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Kimberly may be getting ready for her next New Hampshire escape, and
this blog has been discontinued. Thanks for visiting and happy travels!
 July 5, 2007
Surely one of my top 5 Main Street Communities is Nashua, New Hampshire's historic downtown, turned mecca of fabulous privately owned heavens. Past blogs represent a chef's dream, Bikini Bottom's Best, and even a James Bond and Antonio Banderas hangout. But as I watched my husband play his soccer game this morning, I realized that I have completely left out Nashua's outdoor offerings. So bring your bike, kayak or running shoes and start at Mines Falls for plenty of open air adventure.
June 6, 2007
Kimberly I am about to begin a week long vacation in Moultonboro on Lake Winnipesaukee. Is it Black Fly season there now? How bad is it? Thanks Hi Jessica - I highly doubt the black flies are still kicking around, even up in Moultonboro...think positive, you're going to gorgeous Moultonboro! Have Fun! April 6, 2007
I can't decide what to highlight right now for a blog but as I stream through these signs of a seacoast escape, I thought I would share them for now...more later on each...
March 3, 2007
Hi! I'm recently engaged and my fiancee wants to elope to Lake Winnipesaukee. Do you have any suggestions? I want to be married on a beach !!!! Thanks Marie OK Marie - Congratulations and you have several nice choices. If smack dab on the beach all barefoot and googly-eyed is your thing, then I would recommend you ask one of the following businesses how to in fact get that done. Otherwise, consider the following... 1. The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls - Church Landing, Meredith - really gorgeous and romantic 2. Lake Opechee Inn and Spa, Lakeport 3. Castle in the Clouds, Moultonboro 4. Steele Hill Resorts, Sanbornton February 25, 2007
OK, so I am still getting used to our fresh white blanket up here, so just today at the end of February did I even consider posting some ski info. It was my genuine intent to sit down and offer you all the best in Ski & Stay packages, vacation deals, skiing for families, etc...and when I visited the best site for this kind of information, I realized why bother?! PLEASE people, if skiing's your thing, visit www.skinh.com. New Hampshire's own site to promote its skiing does a fabulous job of offering every piece of mouth watering information you could want before tacking the boards to the roof and driving on up here. Really, no ski posts from me...visit SKINH for all your needs....be safe and have fun! [I'll be planning my gardens here at home!] February 7, 2007
Skiers, boarders, and lodge lizards beware!...Pay-One-Price Package Pats Peak announces the return of its Pay-One-Price (POP) program. Just the measly amount of $29 per person, gives guests access to skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, lesson tips, rentals, bonfires, and entertainment on Saturday nights through End of Ski Season 2007. December 7, 2006
C'mon people it is the 7th already and so many people I know do not have their tree up yet! This is such a magical month with lights and glitter and all things good...go get your tree! In NH the tougher choice is where to get the evergreen - shall I buy one from a charitable cause? bring the family on a dirt [no snow yet!] sleigh ride and cut it down? or support small business and check in on a local nursery? Well, any way you slice it, all options are good. Whatever you do, do not stop in the breakdown lane and cut it down on the side of Route 3! I bought a blue spruce last year at a local favorite of mine, The House by the Side of the Road [check out last fall's blog on this awesome place]. Well, it died. And those stinkers are not cheap....so I called and they replaced the coveted tree for me, free of hassle or charge. So obviously I am going to point you there for the most gorgeous trees I have ever seen...go go go!
September 27, 2006
I know I keep promoting the fair scene, and other typical fall fare, but I just realized that I left a stone, a very big stone, unturned this summer...I forgot to tell you to get the heck up to Storyland!
My parents used to take the family up to Storyland when we were young, or maybe we only went once, but the memory of it stayed with me into my adulthood. So it only made good sense that I take my own family there once a summer while we camped close by. And let me tell you, the kids talk about Storyland throughout the year, sometimes even wishing past Christmas, in order to bring the next summer and trip to Storyland on faster! This is the kind of place where the pictures tell the story, so trust me, take a peek, visit the site and go, GO NOW, as Storyland is only open for the next two weekends! Get there as soon as the gates open, and the rides are all yours. Get there 2 hours after the gates open and be prepared to tell the child freaking out on your left leg to wait patiently in line 10 more minutes! While there don't forget to stop in at Zeb's in Conway and ride the Cog. Post your photos on Explore New England's Your Photos if you go...some of mine are there!
August 27, 2006
There's still time, there is...this summer is here for another couple of weeks in fact. Make a reservation for Camp Calumet and experience that much needed flashback to 50s family fun in the great outdoors!
My husband's family has been going to Calumet for over 30 years. Each year I hear all the stories of change and of some lost love, as they bear witness to tents losing out to Winnebagos and even Airstreams [hee hee]. But there must be a reason for them, and many others to go back to Camp Calumet on Lake Ossipee year after year. And reasons there are many.
Calumet runs both day and boarding camps all summer, so the energy is constant and consuming. Their conference center boasts rooms for those who cringe falling asleep to camp cheers and crickets, a community dining hall for those who fear the propane of a camp stove, token front porch rockers for the Rockwells, and now to my husband's delight, free Wi-fi, for those who think the world will crumble if they stop working. What more can you want from camping? Wait, what has all that go to do with sleeping on the ground, swimming, hiking and all evening long campfires? Nothing, but it proves that everyone is a happy camper at Calumet! So for those who go for the camping...campsites are roomy and level, bathrooms are cleaner than my own at home [but what is that saying?], fire pits boast large cooking grates, and the sandy bottom of Lake Ossipee gets everyone in the water [sometimes even Grammie!] The kids love Beach Games and Beach Crafts run by enthusiastic teens, and canoes and kayaks are available every day too. Calumet has romance too, as the Pontoon Boat leaves the dock at 2pm each afternoon! And lastly, there are many worship opportunities as Calumet is a Lutheran Camp. We love it there, let me know if you go! Halleluyah! July 31, 2006
Despite August being around the corner, it's not too late to fill your yard with blooming annuals - in fact it's cheaper than ever to do so as nurseries try to clear out there stock for the fall mums and evergreens! Ponemah Farms of Amherst, NH is full to the brim with annuals, perrenials, shrubs and trees! They're easy to find on Route 101A, probably not more than 10 miles off of Route 3 North [ok so really the Everett Turnpike, but I am thinking most out-of-staters think Route 3 does not take a break in Nashua NH and call itself the Everett Turnpike - did I just confuse you...sorry...just head West from Nashua]! Ponemah's reputation is solid, and to be so successful without a website!... just call if lost...603-673-0446. And don't forget it's sandwiched between 2 great coffee shops - J.Beaner's and A&E Roastery!
June 15, 2006
I can't even tell you what our last trip to Fenway cost, and that's with friends buying the tickets! If you've read my blog, you know I'm true blue, I even wear a replica bloody sock every time the Sox play the Yankees, but all that aside, taking the family out to Fenway costs you a good mortgage payment. So up here in New Hampshire you can keep the house and enjoy a great game, in a great park...come see the Manchester Fisher Cats. There's no Papi, bloody socks or Green Monster, but there are other surprises like Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett pitching this Saturday against our very own Portland Sea Dogs [the Red Sox silly!]!
June 2, 2006
Buck up little camper...the sun will soon shine again, but for now, what better way to make use of this indoor rain time then to plan your summer camping trips! Believe it or not, some would-be campers plans fail each year due to lack of planning. Whether it's equipment issues, or lack thereof, inclement weather, or simply that they still don't get it that reservations are not only for hotels, many campers bag their plans before they even pack to go. As a veteran camper, and more importantly, a veteran camper that carts her kids around the campsites at 6 months of age or more, the planning is worth the effort. Each year camping always turns out to be our best vacation time, and New Hampshire has sites in the woods, on the beach, at the river or in the sardine lots of RVs. Don't just be a camper, be a happy camper!
I have many favorite sites, many on the Kancamagus Highway, or north of the flume, and of course Calumet, but here are some I have heard good things about... Moose Hillock Campground Lost River Valley Campground Saco River Camping Area Camp Calumet Wakeda Campground LLC Got a boat? Make sure you can bring it... Want to hunt or fish? Make sure you know the rules... And camping can be for everyone...Courtesy of www.ucampnh.com: May 22, 2006
A long weekend coming up...plan now. I was just up in Meredith/Laconia and the grass is kelley green, the tulips full bloom and the boats are beginning to dock. Here are 2 events for you... May 26-28 or for where to drop off Mom and Grandma... May 27-May 29 May 3, 2006
Thomas the Tank Engine may get all the press when it comes to trains, but anyone living in NH knows that the Cog Railway could kick Thomas' caboose! Riding the Cog opens a window to our past, where engineers, hot coals and a maze of steel rails mapped the course of American History. Spending a day on and around the Cog Railway slows you down a bit...especially if you bring your children. Set in the midst of the White Mountain National Forest with its natural beauty and even its man-made attractions [shame on those Outlets, though it gives you a place to let mom shop and dad power nap on a bench!], visiting the Cog may well be the most unique experience in all New England.
Where to stay: Eastern Slope Inn Resort Horsefeathers April 19, 2006
So much for New Hampshire's ski season, but moving forward, that means the mountains are open early for the mountain biking season! What better way is there to use the powder-free trails and myriad ski resort amenities, then to invite outdoor enthusiasts up for some trail riding on wheels! Pedal on up to NH for some early spring biking. You can't beat the north country [well, ok, the middle country?] for trails. Attitash and Waterville are two favorites. Attitash offers on and off-slope mountain biking, with lift-serviced, downhill terrain, cross-country trail networks and convenient shuttle service to the White Mountain National Forest where you can bike for days if you wish. A full rental fleet of updated mountain bikes is also available for the newbie. Waterville boasts over 30 miles of trails, with a network that winds through the White Mountain National Forest. Bikes are available for sale or rent, including tandems and trailers. March 9, 2006
I'm all kinds of crazy up here, as the snow fades to green, the trees begin to bud and the birds arrive home and sing their morning songs...yes, it's not too soon to think of your garden! It's spring time in New Hampshire and Hollis, NH's Beaver Brook Association knows just what every gardener needs!
EVERY Friday from March 10th-May 5th, 9am-12pm Are you interested in gardening, plants and trees? Do you want to learn more about scientifically based plant care practices? Are you interested in opportunities to intern in a new or existing gardening or environmental education program? Do you want to visit the great state of New Hampshire on a regular basis?! Well then, this is the reason to do so!
The training program includes some of the following and more...Introduction to Botany, Soils & Fertilizers, Vegetable gardening, Fruiting Plants, Bushes and Trees, Ornamental shrub & Tree Pruning, Environmentally Friendly Landscape Design, Organic Gardening-Fruits, Composting, Herbs - medicinal, Fragrance & culinary uses, and landscaping for Wildlife. Accomplished Gardeners will be asked to complete 20 hours of volunteer time to obtain their certificate. There are many opportunities at BBA to obtain applied practice such as: Fee: $200/$170 (friends) plus 20 volunteer hours. March 7, 2006
OK, who can help but notice those gorgeous tap buckets hanging from the Maples. There all over the place up here in NH, and now I have maple fever...If you haven't visited a Maple Sugar Shack before, make plans for the next two weekends...alone, together, doesn't matter...the lessons are for a life time...and the samples are the second half of the fun...come north to New Hampshire this weekend or next, spend time outdoors, smell, taste, ahhhhhhh!
Sunday March 12th - 11am - 3pm Learn about maple sugaring in the old days, how to identify trees in winter, and set a tap using a drill. There will be maple snacks to sample, crafts for children, snowshoes and wildlife tracking displays, recycling relays and stories and hikes to the wigwam. For those interested in advanced tracking, a 1.5 hour hike will begin at 1:30 p.m. Don't forget to ride the sleigh pulled by Belgian horses.
This annual tradition features warm home-made pancakes with lots of real maple syrup and a Sap-To-Syrup tour that includes a fantastic horse-drawn hay ride. You will learn how to identify sugar maples, make your own tap, smell boiling sap, and hear a story of how maple syrup was discovered. Register for a Sap-to-Syrup tour time slot Saturday or Sunday between 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Participants may eat pancakes either before or after the tour, between 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event will fill up fast, so call early for the best selection of times. Pre-registration is essential for the Sap-to-Syrup tour. January 30, 2006
..."I will not let Old Man Winter beat me this year. My outlook is positive and I can prove it - I booked the Scenic Sport Tour for my husband's birthday gift, and we plan on bringing our 3 and 5 year old boys with us on the 2 hour guided tour. My camera will be in tow, the service, conveniences and fun will be personally brought to you in a follow-up blog...to be continued..." Remember when I wrote this back in November? Of course you do, you don't miss a single word I write! Well, it's done...we went, we rode, we will ride again! Get up and get out, and go explore New Hampshire's White Mountain Region with Alpine Adventures of Lincoln, NH. Forget about Valentine's Day, your new love awaits on the trails!
There are half day and full day un-guided rentals, as well as guided tours running from 1 to 3 hours. How exciting would it be to discover the morning tracks of a moose, or watch the sunset and ride home by moonlight? We took a mid-day, 2 hour scenic tour, and were fortunate to have clear skies and sun. Our Alpine Guides, Tyler and Jay, were considerate of each driver's level of experience [of which you need none], were very personable, and fun to spend the time with. We cruised 1 hour north, through gorgeous terrain, passed the Old Man of the Mountain and turned around some where just past Cannon Mountain I think. We passed many outdoor enthusiasts snowshoeing, cross country skiing and walking their dogs. I have hiked, camped and snowshoed in the White Mountains before, but this was my first sled ride up there, and I can see why the sport is an obsession to many. This is an activity for everyone. There were smooching couples in our group, young families, and the token bunch of guys who were off on their own for the weekend, wives and children left home. Alpine's courtesy began as you entered, explaining paperwork, fitting helmuts and offering many smiles. The tour was prompt, ended when it said it would, and shuffled us all off safely and happily.
Where to stay: For families, try the Comfort Inn & Suites - Loon Mountain Where to eat: Elvio's Pizza Truant's Tavern Where to get a tattoo or piercing [no, I'm not kidding]: pps...hate the cold, but want to see the White Mountains, check out Alpine Adventures Summer Safari!
January 15, 2006
Why be comfortable inside a temperature controlled rink? Why choose glassy smooth ice, 100% visibility or an open snack bar that serves hot cocoa with whipped cream on top? Why choose luxury over adversity when you can skate on ice littered with last fall's offerings, or feel your way through the dense gray air that accompanies us through January? My goodness the choice is a clear one...go skating on a town provided rink! Check one goal off this year's list of 'things to do', as you can see that I did indeed get on skates again [albeit hockey skates, so that stopping wasn't the simple drag of the teeth as I had remembered from the days I thought Dorothy Hamill was the bomb {I'm not sure I have ever used that expression - I must be tired}].
But what good old fun it was to put on skates and get out in the fresh air. Of the outdoor public rinks I know of, here are a few to try if in New Hampshire. 1. Merrimack, NH - Behind the skateboard park at the entrance to the Merrimack High School [Exit 11 or 12 off Route 3]. 2 rinks here actually, allowing plenty of room for beginner skaters, as well as amateur Wayne Gretzkys [ah man, that just dated me] 2. Jackson`s Landing Ice Rink, 9 Old Piscataqua Road, Durham, NH 603-868-3907 3. Hanover, NH - A 600-meter skating loop on Occom Pond 4. Holderness, NH - A 200-meter skating oval on Squam Lake [yes, where On Golden Pond was filmed]. 5. Keyes Field, Milford, NH [off Route 101] - squeezed between two tennis courts, it's small enough not to intimidate the beginner skater. 6. Bethlehem, NH - offers a lighted rink!
January 7, 2006
I suppose for the young at heart, or the risk takers, or even for the baby boomers looking for a retirement hobby, yelling 'Mush!' at the top of your lungs might seem appealing. Or maybe it's that you don't like technology or machines, so running over the wilderness in or on something with a noisy, polluting engine rubs you the wrong way. Maybe you have had several ACL tears and resulting repairs, and now you look at skis with eyes squinted and corner of your mouth mumbling. Or maybe, you just love animals so darn much you want to spend all day with them pulling you deep in the woods, through the fields and over the hills. Maybe it's something else altogether, but whatever it is, you want to be outside this winter, therefore, you choose a sled dog adventure! It was these questions and more, that forced me to eavesdrop on an overly excited, middle aged couple's conversation, as they sipped their coffee back, and tore at their bagels at Bagel Alley. Can't say that I have the urge to mush, but I did have the curiosity to check out some of New Hampshire's own sled dog operations...So, I give you this...let me know how it goes!
Great North Woods Sled Dog Adventures Seal Cove Sled Dogs Tugline Kennels White Mountain Sled Dog Adventures December 9, 2005
The snow's sure falling today. I love a fresh falling where the plush white fleece drapes over the limbs and eaves. So few footprints or markings of any kind. Just a winter's blanket. Get outside in it...enjoy it with a sleigh ride. Sleigh rides epitomize the romance of a New England winter. An immediate picture of families, lovers and friends bundled to beat the chill, often wearing smiles that could replace the stars above. "Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh...[go ahead, click and listen]" New Hampshire is a place where sleigh rides are seemingly around every corner. They are so common, I almost forgot to write about them! Book a sleigh ride this holiday season for the meditative outdoors and the chance to experience fun without a bit of technology, machinery or waiting in line.
Farm by the River - North Conway Charmingfare Farm - Candia Mount Washington Hotel - Bretton Woods Nestlenook Farm Inn - Jackson Point of View Farm - Deerfield Stonewall Farm - Keene December 7, 2005
You've seen the bumper stickers for sure, "This Car Climbed MT. Washington!" The Northeast's highest peak, 6,288-foot Mt. Washington, is a majestic vision in whites, grays and purples. Its Auto Road has afforded people to experience the breathtaking vistas and magic of this mountain that have remained largely unchanged since travelers began winding their way up in 1861. An engineering achievement, the "Road to the Sky" remains the first man-made attraction in the United States. The Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham, NH has provided the ultimate option in witnessing this natural beauty covered in winter whites. Ever ride a SnowCoach?
The Auto Road along with the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center now offers winter sightseeing tours to just above tree-line on Mt. Washington, on a warm and cozy 8 passenger van! Their SnowCoach has been specially built for the Auto Road offering an extremely comfortable and stable ride. [Stable? What is this relative to? The Starblaster at Canobie Lake Park? Or a gentle rocking hammock on St. Thomas? Some where after my first labor, I lost my love for motion and heights...so even though you wouldn't catch me up there in a jacked up, Pimp My Ride van, I do still realize there are other Richard Branson's out there!] The tour will take you where you'll look down into the 5,500 acre Great Gulf Wilderness area and over miles of snow covered peaks in the Northern Presidential range! Snowcoach tours depart Great Glen Trails daily, weather permitting, on a first come, first served basis. Advance reservations are not available. Go ahead and live a little...let me know how it is! November 28, 2005
Even though Thanksgiving was but a few days past, Christmas season is in full swing as soon as that turkey's digested. Finding the perfect Christmas tree is item number one. In NH there are many options for making a day of it and cutting your own tree. Start a family tradition where ever you choose to go... Christmas Country Finnegan's Fine Firs - Choose and cut Christmas trees. 371 Cherry Valley Road, Bethlehem NH 03574. Phone: (603) 444-6275 Lavoie’s Farm - Choose and cut your own Christmas trees Zahn’s Christmas Tree Farm - Christmas trees River Road Plantation - Choose and cut Christmas trees Warren Farm - Christmas wreaths and boughs, saws provided, trees bagged, trees tied, trees tied, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms. 30 Warren Road, Barrington, NH 03825. Phone 603-868-2001 Rocks Christmas Tree Farm - Choose and cut Christmas trees Windswept Mtns View Christmas Tree Farm - Choose and cut Christmas trees. 323 Fitzwilliam Road, Richmond, NH 03470. Phone 603-239 4005 November 21, 2005
I don't know about you, but I have already heard enough complaining about our winter. Mind you, the one that hasn't even started yet! It's a funny thing about New Englanders, that complaining about snow, cold and ice is just a given, with the exception of the Bode Miller's of the land. Put your best boot forward this winter and try exploring with Alpine Adventures of Lincoln, NH, on a sled. Snowmobiling just may have you wanting for winter!
As the holiday season arrives, think out of the box - think snowmobiling adventure! There are half day and full day un-guided rentals, as well as guided tours running from 1 to 3 hours. How exciting would it be to discover the morning tracks of a moose, or watch the sunset and ride home by moonlight? Or drag out the fun and look into the many Snowmobile & Stay packages available through Alpine Adventures. Whether you can escape for a weekend romance, on the trails and later at the Glynn House Inn, or make it a family affair, and stay at the Comfort Inn [indoor pool equals happy kids, equals happy parents!], you may have found a gift worth making a tradition! I will not let Old Man Winter beat me this year. My outlook is positive and I can prove it - I booked the Scenic Sport Tour for my husband's birthday gift, and we plan on bringing our 3 and 5 year old boys with us on the 2 hour guided tour. My camera will be in tow, the service, conveniences and fun will be personally brought to you in a follow-up blog...we can't wait!...to be continued...
November 2, 2005
Around every corner in New England you'll find someone some where retorting, "...yada yada yada...I love fall...yada yada yada..." But this might be the first time you hear, "I love gourds." Welcome to my weird world...I LOVE gourds. The kaleidoscope of colors, confusing shapes and tantilizing textures woo me. Year after year, there's not much new, but they still steal my heart, as the dozens of frames whiz by, film canisters dropping to my feet. Brookdale Fruit Farm is a family favorite year round...so of course, the fall brings a cornucopia of apples, pumpkins and gourds.
Greeting you on Route 130 is the farm's giant hay bale man, complete with gourd eyes and nose. His lap situated always for the feverish frenzy of parents wanting photos of the kids on such a display of New England cheer. Robust orange pumpkins spill out of crates, over wagons and onto the parking lot, while the smallest of tots and the oldest of pops, spins them round hoping they've finally found their chosen one. The gourds steal your gaze, ok, maybe just mine, and keep you staring. They're beautiful! The hardest decision of the day lies in how much you can spend, and which ones should you choose. Base your next painting project at home on these natural delights, and bring those same feelings home.
Inside you'll find a bushel and a peck of everything fall. Please try the McCoun apples...they are my favorite! Warm cider or cocoa sits in their carafes with tiny cups beside them...a perfect way to shop. The Brookdale gift shop offers items such as Stonewall Kitchen products or Burt's Bees, items made from NH, and others hand made else where and sweet no matter where they came from. Know someone interested in bird houses? Garden sculptures or bulbs?...It might be a time for some early holiday shopping at Brookdale.
It's also nice to know how your food is being grown and cared for in today's world of genetically altered everything. [Have you seen the size of today's children!?] Brookdale offers a small selection of fruits and vegetables that will keep you away from any Stop & Shop. At Brookdale, they have received awards for staying true to clean water and air, healthy soil, sustainable forestry, improved habitat and open space, and a quality environment for all. It was also one of the first orchards in NH to adopt Integrated Pest Management strategies to reduce pesticide use and enhance environmental quality. Feel free to snap right into that Mac!
October 13, 2005
New Hampshire's own National Forest Scenic Byway, the Kancamagus Highway, is an absolute must in the fall foliage season. The 28 miles of twisting, two lane road, runs west to east from North Woodstock to Conway, directly through the White Mountains National Forest. Whether you're early and catch the hues of kelley, pea or moss, right on time with the ochre, cayenne or tangerine, or fashionably late with the naked limbs, the natural beauty of the valley and peaks will entice you to park the car and explore. This is the kind of trip that needs a locals' rules. Pay attention to the following: Kim's Top Ten RULES for Driving the Kancamagus Highway 10. Fill Your Tank! {although 28 miles, expect AT LEAST and hour's drive} and the number 1 Rule for Driving the Kancamagus Highway... October 7, 2005
Here's a quick peek at today's foliage in Nashua, NH .
Just as the New Hampshire Bureau of Travel and Tourism plans it each year, the best foliage should be happening state wide this upcoming Columbus Day weekend....now that my beloved Red Sox have been neatly swept in 3, pull the black veil over the TV, readjust yer retinas and load the new memory card. As Thoreau or Emerson would suggest, walk into the woods to heal.
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