My Top 5 Counties to Get Away To in Summer (when distance matters)

1. Ulster County, NY - trees and sweet air and fresh produce and creeks and art and stars and side-of-the-road finds all centrally located to dip into the other lovely neighboring upstate counties; 120 minutes 

2./3. Bucks County, PA/Hunterdon County, NJ - inns and galleries and flea/antique markets and lots of open land straddling the Delaware River with Jersey on one side and Pennsylvania on the other; an amazing 90 minutes flat

4. New London County, CT - sea air and old nooks and crannies and winding back roads and lobster all beautifully drawn out on those colorful tourist maps you can find in every shop on the Main Streets; 180 minutes on a good day

5. Monmouth County, NJ - beaches and farm stands and ice cream and light houses and miniature golf where the summer woozy nights are short and sweet; 60 minutes of reckless driving