Season 2 Episode 8 (9/16): Ivy League Baklava. Needham, MA to Providence, RI

 Season 2 Episode 8 (9/16): Ivy League Baklava. Needham, MA to Providence, RI – 

65 miles. 2,003’ climbing.

We knew it would be hard to get back on our bikes and leave, but the task was made so much easier by our nephew Bram honoring us with a guest ride appearance, and escorting us for the first hour.

Guest rider nephew Bram - he’s the one in bright neon yellow.

I find that riding with a new party is especially uplifting to Heather as she likes to talk while riding and let’s face it, she can get tired of my shtick. We initiated Bram to saying the Pledge of Allegiance with us and our morning blessings of tires, bikes and bodies. I realize now we didn’t bless his bike, so was relieved he made it home safely. It was so special to have him be part of our journey.

Uncle and nephew bonding

When we arrived at Marla’s two days ago, we hoped to find some of her family-favorite, homemade banana bread that is a staple of visits with one another. We had been disappointed there was none, until our niece Carly surprised us with her own upholding of the baking tradition. About two hours into our ride, we paused in Franklin State Forest to savor our last piece of Carly’s gift.

Thank you, Carly, for slices of banana heaven

Our last ride in Massachusetts was on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. It was 2.8 miles through the forest. As much as it’s incredibly peaceful to ride in the woods, unconcerned about vehicles, we only enjoy it for small stretches. Heather would much rather ride a paved surface as the stones and twigs cause her more stress. It’s a wonderful break from the roads but we move slower.

Southern New England Trunkline Trail

Around midday we entered Rhode Island and enjoyed riding the fabulous paved Blackstone River Bikeway from Woonsocket most of the way to Providence. For a stretch of riding along the Blackstone River, I felt transported as if I was riding out west in Colorado.

Back in Maine, I started asking people we’d pass if this is the right way to Florida? I’d get the reaction I hoped for from some people, but several didn’t think it was as funny as I did. Heather being one of them. At least somebody at the ECG thought to put this sign up so we knew we were on the right way.

Key West, 2,385 miles to go.

Our destination was Brown University, which we’d never seen. After a memorable falafel lunch stop at East Side Pockets, we rode around campus which was much smaller than we’d expected. We consulted students (one was from Singapore and one from Durham, NC) as to which was the best local ice cream within minutes of campus. (“Three Sisters” for ice cream had been endorsed to me by a friend but it was too far out of our way for us to bike there.)

The students suggested Kow Kow and Like No Udder. The truth is they were lukewarm about both, but they did rave enthusiastically about the baklava at Aleppo Sweets.

We went to Like No Udder and I got sucked in by the “Cherry Seinfeld” flavor gimmick (cherry flavored base with cherries and chocolate flakes.) I ordered a shake of Cherry Seinfeld mixed with cookies and cream.

Heather asked how it was and I said good. She challenged me that she didn’t think I liked it that much since she hadn’t heard one moan. Darn, she was right. This was a sub-par order. Even the straw sucked (pun intended) as it had a poor texture and was too narrow to allow proper flow of the chunks. Even adding a second straw did not help the flow. We then agreed you need average and below average experiences in food (and in life!) in order for the above average to stand out.

If honest, a one straw rating.

I could not go down in dessert defeat, so I went to Aleppos Sweets. I planned to buy only one baklava for the road. Well either the aroma, look, their good salesmanship or my indecisiveness resulted in me leaving with a container of four to go. Since Heather is allergic to nuts, that meant all for me.

We started to ride to our hotel, a Holiday Inn Express, and GPS showed a 4 p.m. arrival. We were excited to be done that early. But then I double checked the reservation and saw I’d used the wrong Holiday Inn address, and we had an additional hour of riding. Ugh. That was a struggle. Mostly because of what my expectations were. Heather has said to our kids for as long as I can remember that all anger stems from unmet expectations. I had myself to blame.

Eventually we arrived, and ate dinner where I needed a high top table so I could basically stand instead of sitting on my unhealed saddle sores.

Back in the hotel, I remembered my uneaten dessert and dug in. I thought I’d have one or two and save the others for the morning. But so much for that idea. WOW! I was over the moon! From the classic with chopped walnuts, classic with chopped pistachios, and lady fingers with crushed pistachios, I could not stop nor choose a favorite. It was sweetness exploding in my mouth. All I can say is if you are on I-95 passing Providence, pull off and pick up some Aleppo Sweets baklava. I know I will.

Trust Ivy League dessert baklava

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