Day 1
Escaping the Texas August heat for New England was a perfect choice! The cooler weather (about 30 degrees cooler than Houston’s 100s) and the region’s beauty were a delight. Jackie’s brother and his wife, Jim and Phyllis, joined us, making the trip even more enjoyable. After landing in Manchester, NH, we picked up our rental car, a fantastic Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Traveling in it became a highlight of our trip. We drove to Bartlett in eastern New Hampshire, stopping at the Tilt’n Diner in Tilton for our first of many great meals in local eateries.
Day 2
Our New England adventure began with a drive along the famous Kancamgus Highway, which follows the Swift River through the mountains. There were plenty of scenic stops with photo opportunities. We completed the day by looping back to Bartlett via Highway 302, another great drive. While this area is especially popular during “leaf peeping” season, it’s also a fantastic spot to escape the August heat and enjoy the scenery.
Day 3
We drove to Portland, Maine, to celebrate Jackie’s birthday with a lobster dinner at Docks Seafood, a local favorite. We then traveled along the coast, checking out lighthouses and the stunning Atlantic views. Our return to New Hampshire included a fun drive up and over Hurricane Mountain Road, with its steep twists and turns.
Day 4
We traveled across New Hampshire into Vermont, enjoying the scenery along the way. We had lunch at the Wayside Diner in Montpelier, took a walk around the state capital, and toured the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream factory. A few miles further brought us to our Airbnb in Stowe.
Day 5
Stowe has a lot to offer. We started our day with a tour of the Nebraska Knoll Sugar House, a charming, family-owned business. Highly recommended! We then headed to the nearby Trapp Family Lodge for lunch on the patio, enjoying great mountain views. A walk around downtown and some shopping completed the day.
Day 6
On Sunday, we attended a service at the Lamoille Valley Church of the Nazarene, where we received a warm welcome. Our drive back to Stowe included hamburgers at a roadside stand and a fun drive up and over Smugglers Notch.
Day 7
We wrapped up our touring with a stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill (highly recommended) and then drove to Burlington for a sunset cruise on Lake Champlain. It was a fun and symbolic way to spend our final evening in New England.
Day 8
We headed back to Manchester via the interstate, stopping in Concord, NH, for lunch at the Common Man restaurant. The food and atmosphere were just right. After returning our rental car, we boarded our plane back to Houston via Chicago.
It was a fun trip with good company, great scenery, and (too much) good food!