Yesterday, the HH and I hopped in the car and set of for the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I wrote down “52 Date Days” as one of my goals for 2019 and well, after our first date of the year {brunch at the Cracker Barrel} I decided to aim a little higher this time and actually plan out an itinerary {one that involved more than people watching and the thrill of mini maple syrup bottles}. 😉
Our first stop: Calef’s Country Store for a pound of gingersnaps.
Just look at those snappies!!!! So PERFECT. So CRUNCHY. So DELICIOUS!
Out next stop was to the L.L. Bean outlet in North Conway to return a few shirts. Did you know you can return an online L.L. Bean purchase to any store, even an outlet? I had no idea until I checked their website and read about it. I pretty much stalk the L.L.Bean two a day daily markdown for deals and have found some really good stuff from time to time.
The only problem is I have arms like a monkey and I like the cuff to hit right at the wrist {or a little longer} and so buying shirts can be challenging. I like the quality of their clothes though because they are super simple and are mostly cotton. LOOK AT THAT SNOW!!!
Third stop of the day was to Old Village Bakery for a loaf of bread. I packed a thermos of turkey soup for the trip and since I’m always on the hunt for a new bakery and the reviews were good, we decided to check it out.
Everything looked so good though so we couldn’t walk away with just a loaf of bread. A molasses cookie {for us to share} and a cinnamon roll to bring back home for The Girl. YUM.
And then, because another one of my goals is to check out 12 General Stores this year {one’s we haven’t been to yet} we decided to stop by Zeb’s General Store in North Conway. We didn’t get to go inside though because they were CLOSED for inventory! Booooo.
After reading the story Will’s Red Coat, and hearing the author Tom Ryan gush about the tiny town of Jackson, New Hampshire, {where he lives} I knew I wanted to not only drive out to the town, but stop by a few of the places he mentioned in the book.
Be still my heart. A covered bridge on a snowy day. Does it get anymore New England than that?
Flossie’s General Store, which he mentions in the book… Closed on Wednesdays. 🙁
Jackson Public Library. I don’t think the author mentioned this place in his book but HELLO…. Have you ever seen a more dreamy library building? Doesn’t it just make you want to buy a flannel shirt and move to the country? Do you think they offer hot chocolate and cookies inside?
I would have LOVED to have found out but the library didn’t open until 2 pm and we didn’t have 3 hours to sit around in the snow covered parking lot to find out. To quote Arnold Schwarzenegger though…. “I’ll be back!”
If you’ve read the book Will’s Red Coat, then you know all about Dutch Bloemen Winkle, the sweet little flower shop that created all the flower bouquets for Will, the author’s senior dog who was blind and deaf but still had his sense of smell. If you haven’t read the book already, it’s a nice light read. I listened to the audio version which was read by the author and absolutely loved hearing the story with his heavy New England accent.
Sadly though, Dutch Bloemen Winkle was closed as well. {Apparently the owners and staff take a month off after the holidays every year}. Which, seems to be a kind of reoccurring theme up here in New England. And you know what? I kind of like it.
I like the fact that people really take the time time soak up the seasons. Life doesn’t seem as rushed, and that even though half the places we stopped at along our date day road trip were closed, it was such a beautiful drive, neither of us seemed to mind.
Life, it’s meant to be enjoyed. Slow down and look out the window once in awhile, or you’ll miss the good stuff.
Have a wonderful Thursday everyone,
~Mavis
P.S. It’s snowing again this morning. 🙂 Weeeeeee! ♥ ♥ ♥
Jenn from Ma says
I think you’ve just inspired me to read Wills Red Coat!
Peggy says
How beautiful!
Deborah says
Snow! Can you send us some? We hardly ever get snow. It looks beautiful up there. And, I already have a couple of flannel shirts. Love them.
Nena Meimaris says
I used to live in Boston for years and visited all through these places. I live in Greece now and I miss New England so much! Enjoy it and thank you for the detailed tour. The place in beautiful!
nancy grimsley says
We visited New England last Spring and went to many of those places as well. But, you must return and go to Zeb’s. I think it is the best General Store I have ever been to and North Conway is one of my favorite towns to dilly dally through. Thanks for the memories this morning.
Andrea says
I’ll second the recommendation to go to Zebs!
It is a really fun store. I love to stop in there whenever I go to North Conway.
Kari says
Thanks for taking us along on your adventures! I have dreams of seeing New England in person, but until then, I will live vicariously through you!
Cathy says
They have a great dance on the Jackson covered bridge the first sat af Aug. Great band good fun. I was also not a great travel day yesterday glad you had no issues.
Jayne Neu says
I think this is one of my favorite posts I have read of yours. My hubby and I travel a lot and this is exactly the type of stuff I post in my travel-log. I have traveled most of the US in my life, but never to New England in the winter, which is a dream of mine. You have re-inspired me to put this on my list. Thank you.
Pat says
What a lovely drive. I’m down here in South Texas and we just don’t get to see snow like that. You’ve inspired me to add something similar to my 2019 goals, it’s so nice to make time out of our daily grind to just enjoy each others company without the distraction of daily chores.
Stacie says
Fellow South Texas girl here too. I’m so envious of her snow and those darling general stores and that dreamy library. It’s hard to find general stores here in Texas from my experience.
Melissa says
Those pictures! You’re living in a postcard, Mavis!❤️
Hans says
I grew up in Gloucester literally a few doors down from Virgilio’s. We would go all over Vermont and New Hampshire on the weekends. One place we loved for lunch is in North Adams, MA and is called Jack’s Hot Dogs. Small, busy place but so good and just an experience in itself.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the suggestion Hans! I put Jack’s on my list for when we visit the Normal Rockwell Museum. 🙂
Valérie says
I love North Conway and New Hampshire.
Your post ads so much to my NH bucket list!
Janet says
Loved everything about this post. You are killing me!!!!! Sitting here in Bellingham Washington……not a flake of snow this year……just wind and rain over and over………you know that story!!!
Teri says
Do you take Miss Lucy on these trips? Love the country stores and love that you are sharing them! Did you buy anything at the LLBean outlet store? Just wonder how the prices compare to the catalog?
Mavis Butterfield says
We take her along everyonce in a while. I didn’t end up buying anything but the prices are great 20- 70% off {most of the stuff was 40% off}. Kind of kicking myself for not getting the snowshoes.
Lana says
LLBean flannel shirts for men are the BEST! Alas, their clothes do not fit the women in our family with our big boobs. Just saying. We finally stopped trying to fit our chests into their clothes cause it just does not work!
Karen says
Duluth Trading Company has great flannel shirts for women. The sleeves are always WAY too long for me, but the body part fits great.
Nancy K Sadewater says
Beautiful photos as always and makes me wish I could move to New England, (and no it is not likely).
Jane Hebert says
Love Caleb’s bread. I used to go there once in awhile while out with my sister. Brings back fun memories.
hmmmm…maybe one of these Sunday’s: My husband and I will have to go to Caleb’s.
Have a great weekend, Janiw
Pamela says
Wow! This post takes me back to when I was probably 14 yrs old. My grandparents had a condo in North Conway. We had a family reunion there. I am a Hoosier born and raised so that involved a road trip. I remember the Blueberry Muffin. We went there several times. I looked it up and it is still there 26 yrs later. I remember it being called the Blueberry Muffin Inn. It is the restaurant in an Inn so maybe there was a name change over the years. The condo was right up from the Outlets and I remember hitting them up as well. Great memories!
Marybeth says
I love Zeb’s. It is so much fun. There is an ice cream shop on the same strip that is great too. I can’t think of the name. You have to take the train ride too. It is so much fun. North Conway is my happy place. When the weather gets nice go to Diana’s falls. It is gorgeous. Also the Lobster Trap is great to eat at. They have lobster rolls for your husband.
SandyF says
Did you read Tom Ryans first book-‘Following Atticus”? Ohhhhh boy oh boy it is good. I so admire his writing. What an amazing man. He has two furry babies now-Samwise and Emily ( you see the names are all literary)
He is working on his next book and I can’t wait. Cheers!
Mavis Butterfield says
I am listening to the first book right now. 🙂 Hi voice is very soothing.
A T says
Would you consider these two books kid friendly? Looking for appropriate audiobooks for the car. Thanks!
Kari says
Oh my! You are so close to where I live! So happy you moved to New England. Do you ski? You should come to Bridgton (Maine) and check out Shawnee Peak and our lovely town. Beth’s Cafe’ is a great bakery to check out. P.S. You are braver than this Maine girl driving in Wednesday’s storm…lol..my daughters were like “Mom, it looks like snowballs falling from the sky!”
Mavis Butterfield says
I am adding Bridgton to our list!!! Have you been to the Clipper Merchant Tea House? The place looks lovely!
Kari says
Yes, it is a very unique place, so thankful to have them here. They have an endless tea selection and everyone gets their own pot of tea. We often get the scones with lemon curd and Devonshire cream…..yummm!
Starling says
You need to have a re-set on this date when everything is open.