Traveling to Points North and Favorite Places

     I love my home, but it sure is hard to return from vacation. I've coined the term, PVFRS or "Peevers". It stands for, "Post Vacation Facing Reality Syndrome". We were away for two weeks in the upper parts of New Hampshire, Maine, and New York. It was perfect.
     We visited Chelsea and her family. Her newest baby, Charlie, who was born six weeks premature in May and weighed about 4 1/2 pounds, has since doubled his weight and is thriving. We sincerely thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! Big brother, Hugo is eighteen months old and he is lovable and entertaining. After ten days with Chelsea in New Hampshire and Maine, we spent time with Steve's family and my sister and her family in New York. There was much to consider in attempting to write about our trip, so here are some highlights in photos that I would particularly like to remember.

The Vegetable Ranch

The organic farm in New Hampshire that our son-in-law manages is called, The Vegetable Ranch. From farm to table, it is a labor of love. To say Simon is a meticulous organic farmer is an understatement. His work is simply beautiful. The entire family is involved and Chelsea and the boys are frequently at the farm. Even Steve helped out a little bit on two mornings.

Cherry Tomatoes

Off to the farmer's market on Saturday morning, Concord, NH 

Simon trucks their produce to the farmer's market as well as restaurants, the hospital, and individual farm shares.

There's Steve : )

 Warner, NH

     Warner, NH is a quintessential, small New England town. Everything one could need or want is within walking distance. I was surprised to learn that even includes a small lake and beach. Another fun highlight is the author series the town hosts. Chelsea and I attended one of these at the town hall featuring Anita Shreve, author of The Red Tent among other novels and non-fiction. On Friday nights, the town offers free concerts in the courtyard and amphitheater. We were lucky enough to catch the drum performance while we were there. Then we walked to the ice cream parlor and Hugo had his first ice cream cone. Steve walked over to the amphitheater one afternoon and played his saxophone. A few neighborhood children ran over to listen. Haha! 

     I can't say enough about how I have fallen in love with this little town. About fifteen miles straight up the road is Lake Sunapee. We spent one day there sailing with Chelsea and Simon's friends. When you gaze across this lake, you can see Sunapee Mountain and the ski slopes there. A ninety minute drive took us over and up the coast of Maine to Wells where we enjoyed the beach.This area seems to have it all.

Silver Lake Recreation Area, Warner, NH

 

I really enjoyed our evening walks. The town hall has spotlights and we had loads of fun playing in them.

A Friday night concert featured drums and plenty of percussion instruments so folks, young and old could join in.

Hugo's instruments of choice... plus a scarf.

Chelsea wears Charlie

Strawberry ice cream from the Velvet Moose. Mess? What mess?

Let me re-introduce Charlie. He's come a long way!

Wells, Maine.

When the tide goes out

Sailing on Lake Sunapee, NH

     Last, but not least, we drove west to New York to finish our vacation with a visit to parents and siblings. We managed to see everyone! It was great to sit and visit with Pete and Jane (Steve's parents) whom I have now known for thirty-eight years. Can that be?! We also had a blast with my sister and her husband and daughter on their boat on Lake George in the Adirondacks. The Adirondack State Park was our childhood playground. Every summer we picnicked and boated there. Steve lived at his family's summer camp on Brant Lake whenever school was out. It felt so good to be back. I am thankful for all the memories we made on this trip. May they carry us over until next time.

Opened in 1961. We rode our bikes here as kids, before there were strip malls, Walmart and tons of traffic. Summer time meant Gene's fish fry.

I'm still craving another fish fry. I sure missed my mom, dad, and sister, when I was sitting there, though.

Lake George, NY. Thirty-two miles long with beautiful mountain views.

John reserved an island for us! It was about halfway up the lake where it was private and quiet.

Rock ledges stretch out into the water. When I wasn't doing a happy dance, I was spending the day just like this : )

I'm having this picture printed along with one from Maine. I'll place them where we can longingly look at them every day.