Paul not only writes many of the articles in the pages of this magazine, he is also the publisher and editor of all of the magazines in the Amygis Publishing’s family of travel magazines. He loves exploring, traveling the back roads, experiencing the world, and finding what is unique and memorable about the places he visits.
And he loves writing – poetry, short stories, essays, non-fiction, news, and. of course, travel writing.
For over 20 years, he has shared his explorations with readers in a wide variety of outlets, from groundbreaking forays into the first stirrings of the dot-com boom to travel guides, local newspapers, and television, including Runner’s World, Travel Lady, Providence Journal, and Northstar Travel Media. He currently publishes and writes for Amygis Publishing’s magazines Jaunting, Northeast Traveler, and Rhode Island Roads.
Articles by Paul Pence
Two Days Isn't Enough For
Downtown Portsmouth
By Paul Pence
Portsmouth New Hampshire’s walkable downtown and harbor area is the perfect blend of modern hip urban and small town cozy.
Strolling through the charming streets of downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, my wife and I couldn't help but feel like urban, small town, and hip artsy culture all blended together to create something special. We were clearly in a city’s downtown, but there were no towering skyscrapers. The classic New England main street vibe still existed with the colorful shop fronts encouraging us to visit boutiques and cafes and art galleries and gift shops, but they carried a the modern-urban hip feel you’d expect from a university town. Classic architecture like the repurposed warehouses now lofts and apartments and museums and music venues showed a lively city life, but juxtaposed with carefully-preserved historical buildings, it was a city that hasn’t lost its small town heritage.
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Piloting a Private Plane
Flying Over Rhode Island
By Paul Pence
Adventure is sometimes, very literally, in the air!
One of mankind’s greatest dreams came true for me. I flew. I climbed into a small plane, settled into the pilot's seat, taxied to the runway, took off, and in no time was sailing 2000 feet above the Rhode Island coastline at over 100 miles an hour. Of course, it wasn't that simple, I didn't actually do the take- off and landing, and the licensed pilot was right there every moment, but I did steer the plane left and right, up and down, and around a couple tight corners.
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North Country
Maple Sugaring
Feature By Paul Pence
Experience the magic of turning tree sap into delicious maple syrup!
Maple sugaring is one of the trickiest agricultural endeavors - while the trees grow all year around, sweet maple sap flows only under certain weather conditions. Some years those conditions last for weeks and there's a bumper crop of maple syrup. Other years it doesn't happen at all. And, sometimes, it comes and goes so fast you have to scurry up to the New Hampshire mountains to get your share of the maple sugaring experience.
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The Northeast’s Highest Peak
Mount Washington
Feature By Paul Pence
Everyone had been to the top of Mt. Washington except me, so I finally took the drive to the peak.
As I set out on my journey up Mt. Washington, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. I had lived in New England for 25 years and making the trip up the highest peak in the Northeast seemed to be a critical rite of passage that I had somehow missed.
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Skiing, Dog Sledding, Adventure!
Wintering in Stowe
Feature by Paul Pence
World Class Skiing in a Classic New England Village
White-mantled fields with occasional patches of tall grass poking through the snow grace Route 100 as it winds its way into Vermont’s Green Mountains. White-flocked trees, still clinging to the last snowfall, stand like frosted sentries along the edges of the fields and riverbanks. It’s not wilderness, not with restaurants and stores, but the village of Stowe is rural by almost any standard. The town sits just 30 miles from the Burlington International Airport or a scenic five-hour drive from Rhode Island – a place worth the trip simply for its scenic beauty and New England charm, but during the winter, there’s a special reason to visit Stowe. It is home to the top ski area in the eastern US.
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Foxwoods Resort Casino
Winter Fun!
Article by Paul Pence
Winter at Foxwoods includes ice skating, dining, and shows, not just gaming.
Even with Christmas over, the festive spirit continues at Foxwoods throughout the winter, with dazzling decorations, entertaining shows, amazing dining, shopping, and – best of all – ice skating!
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Adair Country Inn and Restaurant
Refinement in the Real New Hampshire
Feature by Paul Pence
North of the White Mountains, find the Real New Hampshire… and a refined inn!
Driving north from Rhode Island, we push through the Boston's extended suburbs that dwindle away as we venture deeper into New Hampshire. Further north, we discover the part of New Hampshire that exists to serve tourists -- the attractions around Lake Winnipesaukee, the ski resorts, and the natural wonders that make hiking and camping in the White Mountains a thrill. But north of the White Mountains, beyond the ski resorts and the bustling communities that serve them, New Hampshire returns to its rustic roots. It's peace, quiet, and wilderness around Bethlehem -- not at all where you'd expect to find a four-diamond country inn
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Celebrating the Holidays with
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Feature by Paul Pence, Photos by Jason McEachern
Seven surprising things I didn’t know about TSO
When I first heard about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I simply assumed from the name that it was a Russian symphony doing a culture-exchange tour. I was surprised to find out that it was actually an American rock band. I'd heard their Christmas music on the radio from time to time and even confused them with another one of my seasonal favorites - Mannheim Steamroller. I should wear a sign saying "musically challenged". Then my wife and I had a chance to watch the TSO perform in person at the Mohegan Sun Arena. I had an evening of great music and even more surprises.
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God Bless Us, Everyone!
Trinity’s “A Chirstmas Carol”
Story by Paul Pence, Photos by Mark Turek
Dickens’ classic story of redemption gets us all in the mood for Christmas
Trinity’s production of A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite Rhode Island traditions. It’s a joy to be reminded that redemption can be earned by those willing to accept it, whether the redemption is for a life focused on greed or for opportunities lost. We know that if Ebenezer Scrooge, of all people, the old moneylender who has lost his way can be given a chance on Christmas Eve to rediscover it, then maybe it’s not too late for the rest of us.
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Rockport on a
Blustery Day
Feature by Paul Pence
New England’s seacoast villages are a great getaway, even on a blustery November weekend!
During the summer, you may look forward to a short boat ride and a picnic at Rockport’s famous twin granite lighthouses, rising 124 feet above Thatcher Island and guiding ships safely around the cape for more than 150 years. For higher adventure, summer visitors can enjoy whale-watching boats and those of us who are land-bound can enjoy hiking the scenic trails of Halibut Point State Park. But a visit to Rockport on a wet late-autumn weekend calls for staying in the town, exploring shops and galleries, and enjoying a cozy bed at a Rockport B&B.
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