New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mt.
There are several Highland Games in Northern New England. The games at Loon Mountain are a personal favorite. These are known as the most diverse games in the country! First, Loon Mountain and surrounding area is a beautiful area. Getting there is big fun. Coming from Maine or the Mt. Washington Valley, the ride must include a trip across the Kancamagus Highway, an adventure in itself.
The event itself includes a gathering of over 60 clans and societies, a Scottish Fiddle championship and other instrument competitions, sheepdog trials, and food, to name just a few attractions. The main drawing factor for many people, though is the heavy athletics. Athletes come from all over the world to participate in the NH Highland Games.
If you’ve never been to a Highland Games, you really need to go to this one.
Photo credit: bgeissle
Common Ground Fair
I am a sucker for a fair of any kind. This fair, however, knocks my socks off. The Common Ground Fair is sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and is always held the third weekend after Labor Day. MOFGA is the voice of organic farming in Maine, and the Common Ground Fair is the annual celebration of Green living. Held at MOFGA grounds in Unity, Maine, attendees will enjoy the ride there, for one, but also an amazing assortment of vendors. All food is organic and Maine grown. One can learn about any form of alternative energy, find information on causes of many descriptions, see demonstrations of working animals (the sheep herding dogs are a personal fave), learn a LOT about gardening from master gardeners, and basically enjoy a day at a fair of a different color. There is no midway at the Common Ground, no rides, no barkers. There ARE, however, all the other elements of a country fair and then some — amazing post and beam structures, food (I can’t say enough good about the food), artisans and craftsmen, animals, demonstrations, a farmers market, and a good time for all.
To get to the fair, drive, ride your bike and save $2 off admission, camp overnight, ride the train from Unity to the fairgrounds. It’s more than a fair, it’s an experience.
Photo credit: Allison McKellar
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is the most amazing and odd little museum I’ve ever visited…and I’ve been to a few. First, its setting. It’s near the famous Boston Fens and within walking distance of the Museum of Fine Art. It has an inner courtyard that is always in bloom and lovely.
The museum’s history is interesting, as well. Ms. Gardner opened the museum to public viewing in 1903. It’s been virtually unchanged since. She determined how the art would be displayed and, for better or worse, that too has been unchanged. That is certainly not a reflection on the collection. Covering multiple millenia, it is wonderful and diverse, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, books, and other items of note.
The ISGM is also the location of one of the most infamous art thefts in history, which just adds to the interest of the museum. March 18, 2010, marks the 20-year anniversary of this theft of 13 works of art, whose combined value is over $300 million. Their frames have been hanging empty since. Artists include Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Manet. $5 million could be yours, if you have can help the FBI solve this one.
Photo credit: MarioAnima
Photo from the Road: African Mask Number One
Sometimes, you find unusual travel photo opportunities at the most unexpected times. For example, this African mask I came across on a family visit to the zoo. Read more
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
Located in University Circle in Cleveland, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum houses a collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It contains historically significant automobiles (over 200 vehicles from Model T to contemporary Jaguar), bicycles, aircraft, spacecraft, motorcycles and even a boat, Tinkerbelle. It’s fascinating.
If history is your thing, and even if it isn’t, a ticket to the Crawford includes admission to the History Museum and Library, too. Active members of the military enjoy a 50% discount on admission. This is an interesting historical museum and is worthy of inclusion on your visit to Northeast Ohio. I visited this museum several times during my tenure at college in University Circle, and I was never bored.
Photo Credit: Craig Hatfield
Mt. Washington Auto Road
Hiking Mt. Washington is a popular thing to do for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Mt. Washington Valley. Getting to that summit is an attainable goal and the view from the summit is an apt reward. If, however, you happen not to want to execute that climb to get those views, there is an alternative.
The Mt. Washington Auto Road near the Pinkham Notch Visitor’s Center on Rt. 16 is a thrilling way to go. You, your family and your vehicle can make this climb yourselves at your own rate and attain the summit and its rewards, including a ‘This car climbed Mt. Washington’ bumper sticker!
The weather on Mt. Washington is the most unpredictable in the world. No two trips to the summit are the same. The option to drive yourself isn’t available when the snow flies, but if you’re in the area in temperate weather, consider the drive. It’s amazing, memorable, and the story will be worthy of the retelling.
Photo credit: zappowbang
Photo from the Road: Andean Market Women
This image called to me for the taking on a day trip we took with a friend in Ecuador. The back view of virtually identical hair braids streaming down vibrantly colored shawls is a cultural snapshot of the Andes themselves. Read more
Cruise the Kanc – Bear Notch Rd.
As a person who lives near the White Mountains, I frequently like to combine a trip to Conway/No. Conway with a ride on the Kancamagus Highway (aka “The Kanc”). There are a few ways to do this for those ‘in the know’ without backtracking. My favorite is to connect from Rte. 302 in Bartlett to The Kanc via Bear Notch Rd.
Bear Notch Rd. is a 9-mile road that is only open from May to November for wheeled vehicle access. Snowmobiles take over in the winter months. It is very popular in the warm months with bikers, to mention one group. There are several scenic turn outs along the way, and foliage season viewing is exceptional on Bear Notch Rd.
To find Bear Notch Rd. from Conway/No. Conway, head west on Rte. 302 out of No. Conway. In Bartlett, NH, turn west (left) onto Bear Notch Rd. The road ends at The Kanc.
Photo Credit: walknboston
Book Review: Travel Yoga
This instruction manual for travel yoga by Darrin Zeer, covers poses you can perform casually in the airport as well as tips for every portion of the trip, including layovers, at the luggage carousel, standing in line for the security check, on the plane, etc. Some of top tips from the book? Read more
Photo from the Road: Amazon River Rescue Bird Number One
This bird was one of many animals we saw at a local Amazon jungle animal rescue and rehabilitation program in Ecuador. Read more
