We wanted to make sure we used our time wisely. First we scheduled our medical physicals as soon as we could after we arrived. I got my blood work done on the next day we got there (reason for this). Once we got the preliminary things done we could start our vacation.
Friday was a good day to start, we had lunch at a local restaurant Windjammers in Rochester, NH to have our favorite fried seafood platters, fried clams, haddock, scallops with of course fries and onion rings. This wasn't the only seafood restaurant visited, another famous for NH is Newick's in Dover, Bob's Clamhut in Kittery, ME (one of the restaurants on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). Yes we did some repeat visits.
Then another day traveled to Portsmouth NH to a local landmark called "Gilly's" a famous hot dog wagon that has been in town since 1912. For us they have to have one of the best hot dogs and we have tried a lot in our travels.
Another stop was Benedict's in Rochester NH a great breakfast place, on weekend they make their own donuts from an old recipe from a family run business when I was growing up "McSherra Donuts". This restaurant either bought the recipe or was very good friends with the family and the tradition continues.
Then we had another stop on our first round of visiting NH and that was the local Moe's Italian Sandwich shop a local franchise that has many shops in NH and Maine. It originated in Portsmouth and again they have been around for many many years. When I took this picture of the sandwich, I had already eaten half of it. These sandwiches are far better then those of the major chains we have stopped at in our travels.
Another stop we had to make was a famous country store in Barrington, NH, Calef's Country store which has been around since the late 1800's or early 1900's and still going strong. It's one of those stops you had to make to check out their cheese counter, (rat trap cheese) dry goods, barreled molasses that you can get by the amount you want. Dry beans, freshly made donuts, penny candy that now cost a little bit more than a penny and they have a pretty good meat department. Nice thing with Calef's is that you can go to their web site and order most of their products on line. Of course the meat is not available on line but a must stop when in the area. This is some of the products we shipped back from NH to Colorado as I don't think TSA would appreciate having to check the molasses or dry beans or the ginger snaps (which I believe they would eat to prove they weren't dangerous.
So you can see where I am going as to why I got all of my blood work done before the games began. A few of these restaurants were repeat visits with family and friends as we got together
Another thing we held off for as long as we could was the buying of new sneakers and shoes as growing up in NH we are spoiled by local merchants, Red's Shoe Barn in Dover. As a kid I remember Mr Murray opening up the store in an old barn and over the years expanding it. They have just about every brand you can think of. Prices are right and in NH no sales tax. Another shipment back to Colorado. Maybe we spent more on shipping then if we had paid the sales tax. Had fun anyway.
Our trip was planned so that we could attend Sue's family annual get together in Alfred, ME where there was a cookout, games for the younger generation and reuniting with her brothers and sisters, cousins and close friends. A great day of fun for all.
During our 2 plus weeks visit we were able to see my sister Lorraine and brother in law John and it was great to see them as it was at least 2 years since seeing them. Like Sue and I, my sister and her husband have been away from NH for many years and they too miss pretty much the same things we do and had to some repeat visits to eateries.
While I am thinking of it, my blood work results were as my doctor said pretty good not perfect but very good.
We tried to meet up with as many of our family and friends and camping friends from NH, Maine and Massachusetts. It was a lot of fun to see those we could and wish we would have had more time to see more.
We hope to be back in NH next year (2013) and be in the area for a little longer and do some serious travel in Maine and NH.
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