Scouting NH - The Trip (Portsmouth, Conway: renting, live in, to move)

[Suzet2262]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

I knew I had a pic of the Basin somewhere! My dad took this (I think) long ago when my folks took my nephew up there. It still looks funny to me without the bridge across that used to be there!
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Boo, sometimes the Flume is called the Gorge - the Basin is usually just called the Basin (ancient history in my memory says it was originally 'the Devil's Washbasin' but was shortened).

Swift River? It's the Pemigewasset that's flowing through there. And so tasty! we used to bring jugs and fill up on spring water. and since it's coming off the mountain (and not through any pastures or towns at that point) it may still be safe. I know I usually chance at least a few handfuls.

have you been through Lost River over in Woodstock (Kinsman Notch)? it's a gorge, maybe that's the one you mean? I think it's the Moosilauke runs through there. It's pretty cool: a long wooden walkway climbing down through the gorge - through and around a llot of boulder jumble (you can crawl through the jumble or walk around it). Long, steep walk back up though

Ohhh that looks beautiful. I cant even imagine water being drunk straight from the river.

[WannaComeHome]

yep, it was pretty neat: old Rt 3 used to go right beside it - you could look out your car window at the swirling pool! and there used to be a footbridge across the top - they also had to keep a flotation ring right there by the sluice!

They've rearranged the entrance - and moved the road farther away, but it's still pretty awesome.

[~Boo~]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

...Boo, sometimes the Flume is called the Gorge - the Basin is usually just called the Basin (ancient history in my memory says it was originally 'the Devil's Washbasin' but was shortened).

Swift River? It's the Pemigewasset that's flowing through there. And so tasty! we used to bring jugs and fill up on spring water. and since it's coming off the mountain (and not through any pastures or towns at that point) it may still be safe. I know I usually chance at least a few handfuls.

have you been through Lost River over in Woodstock (Kinsman Notch)? it's a gorge, maybe that's the one you mean? I think it's the Moosilauke runs through there. It's pretty cool: a long wooden walkway climbing down through the gorge - through and around a llot of boulder jumble (you can crawl through the jumble or walk around it). Long, steep walk back up though

Yep, I would make a great tour guide!! It was near the Basin, so it must have been the Pemigewasset River...we just hiked up further into the trails. And yes, that makes sense Flume Gorge...I've never hiked all the way in there only part way...someday I will see it all!!

We once had a picnic near a river off the Kancamagus Highway...that must have been the Swift River.

I've never been to Lost River; although, Lost seems appropriate for me, LOL. Sounds like it would be an adventure hiking around there!

[WannaComeHome]

Boo- I think I found you! Ok, The Swift River (one of the white-water rivers for boating) does run along the Kancamagus - and through something called Rocky Gorge! Maybe that's the Gorge you were at? The Flume is a huge tourist hike: you take a bus to the base of the walk and then hike up the wooden trail/steps through it's gorge - and there is a fee.


So CptJob (now that we've hijacked your tour.. ) how's your travels doing? what happened on Day 3????

[Captjob]

Ok Everyone, sorry for the delay. I am composing day 3 and then day 4 together and then a final view. I am also working on the pictures today so stay tuned!
Captjob

[Captjob]

Hey you guys I missed the Basin! Next time. I never saw a Moose either.

While I was here, I scoped out many side streets and hope to use these when I come back in the fall. I am sure my low season experince was probably rare; however, I loved it.

Here is the rest. Enjoy


Day 3

Ok here we go,

I start out early again today and head directly over to Polly’s of course. What can I say, I’m addicted. Today they seem to be full of people and having quite a rush. After I get a seat by the window, I ask what all the commotion is about and the nice kid (who was called in on his day off to help) working the floor says it’s teacher appreciation day and the teachers are all here from around the valley as a celebration. This made for more good local conversation and I was able to pick up much more information about the local schools and how things operate.

Once I polished off another 6 pancakes, I headed back out and through Littleton again to find my perfect piece of NH. On my way out I stopped at The Rocks Estate and walked the Christmas Tree Trail. Over the bridge, around the bend and through Stumpy Village. I walked until I reached the crest of the hill overlooking Bethlehem and the mountain range. Standing here alone I take in the view of the North Country and marvel at how impressive this area is. Land and trees as far as the eye can see. I stop long enough to pose with the Stumpy family and take some pictures back to the kids when I get home.

Onward from the Rocks, I head up to St Johnsbury Road in Littleton to investigate some property I had been directed to. Only 3 minutes from the Littleton hospital and almost across from the impressive Moore Reservoir I find two 3-acre parcels I could have purchased on the spot. Both would have made excellent home sites and afforded me a feeling of remoteness yet 10 minutes to the center of Littleton. Expansive tall trees lined the property and protected the gently rolling green grass meadows in the center. Through the trees I could almost see myself on Moore reservoir hunting down those record sized fish or swinging from the tree swing I spotted in the pond adjacent to the lake.

Daydreaming about this area for over an hour it takes all the self-control I can muster to prevent me from calling the realtor and striking a deal on the spot. Reminding myself I have much more to see, I press on. On my way out I stop in at Littleton hospital and say high to the ER staff. Very modern looking regional hospital with hardly a crowd around. I like this place.

Back on 93 and heading to see the St Johnsbury Academy, I stop at the visitor center at the state line between NH and VT. I enter and strike up a conversation with Cathy and Joe who are manning the booth for the day and for the next 90 minutes we visit and share stories of each others worlds. Not one other person came in the whole time I was there.
I learn more about the moose in the area, the black bears and the fishing in Moore Reservoir. I learn about the winters and the state plowing schedule, as Joe is a veteran of many NH winters plowing for the state. After our long, lively conversation, I feel I have made two new friends who encourage me to return with my family. I agree we will meet again in the fall and I continue up the highway and into VT.

I scope out St Johnsbury Academy, get the information I needed and then take a drive around town. After completing my mission, I head back to Littleton and to the Littleton Dinner for a little local company and some much needed food. I visit the bookstore located next door for some goodies and a picture book of the White Mountains and then head up to check out Littleton High School. At the school, a band concert is about to commence and band students and their parents are gathering for the evenings festivities. For a moment I almost decide to join in the fun; however, decide to press on instead. I depart for Franconia to call it a day. On my way back to Franconia I catch a glimpse of Littleton from above the hills on the freeway and take in a peaceful sight of a small New England town with just a hint of modernization as the sunsets again behind the mountains. The steeple on the grand church is the last to go dark for the night.

I turn in with my thoughts of the day and get ready for day 4.

Day 4

Today I start out and head south back towards Plymouth to meet with a realtor. The property in Littleton is still fresh in my mind and I am nervous I might make a purchase today if I am not careful.

On my way down I decide to stop at “The Whales Tale” and take in the closed water park that I can only imagine crawls with tourists during the summer season. This area is full of tourist attractions and hotels that beckon a traveler to stay and take in the local flavor and view the area around the once proud “Man of the Mountain.” Today, however the area is a ghost town.

After this short stop I continue on. I meet Jack the realtor and he guides me up and around the Plymouth area. We continue on and stop in an area of residential lots overlooking the valley and the town of Plymouth below. As I exit his vehicle I begin to take in the local area and my mind wanders about four seasons in this place and the opportunities for the future. About what it would be like to become part of this community and state and leave all that I have known and dislike behind.

While standing there daydreaming again….it happens….a sharp sting in my left forearm finds a black fly having a quick lunch at my expense. A quick swat and his lunch is cut short and I am only to be bitten again in the head by another. I am under attack again! This time I am too far into the woods to make a break for it so I decide to do battle. I use the plot map Jack gave me to swat a colony approaching from above and catch Jack choking on several flies he has eaten. Feeling I may have to perform the Heimlich maneuver on Jack the realtor, we both decide to concede the hilltop and head back to the car. We talk further and see some more property and both agree to stay in touch. I will be back in the fall and plan on sharing these adventures with the rest of the family.

After Plymouth, I continue South through Concord and Manchester and then decide to stop in on Nassau to take in some sights. The north part of the state and the south part are very different creatures all-together from my view. The south is a busy place and holds almost any amenity you could need from the mall to a major airport. Along with this comes the traffic and hurried pace and people going about their daily lives.

You hold a completely different perspective when you are visiting and not pressured by time and schedule. As I continue on, it begins to rain slightly and I enjoy the drops hitting the windshield as I think about the 100+ degree heat of home.

I could live here. I now feel I love the North Country. A place to view wildlife, teach a child to fish or hunt, throw a rock in a flowing river, leave your doors unlocked, help a stranger who in turn helps you, have a black fly for lunch, catch a falling leaf, take in a dark sky after an autumn sunset, build a scarecrow with a pumpkin for a head, behold the first grip of winter, build a snowman, a fire and go for a ride on a snowmobile. Take the good with the bad like any place.

When the good out ways the bad in any location that is encouraging. This is truly a different world than we on the west coast are used too. As it would be for someone in the North Country to be dropped in the center of Southern California and suddenly be smothered by over 25 million people. This is as hard to imagine as it was for me to find such a small place in America like the North Country.

As the light rain fell, I headed to Manchester to depart NH. As the plane took off and made a turn West, I was able to see Lake Winnipesauke and the North Country in the background. Passing over the Connecticut River I bid NH a fond farewell for now and contemplated my return in October with thousands of other tourists. I expect a different experience and perspective then from now; however, today I hold onto the memories of “Four Days in New Hampshire”

I hope everyone enjoyed my perspectives and experiences as I have tried to relay them here. Thanks to all that gave me advice and directed my in the right direction. I hope to return the favor in the future. Oh yeah, I arrived in Ontario California to a temperature of 104 degrees. What I wouldn’t give for a snowflake right now.

Captjob

[NH2NCMom]

Awesome job Capt and sounded like a week in heaven - and someone said that the NH natives give it a pollyanna outlook - well you are an outsider and your words were more poetry than the natives that tend to overlook the every day beauty in front of them.

When in October are you planning on returning? I am also returning to NH for a visit in October.

[WannaComeHome]

Welcome back, CptJob! we kept ourselves amused waiting for you.

I could live here. I now feel I love the North Country. A place to view wildlife, teach a child to fish or hunt, throw a rock in a flowing river, leave your doors unlocked, help a stranger who in turn helps you, have a black fly for lunch, catch a falling leaf, take in a dark sky after an autumn sunset, build a scarecrow with a pumpkin for a head, behold the first grip of winter, build a snowman, a fire and go for a ride on a snowmobile. Take the good with the bad like any place.

boy you sure had a gorgeous time. North Country (and parts of Lake) are definitely incredible. but... just make sure you can stand the very long winters and really really cold it gets up there! Weren't NHyrnut and others talking about -20 cold snaps a couple winters ago? Don't let the beauty of spring deceive you, it's a bad mistake if you do. You sure you want to come back in Oct and not Jan?

[Suzet2262]

Captjob, I love reading your posts. I am pretending it is me that is there through your words. But no hunting, fishing maybe. Lol. Hey I am from Cali, and we dont hunt here, what can I say. I do want some of those pancakes from Pollys though. Thank you for the great pictures too. I love the covered bridge. The lake is so gorgeous.

It sounds like your trip was heaven. I would love to feel the rain coming down on me, as you know how hot it has been here lately. I am very interested on how you view NH, how the people were, how the roads are, how are the stores, and anything else you can tell me about, as compared to Cali.

Sorry you didnt see a Moose, but you can go to our photo thread and see the furry chickens that JFRRACING posted.

[DareToDream]

Captjob - I was very happy to "hear" of your travels and your enjoyment! As WannaComeHome said, make sure you realize the winters up this way *can* be brutally cold. The first year we were here we had a couple of weeks where it was between 20 and 30 below 0 - this past winter we didn't get that cold, but had a lot more snow. With that being said, however, also realize that people do go out and do things and we don't get "stuck" inside. Even during that first winter we were out and about. As long as you know how to dress, while you won't be working up a sweat, you can be comfortable in both the cold and the snow...honest! Frankly, I'll take the cold over the overwhelming heat anyday.

Should you decide to make Littleton your home, also remember that Littleton has it's own electric company. From reading the forum, the cost of electricity in Littleton is much less than it is for other areas of the state.

I was extremely impressed with the hospital. For a small hospital, they do have very up-to-date equipment and care. Whatever they can't handle, they usually send patients to Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon, about an hour away. My husband had knee surgery there last September and the staff was fantastic - both with taking care of my husband and "looking out" for me as well. One of the orthopedists from Littleton Regional will be traveling with the Olympic team to China, this year, I believe.

Moore Reservoir is one of my favorite places to be in the summer and fall. They allow kayyaking, one area allows dogs to go for a swim and it's a very peaceful place to just "chill" near water. Sitting by the Ammonoosuc River by the Senior Housing facility is also very nice and peaceful usually <g>.

You were about a block away from us when you visited the high school!

When you return in the fall, you will find more traffic and tour buses around, although I'm not sure of the schedule for the renovation of Main Street. If that's still going on, the traffic, at least on Main Street may be less than usual and more on 93 around town. As far as I know, they're still trying to decide how to best handle the traffic on Main Street during the renovation.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to New Hampshire and found pretty much what we did - friendly people, beautiful country, and a less hectic pace. When you come back in the fall, if you'd like, I'll send you our phone number and we can meet you and your family when you're here. I can also DM you the realtor we used when we bought our home - he was great to work with. One thing to remember - if you and your family aren't sure about how you will handle the winter up here, you really should look into renting first, just to make sure, although I will say our first winter here and our second were very different, both in terms of cold and snow totals, so who knows

Oh! Also in the fall when you re-visit, if you are in the Littleton area, you will see "moose tour buses" along 302.....you may see your moose then!