New Hampshire Vacation, pt 2

After we left Portsmouth and Heather's delightful family, we headed over to Portland, Maine, and we spent a couple of days there. We had a nice quick trip to Bowdoin College and spent a very nice afternoon wandering around downtown Portland. On Thursday, we drove back to New Hampshire to visit my friend, Brice, his (lovely, hilarious, and whip-smart) wife, Jess, and their daughter, Baylen (who is a joyful, curious, adorable woodland sprite).

While there, we stayed in their guest house (!!!), ate breakfast and lunch at the Harrisville General Store (which his family used to own and run), went to pet animals at The Friendly Farm, went for a boat ride, and lit lanterns from their dock. They let us stay with them even though it was Brice's birthday, for which they had an incredible party. Their friends, predictably, are terrific people.

On Saturday, Brice and I hiked Mt Monadnock early in the AM, and I can highly and unequivocally recommend it. We had about 50 mph winds at the top. The clouds whipped by and cooled us right off and then cleared out just in time for a picture or two.

We are incredibly grateful for the time with them. I wish we saw them much much more, and I hope that they know what great company, hosts, and friends they are. Readers are encouraged to go to Harrisville, NH at your earliest opportunity.