New Hampshire: The Vacation State, Wright Museum in Wolfeboro NH

UPDATE - September 16 - September 22

-- Vacation Time in New Hampshire Lakes Region - Lots of Fun

Patti at Bay Pointe Waterfront Deck

Since I was a small boy, visiting the Lakes Region of New Hampshire has always been an important part of my life. I went to Camp Pine Ridge in Rumney Depot; the family vacationed on Newfound Lake in those tiny, quaint cottages; and climbing the trails of the White Mountains was something my Dad and my brother did together often. Patti and I make it to New Hampshire at least once a year and frequently we make several visits. Even winter can be a draw for us in New Hampshire, although neither of us is a skier.


-- Mills Falls Marketplace

Innisfree Bookshop

On Sunday, we drove to Laconia where Patti's brother has a timeshare condo. We ventured around the lake the first day and spent some time at the Inn at Bay Pointe in Meredith. The patio deck on the water provided the perfect place for a light meal and some drinks. Across the street was the Mills Falls Marketplace, which has a great bookstore and a multitude of shops that we always enjoy visiting.

Among them was the Innisfree Bookshop. I always stop in and as you can imagine, I found some good buys on books. I bought Coal Wars by Richard Martin about the future of energy and the fate of the planet. He's making a case to shut down coal mining and I want to understand his argument. By the way, the book was only $4.98. The remainder rack is the safe place to find great books at low cost. Also, as there was a Ben and Jerry's shop in the Marketplace, featuring "Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz," Patti decided to have some for no better reason than, "Why not?"


-- The "Golf" Eagle Has Landed!

Actual Eagle Golf Ball

As of Monday, September 17, 2018, I have only had one Eagle on a golf course (and sadly, no hole-in-one efforts.) But, this was my lucky day. At the Lochmere Golf and Country Club in Tilton NH, just a chip shot to Lake Winnipesaukee, I got my second eagle. It was the tricky 310 yard 12th hole, which is a sharp dogleg to the left and up to a very high, invisible green. Patti and I were in a foursome that included two fellows that were matched up with us at the course. All four of us had placed our tee shots cleanly in the fairway at the foot of the rising green. You could barely see the top of the flag from where we all were standing. My shot was smooth and lofted nicely; I felt sure I was on the green. When we walked up the hill, everyone found their shots; except me. All four of us began looking to see if it rolled off the green behind, or to the side. Finally, with a bit of sarcasm, someone said, "Have you checked in the hole?" Well, of course not. So one of the fellows walked over, peered inside the cup and said, "It's in the hole!" My second shot had hit the green and rolled in for my second eagle. Even with the eagle, I still only shot a 91. It's getting tougher to break 90.

-- Air Show at Laconia Airport

P-51 Engine Repair

Supporting 2nd Amendment

The "Wings of Freedom Tour," featuring historic military aircraft, owned and operated by the Collings Foundation, made a three-day stop at the Laconia Airport. We visited on Tuesday and had fun crawling under and inside the wonderfully restored aircraft. I spent a lot of time in the B-24 Liberator. Previously, at other air shows, I had a chance to fly inside the B-17 Flying Fortress. It was well worth the cost to experience flying aboard such a fantastic aircraft. The P-51 was not out on the field, but rather, it was in the "barn," having the engine worked on by a team of engine specialists from the Roush Performance team. This is the same company that operates the Roush NASCAR racing team.

B-24 Liberator Cockpit

Patti Upstaging the B-24 Liberator

-- "Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant" 

No need for a menu

Every visit to New Hampshire includes a visit to Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant. It's on the Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith NH. We went to dinner with Patti's brother John, and all of us enjoyed our meals very much. I had the "small" turkey plate, which I could barely finish. I don't know how Johnny managed the "regular" turkey plate. It was enormous. Patti went for the Turkey Pie. Again, it's more than anyone can eat without leftovers.


Now, if you have someone in your party who doesn't want Turkey, the restaurant can accommodate everyone. Steak, Fish, and all the usual suspects are on hand as you can imagine. The other great feature here is the homemade pies and pastries. At the front counter, they have a shop where you can buy a wide variety of prepared foods so you can have the same experience at home as you have at the restaurant.

Don't be alarmed if you pull up and see buses; they have seating for over 400 people, so in all the years of visiting Hart's we have never had to wait to get a table. Bon Appetit.

-- Spectacular Golf at Owls Nest in NH

On Wednesday, we visited the Jack Nicklaus-designed facility at the Owls Nest Resort in Thornton NH, which is a really a spectacular location and golf course. I  shot a 92, which was not too bad given that I have never played the course before and some of the holes had surprises. But, I'm not complaining. Patti and I enjoyed the people, the course layout, and even the clubhouse was a treat. We had a nice meal and drinks after the game and it couldn't have been nicer.


-- Wright Museum of Wolfeboro NH


On Thursday we visited the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro NH. Although the museum has my name, we are not associated with it. A gentleman named Wright turned his personal collection of World War II memorabilia into a full-fledged museum over time and it has now become a very well-known and respected facility. Yankee Magazine selected it as the Best 20th Century History Museum in the state. That's high praise. Downtown Wolfeboro is a favorite spot of ours to visit as it has beautiful historic buildings, great restaurants, an outstanding bookshop, and great tourist attractions. What makes this museum a bit distinctive is that it devotes a large amount of its focus on the "homefront" aspects of the war. What was it like in small-town New Hampshire; what did the citizens have to endure; how did they respond to the international emergency here in their small communities? It was very well done in presenting the homefront part of the WW II story.

-- Patti and I Love Eating in places such as the Wolfes Tavern 

After our visit to the Wright Museum, we went to the Wolfes Tavern, a part of the Wolfeboro Inn. This is the kind of tavern we love; fireplaces, low ceilings, authentic wide board floors, and just the right blend of fun and pub-type food. Patti's brother John, went with the Sam Adams and fish sandwich. Patti had an exotic drink and the soup and half-sandwich, while I went with Johnnie Walker Red on the rocks and the Kielbasa sandwich. Leftovers were automatic. The pub atmosphere is enhanced by the mugs hanging from the ceiling. I had to duck my head a few times when moving around the room. I believe the mugs are tagged and the "owners" use them when they come in. Not sure how that meets health code in Wolfeboro; but, we're only visitors.


-- Strangest Tavern in New Hampshire - But, we liked it

Piano and Tapas Bar

By far, the strangest restaurant in New Hampshire is Tavern 27. If you know what tapas is, and you like it, this place takes it a bit further. The place is odd, the service staff are odd, the food is odd, but; again, we liked it. However, I would never recommend it to anyone as it's too odd for me to think that I want to own the recommendation. Does that make sense?

The 225-year-old building provides the atmosphere and the super subdued lighting adds to the ambiance. The menu is eclectic at a minimum and eccentric at maximum. We ordered various items and enjoyed them all. But, you really are on your own to decide if you want to try a place that warns you not to arrive early for your reservation as they have no waiting room, so you will have to stand outside until they can seat you. You have been warned.

Reading Update: Patti was so desperate to read Bob Woodward's book, Fear, that I had to place a pre-order online so that it would come directly to the house. I couldn't get a real bargain on it either (which is very important to me as I read about two books a week). So, I paid almost cover price; Yikes! Anyway, it arrived and she and I both read it right away.

It's a shameful thing that has happened to our country. But, reading Fear, Unhinged, and A Higher Loyalty over the past few weeks has convinced me that our country is in real trouble and it will take decades to dig out from this mess created by the moron in the White House.