A Visit to Planet Marshmallow is Both Sweet and Savory

Submitted by Lorry Young, Granite State Ambassador
Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

Planet Marshmallow Dessert Cafe is an out-of-the-box creation by Heather Cox. It is located across the street from our historic Palace Theater on 81 Hanover Street. I recently had the pleasure of enjoying hand-crafted marshmallows sandwiched between homemade gourmet grahams and Hershey's chocolate known as s'mores. The cafe' provides a mini toaster so you can make your own at the table. It only takes seconds. Planet Marshmallow has a vast variety of specialty marshmallow flavors, quite unique and irresistable. They can be purchased at other speciality stores throughout the U.S. and on their website at www.planetmarshmallow.com.

An array of other delectable desserts are offered as well at the cafe. To go along with your dessert are a variety of coffees, loose leaf teas, hot chocolate, and pop. Savory items can be enjoyed as well. Winter time sausage and spinach soup. Quiche of the day or maybe baked brie and assorted crackers paired with a glass of wine. Yes, they offer a nice selection of wines. What a great place to go after the theater for a snack.

Green Dash is a Convenient, Easy Way to Tour Manchester

Submitted by Jean McGiffin 
Granite State Ambassador, Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

Green and Dash....two words near and dear to the GSA's.....we love Green and we certainly Dash around the state assisting all our wonderful visitors....so today we had a wonderful tour of Manchester and we rode on the Manchester Transit Authority's Green Dash.....the Manchester circulator (hop on, hop off) bus.

The Green Dash operates Monday through Friday, every 10 minutes from 7:00-9:00 A.M; 11:30-1:30 P.M. and 4:00-7:00 P.M. Other times it is every 20 mins.

What's not to like....it has a Hybrid engine so environmentally friendly....I did mention the word Green didn't I?...it is Free....and on a very user friendly schedule.....It follows a figure 8 pattern from Granite St. to Elm with a left on Spring St. and then a right on Commercial and back to Elm by West Brook and back to Spring to catch the other end of Commercial St. and back to Granite Street.....You can't miss it literally and figuratively....bright Green with Mr. Dash painted on the side and his character and the creative art on the side of the bus were both donated by two wonderful NH craftsmen!!! It is, of course, handicapped accessible and on a wintery day you can be "Dashing through the snow" to that old, familiar tune!




So......ALL ABOARD!!!

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Designed for Children to Adults

By Jan Moe, Granite State Ambassador, Comfort Inn Airport, Class of 2011

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a wonderful destination! I assumed before my visit that this was designed for elementary school children; I was only partially correct. It is designed for all of us...children, young adults, adults, and NHGSAs!

The Discovery Center has added a Navy plane; a real test plane that traveled to NH by flatbed and was brought into the Center by taking out the nine large windows at the end of the building. Alan Shepard flew a similar plane before heading to space.

I was a bit concerned when our tour took us into the planetarium at 2 pm. Could I stay awake in a dark room with comfy chairs? No problem. The program, Tonight's Sky, displayed the night sky for THAT evening in NH. The knowledgeable presenter made it was fascinating. It was doubly fascinating when I took the dog out for a walk that evening & sure enough, the moon, Orion, The Big Dipper, planets were all waiting for me to just look up!

Thanks again to NHGSA and The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center for an enjoyable afternoon. It will be a pleasure to recommend this delightful Center to our NH guests!

Loon Mountain Offers Something for Every Snow Sport Enthusiast

By: Nathan Pasquale NHGSA Intern and PSU Student

I know a lot ofpeople may have forgotten about it, but along with winter generally comes snow.This season Mother Nature has been holding out on us, but we have managed tomake do with what we’ve got. This happens to be a whole lot of snowmachines.  Being a student from PlymouthState University, there are a variety of mountains that are close by, includingone of my favorites, Loon Mountain. I have the privilege to ride two or threedays a week at Loon, and over the past four years, I have learned a lot aboutthe mountain and the area surrounding it. 

Between the Kancamagus Highway and exit 32 on Route 95 liesLincoln and Woodstock NH.  This area is aclassic ski town. As you drive in from 93 you are bombarded with ski shops andlocal restaurants. All of which I drive by without a glance in anticipation ofgoing snowboarding.  However, if you’relooking for a new board, skis, or you’re new to the sport and are looking forrentals, make a quick stop at Lahout’s. Their customer service is great, andthey have an amazing selection of gear, and knowledgable people who love thesport. Don’t let their multiple locations fool you, look for the one with theold gondola outside, that’s where their skis and snowboards are located.

Moving on down the road and keeping your speed under thelimit (strictly in forced), Loon’s entrance comes into view. Once across theriver, make sure to check the main lot for spots. Although on a busy day theymay have a sign saying the lot is closed, take a spin through anyways, you maybe surprised of how close a parking spot you can find.

Once situated, it’s time to hit the slopes. I usually startwith a quick Gondola ride to the summit. Iif you don’t mind meeting new people,hop in the singles line with your friends and you can skip the whole wait.Loon’s peak provides the most trail options with all difficulties. If you’relike me and want to head to the terrain park, trails like Flying Fox and BearClaw provide a fun easy ride down to the main park.  If you are more of an all mountain rider andall you want to do is find some soft open trails, South Peak is a great escapefrom both lines and tracked out trails. South Peak, a new addition to Loon, hasintermediate and advanced trails.  Forthose up to the task, you can take Rip Saw, a double black diamond, which willkeep you coming back for more.  I reallyenjoy a few runs on South Peak but when it really snows, and it’s time for someglade and tree skiing, I bear right at the top and head over to North Peak.

NorthPeak, in my opinion contains some of the most exciting and fun trails atLoon. Can’t Dog and Bucksaw, both woodstrails, contain some great lines.  Staying to the center of Bucksaw has never leadme wrong - you can usually always find some deep snow in there. On a busy day,the solitude of the woods, along with the wind protection, can turn a cold busyday around. Hopefully with a little luck, we will have enough snow to enjoythis trail this season.

After a long day of fun in the snow, I like to relax on theporch of the Bunyan Room, grab the special of the day, and watch people comedown the mountain. If you’re looking to take advantage of some après specials,head to Gordi’s.  Here you can helpyourself to some complimentary popcorn, crackers and cheese. Gordi’s offers specialsfrom 4-5:30 every day.  I stopped in theother day, and they had 25¢ Buffalo wings!  Ofcourse if you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, there is an accompanyingbeer special as well.

I have been going to Loon now for 4 years, and each year Iseem to find something else interesting and fun. The Mountain is a great placeto ski and ride, and the town of Lincoln is a friendly environment whereeveryone is welcome. Next time you’re looking for a place to ski or ride, headto Loon, you won’t be disappointed.

Lake Sunapee Perfect Like a Movie Set or a Hometown

By Kevin Martin, Granite State Ambassador, MtSunapeeLodging.com Class of 2011

Living in the Lake Sunapee region is plain and simple - a treat. "The Other New Hampshire" offers lakes to swim in, rivers to paddle, mountains to climb and ski down, trails to walk, hike or bike and snow shoe or ski mobile on, friendly people who care about others and offers all four seasons of life that New Hampshire is known to share with residents and visitors.

Some of the joys of living in the Sunapee region include coming home at night under the night sky to watch a flock of gaggling geese silhouetted against a full moon as they migrate or waking up to the call of a loon. The Sunapee area is a region filled with people who care about people - from those who know you and those you do not. If you have a car emergency, do not be surprised if the owner of the garage offers a ride home. Neighbors always help neighbors.

A great area to enjoy the outdoors where a traffic jam means you have to wait to make a left hand turn. Easy to get to.

And although he isn't a certified NHGSA (yet), Steven Tyler recently shared his perspective on Sunapee with a personal tour of the area with Oprah! Click on the image below to watch the clip of his tour.

Steven Tyler's Tour of Lake Sunapee

To Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Lake Sunapee is a place so perfect it could be a movie set. Tag along on a tour of his New Hampshire hideaway and see where he met his musical soul mate, guitarist Joe Perry, for the first time.

You Deserve a Treat Like a Stay at the Wild Orchard Guest House

Submitted by Kate Bashline, Granite State Ambassador
Great Bay Class of 2001

You are in for a  treat with a stay at Wild Orchard Guest Farm. You will refresh your spirit and creativity in a location set apart in nature and art. The warm cozy rooms and common areas are appointed with fine art, crafts and antiques.

Give yourself and special people the gift of time and calm renewal.  The farm setting comes with treats of strolling peacocks, mini horses, a labyrinth, and world traveler Molly's hospitality and wonderful  cooking. This location is perfect for workshops, meetings, family reunions, artist workshops, retreats, teas. luncheons and weddings. Give Molly a call. You deserve a treat.

Wild Orchard Guest Farm
67 Candia Road
Deerfield, N H.
603-261-7742
www.wildorchardguestfarm.com

Indian Head Resort Offers Many Perks

Submitted by Virginia Leighton, Granite State Ambassador
St. Mary’s Bank - American Credit Union Museum Class of 2008

Finally I got to break away and use my Indian Head Resort perk from 2010. They were great when I called to make a reservation for nights of November 17 and 18. Rose S (another GSA) joined me for the excursion. 

NHGSA Rose in Lincoln Woods

We left Concord in the morning on Thursday with a stop at the Tanger Outlets in Tilton. Since I like to give back to those who give to us we lunched at 104 Diner (Common Man property). During a stop at the White Mt Visit Center we realized White Mt Mikey was among the missing. 

Cruised Main Street for a bit and checked in at the Resort. We wanted to try the outdoor pool and jacuzzi, yet, did not want them to open for just us, so we opted for the indoor pool and hot tub. Cleaned up for dinner, I had the prime rib and we took desserts of cheesecake with strawberries back to our room for later. After that big dinner we walked around the property.   

Old Man on the Mountain Memorial

Friday morning we had a great breakfast and headed out to the Lincoln Woods Franconia Falls Trail. There had been a dusting of snow during the night and it was crisp and breezy. We were the only car in the parking lot. As we walked the trail the damage from Irene was still obvious, although many trail repairs were already done. The plan was out to the falls and back an approximate 6 mile round trip. When we approached the intersection of the Black Pond Trail Rose said that her husband had seen many moose out by Black Pond. We opted for Black Pond – the trail was good at first and then narrowed out with a steep drop on one side. That was “ok” until we got to a very steep drop off with a brook crossing and no obviously great way to cross. Remember we were heading to the falls and back (easy hike) so we did not bring our hiking poles. We decided not to risk possible injury and falling in the water – so we turned back to the falls trail. We hiked for about 3 hours and encountered two couples on the return trip.

View from Sugar Hill Sampler

Since the day was far from over we lunched at a sports bar in downtown Franconia, visited Garnet Hill Outlet, went to the Old Man Memorial, Harman’s Cheese, tried some letterboxing near Polly’s Pancake House and checked out the Sugar Hill Sampler (great views from there).  After all that we got back to the Resort and to our delight found the outdoor pool and hot tub opened for some other guests.  It was great until you got out. Dinner was great – I had baked stuffed shrimp. During dinner I looked around the dining room and spotted NHGSA Paul and a friend who had arrived on Friday for his two day stay.

NHGSA Rose on Roaring River Trail

Saturday morning we had breakfast, a stroll around the resort’s pond, a short letterboxing hike on the Roaring River Trail near the Flume and headed home.  We stopped some more at a shop in Tilton owned by my neighbor’s daughter and a stop at Rose’s father’s grave site in the NH Veterans Cemetery.  We also walked the area that has memorials for each branch of the service.  I was quite impressed- it is a great place to visit.

What a great early weekend packed with lots of activities.