Tag Archives: food

Cape Cod trip, Day 1. Boston traffic, the resort and yes, food. (for those of you who keep screaming for food pics)

 

No trip south of Maine can escape Boston traffic… and in a word?

 

 

Okay, technically that’s 2 words.

 

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But it still sucks.

 

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The Tobin Bridge is attractive…

 

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But directly after that is the Callahan Tunnel, which is not.

Of course my aversion to it may have something to do with the fact that we’re always bumper to bumper in the dark and instead of the posted 40 mph speed limit? The husband is flying through at 80 while darting in and out of traffic trying to get 3 inches ahead of the next car. Driving is a competition dontcha know…

Blah, blah, blah.

Safe trip…. hello Cape Cod!

We stayed at the Sea Mist Resort in Mashpee, Massachusetts which is considered the Upper Cape.

 

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And it was a good base from which we could explore.

Quiet, wooded and off season? It was practically deserted, which is how we like it.

 

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We had a one bedroom townhouse with two bathrooms and a cathedral ceiling.

 

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A nice full kitchen with granite countertops and wood floors.

 

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It was clean, and spacious…

 

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Although when it came to the living room furniture and color scheme?

 

 

Yes, it was bland.

 

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But hell… clean, quiet and spacious trumps ugly any day.

 

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Did I mention there were 2 full bathrooms? That’s unusual in a one bedroom timeshare condo and I took full advantage…. giving the husband this smaller one.

 

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It was a little odd having a window in the bedroom that looked out on the living room….

 

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But it made for a nice little reading nook when the husband was knee deep in MSNBC every night.

 

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The bedroom was a good size with a super comfortable, although not king sized, bed.

 

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It also had a full length mirror which earns it an extra star in my book as none of them ever do.

After unpacking,  (which looks like this for me…

 

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And this for him…

 

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(Men. How is it possible we’re the same species?) We headed out for a late lunch/early dinner.

 

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Mashpee Commons was nearby and one of the largest shopping centers on the Cape. While attractive and filled with interesting stores and restaurants, it was also a nightmare when it came to parking. We circled and circled… and circled some more until we squeezed into a tiny spot. Christ! It was the dead season of November, I can’t imagine what it would be like in the summer.

 

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We landed at Bobby Byrne’s pub…

 

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Where I got in the Cape Cod spirit with a cranberry and grapefruit cocktail. (Or two)

When you’re in the Cape, it’s all about the cranberry.

 

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I wanted the huge gigantic pretzel, because seriously… it was huge.

But went with the grilled chicken quesadillas and sriracha crema instead.

 

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Damn! They were good.

Husband had his usual French Onion soup which I swear… contained at least a pound of cheese.

 

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Then we shared a chicken broccoli alfredo.

 

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Which was delightfully rich and garlicky.

Did I mention the beer was extremely cold?

 

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Literally, ice cold.

(Are you food picture screamers satisfied? Day 1 and you got multiple food photos. You’re welcome… now be quiet.)

Bellies full, we grocery shopped to stock the kitchen…. and then called it a night.

One more picture…

 

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Because skylights in the living room require an after dark selfie….

 

 

 

It’s time for Spam.

 

 

I’ve been so busy posting vacation photos I fear I’ve been neglecting my ever loyal, and extremely prolific spam contributors.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

 

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I’m not sure how much clearer I could be….

 

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Okay, I know the Liebsters are annoying, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that they’re torture…

 

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While I’m a bit creeped out a site called ‘porn’ likes my blog, I’m more disturbed that they’re going to be careful of brussels. What did those innocent green sprouts ever do to them?

 

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So ends the respite in between vacation post series.

Cape Cod here we come!

(Yes, it was a single post respite. Hope you enjoyed it!)

White Mountains trip…. last night, last day, last post in the series.

 

A full day of resort hopping on day 7 made us hungry so we stopped at an inn near our resort that had a well recommended British pub/restaurant.

 

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The Jolly Drayman seemed inviting enough.

 

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And though it was a very small place with limited seating…

 

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I was willing to like it.

It’s a shame I couldn’t.

 

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What English pub worth it’s salt only has 1 British beer on tap? Where was the Harp? The Smithwicks? The Old Speckled Hen? Yes, there was Guinness thank God….

But Pabst Blue Ribbon? Come on!

It went downhill from there.

 

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A limited menu.

A disinterested, unfriendly server.

Uncomfortable seats.

 

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And the worst beef Wellington I’ve ever had.

 

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The husband had a not nearly hot enough beef stew ( with mashed potatoes?)  that must have weighed 12 pounds…  served in a fish bowl.

 

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Framed fart humor not withstanding….

I wouldn’t go back.

Day 8…. the departure.

One more breakfast under the canoe.

 

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And beside the twig lights.

 

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We checked out and said goodbye to the dangerous looking ski motif rocking chairs…

 

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And laughed at the resort’s wedding advertisement for the last time.

 

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Heck, that’s as good a reason as any… right?

 

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Through one more covered bridge…

 

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And because you know my husband can’t drive past an antique store.

 

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Funny part is, I went outside to wait for him because the owner was a crotchety old man I didn’t like the look of.

A few minutes later the husband comes out and I can hear that old man screeching his lungs out like a lunatic, cursing my husband from here to next Sunday.

Apparently husband had the audacity to take an old magazine out of it’s plastic sleeve and flip through it. Guess that’s a no no in the mountains.

Anyway, vacation over.

Home safe and sound with…. how shall we say?

 

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Some coffee and a few beauty products for my cabinets.

Hey, if they’re going to charge an extra $25 resort fee per day for that lousy condo?

I’m going to fill my suitcase on the way out.

 

 

The end.

(You may now officially breathe that sigh of relief you’ve been holding.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resort hopping Part 3… The Eagle Mountain House.

 

Last on our list of resorts that day was an old and well known establishment.

 

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New England is full of quirky places like this.

 

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With a nice big porch…

 

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And a nice big view…

 

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It was a pleasant spot to end the day.

 

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Charming…

 

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Cozy…

 

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And full of antiques….

 

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It was instantly welcoming.

 

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I can’t say it any better than that.

 

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The bar.

 

 

Oh, stuff it Dorothy.

You know us better by now.

 

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But amusing sign aside…

 

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The mushroom risotto cake appetizer left a lot to be desired, as did the cranberry gin fizz.

A definite meh.

 

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We only stayed for one round and then headed into the gift shop… where I saw a wine tag that made me laugh.

 

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As well as…

Are you ready for this?

A bucket of ducks!

 

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Christ on a cracker….enough with the rubber ducks.

This was getting creepy.

 

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Bidding farewell to the hotel, and the ducks….

 

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It took all I could do to convince the husband he could not go rummage in the establishment’s old slate roofed barn.

 

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The mere thought of not being able to gather up all the unloved tools and rusted treasures that must be stored in there? Practically ruined his night…

 

 

Resort hopping Part 2. The Mountain View Grand.

 

Hidden away in tiny Whitefield, New Hampshire is a gem.

 

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A sprawling hotel…

 

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Packed with old world charm.

Sadly they were renovating the front entrance when we visited so we had to sneak in the side.

 

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Look at those doors!

 

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Chess anyone?

 

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I’m a sucker for a good porch.

 

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And this one did not disappoint.

 

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I could happily plop here with a good book….

 

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A pitcher of margaritas…

 

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And never leave.

 

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Back inside, I checked out the wall of history…

 

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And some great old photographs…

 

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While the husband continued his “I shall pee everywhere I can in Western Maine and New Hampshire” challenge with an upscale rest room this time.

And speaking of rest rooms…

 

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Even I had to check out the pink marble in theirs.

But ooh la la…

 

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There were private sinks inside the ladies room stalls.

Is that some chic shit or what?

 

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Moving on through the lounge…

 

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We found a dining room… and the place where we would spend the next two hours.

 

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The bar.

 

 

Don’t look surprised, you knew it was coming.

 

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One Lemonflower Martini…

 

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One Cranberry Orange Margarita…

 

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And one Melon Margarita later…

 

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(Don’t judge me.

They had a 6 page cocktail list and tequila soaked cranberries…. I had to.)

 

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There were some crab cakes.

Some smiley face crab cakes… and yes, that was on purpose.

 

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Crab cakes weren’t supposed to be served that time of day, or at all in the tavern for that matter….. but when you make friends with the bartender?

Anything is possible.

 

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An afternoon well spent, we poured ourselves out the door.

 

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And lamented the fact we wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

 

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Even mid facelift..

She’s an elegant old broad.

White Mountains trip… Day 7. The beginning of the end.

 

On the 7th and final full day of our trip, the husband woke up and said no more hiking, climbing and jumping rocks.

Or rather his back did…

 

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So we did what any (not so) able bodied tourists would do…

We had a long lazy breakfast…

 

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And resort hopped the day away.

 

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Our first stop was a brand new place perched at the bottom of Mount Washington.

 

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While it didn’t look like much from the front, the views out back were wide open.

 

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With a large deck…

 

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Ample seating, and a fire pit to take it all in.

 

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Inside there was a nice dining room..

 

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Filled with old photos…

 

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And history of the area.

 

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But it was the lounge and bar that drew our attention.

(You’re shocked, I know.)

 

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It had my kind of moose head mounted over the mantle…

 

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And a wall of windows…

 

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That made for a damn near perfect spot to drink.

 

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So we drank.

 

 

(You’re surprised, I know.)

 

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My Thyme In Mumbai please…

 

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Yes, I believe that tasted like another one.

 

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The bartender/waitress was a hoot and had us sample a new hard cider by North Country called Squashed. I’m not a fan of all that pumpkin spiced crap but this was heavenly. Light, crisp with delicate undertones… I was hooked. Until I researched it and realized you could only buy it by visiting their tasting room.

Future road trip itinerary – check!

Thinking it might be a good idea to have some food to soak up the alcohol, I opted for a crab cake that was the size of a large saucer and pure crab. It was sublime.

 

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Tomato bisque for the husband.

 

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Which was small, but delightfully rich and creamy.

 

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Bacon wrapped pan seared sea scallops for him…

 

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Grilled chicken club wrap for me.

Good bye diet.

 

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We soaked in the wall of windows a little longer…

 

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Then headed out….

 

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To resort #2.

(You’re welcome food people. Breakfast and lunch!)

 

 

 

White Mountains trip Day 6.. shopping and scenery.

 

Bethel is a lovely little mountain village with some quirky shops.

 

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With a heavy accent on the Yeti for some reason.

 

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We stopped in a gallery….

 

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Filled with local artists…

 

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Moose…

 

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And numerous paintings of vegetables.

Thanks, but I prefer them on my plate… not my walls.

 

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Heading out of town we passed a gorgeous old Victorian.

 

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And a stately old colonial.

A home like that would be my dream… that, and enough money to buy one of those grand old dames and update their interiors.

New houses have no charm.

 

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We cruised along enjoying the scenery…

 

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And the views.

 

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Damn, could you imagine having that for your back yard?

 

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Not too shabby.

A little farther down the road the husband spotted some new construction and turned in to check them out.

 

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By the look of the views? I knew we couldn’t afford it.

 

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The properties were a good size.

 

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With special attention paid to make sure no home blocked another’s view.

 

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So if I win the lottery?

 

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Look for me living here in the autumn.

Number 15 looks just fine…

 

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We have a version of this sign over our way, so it tickled me to see one in the mountains.

 

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Yes, those really are all the names of Maine towns.

 

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Day 6 done, we headed back to our resort for dinner at Camp.

 

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I liked the upscale rustic theme…

 

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Sitting under a lighted canoe…

 

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And a yummy salt brined citrus roasted chicken dinner.

 

 

 

I bet you didn’t know….

 

A woodpecker pecks wood 12,000 times a day.

 

 

But I did, because…

 

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Did you know…

Welsh mercenary bowmen in the medieval period only wore one shoe at a time?

 

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Well, you have to admit, a pair will definitely last longer that way.

 

Did you know…

The liquid inside a young coconut can be used as a substitute for blood plasma in an emergency?

 

 

It’s official.

I shall never bleed out…

 

Did you know…

During his lifetime, Herman Melville’s classic novel of the sea Moby Dick only sold 50 copies?

That’s a frighteningly small number of Dicks….

 

 

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Did you know…

Alfred Hitchcock did not have a belly button?

 

 

It’s true, but you have to admire his work out routine.

 

Did you know…

Apollo 11 only had 12 seconds of fuel left when it landed?

 

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That’s some high tech NASA equipment right there.

 

Did you know…

Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under his hat to keep his head cool and changed it every two innings?

Why not…

Anything beats eating it.

 

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White Mountains trip, Day 4. Mother Walker Falls

 

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Never let it be said I’m not up for a good waterfall.

Sadly, this Mother wasn’t.

 

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It sounded promising, so we headed down.

 

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And while it was a pretty spot, I didn’t see a whole lot falling.

 

 

 

Oh, there were stacked rocks.

 

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And precariously balanced rocks…

 

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But even when we followed the sound of running water, there wasn’t much falling.

 

 

I’m sure it’s much more impressive in the spring.

 

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But we still enjoyed the walk, the day, and…

 

 

The rocks.

 

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A scenic drive…

 

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Some foliage…

 

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Some mountains…

 

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And a lovely old bed and breakfast later….

 

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We followed someone’s advice and stopped for a meal at the Sudbury Inn in Bethel.

 

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Tucked away out back, down some dark steps… we found what I can only describe as the local dive bar.

 

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Local workmen at the bar (shooting us disgusted looks) and slumming prep school students from Gould Academy made up the clientele. Uncomfortable chairs, spotty silverware and a disinterested (borderline surly) bartender/waiter… who made us wait longer than he had to… made us question why we were there.

 

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But despite the business card decorated ceiling and questionable decor…

 

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There was surprisingly good food and at least 2 dozen beers on tap.

Mr. Personality even accommodated the husband’s preference for grilled chicken with his chicken parm.

 

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Which just goes to show you can’t judge a bar if you’re from out of town…. or something like that.

Our 4th day ended at our resort with us walking past the strange carved bear out front.

 

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If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was praying for new carpet.

 

 

White Mountain trip Day 3… Random scenery.

 

No, the vacation series isn’t over yet, I just thought I’d give you a few days break.

 

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Leaving the Sculptured Rocks geological site, we drove through the Cockermouth Forest.

Yes. I swear….

We did.

 

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I’m reasoning that Cocker Spaniels are bird retrieval dogs, and therefor have tender mouths.

Yes.

That’s my explanation… and I’m sticking to it.

 

 

We headed back to our resort through Franconia Notch which was starkly devoid of leaves.

 

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And went through the town of Carroll, where moose are clearly being held prisoner.

 

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The Mount Washington valley still had snow..

 

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And loomed majestic.

 

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Back in the Bethel/Newry area, we regained the foliage.

 

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And headed for beer.

 

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Sunday River brewery is a large restaurant and pub that seemed to be packed with locals and tourists alike every night. We did a flight, and weren’t overly impressed with the quality…. so I switched to an Apple Smash, which was a wonderful concoction whose list of ingredients I don’t recall. But there were copious amounts of apple Crown Royal…

And isn’t that really all you need to know?

 

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Seeing that I love soft bar pretzels and the husband doesn’t, I ordered some for my appetizer.

 

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Holy Mother of God! Served with warm blue cheese beer sauce, they were absolutely the best I’ve ever had. I instantly forgave them their lousy beer and planned on filling a dump truck with these and riding off into the sunset.

 

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Husband had a tasty salad..

 

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And we both had the baked haddock, which sadly was dry and uninteresting.

Back at our resort for the night, we opted for the stairs instead of the elevator and were bombarded by yet another section of hideous carpet.

 

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Christ, if that doesn’t give you nightmares…

Nothing will.