Scouting NH - The Trip (Conway, Meredith: living in, food, retired)

[GregW]

There are many good reason my in-laws relocated from the San Francisco area to Lisbon, NH. Come back in the Fall, Captn. BTW - you would make a really good spy or newspaper reporter. You spend the time to get information from strangers. That is a talent.

[athomemom]

Captjob, great trip! I am so glad you liked NH and were able to share the experience with us. Welcome back to the brutal heat. For the rest of you, we are still hovering around 100 degrees here in CA. I can't wait to see your pictures. I, myself, am planning a trip for the next two weeks. We can compare notes and pictures.

[Colebrook]

Captjob,what agreat report! It is always a treat to read something positive about the area you live in . Don't forget to visit northern Coos county . It also has some great sites.

[Valerie C]

What a great week you had (black flies and all!) I agree with the others that it's very nice to read your thoughts and impressions of New Hampshire at you travel through the different towns. North Country is so beautiful and we never get sick of it. However, you really do need to remember just how long winter really is, especially up there. Even now, nearly the end of May, and I think we might have to keep the heat on overnight with the temps going down to high 30's/low 40's brrrr. I DO recommend renting through just one winter before you make your permanent decision, just to be sure it's right for you all

[~Boo~]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

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

Some of us are good at that!

Captjob, I really enjoyed your posts!! Great photos too. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

What a great week you had (black flies and all!) I agree with the others that it's very nice to read your thoughts and impressions of New Hampshire at you travel through the different towns. North Country is so beautiful and we never get sick of it. However, you really do need to remember just how long winter really is, especially up there. Even now, nearly the end of May, and I think we might have to keep the heat on overnight with the temps going down to high 30's/low 40's brrrr. I DO recommend renting through just one winter before you make your permanent decision, just to be sure it's right for you all

Hi Val
I agree. We still plan on making the move before committing to anything too permanent. I do plan however on picking up a building lot after another scouting mission as soon as I am able. I realize the winters are going to be challenge for us but i'm confident with the right attitude it will not be a deal breaker.

Here is a little California sunshine for you. I took this today from my backyard. Cant stay out to long...I might melt.

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by 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.

I will be back in NH on October 5th through to 12th. I then hope to return in the middle of January for some winter fun time. I don't know for sure, the airlines are sure raising the rates!

Captjob

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by GregW

There are many good reason my in-laws relocated from the San Francisco area to Lisbon, NH. Come back in the Fall, Captn. BTW - you would make a really good spy or newspaper reporter. You spend the time to get information from strangers. That is a talent.

Thanks Greg!

I am the friendliest spy you ever talked too. it was easy in New Hampshire!

Captjob

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

Hey, CaptJob!

oh you are having a glorious time ! You must be getting up at 6am to fit all that in in a day! Glad things are meeting/exceeding your hopes, - even the black flies (and peole think we're kidding about them).

BTW, about St J, VT: just to let you know because of the concept this forum tends to have about VT in general, St J is in what is called the 'Northeast Kingdom' of VT and has a completely different feel and attitude from the rest of liberal VT. My mother grew up there (after they left Portsmouth) and I visited my grandparents regularly. Hubby would love to move up to that area - but I remember the winters all to well and I don't like cold or snow quite that much

If you'd like an amusing peek into old Northeast Kingdom attitudes, accents and humor, check out http://www.benningtonmuseum.org/podc...is_colburn.mp3
which is one of Francis Colburn's 'speeches'. It's a hoot!

Thanks Wanacomehome.....this was great info.

Captjob

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by Snarfy

CaptJob, both your posts were right on target! The White Mountains is my favorite place to vacation, having spent my summers up there on Partridge Lake in Littleton as a kid. My family helped settle Lisbon and when Mr. Snarfy and I were up there for 8 days during May of 2007, we visited the Salmon Hole Cemetery, which is where many of my "people" are buried. I'm the first generation in my family to be raised outside of the area.

When we were up, we stayed at the Spruce Moose lodge in North Conway. The innkeepers, Nellie and Leon are top notch and incredibly kind, helpful and friendly folks.

I love the way the small towns and villages dot the landscape up there. It's rustic, peaceful and, for me, the most beautiful place on earth. There isn't a dull season in the White Mountains - always something to inspire awe.

The Kanc should be the 8th wonder of the world. It is the most breathtaking drive, and like you, we encountered wild turkeys on our drive to Franconia. We also encountered a bear crossing the road as we headed down into Lincoln. He came up from the river bank on one side of the highway and ambled across the road right in front of us and up into the forest.

My only disappointment was the number of dead moose we saw. Granted it was a small number (3) but to see one of those majestic creatures lying dead next to the highway was heartbreaking. They're hard to see in the evening, and at night, since their eyes don't reflect light. They will also just wander out into the road, and since they blend so well, drivers who are going a little too fast and not looking out for them don't stand a chance. A car-moose collision will probably kill the moose, but it will probably also total your car and in many cases, seriously hurt or kill the vehicle's occupants.

I think New Hampshire has done a marvelous job of preserving it's natural beauty. It's pretty evident the White Mountains is slammed with tourists during the fall, but most other times of the year, it's quiet, peaceful and in most places, remote. It's a great place to just go and "be."

I'm always happy when I hear people rave about NH. It's a fabulous state and if Mr. Snarfy and I could find work up there in the White Mountains, we'd move there, bone-wrecking cold winters and all!

Snarfy,

I couldn't have said it better myself. I wish I had seen a moose, just not in front of my car that is!

Captjob