It has only been a few months since I have left home, but there are some days that I truly feel homesick. I have enjoyed my time in a new place, but there are things back home that just aren’t the same anywhere else. Most people will probably say “you probably miss the casinos, there’s always something to do there.” Personally, I hated the casinos. I miss some things, that if you drive right by, you’ll probably miss them.

1.Clyde’s Cider Mill

I mean come on. Anyone who has ever been here knows that it’s not fall without a cup of their cider. Even better when it’s paired with a warm cider donut. Do they do shipping?

2. Fred Shanty’s

Every summer, me and my friend would go visit this side of the road “beach shack” for some traditional beach food, hotdogs and French fries. It wasn’t even the food that made it a perfect spot. The view. If you went at the right time of day, you could see the perfect view of the sun and the waves. I’m a sucker for a good water view, and that always filled my fix.

3.Mystic, CT

Of course working here for six years makes me a little bias, but I never had a problem being here. It was always a positive quality that I could walk to the beach every time I got out of work. Be able to sit on a bench and take in the scenery. The people were friendly, and being constantly by the water wasn’t half bad either. The worst time to be in Mystic as a townie? Summer

4. Misquamicut Beach

This was a summer tradition. At the end of the summer, we always headed to the beach. Kind of like a proper farewell. That was always my favorite part.

5. Home

You always leave your heart at home. Whether you’re a mile or a thousand miles. You always feel better when you cross the line to your hometown. That right there is the part I miss the most. The familiarity. The sigh of relief you feel because it’s all you’ve ever known. That is what I miss, more than anything in the world.