Mud Season = Incredible Wildlife Watching

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Rumor has it that it’s mud season in New Hampshire. Well, that might be true, but along with the mud comes some incredible wildlife watching. Viewing wildlife is fun and educational – and free! It’s a family-friendly activity, you can do it just about anywhere, and the best part is you can drive aimlessly and practically be guaranteed to see something. Spring is a great time to look for wildlife because the trees are still bare and it’s easier to spot animals during this time of year. Here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your wildlife watching expeditions:

Source: Wikipedia

Hawks: Hawks can be seen during all times of the day into early evening. Look for them near open fields, along interstates, and circling over head. Hawks like to perch themselves near tree tops so they can spy on their prey. The most common ones are the red-tailed hawks; they are mainly brown with a white, speckled breast and belly. Scan the tops of trees along road ways and you are virtually guaranteed to see a hawk.

Source: Wikipedia

Herons and other water birds: They’re back! Herons like to wade in shallow water and walk slowly along river banks. Look for them in marshy, wet areas that settle along streams and rivers. They fly slowly overhead, flapping their oversized wings with their tiny feet visible under their bellies. If you’re lucky, a heron will lead you to its nest.

Source: Wikipedia

Red-winged Blackbirds: Nothing says spring is here like the presence of red-winged blackbirds. They gather in cattail marshes and other wetlands, spreading their wings in order to be noticed. The females tend to keep closer to the ground while the males preen at the tops of the cattails and trees.

Source: Wikipedia

Moose: With over 6,500 moose in New Hampshire, you are bound to see one in your travels – if you know where to look. Expect to go north to increase your chances of seeing one. The northern sections of Routes 16 and 3 are excellent roads to take in order to see a moose. If you spot a few cars on the side of the road, or if a car coming in your direction flashes its lights at you, it’s likely there’s a moose ahead. Moose like to hang around wet roadside areas called licks. Slow down, use caution, and stay back if you decide to take pictures. Moose are especially hard to see at night.

Source: Wikipedia

Deer: You never know where you’ll see a deer, but they are around. The last one I saw was trotting alongside Route 93 near Campton in the middle of the day. Keep looking along the edges of open fields, especially at dawn and dusk.

Source: Wikipedia

Eagles: Spotting an eagle is an exciting and rare opportunity. Boating on a large body of water will increase your chances of seeing one. Look for a large bird with a white capped head and white tail feathers. The eagle has black wings and a huge yellow-orange beak. They like to soar through the air and nest along cliffs, and their wingspan can reach 6 feet!

Wildlife watching is a great way to spend your spring weekends. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. It’s the perfect activity when the kids complain that there’s “nothing to do.” For more information about wildlife watching in New Hampshire, please visit the NH Fish & Game website.

Get a Glimpse of the Past with Route 3 Retro Tour

Betty's Travel Planning Tips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Set of signs promoting Burma-Shave, on U.S. Route 66.
Courtesy of Wilkipedia.

If you’re old enough to know what a Burma Shave sign is, then you might remember what is was like to pile into the family car and travel aimlessly on a vacation. I’m talking about going back in time, even before Interstate 93 was constructed through New Hampshire. A time when road trips were a way of life, lodging reservations were unheard of, and each corner you turned brought a different adventure. Fast forward to our Route 3 Retro Tour, one of our newest itineraries on VisitNH.gov.

The Retro Tour takes you along Route 3 beginning in Meredith and ending in Pittsburg. During the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, this was the main north-south route that vacationers and business travelers frequented. Follow this path today and you may be surprised to know that many of the attractions and motels along this route are the same ones that were there way back when. Stops along the road include diners, motels (which is a term that blended the words ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’), time-tested attractions (like Clark’s Trading Post, one of the oldest in the state), and beautiful, natural scenery. Did you know that gasoline was 15 cents a gallon in 1950? The itinerary contains an interesting timeline with many historical dates and facts like this about how life has evolved since the ‘50’s. 

The Route 3 Retro Tour is a must-do for visitors, as it paints a clear picture of what it was like to travel through New Hampshire after the end of World War II. Happy Retro Touring!

Highlander Inn Offers History, Conference Space, Parking and Much More!

By: Richard Russell, Granite State Ambassador
Concentra Urgent Care Class of 2009

As a Granite State Ambassador, I recently was able to tour the Highlander Inn and Conference Center in Manchester, NH. The Highlander is the only hotel and conference center at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. You may be at the airport but you are on nestled on 33 tree filled acres. And the Highlander Inn has been in the hospitality business for over 100 years

The Highlander Inn offers 65 guest rooms and the Coldwell House has an additional 21 New England Country Style guest rooms. This makes the Highlander an ideal location for your business meeting or conference, wedding, anniversary party, or the party of your choice with up to 150 guests. The conference center is fully equipped to provide you with all of your culinary delights whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner or just party snacks.

The Highlander Inn is also a great way to get a good nights rest before your early morning flight without the early morning hassles of driving to the airport by providing a stay and park rate. The Highlander provides you with free shuttle service to and from the airport which is only one half mile away. 

The Highlander also offers the Highlander Airport Parking and Shuttle Service - the only parking facility at the airport that offers reservations for parking while you are traveling. The parking services are first class and at discounted prices in parking lots that are safe and secure. They also provide luggage assistance and 24-hour shuttle service. 

If you live in the Manchester area, take advantage of your opportunity to rekindle your prior experiences with the Highlander by spending the night.  The lobby of the Highlander has some great historical photo’s of the property on display.

REMEMBER that the Highlander Inn and Conference Center will be closing on December 31, 2011.  BUT until then it is business as usual, and they will continue to provide the excellent guest customer service that they are well noted for.

Maple Sugaring in New Hampshire

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Granite State Ambassadors Visited Rock Estates in April 2010

Aaaaah, spring. You know it’s here when you start seeing buckets and tubing attached to sugar maple trees in your travels – the cold nights and warm days are generating the sap flow, which will be boiled down and turned into rich and delicious maple syrup. It’s part of New Hampshire’s tradition, and this year’s Maple Weekend will be held on March 19th and 20th. This is a big deal in the Granite State, as more than 80 maple sugar houses will be open for authentic gathering of the sap, sap-boiling demonstrations, and - best of all – hot pancake breakfasts featuring warm and sweet New Hampshire maple syrup.

Granite State Ambassadors learning about sugaring in April 2010

Did you know that the maple industry in New Hampshire produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup a year? Even more amazing is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. We hope you will visit a sugar house during the maple season and learn for yourself just how this ancient tradition is carried on. For locations of maple sugar houses and a calendar of events, please visit the New Hampshire Maple Producers website.

Through our website, you can search for special maple sugar themed lodging packages. Our website also has a wonderful family-oriented maple sugaring itinerary written from a child’s point of view that describes a warm and welcoming visit to a maple sugaring farm during spring.

Sweet travels!

Family, Farm Land, Flea Market, and Free Critters

Submitted by Marge Thompson, Granite State Ambassador

Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

Welcome to the town where I live, Hollis, New Hampshire, population 7,500. Hollis was incorporated by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth in 1746. The name 'Hollis' comes from a Wentworth ancestor John Holl ‘e’s Earl of Clare. We’re located 7 miles west of Nashua, and Hollis abuts the Massachusetts line.

Hollis still has mixed-use farm land, apple orchards, corn fields, vegetables. We have several farm stands for Pick Your Own apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries in season. The largest farm stand is Brookdale Fruit Farm founded in 1847 by the Edwin Hardy and the Hardy family still runs the farm to this day. The history as to how this farm developed over the years is very interesting. These farms bring in migrant workers who return year after year, as they are treated like family. Good housing is provided for these family men who come to our town each growing and harvesting season.

Thousands come to Hollis in June and October for the Strawberry and Apple Festivals sponsored by the Hollis Women’s Club and Hollis Town Band. The band plays while everyone is enjoying the delicious Strawberry Sundaes and Apple Crisp. Old Home Days in September is a three-day event starting with a dance and ending with fireworks.

Hollis Town Hall and The Common
(Source: Wikipedia)

Like all small towns, the center of Hollis has Monument Square, the Historic District which is a pleasant place to walk starting with the Nevins Stone and the Church Yard Cemetery, where many Revolutionary War soldiers are buried. Many lovely homes are located both in the Square and on Main Street, such as Cummings house 1743, Fisk House 1750, Goodale House 1600’s, which was part of the Underground Rail Road, and Whiting-Poole House 1771. The 'Always Ready' Engine House 1859 is a museum and you’ll find among other items the Horse Drawn Hearse, purchased in 1858. The hearse is a handsome vehicle with etched cranberry windows and upholstered interior. It was retired in 1920. The Ruth Wheeler house is also located on Main Street. It’s the home of the Hollis Historical Society as a permanent home for their possessions. The Engine House and Wheeler House are open by appointment only and are open during the Festivals.

Down Depot Road about ¼ mile is the Historic Restored Lawrence Barn dating back to 1780. It is a double English-style timber framed, it is one of ½ dozen still remaining in New England. It was dismantled in 1999 as it was going to be destroyed by a developer, but a group stored its lumber for several years then reconstruction began and it is now a Community Hall where many activities are held.

Hollis State Line
(Source: Wikipedia)

A short drive down Rt. 122 onto Ridge Road is the Beaver Brook Association, an Educational Conservation Association. It is a non-profit organization that began in 1964 by two cousins, Hollis P. Nichols and Jeffrey P Smith. It started with 12 acres and now there are 2,000 acres located in Hollis, Brookline and Milford. Within these acres, there are 35 miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding trails, and lots of wildlife. I live near Beaver Brook and have almost too many deer in my yard, lots of wild turkeys, and one mountain lion ran thru while I was standing in my driveway several years ago. Just this summer while watering my flowers, I heard a rustle in the bushes and there was a good size black bear! This guy has been in my yard several times according to my neighbors, and he left his scat, but this time I saw him for myself. 

Silver Lake State Park is also located in Hollis on Rt. 122 and is a very popular swimming beach. Further up on Rt. 122, the Hollis Flea Market is open during the good weather.

So this is where I live, and I know if you take a drive to Hollis, I know you’d want to live here. 

Click Your Way Into Events, Ideas & Itineraries

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

There’s probably no better way to get New Hampshire travel information than by consulting a Granite State Ambassador, but what about those times when you’re in transit, or you just feel like doing a little search for information on your own? The NH Division of Travel and Tourism website at www.visitnh.gov has the answers that travelers are seeking.

Looking for ideas on attractions and outdoor adventure? Searching for seasonal events or ideas on how to spend your time here? Go to our home page and click ‘What to Do.’

Do you want suggestions on exploring New Hampshire’s culture, heritage, and history? Are you interested in sampling NH-grown farm products, visiting a winery, or attending a farmer’s market? Go to ‘Planning and Travel Tools’ and check out the itineraries. The itineraries are designed for travelers who are seeking a certain theme for their visit – there’s even some especially designed for kids!

Whining Dogs and Clean Snow

Submitted by John Damon
Christmas Farm Inn Class of 2008

What do you do the weekend between the divisional playoffs and the Superbowl? Judy (no, not that Judi, the Judy that was the recipient of the 2010 GSA Hospitality from the Heart award) and I looked in on the Sled Dog Races on Lake Chocorua in Tamworth and the Snow Sculpting Competition held at the Black Mountain Ski Area in Jackson, NH. Both events ran both Sat and Sun. The weather was great and the crowds manageable.

The Tamworth Outing Club has hosted one of the races on the sled dog racing

circuit for many years. This race is one of the longest continuous running sled dog races in the Northeast. Many of you probably know that Admiral Bird’s sled dog teams were trained in the Wanalancet part of Tamworth, NH. I moved to Tamworth in 1964 and volunteered in '65 by packing some of the race course on snow shoes. While most of the up to 20 miles of course is packed by snow machines, some places still need the snow shoe approach. Eventually I worked up to cook hamburg's and hot dogs. I firmly believe the dogs have the most fun. They sure love to run. I counted 4 handlers plus the driver holding a 9 dog team back at the starting line until "mush" was called over the loud speaker. There were all kinds of whining and barking while waiting to go but once they heard "mush" there was instant silence. The "mushers" were holding on for dear life when they left the starting tunnel. We also had a chance to see the kids race a couple hundred yard sprint with only one dog pulling them and the sled. In a couple of cases it seemed that the kid was doing most of the work.



Going into Jackson on Sunday we went through the famous covered bridge and by my Alma Matter, Christmas Farm Inn, site of my GSA training in 2008. We climbed up 16B for a couple of miles to the Black Mountain Ski Area where an invitational Snow Sculpture competition was being held. This is the only New Hampshire State Sanctioned Snow Sculpting Competition! We got there just as the judging was about to begin so all the creations were in pristine condition. The general public had a chance to vote and Judy's choice was also the choice of the public. Exhibitors also judged. Non NH exhibitors judged the NH entries and the NH folks judged the non residents.  The winner was to go on to a National competition and possibly International. It certainly is amazing what you can do with a pile of snow. I found it hard to imagine how they were able to keep the snow so clean. There were about 15 creations and one heck of a lot of talent was on display.

There is so much to see and do. Being a GSA makes me more aware of the many things that are close by and interesting.