands’ rugged, burnt-orange landscape. Start in the north at Island in the Sky, the most accessible of the park’s three sections—and 240 miles southeast of Salt Lake City—and drive out to the Grand View Point Overlook. A thousand feet below, the surging Colorado and Green rivers unite and flow to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. For another perspective, float the park’s famous rapids, including Cataract Canyon, on multi-day trips that start near Moab and finish at Lake Powell.
Big Bend
Containing three environments—mountain, desert, and river—in one park, this isolated nook along the Rio Grande River attracts adventurous travelers. As a reward for the long drive—the park lies 240 miles southwest of Midland, Texas—visitors will spot a crown of 7,000-foot peaks rising from the Texas plains. The Chisos Mountains ring the aptly named Chisos Basin, whose highlights include the five-mile Window Trail. From the visitors’ center, you’ll descend into Chihuahua Desert, which blooms each spring with spectacular wildflowers.
Death Valley
Death Valley lies 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas, but you’ll find a night-and-day difference between the two. That’s because Death Valley isn’t a barren desert, but a place of razor-topped mountains, fields of wildflowers, and rare animals from bighorn sheep to sidewinder rattlers. Be sure to head to the park’s northern corner to visit Scotty’s Castle, a Spanish Mission–style villa dating from the 1930s with a history as wild as the West. Unlike most national parks, peak season here runs from February to March, when mild temperatures offer more comfortable traveling and the wildflowers bloom.
Coffee Desserts
This summer, take your coffee cold—Popsicle cold. “The complex flavor of coffee complements that creamy, sweet richness we love in gelato and ice cream,” says Mark Scarbrough, coauthor with Bruce Weinstein of The Ultimate Frozen Dessert Book. Since we all take our frozen coffee treats differently, we asked Scarbrough and Weinstein for options to suit all tastes. Just remember to bring your ice cream scoop.
For the Gourmet
Granita al caffè con panna
* Granita means “little grains” in Italian, an apt name for this icy treat. The Sicilian spin on the dish is granita al caffè con panna, sometimes served for breakfast in Sicily on hot days.
2 1/2 cups brewed, cooled espresso or strong coffee
1/4 cup coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Kahlúa
2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup sugar, preferably superfine
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind, finely chopped
Whisk all ingredients except heavy cream in a large bowl until sugar dissolves. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and freeze on the floor of your freezer for about two hours, scraping and stirring with a fork every 20 minutes or so to break apart the ice crystals and distribute them through the mixture. After two hours, granita should be frozen but still soft. Smooth out the crystals for the last time, then cover pan with plastic wrap.
For granita al caffè con panna, scrape up topmost granita with a fork. Meanwhile, beat heavy cream until it doubles in volume. Dish out the whipped cream into individual serving bowls, plates, or cups, then stir in scraped-up granita and serve immediately. Makes about 4 servings.
For the Tradionalist
Coffee Ice Cream
3/4 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks, at room temperature
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole or 2 percent milk
3/4 cup dark-roasted coffee beans
1 3/4 cups heavy or whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a heavy saucepan, bring milk and coffee beans to a simmer over medium heat. Once hot, pour mixture into a bowl, cover, and set aside for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, use a mixer to beat sugar and yolks in a large bowl at medium speed until mixture becomes thick and pale yellow, about four minutes. Beat in flour and salt. After coffee mixture cools, use a slotted spoon to remove coffee beans from milk. Slowly beat the milk into the eggs and sugar. Pour entire mixture back into pan and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until custard thickens slightly. Be careful not to let mixture boil, as the eggs will scramble. Remove from heat and pour hot coffee custard through a strainer into a large bowl. Let mixture cool for five minutes, then stir in cream and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate at least four hours. Later, stir chilled custard and freeze in ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Makes about 1 quart (double for half-gallon machines).
For the Europhile
Espresso Gelato
5 large egg yolks, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons packed dark-brown sugar
2 2/3 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
At medium speed, beat yolks and both sugars with an electric mixer in a bowl for about three minutes. Meanwhile, heat milk and cream in a saucepan—bubbles will appear around the edges when hot enough. Whisk espresso powder into beaten egg yolks, then add 1/3 of hot milk mixture. Now whisk entire thing into remaining milk mixture in the pan. Once completely mixed, reduce heat to low and stir constantly, gently heating the custard until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon—about five minutes. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to strain it into a clean bowl and take care not to scrape out any solids that may have cooked onto the bottom of the pan. Stir in vanilla and salt. Refrigerate at least four hours. Freeze in ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Makes about 1 quart (double for half-gallon machines.)
Vow Renewal Destinations
June marks the start of wedding season, but not just for first-timers. Whether intimate gatherings or big blowout bashes with family and friends, vow-renewal ceremonies offer a way for couples to reaffirm their commitment. Add in a spectacular destination, and you’ve got romance on tap for the next 30. Wedding planner Lisa Light, author of Destination Bride and the driving force behind destinationbride.com, picks the best spots to re-tie the knot.
Auberge du Soleil
Napa Valley, California
You’ll imagine you’re in Provence, France, at this inn and spa, with its French-California cuisine, Mediterranean feel, and stunning views of the valley. Renew your vows beside a wisteria-covered trellis on the private ceremony deck as the sun sets over surrounding vineyards. The resort offers a variety of wedding packages to accommodate small parties or large groups. You can book one of two 1,800-square-foot “private maisons” that feature a personal terrace and hot tub and rediscover the romance.
Little Palm Island Little Torch Key, Florida
This private island resort, accessible only by boat or seaplane from Little Torch Key—200 miles south of Ft. Lauderdale—offers 30 incredible oceanfront suites and a blissful tropical setting for any commitment ceremony. Renew your vows in the Zen garden or at a sunset gathering on the beach. Little Palm Island is the epitome of “barefoot luxury,” with thatched-roof cottages, pristine exotic gardens, and white-sand beaches. Pamper yourselves at the Indonesian-themed spa, swim with the dolphins in nearby Grassy Key, or just reconnect while relaxing in the sand.
The Wheatleigh Lenox, Massachusetts
One of my favorite properties for weddings, vow renewals, or honeymoons, the Wheatleigh accommodates both large-group parties and smaller gatherings. Located 50 miles east of Albany, New York, the Florentine-style mansion is surrounded by 22 leafy acres and blends old-world style with modern elegance. Tiffany windows lead to a great hall looking out over green hills and a treed sculpture garden—a setting that’s both majestic and intimate for vow renewals.
Cocktail
To make the light, refreshing Cucumber Melon, Nancy Smith—general manager at Michael Smith in Kansas City, Missouri—uses Hendrick’s gin, a Scottish liquor that has an herbal aroma and a slight cucumber finish. But don’t add any sugar, since the ripe cantaloupe sweetens the drink nicely.
Cucumber Melon
9 1-inch chunks or balls of fresh cantaloupe
1 2-inch-thick slice of cucumber, peeled and seeded
1-3/4 ounces Hendrick’s gin
1 thin slice of cucumber, cut lengthwise and with skin on
Drop six chunks of the cantaloupe and the peeled, seeded cucumber in a food processor and blend to a smooth purée. Pour the purée into an ice-filled cocktail shaker and add the gin. Shake vigorously, then strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. To garnish, thread the thin cucumber slice onto a skewer like a ribbon, alternating with the three remaining balls of cantaloupe. Makes one Cucumber Melon.
