Activities Schedule for Dec 22-28,2008

**Friday and Saturday

Shuttle to CANNON MTN. - Picks up at Pollard Brook at 8:45am &

South Mountain at 8:55am**

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ANY AND ALL CRAFTS AND TOURS AT THE RECREATION DESK

Monday December 22nd, 2008
8:00am Coloring Contest & Photo Scavenger Hunt Begins
Show us your creativity! Simply stop at the Front Desk or the Recreation Desk for your worksheets!

9:00am Day Break Update
Join the Recreation staff for a fun and informational gathering where we will update you on all of our activities, local events and answer any and all questions you may have! This is a VERY informative meeting!

10:30am Snow Shoe Tour to Lincoln Woods ($15 per pair rental fee– No Transportation Cost)
We will meet downstairs at the Recreation Desk to set you up with your snowshoes and poles if you prefer. We will then take the van to the Lincoln Woods trail located off the Kancamagus Highway. This event is weather permitting, however if there is no snow at the time of the tour, we will still conduct the tour and be taking a brisk walk instead!

1:00pm 3-D Holiday Cards
Come down to the fun factory and make holiday cards with a 3-D pop out center. Similar to pop-up books, these cards are sure to make your holiday wishes happy ones!

2:00pm Plaster of Paris Hand Molds ($3 per mold)
Come on down to the Fun Factory to make a great holiday gift. You will take plaster in a mold, put your handprints, or foot prints in the mold.

7:00pm Teddy Bear Picnic (FREE EVENT)
Bring the kids down to the main lobby dressed in their pajamas with their favorite teddy bear! We will vote on two children’s books to read and provide free popcorn and juice for all!

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
9:15am Viaggio Spa Representative will be in to show off all of their great products! (FREE EVENT)
A certified Estition will be speaking with you in regards to all of the products and services offered by Viaggio Spa. This is a great informational meeting in order to prepare for a spa treat later in the week, or possibly next time you are in the area!

10:00am Trip to Littleton ($5 Transportation Cost)
Join Steve on a trip to downtown Littleton, a great place to finish up any last minute Christmas Shopping! We will make stops at Chutter’s General Store, which has the world’s longest candy counter! We will also stop at the only working Grist Mill still operating in the state of New Hampshire.

4:00pm Candy Bar Bingo (Entry fee: 1 candy bar per card)
Event will be held in the Fun Factory at Pollard Brook. One candy bar per card is required as an entry fee. Bring a friend or the entire family, but don’t miss out on all the fun! This is the chance to show us your skills!

5:00pm Wine and Cheese Social (FREE EVENT)
Guests are invited to gather in the main lobby area at Pollard Brook to enjoy a wide variety of select cheeses and wine. Event will run 1 hour. Guests are limited to two glasses per person.
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Wednesday, December 24rd, 2008

10:00am Design your own 3 inch Globe Ornament ($2 per Globe)
Head on down to the Fun Factory to check out our examples of our small globe designs. Use anything you would like in order to create a perfect family ornament for this year’s Christmas tree.

12:00pm Snowflake Window Clings
Create snowflakes using puff paint that when dry, you can stick to your windows for a lovely holiday decoration!

1:00pm Secret Location Snow Shoe Tour ($15 per pair rental fee– No Transportation Cost)
We will meet downstairs at the Recreation Desk to set you up with your snowshoes and poles if you prefer. This event is weather permitting, however if there is no snow at the time of the tour, we will still conduct the tour and be taking a brisk walk instead!

6:30PM and 8:30PM Candle Light Service at Loon Mountain
Non– Denominational service starting at 6:30PM and 8:30PM. See Front Desk to see our list of restaurants open for Christmas Day!


Thursday, December 25th, 2008

ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT CLOSED– CHRISTMAS DAY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Friday, December 26th, 2008
10:00am Gifts in a Jar ($5 per Jar)
Choose between making a layered chocolate brownie mix, spiral festive soup mix, or even bring home a special treat for your four legged friends with our layered dog biscuit mix!

12:00pm Coloring Contest Deadline! (Please pass in all colored pages to the Front Desk)
Make sure to come to the Recreation Desk on Friday to see if you made our Coloring Contest Wall of Fame!

1:00pm Decoupage Art ($2- $5 depending on type of glassware chosen)
Bring your personal vacation photos or use our brochures and pamphlets. Choose many different colors of tissue paper and word art to create a wonderful collage of your favorite memories on vacation!

5:00pm Meet and Greet with our Adventure Concierge, Eric Pyra (FREE EVENT!)
Outside at South Mountain you will enjoy gathering around a warm fire by the outdoor patio for a great opportunity to ask Eric about all you need to know on your vacation! Also a great chance to meet fellow
Vacationers.

5:30pm Bretton Woods Night Skiing Shuttle (Friday and Saturday)

MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE WITH ADVENTURE CONCIERGE

Saturday, December 27th, 2008
8:00am Yoga with Sue at Pollard Brook ($5 cash only)
Take some time for yourself and indulge in this one hour beginners yoga class. It may be just what you need early in the morning to get your body awakened and ready to go! For those who have never tried it, this is your chance!

10:00am Toddler Paint Hour ( FREE EVENT)
Bring the kids to the fun factory for a chance for them to meet other children and finger paint or paint a picture to bring home! This event geared for children ages 1-6, older children are welcome to join in the fun!

11:30am Photo Scavenger Hunt / Coloring Contest Finale!
Bring your photos down to the Recreation Desk, if you complete the hunt, you win a prize! If your coloring contest picture is up on the wall by the exercise room you also win a prize!!

1:30pm Snow Shoe Tour to Loon Mountain ($15 rental fee per pair)
We will meet downstairs at the Recreation Desk to set you up with your snowshoes and poles if you prefer. We will head on down our main driveway and take a left towards Loon Mountain . We will be following a paved path with a total round trip distance of 1.6 miles. This event is weather permitting, however if there is no snow at the time of the tour, we will still conduct the tour and be taking a brisk walk instead!

4:00pm Sand Art Design Making (4-6$ based on size)
Located at South Mountain...Come down and create a necklace, or jar full of sand art. Layer different colored sand in different patterns to create a masterpiece that you can enjoy forever!

Ski Shuttles start this Weekend to Loon & Cannon

Starting this Saturday the Ski Shuttle to Loon will start 1/2 hour prior to the mountain opening.

LOON WEEKDAYS: Loon’s Shuttles run every 20-25 minutes every day from both resorts. They start at 8 am and terminate at 4:30 pm.
LOON WEEKENDS: Begins at 7:30 am and terminates at 5:00 pm.

NEW THIS YEAR will be a daily shuttle to Cannon Mountain. We are very excited to offer this service for our guests who ski at Cannon. This is also an ideal option for familes who want to go to different ski areas.

NEW CANNON SHUTTLE (Weekends and Holiday Periods only): The new Cannon Shuttle will pick at Pollard Brook once daily at 8:45 am and return to Cannon for a 2:45 pm return trip.

The Cannon Shuttle will also pick up at South Mountain at about 8:55 a.m. with the same return trip time.

December 18, 2008 Christmas Caroling on the Common

4th Annual Carols on the Common

The Town of Woodstock is hosting the 4th Annual Carols on the Common on Thursday, December 18th at 7 pm.
Members of the Lincoln Woodstock Middle and High School Chorus and Brass Band will be leading traditional Christmas Carols on the Town Common (Soldier’s Park) in North Woodstock.

Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the traditional New England holiday experience.

Free hot chocolate will be available courtesy of the Woodstock Ladies Auxiliary as well.

Cutting a Christmas Tree in the White Mountian National Forest

The following is from the White Mountains National Forest:


It’s winter in the White Mountains! Come enjoy the snow and the crisp clear air in your
National Forest. Cutting your own Christmas tree can be an exciting time for the entire
family. Imagine how folks did it in the old days – bundle up, make a lunch, bring your
handsaw or ax and look for that special tree. Remember, while a wild tree may not have the
perfect appearance of a commercial tree, it will create memories of a special time together.
You will need a permit to cut any Christmas tree in the National Forest. You can purchase
your permit for $5 at any White Mountain National Forest Office. These are located in
Gorham, Bethlehem, Plymouth, and Conway, NH and Bethel Maine.

Choosing a Tree
Several different types of evergreens grow in the White Mountain National Forest. Many
people prefer the balsam fir because of fragrance and needle retention. Others prefer the
spruce because of the fullness of the branches and the classic shape. You can tell these two
trees apart by “shaking hands” with one of the branches – you will notice soft needles on the
“Friendly Fir” and sharper ones on the “Spikey Spruce”.


Please remember:
• Trees are for personal use only, not for resale. Each family may cut one tree per permit.
• Use only hand tools to cut Christmas trees. Chainsaws are not permitted.
• Make sure you are on National Forest land. Respect the rights of landowners when
crossing private property.
• Do not cut trees in or near; campgrounds, picnic areas, Experimental Forests,
Wilderness, active timber sales, or within 100’ of a state highway. Ask if there are any
known “off limit” areas.
• Do not cut trees larger than 8” in diameter at chest height. Pack down limb piles low
enough so they are within 2’ of the ground. Scatter limbs and wood at least 25 feet
away from roads, streams, hiking trails, and property boundaries.
• Cut your tree so remaining stumps will be less than 10” in height.
• Attach your tree tag after cutting and before transporting your tree.

Caring for your Tree at Home
Once home, you’ll need to give your tree proper care to keep it fresh and attractive and to keep
your home safe throughout the holiday season. Keep the cut tree in a bucket of water in a cool,
shaded area, which is sheltered from the wind until you are ready to set it up. Trim an inch or
two off the bottom of the trunk just before putting the tree in its stand to allow the tree to take
up water once its moved inside. Your tree will be very thirsty, so take care to check the water
level in the stand often - at least two hours after you set it up and at least once each day. The
water level should always be above the bottom of the tree’s trunk. Your tree will keep its
needles longer and be more fire resistant if it is kept watered.

Remember to place your tree as far as possible from a fireplace, radiator, television set or other
source of heat or electricity. Avoid decorations that burn readily such as cotton or paper or wax
candles. Check lights and wiring for worn spots and cracks and take care not to overload
electrical circuits.

After the holidays, think about recycling your tree – what about a potpourri of balsam needles
to remind you of the holidays throughout the winter? Or set your tree in a snowbank to create a
playground for the chickadees and nuthatches in your backyard.

Cutting your own Christmas Tree near Lincoln, NH

Over the next few weekends you will be able to come up and cut down your own Christmas Tree.
The most popular place to do that is the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, NH. Here you can go 7 days a week and cut down a tree. They have several nature trails that you can hike or snowshoe on where you might see some winter wildlife. Some people would call the experience of going here a "Norman Rockwell Christmas". They have a variety of events occurring on a weekly basis.

My favorite place to go is Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH. We go here during the Fall on our Autumn Tour to Apple pick, but they also have cut your own Christmas Trees. You will enjoy a tractor ride down over the ridge and be able to select your own tree. I went with my family last year and my kids enjoyed riding the Toboggan in the snow and trying to find that perfect tree. The cost was around $30 per tree and was a great opportunity to create a Christmas memory with my family. After we harvested our tree the tractor brought us back up to the baler and then they helped tie the tree up to the roof rack. We went into the gift shop to look around and purchased some cider. We will be repeating the tradition this year.

Caution for Late Fall & Early Winter Hiking

NH OUTDOOR COUNCIL REMINDS LATE-AUTUMN HIKERS TO "HIKE SAFE"CONCORD, N.H. -- Fall foliage in New Hampshire's mountains has come and gone, and with the changing seasons comes new challenges for White Mountain hikers. With the cold, ice, and snow of this time of year in mind, outdoors authorities are advising the Granite State's late-autumn visitors to "Hike Safe."

"New Hampshire's woods and mountains are a great place for recreation any time of year, but each season brings with it special challenges and hazards," notes New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer Lt. Todd Bogardus. "Frankly, the nature of the mountain environment is that it can be a dangerous place. Hikers who are looking forward to an autumn mountain adventure have to realize that winter conditions come early to the mountains, so they have to be prepared for trail conditions that are very different from those they may have enjoyed in summer or early fall."

According to Bogardus, mountain visitors have to take special precautions to enjoy their adventures safely. "Hikers should most definitely take a look at high-mountain weather forecasts, to be better prepared for conditions at this time of year," says Bogardus. "As a general rule, it's significantly colder, windier, and snowier, the higher you climb. Knowing the forecast, and preparing for likely conditions with appropriate clothing, is very important, and even more critical is assessing actual conditions in the field and acting accordingly."

High in the White Mountains, temperatures can get below zero even in October, let alone November or December. Winds are often strong and chilling, visibility can be very poor in low clouds, and snow can fall at any time. Dress in layers to suit varying conditions, and carry extra warm clothing and rain gear in your pack. Above all, warns Bogardus, "Don't press onward 'no matter what' - adjust your actual trip to conditions as you find them, and plan ahead for a safe return. Be willing to turn back."

As fall gives way to winter, Bogardus notes that, in addition to colder weather, there are important matters related to trail conditions that hikers sometimes overlook. Trails get snowy and icy at this time of year, sometimes making them hard to find, and often slowing people down as they try to find a safe way to negotiate slippery sections of trail. "Crampons" - special ice spikes strapped to boots - or similar traction devices can make slick, ice-covered stretches of trail much easier to travel. If you find yourself going much slower than anticipated, says Bogardus, don't hesitate to turn around and head back down.

Another often-overlooked factor is how short the daylight hours have become, and that they'll continue to get even shorter into late December. "An early start, taking maximum advantage of available daylight, is critical - as is having a good flashlight or headlamp, plus spare batteries and a back-up source of light," cautions Bogardus. He adds, "Already this season, hikers have ignored what should be obvious and have been caught out after dark with no light source."

Some locations in the White Mountains have added hazards. "The Forest Service Snow Rangers have chronicled fatal avalanches on Mount Washington as early as November," says Rebecca Oreskes of the White Mountain National Forest, "and similar hazards can be found in other areas, especially those with steep, open slopes. Basic avalanche awareness is needed by all backcountry hikers, plus recognition of other dangers, such as falling ice."

Guidelines for enjoyable and safe hiking are contained in the principles of "hikeSafe," a joint initiative of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the White Mountain National Forest to promote safe and responsible hiking.

Oreskes says that the hikeSafe "Hiker Responsibility Code" sums up the basic tenets of backcountry safety. "Late fall hiking has great rewards, but it also comes with innate challenges and dangers. Being aware of and following the Code are important first steps toward an enjoyable and safe journey.

"There are six tenets of the code: 1) Be prepared with appropriate knowledge and gear; 2) Let someone else know your plans; 3) Hiking groups should stick together and not let themselves become separated; 4) Hikers should always be ready to turn back if circumstances, such as changing weather, dictate; 5) Hikers should be ready for emergencies, and, ideally, be set to "self rescue;" and 6) Those who know the code should share its lessons with others.

"In spite of the challenges, most autumn visitors to our state's forests and mountains have great experiences," says Bogardus, "and there's a better chance of having a memorable and satisfying trip if hikers follow the hikeSafe principles."
For information regarding the NH Outdoor Council and links to outdoor safety resources, visit http://www.nhoutdoorcouncil.org.
For more information about the hikeSafe Program, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.

Ski Area Openings from SkiNH

The projected opening dates have been coming in recently with a list below. Obviously it's going to come down to cooperation from mother nature. Keep checking back as we get more info and updates. In the meantime get your equipment ready because the ski season has arrived!

Projected Opening Dates:
11/8 Bretton Woods
11/15 Crotched Mountain
11/22 Attitash Loon Mountain Waterville Valley
11/28 Cannon Mountain Mount Sunapee Ragged Mtn. Resort Cranmore (snowtubing only)
11/29 Granite Gorge (2nd annual Thanksgiving Railjam only) Wildcat Mountain
12/5 Gunstock Mountain Resort
12/6 Cranmore (skiing & riding) McIntyre Ski Area Pats Peak
12/12 Granite Gorge (skiing & riding) King Pine
12/13 Dartmouth Skiway
12/19 Balsams Wilderness

You should have known when this was being held but...

INDIAN HEAD RESORT
Presenting Our 21st Annual Psychic Weekend Part 2 November 7 - 9, 2008

Experience an exploration of your deepest self. Featuring some of New England’s Top Psychic Advisors

Limited Reservations Available - Call Now!

Friday Nov. 7: 10 AM - 4 PM (good availability)Saturday Nov. 8 & Sunday Nov. 9
Limited Openings Call (603)745-8000 For Availability!$25. Per Reading

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Available Daily Friday – Sunday(Presented for Entertainment Only Subject to Change - Call to Confirm)

Craft Fair on Nov 8 & 9, 2008

There will be a craft fair here in Lincoln on Saturday November 8 from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday November 9, 2008 from 10 AM to 2PM. It will be held at the Lin-Wood High School Gymnasium. Prizes will be drawn every hour. This is a craft fair that will support the friends of Lincoln-Woodstock Recreation. This is a great opportunity to get a jump start on you Christmas Shopping as there will be many unique crafts there.

The Lin-Wood High School is located across from the Lincoln Village Shops which is adjacent to our South Mountain Resort and also 1 mile (turn Right from Resort) from Pollard Brook.

It's Snowing!!!!!!!!

The first snow of the year is falling here at the resort today. As I drove thru town today on my way to work I saw one of the orange NHDOT trucks returning from a plow/sand run up on the Kancamagus Highway.

Now 8 hours later it is lightly snowing here and starting to stick in the mulch beds and on the cars. I hope it sticks around.

Sharpen your skis and boards and book your winter vacation now!!! Almost time for my favorite activity, Apres Ski.

Blog Birthday

My Blog has been around for 1 year. In the course of this year I have made approximately 84 entries. Over the course of things I don't think that is too shabby. I have had just over 3600 visitors to my blog or an average of 28 per day.

I have never proclaimed to be a writer, but I do try to keep everyone informed as best I can. Sometimes I make an entry every day, other times I make an entry once a week. I occasionally wonder how much people actually read these things, but this thoughts get quickly erased. Shortly after I get those thoughts I will get a run of resort guests who say they saw something in my blog and they want to know more about it or how to get there. This is always flattering to me.

As I think of ways to create a better blog, I will always try to keep everyone informed on what is happening here in the White Mountains and the Lincoln/Woodstock area.

Happy Blogging.....

Hints for Columbus Day Weekend

It's going to be a great weekend!

What a great weekend we having coming up! This Columbus Day Weekend will be one of the best in years if the weather predictions hold true and even if they're off, the color is so stunning that it will be worth the drive into the White Mountains anyway. Here's a few hints on enjoying the weekend while driving in this area.

Relax. It's a wonderful time of the year to relax and take your time driving around looking at the scenery. That line of cars in front of you will only hold you up for a few minutes so slow down and enjoy the experience. And if you're the one with the line behind you, consider pulling over so everyone can enjoy the scene at their own pace.

Watch out for moose. They're particularly active at this time of the year and the combination of them and lots of drivers looking at the foliage can be tricky.

Get Lost!!! Yes I am telling you to get lost. If you are driving down the road and that side road looks interesting, go down it. Some of the best displays of color can be found these roads. Keep in mind that many of these roads will be a dead end so you'll have to come back to where you started.

Enjoy the Weekend!!!

Fall Foliage Report

White Mountains Region Foliage Report

The northern White Mountains region is at peak right now, with the area around Franconia Notch displaying outstanding reds, brilliant oranges, and bright yellows. It’s time to take a ride on the Cannon Mountain Tramway to experience what fall foliage is all about! Route 116 from North Haverhill to Route 142 in Bethlehem is beautiful, also. The birch, beech, oak, ash, and poplar trees are blooming into a myriad of yellows, oranges, golds and browns – with a new color that hasn’t been seen before now – white! All the tops of the greater White Mountains are now draped in snow. Photographers may want to travel Route 3 north to Route 302 east, or Route 3 north to Route 115 toward Route 2 east. These roads provide expanded views of the Western Presidential Range, which is showing snow atop its fall colors.

This report was updated on Monday, October 6th, at 1:19pm.

Great North Woods Region Foliage Report

Despite some leaf drop, most of the Great North Woods region is still at peak, with the best foliage in the lower elevations and valleys. The views in these parts are still dazzling, and Route 3 along the Connecticut River and Route 26 through Dixville Notch are still providing autumn beauty. A nice walk is the Huntington Cascade trail, located east of the Balsams Grand Resort off route 26. There is also a beautiful tract of landscape about two miles north of Colebrook village near the state information center where the setting is gorgeous and is attracting locals and visitors. This is a great picnic spot. As you travel this unspoiled part of New Hampshire, please watch for moose and other wildlife.

This report was updated on Monday, October 6th, at 1:17pm.

Lakes Region Foliage Report

The colors keep on coming in the Lakes Region. More color on the hills is advancing each day as the swampy areas pass their peak. Virtually any road around the area lakes is showing bold fall colors, and there will be even more showing up in time for the holiday weekend. Back roads around Wolfeboro, Tamworth and Tuftonboro are showing nice autumn shades of hearty reds, nice oranges, and vibrant yellows. As you travel this part of the state, take some turns and explore the less traveled roads to discover the many farms and stops around the lakes and ponds. Great fall hikes include Belknap Mountain and Mount Major, both in Gilford.

This report was updated on Monday, October 6th at 1:22pm.

Snow + Fall Foliage = Snowliage

This past Saturday I was taking some pictures of the area and took this one of Mount Lafayette. I was at the intersection of Route 3 and Route 142, as were about 3 dozen other people or leaf peepers as they are known. It really was a spectacular sight to be seen. If you do pull off the side of the road, please be sure it is in a safe area as we do not want you to become a news story.

Fall Foliage Report for October 2, 2008

White Mountains Region Foliage Report

The entire White Mountains region is ablaze with color, and our leaf peepers say that now is the time to visit. Dense forests, like Crawford Notch State Park and Franconia Notch State Park are vibrantly colored, with glorious reds, oranges and deep yellows and golds. This upcoming weekend will be a perfect time to explore the White Mountains Trail, said to be one of America’s most spectacular scenic drives. Begin anywhere on this loop: Route 16 north to Route 302 west, where several waterfalls, all framed with beautiful colors, can be seen right from your car; continue on Route 302 west to Route 3 south, to Route 112 east, which is the Kancamagus Highway; back to Route 16. Waterville Valley is near peak, with a heavy mix of colors among the green. The foliage is gorgeous, the colors are here, and you should be, too. Be sure to stop at a roadside farm stand in this region, and take home some fresh, crisp, New Hampshire apples and pumpkins.

This report was updated on Thursday, October 2nd, at 1:11pm.

Great North Woods Region Foliage Report

Wow! The Great North Woods region is now a foliage-lovers paradise. The entire area is alive with a hearty mix of deep reds, burnt oranges, bright golds, warm rusts, and bold yellows. All roads are just about at peak, so no matter where you go in this region, you will see sharp fall color. Route 3 north takes you to Stratford Hollow, the site of a Pumpkin Festival on Saturday. Don’t miss the 23-mile yard sale in this area, also. For information, please call 603-237-8939. Continue up Route 3 to Route 26 east, which takes you through dramatic Dixville Notch, where you will find gorgeous foliage and tons of photo opportunities. Route 26 leads to Route 16 south and goes right through Berlin, where the Riverfire 2008 will also be taking place on Saturday. The boom piers along the Androscoggin River will be lit at dusk. For information about this event, please call the Northern Forest Heritage Park at 603-752-1272.

This report was updated on Thursday, October 2nd, at 1:08pm.

Fall Foliage Picture

This is a picture I took on the Nowhere and Everywhere Trip on Wednesday September 24, 2008. I could not believe how mirror like the water was here. This picture was taken at the Pontook Reservoir on Route 16 in Dummer, New Hampshire.

As you can see the Fall Foliage is coming along quite well. I think it pretty much speaks for itself.

Mother Nature's idea of fun???

I was checking the long term forecast and found this interesting bit:


Thursday, Oct 2
More Details
Rain, some ice early; cooler
Low: 26 °F
High: 51 °F

It just seems a bit too early for that. I hope that the forecast is wrong.

Fall Foliage Report Sept 23, 2008

White Mountains Region Foliage Report

Vibrant reds and oranges are coming to life in the White Mountains region, with well established color showing up everywhere. Points north of Franconia Notch are showing advanced displays of color, including some cranberry reds and peachy oranges. These colors, along with some dabs of lemon yellow, are looking spectacular against the remaining summer greens. Route 302 through Crawford Notch will only become more scenic as the fall colors reach their peak, and Route 49, which runs alongside the mountain-fed Mad River, continues to be a fabulous scenic drive. Other scenic drives include Route 118 through North Woodstock and Warren; and as always, the Kancamagus Highway along Route 112.

Great North Woods Region Foliage Report

The fall color in the Great North Woods region is developing more with each passing day. Lots of reds are showing throughout the area, and the trees on Route 16 alongside the Androscoggin River are turning nicely. This road is a beautiful drive, and the river is excellent for fishing and wildlife watching. Heading north on Route 16 takes you to the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, said to be the home of the only pair of nesting bald eagles in the state. The interior of the refuge is accessible only by water, and there is a boat access site nearby on Route 16. On the west side of the region, Pittsburg is about 50% changed, especially across the mountains which surround the lakes. Route 3 north to the Canadian border and back by the Hollow Road, with a side tour to Beech Road on Back Lake, is a suggested scenic drive. A Historical Tour brochure for the area can be picked up at the Colebrook Welcome Center on Route 3.

Watch for Moose!!!

New Hampshire drivers beware! Moose are on the move, and many of them are moving across roads.
Breeding seasons runs from mid-September through mid-October, so bulls and cows are moving around, looking for mates.
The Fish and Game Department said drivers all over the state should be on alert.

Wildlife biologist Kristine Rines said drivers should drive no faster than 55 mph, wear a seat belt, scan the sides of the road and slow down or stop if they see a moose.
She said moose collisions can happen at any time of day, but most happen at dusk and during the night.

Fall Tours & Trips

I can hardly believe that it is already mid-September. This is my favorite time of year, so I hate to see it go by so quickly. It has been awhile since I gave an update of what we are doing for our Fall Trips & Tours.

Mondays: 9:00AM Day Break Update: Join me and the Recreation Staff for a fun and informational gathering which is guaranteed to help spruce up you vacation. This is also a great way to find other resort guests who may have similar interests and ideas on where to go during the week. 11:00AM Walk to Loon Mountain with Gondola Ride ($12/Adult if you go up the Gondola) Come for an invigorating walk along the East Branch Pemigewasset River on the Paved Bike Path. 2:00PM Cog Railway Trip and Moose Tour. Join me as we head to the Mount Washington Cog Railway. We will be taking the 4:00pm train to the summit of Mount Washington. As we head back down the mountain we will be facing west and will get to see a White Mountain Sunset. When we get back to the bottom of the mountain we will head to a local restaurant where we will have dinner which will consist of Pizza, Subs, and Soda. Last but not least, we will head out on the Moose Bus for a 3 hour Moose Tour in the White Mountains. We will return to the Resorts at approximately 10-10:30 PM. Cost for this trip is $85 per person. If you only wish to take the Cog Railway, you can caravan behind us for $42 per person. We did this trip for the first time this past Monday and had a great time. Trip occurs Rain or Shine. Be sure to bring your camera!!!

Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday: 10:00 AM Awesome Autumn Tour. Climb aboard our super cool bus as we head up to Windy Ridge Orchard. Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch from the Cider House Cafe, 1/4 peck of apples that you will pick, stops at 2 covered bridges, a visit to the oldest General Store in the country, and transportation. This trip will last 4-5 hours.

Tuesdays: 11:00 AM Tour of Littleton Want to seethe world's longest candy counter? Join us for an afternoon trip up North to visit the Littleton Grist Mill, Chutters Candy Store and other various stores. Pack your own lunch and you can have lunch by the covered footbridge. Cost is $5 per person.

Wednesdays: 9:00 AM Everywhere & Nowhere Tour. Climb aboard with your fellow guests as you head out on an adventure packed day of twists and turns that lead you everywhere and nowhere. I never know where we will go, but you will have fun, see spectacular Fall Foliage and maybe some wildlife as well. Cost is $15 per person. 6:30 PM. Join Pemi Valley Excursions as they take you out on a 3 hour Moose Tour. So far this year they have a 98% success rate of spotting Moose. The ride includes Moosic, strobe lights, bubbles, video, and tour guide. Cost is $22 per person.

Fridays: 9:00 AM Ultimate Franconia Notch Trip. We will visit the Flume Gorge and Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram inside the picturesque Franconia Notch State Park. There is a fair amount of hiking on a pathway way in the Flume Gorge. At Aerial Tram you will purchase lunch at the summit of Cannon Mountain and have the option of going out to explore the 20 minute Rim Path. Take the path to the Observation Tower where you will climb the stairs to the platform to take in the 360 degree view. You can see into Vermont, Maine, Eastern New York and Southern Quebec. (Cost is $20 per person. Lunch can be brought by you in a cooler or you can purchase it at the Tram.) The picture at the top of the Blog was taken from the Rim Path.

You can contact me to sign up for any of the trips.

Here Comes Fall

Yesterday brought us a nice cold morning. This means that the leaves should start to turn mor ethan they have been. There have been some magnificant splasehes of color though out the area. I have seen mostly reds or maroon leaves. I think the yellows and oranges will start to come out now.

Once I get Fall Foliage reports I will post them in here. In the mean time enjoy some pictures I took this week.

Traffic Warning for Sunday Sept 14, 2008

The NASCAR Race in Loudon, NH will take place this Sunday. The state of NH does a fantastic job of moving the traffic, but be prepared for delays if you are coming up in the late morning. I-93 will have express lanes for traffic that is heading North of Concord. Watch the signs.

Traffic eases from about 1PM until the end of the race(around 4-5PM)

At the end of the race the traffic becomes heavy in the Southbound direction. This mean that those heading North on I-93 will only have 1 lane of traffic.

The typical delays have been under 30 minutes from past experience. Just pay attention to the signs posted along the highway.

Once you get past Concord, traffic will be much lighter all the way to Lincoln.

Trips for September 1-13, 2008

These are the trips we have planned starting with Monday September 1, 2008. You can sign up for these trips in advance with me by email: epyra@innseason.com or Phone: (603)745-9900 ext 470 or Cell (508)364-5130.

This is a idea of the trips that we have planned. Please note that some times may be changed, but as of right now they will be at the time mentioned.

Mondays 9:00 AM Morning Meeting in the Lobby of Pollard Brook. Come learn about things to do and the activities we have planned for the week. Donuts will be served.
12:00 Noon Mount Washington Cog Railway. Join me as we head up to the Cog Railway. The trip will be in a caravan format and will save you money. The cost is $42 per person versus the normal price of $59 per person. This trip will have you back down the mountain by around 5pm.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Awesome Autumn Tour. 10:00 AM We will go out in a bus with myself or someone from our activities department as your tour guide. This is our most popular tour of the year. Please reserve early as seating is limited. We will stop at some Covered Bridges, go Apple Picking, visit the country's oldest General Store, and stop at several scenic vistas. Lunch, the 1/4 peck of Apples, and transportation is included. The cost of the trip is $25 per person.

Wednesday Nowhere & Everywhere Day. 9:00 AM will be Eric's trip to Nowhere & Everywhere. The cost is $15 per person and we will cover about 150 miles exploring the White Mountains including waterfalls, covered Bridges, scenic vistas, occasionally some wildlife, and other places of interest. If you like to photograph nature this is an ideal trip for you. If we do not have enough for the bus then we take our van out and the cost is only $10 per person. Please contact me if you are interested in signing up for this trip. At 6:45 PM please meet in the lobby and the Moose Tour will pick you up. Seating is limited and you must sign up in advance. As of this posting they have had a 99% success rate in seeing Moose. Sightings are not guaranteed. The cost for this trip is $22 per person.

Awesome Autumn Tour

It is hard to believe that it is now time to start talking about Autumn. The resorts will be doing a truly fun Autumn Tour over the next 2 months.

Starting Tuesday September 2, 2008 we will be running this extremely popular tour 3 days a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The tours will depart daily at 10:00 AM and last about 4 hours. The cost for the trip is $25 per person and includes lunch, apples, and transportation.

Stops include Beaver Pond Scenic Area, Windy Ridge Orchard where you will have lunch and pick Apples, 2 Covered Bridges, and the Oldest General Store in the United States.

The trip will be narrated by a tour guide and will be in a climate controlled bus. Seating is limited. Advance reservations are recommended. Please contact me at epyra@innseason.com if you would like to sign up in advance.

Fall is Right Around the Corner

This past Friday brought me out to Windy Ridge Orchard. While I was having lunch I was able to witness teh first load of apples being brought in from the orchards. While it is not quite the time to go pick your own apples, that time of year will be here before we know it.

I will be posting our Awesome Fall Foliage Tour in teh next day or two. If you will be visiting us this fall please be sure to sign up in advance for one of our trips.

Brewery Tours in Woodstock

I just found about about this and thought I would share it with our guests. Now I think I can get away with that liquid lunch for "research".

FREE BREWERY TOURS

MONDAY - FRIDAY at NOON
Woodstock Inn Brewery is now offering FREE Brewery tours, rain or shine, daily Monday through Friday at Noon in the brewery. There will be a short demonstration and a showcase of our products. Woodstock Inn Brewery has won several national awards for its ales especially Pig's Ear Brown that has won the National Beer Tasting Championships two years in a row. A great place to take a break in the middle of a busy day and discover some award winning beers brewed right here in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

In case you haven't heard, we have had a lot of rain up here this Summer. Friday August 8, 2008 was no different. At the end of the rain shower I noticed that it was sunny out and thought that maybe there might be a rainbow out behind South Mountain. As you can see from the above picture I was not disappointed. I enjoy it when Mother Nature works with me.

It's amazing what a rainbow can do as there about a dozen people who came out to start taking pictures. Not one person mentioned the rain.

Farmers Market on Saturdays in North Wodstock

Fresh fruits and vegetables available from local farms including:

Windy Ridge Orchard
Briarstone Vegetable Farm
Turtle Ridge Organic Farm

Located on Main Street in N. Woodstock on Saturdays from 3-6pm.

Activities for August8-17, 2008

Friday Aug 8, 2008 6:00 PM Come visit me at South Mountain where I will be hosting a Wine & Cheese Social from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is a informal way to meet other resort guests and also get some last minute help planning your weekend or week with us.

Saturday Aug 9, 2008 10:00 AM Join us in a group as we head down to Ski Fanatics in Campton and go Kayaking on the Pemigewasset River from Robins Nest to Campton. The Cost is $30 or $40 depending on the size Kayak you choose. This will be a caravn trip that leaves from the Lobby of Pollard Brook.

Saturday & Sunday Aug 9-10, 2008 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM The 16th Annual Lincoln Summer Craft Fair. This event will be held in the parking lot of the Villaeg Shops which is adjacent to the InnSeason Resort South Mountain. Over 100 juried crafters will be there. Admission is Free.

Monday August 11, 2008 9:00 AM Monday Morning Meeting. COme to teh lobby of Pollard Brook and listen as the Adventure Concierge and teh Activities Staff go over the events for the week in detail. The sign up book is also put out for guests to sign up. 11:00 Walk to Loon Mountain. Stretch your legs and enjoy a easy 1 mile hike over to Loon Mountain. You can also purchase a Gondola Ticket at tthe front desk and take the Gondola to the top of Loon and explore the Cavess. 12:30 PM Join the Activities Department and take a trip up to Littleton. Explore the Littleton Grist Mill, the Covered Bridge and Chutter's, the world's longest candy counter. Your sweet tooth will thank you.

Tuesday August 12, 2008 9:00AM Mount Washington Cog Railway. We will meet in the lobby and then caravan up to the Cog Railway. Tickets are discounted enough to make this a must do trip while you visit the White Mountains. At 3:00 PM we will drive over to the beautiful Sabbaday Falls. This is a easy 1 mile round trip hike to a 3 level water fall. At 5:00 PM Summer BBQ. Come down to our tent and enjoy some great BBQ. Ribs, burgers, chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, and more will be sure to satisfy any appetite. Cost for the BBQ is $15 per Adult and $10 for those age 6-17.

Wednesday August 13, 2008. Eric's Trip to Nowhere & Everywhere. Join me as I take you to some of my favorite places in the White Mountains. We will see scenic vistas, covered bridges, waterfalls, and other interesting places along the way. The cost will be $10 or $15 depednign on the number of people who sign up. If we have more than 12 we will travel by bus and less than 12 we will travel in the resort van.

Thursday Aug 14, 2008 10:00 AM Join us in a group as we head down to Ski Fanatics in Campton and go Kayaking on the Pemigewasset River from Robins Nest to Campton. The Cost is $30 or $40 depending on the size Kayak you choose. This will be a caravn trip that leaves from the Lobby of Pollard Brook.

Friday August 15, 2008 10:00AM Windy Ridge Orchard. We will travel over to WIndy Ridge Orchard and pick Blueberries. We will also have Lunch at the Cider Hourse Cafe. Cost is $15 per person and includes lunch.

Saturday August 16, 2008 ALL DAY. Cannon Mountain and Littleton Regional Hospital will host the 1st Annual Feel’n Top Notch – Outdoor Expo & Wellness Fair on Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at one of NH’s most scenic spots at Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch. The daytime event will be followed by an evening of dancing to the Wicked Smart Horn Band at the Peabody Lodge at Cannon Mountain. Representatives from Pemigewasset Vallley Search & Rescue, New Hampshire Fish & Game, and Franconia Chamber of Commerce are teaming together to make the Feel’n Top Notch – Outdoor Expo & Wellness Fair an event to remember! The event is designed to inform, educate, entertain, and encourage individuals and families to learn new skills and rekindle interests in outdoor activities and good health. The Expo will feature hands on activities, exhibits, and demonstrations on topics including fishing, hiking, biking, wilderness first-aid, Hike Safe Program, maps and compasses, hiking with dogs and children, campfire safety, moose – myths & facts, alpine plants and mammals, hypothermia, and information for every hiker. Demonstrations and hands on activities will include a climbing wall, Smokey the Bear, forestry trucks, forest fire prevention, hiking Artist’s Bluff, water rescue, fly casting, and hopefully, some of our area celebrities will be on hand to greet and meet those in attendance. The wellness fair will include free health screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose screenings, and body mass analysis. Fitness tips and healthy eating demonstrations will be included to promote healthy lifestyles for children and adults. Holistic medicine techniques and demonstrations will be part of this exciting event. Demonstrations including Reiki, Reflexology, acupuncture, hypnotic therapy, Osmosis, Tai Chi, QiGong, and herbal therapy will be available for everyone.

16th Annual Summer Craft Fair this Weekend Aug 9-10.

This weekend the 16th Annual Lincoln Craft Fair will be held at the Village Shops on Main St in Lincoln. The Village Shops are adjacent to South Mountain Resort.

Over 100 juried artisians from over 15 states will display and sell both traditional and not so traditional crafts including jewelry, quilts, pottery, bird houses, metal sculpture, stained glass, folk art, handmade soap and much more. Free admission and plenty of free parking. This festival is held rain or shine.

Hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Flying Yankee Open House Saturday Aug 2, 2008

Officials with the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, located in North Woodstock, NH, have announced that the third of four Flying Yankee Open Houses for 2008 will be held at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (final tour is at 3:30 p.m.). The event will take place rain or shine and will feature ongoing guided tours of the Flying Yankee inside and out permitting folks of all ages to get an up-close view of this historic streamliner. Although reservations are not required for the guided tours and there will be no entry fee to enjoy the Flying Yankee Open House event, tax-deductible donations for the ongoing restoration project will be greatly appreciated. This is also an opportunity to view the rebuilt truck wheel assemblies, which will be out on display for this Open House. The completion of the trucks represents a major milestone in the Flying Yankee restoration project.

Also, tickets for the Flying Yankee Seat Raffle will be available for purchase. This is an opportunity to own two $4,500 seats on the Flying Yankee. They will be yours forever and can be handed down to future generations. Ownership of the seats also entitles you to four full days of use of the seats per year. Second prize is a priceless, complete set of glass, hand etched Flying Yankee Dinnerware. Third Prize is a set of four glass, hand etched Flying Yankee mugs. Fourth Prize is a framed, matted, signed, limited edition Steven Cryan print of the Flying Yankee passing over the Frankenstein Trestle in Crawford Notch. Fifth Prize is a glass, hand etched Flying Yankee Hurricane Lantern. Tickets are only $25 each or five for $100. They can be obtained at the Aug. 2 Open House or online at http://www.flyingyankee.com. Only 750 tickets will be sold.

Come and stay for the weekend. The Lincoln-Woodstock area has dozens of lodging options, including the Comfort Inn and Suites, tons of dining options, including the Café Lafayette Dinner Train and several of New Hampshire’s favorite attractions, including The Hobo Railroad. To get all the details and to find a list of weekend activities in the region, visit http://www.lincolnwoodstock.com.
Operated jointly by the Boston and Maine Railroad and the Maine Central Railroad throughout northern New England from 1935 to 1957, the Flying Yankee was the second of only four diesel-electric, 3-car streamliner passenger trains of this type ever manufactured by the E.G. Budd Company of Philadelphia, PA. It traveled nearly 3 million miles from its home base at Boston’s North Station. The Flying Yankee was purchased from the Edaville Railroad in Carver, MA in the early 1990s by the late Robert S. Morrell, creator of Story Land and Heritage NH in Glen, NH and donated to the State of New Hampshire in 1995 for the sum of one dollar.
Now based at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH where restoration work will be completed, the Flying Yankee will be the only train of its type to ever operate again – anywhere in the world – once the restoration is completed. The Flying Yankee will also serve as an icon for Education, Economic Development and Tourism for the State of NH when the restoration is complete. The restoration is over 50% complete at this time. A $3.5 million dollar Capital Campaign to raise the funds necessary to complete the Flying Yankee’s restoration and testing is underway and a Naming Rights Program is a central part of the fund raising effort. Attend the Open House to learn how you can own your own seat on The Flying Yankee forever and ride free each and every year.
To learn more about the Flying Yankee Open House scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2 or how you can help support the project though a tax-deductible donation, contact Flying Yankee officials by calling (603) 745-3974, visit the Flying Yankee’s official web site http://www.flyingyankee.com or send an e-mail to flyingyankee@usa.net.

Dare I say "Back to School"

Just a friendly reminder from your friendly Adventure Concierge that the season of "Back to School" shopping is approaching. I remember the days of going to Sears and getting fitted for my "Toughskins" and mom telling me I will grow into the pants I felt were too long.

Of course now that I am a parent, my kids tell me the same things that I tried to tell my parents. I guess the cycle never ends. Of course my kids have many more choices of things that are needed for school such as Binders(Trapper Keeper anyone?) pens, pencils, markers, scissors, and glue. I was in a major office supply store last night and I don't recall my parents having to spend $100 in office supplies. I hate to sound like them, but I guess the times have changed.

Don't forget that all your shopping in NH is Tax Free. While you are visiting us you can head to the Tanger Outlet in Tilton, NH off Exit 20 on I-93 or head over to North Conway and visit Settlers Green. Everything you buy will be tax-free. There is even some major chain stores in both towns that will be glad to sell you the latest and greatest in calculators and back packs.

Save $.50 per gallon

This summer one of the biggest concerns I have observed is the cost of gas. Here in Lincoln it is no secret that some well OK all of the gas stations here are expensive. My suggestion to every one is as you drive up here, stop at Exit 20 on I-93 in Tilton. There is a Exxon Station which was at $3.799 per gallon, Irving Gas $3.749 per gallon or BJ's at $3.729 per gallon. The price on Main St. in Lincoln has been around $4.099 to $4.249 a gallon. If you put 10 gallons in your car then I just saved you $5. Fill up anywhwere but Lincoln and you will save on every fill up.

I fill up twice a week just to commute to work so I know how it is. Thanks for allowing me to get this off my chest.

I look forward to seeing everyone this Summer and upcoming Fall. Everything is nice a green, the rivers have plenty of water and the fish are biting, so pack you bags and come on up.

Ice Cream Festival @ Loon on August 2, 2008

This Saturday August 2, 2008 Loon Mountian will be celebrating Ice Cream. The Festival will be held the Octagon Lodge from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Admission is free. Free Ice Cream will be served from 12-4:00 PM. Fun family games all afternoon and a Craft Corner for the kids. A tasty BBQ will be served from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Live music will from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM by the Dave Keller Band.

This is a sure cure to those summertime blues. I will be sure to be first in line. See you there!!!

Look Before you Jump!!!! or at least Think

Yesterday during my Nowhere and Everywhere Trip we went to visit one of my favorite Waterfalls called Upper Ammonoosuc Falls. The falls are located along the road to the Cog Railway. I have read in several publications that these falls are considered some of the more dangerous waterfalls in the state of New Hampshire due to the whirlpool effect of the 15 foot high drop.



While we were standing on the footbridge a man showed up with several teenage boys. The man went to a lower platform and appeared to be filming the boys as they got ready to jump into the river. This is a common practice at the falls. There are two pools of water. The first one is where the river drops into the pool and literally looks like a whirlpool, filled with foamy water. This is not a recommended place to swim in any condition, especially when the river is flowing high like it was yesterday. The pool connects to another pool that is generally crystal clear and about 15 feet deep. The water is also a mineral green color which makes it that much more attractive to the dare devils.



On this day there was no one swimming as the water was high, at least to me, because you could not see the bottom of that second pool, the waterfall was extremely loud which was a 2nd indicator that one should not swim here on that day.



I should note that I have always seen people jump into this pool feet first as it is probably the safest way to jump.



2 of the 3 boys jumped into the river and did OK. They came back around to the top of the rocks and were standing there discussing things. The father (my guess as to who he was) went back to the rock platform and looked like he was going to video them jumping again. The skinnier of the 2 boys looked ready to jump in again. My immediate thought was that he should not do it again, after all why try your luck. Apparently my brainwaves did not catch his and before my eyes he was doing a forward flip off the rocks and head to the water. There is where it went wrong for him. He did a 1 and 1/2 flip which meant that he had now just done a belly flop from 25-30 feet above. He did not surface correctly and appeared to be winded. His brother jumped in and helped keep his brothers head above water as he looked to have knocked the wind out of himself.



One of the ladies in my group was a retired nurse and she grew concerned about the well being of this child. She went down to where they came out of the water and said that the boy seemed groggy. The father assured her that he would take him to the emergency room. It did not seem to be a good situation but she felt good inside to have checked and offered to assist the father if needed.



When we left the waterfall, the boys and their father were still down below, but refused an offer to call for help stating that the boy just needed to rest. When we returned to the Route 302, we waited for the Twin Mountain Ambulance and Police to turn onto the road. I guess that someone else decided that the boy needed help.



My moral to his story is please be careful. Jump in Feet First only. We are lucky that we did not witness something worse.

New Activities

We are starting a few new trips. We will be doing a self-guided Bike Trip through the Franconia Notch State Park. This is an 80% downhill bike ride suitable for just about anyone who can ride a bike. Bikes and Transportation will be provided by Loon Mountain. If you have your own bike they can bring you up for a nominal fee.

Another new trip will be Kayaking or Canoeing on the Pemi River with an outfitter in Campton, NH. This trip is designed for beginners and lasts about 3-4 hours depending on the flow of the river.

We have had some requests for more walking events and next week we are adding a walk to a swimming hole. This one is called Lady's Bathtub is located almost directly across the street from the resort. The East Branch pools here and creates a superb swimming area. The water gets heated from the rocks so the water is not too cold.

A little help from my friends and Google

There is a guest here this week that has challenged me in a good way. He has come to me everyday with the name of a place, trail, brook, or something and it didn't ring a bell or I had never heard of it.

Today was a tough one. He started out asking me about panning for gold. I immediately thought of a river over in Swiftwater/Bath area that is known as an excellent place to pan for gold. Then he said it is in Lincoln. At this point I already knew I had been stumped, but I was determined to find the answer. He wanted to know where Notch Brook was in Lincoln. He said it was mentioned in a State of NH website as a place to pan for gold. Sure enough there it was listed http://www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/geo/geo-1.htm. I started to think of all the waterways in Lincoln and couldn't think of anything. Even though what you see in Lincoln is a small area, it is actually the 2ND largest town in the state of NH at 130.8 square miles behind Pittsburg.

I opened up my maps and could not find the brook. I then called my friends at the Mountain Wandered which is a great map/bookstore here in Lincoln. The girl there pulled out the USGS maps and could not find it. I finally tried a search in Google. The problem is that the word Notch and Brook is used quite frequently around here. Well there it was on the 3rd page. I saw the name Notch Brook together with some other geographical references. Notch Brook is on the North side of Mount Carrigain. It is closer to Crawford Notch than to Lincoln Woods. After studying the maps it was decided that he was better off driving out to Swiftwater and trying his luck there.

I forget how big Lincoln is at times and how much of it is actually part of the state of national forest. If you want to pan for gold while you are here I will be glad to send to some places. Its a way to do something different, stay cool, and most importantly, have fun.

Papermill Theater in Full Swing

The award winning Papermill Theater is running 3 shows this year. The first show "All Shook Up" opened on July 2 to rave reviews. The next show to open this year will be "Forever Plaid" on July 16, and the last show to open up will be "The Full Monty" which opens on July 23. The Full Monty is for mature audiences only

The Papermill Theater is located adjacent to our South Mountain Resort and Village Shops. If you do plan on attending one of the show be sure to take advantage of some of the Dinner Specials that are available at participating restaurants.

Ask for you $5 discount coupon available for our resort guests.

The Children's Theater is also available Wednesday mornings at 10:30 and Saturday mornings at 9:30 in Lincoln.

Thumbelina - July 9 & 12

Jack and the Beanstalk - July 16 & 19

Just So Stories - July 23 & 26

Cinderella July 30 & August 2

The Elves and the Shoemaker - August 6 & 9

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - August 13 & 16

Here is brief write up on each on the Main Feature shows:

This new musical comedy, inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, tells the fictional story of a guitar-playing roustabout who brings romance, rebellion, and rock 'n' roll into the life of a small-town girl. This is a show in the style of Grease and Footloose and promises to be a crowd pleaser.
This show is most appropriate for ages 8+

An affectionate revue of the close-harmony "guy groups" that reached the height of their popularity in the 1950s. En route to pick up their custom-made Plaid Tuxedos, the "Plaids" are slammed broadside and killed instantly. It is at this moment when their careers and lives ended, and that the story of Forever Plaid begins.
This show is appropriate for all ages.

Based upon the 1997 movie of the same name, this musical is a stage version of the Academy Award-nominated comedy about six unemployed steel workers from Buffalo, New York. The Full Monty is winner of the 2001 Drama Desk Award for Best Music and features a script by Tony Award winning playwright Terrance McNally.
This show is for mature audiences with adult themes.

Ways of the Woods coming July 12, 2008

SATURDAY JULY 12

WAYS OF THE WOODS

On Saturday, July 12, we’ll have a celebration of Lincoln’s Logging Heritage. Set up in front of The Village Shops, on Main Street, will be: Ways of the Woods: People and the Land in the Northern Forest It’s the Northern Forest Center’s exhibition and education program, housed in a 53’ long 18-wheel truck, which explores the culture and heritage across the Northern Forest region of New Hampshire. The NH Timberland Owner’s Association and the Forest Service will also participate.

Scheduled events include lumberjack contests and demonstrations, traditional crafts, bluegrass music, exhibits of early logging equipment, raffles, hands on fun for the kids, food, etc. The inside of the trailer has several interactive displays relating to logging and life in the Northern Forest. This travelling exhibut has never been set up in Lincoln.

"The Women Who Saved Franconia Notch" Field Trip July 18

I just received this in my email and decided that I will attend. I do not know when on Friday the field trip will be, but will post it Monday when I find out. If you are going to be here on July 18 and would like to go please let me know.

The Women Who Saved Franconia Notch

The Women’s Clubs of New Hampshire were instrumental in preserving the 6,500 acres of Franconia Notch. Kimberly Jarvis’ recent book, “Franconia Notch and The Women Who Saved It” details this overlooked bit of history. The Profile House burned in 1923 and many were concerned that the pristine landscape might be sold to lumbering interests. A concerted “grass roots” effort to “Save The Notch” was undertaken by the Society For The Preservation of New Hampshire Forests, involving many groups. The New Hampshire Federation of Women’s Clubs was deeply involved and their members invested much time, and money and they also exerted political pressure, often through their influential husbands. Their combined efforts succeeded in 1928, with the creation of the Franconia Notch Forest Reservation and War Memorial.

Jarvis had access to previously unpublished archival material and was able to put together the story of these joint efforts. She will present an illustrated program, based on her research , on Tuesday, July 15, at 7pm, at the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society, on Church Street, in Lincoln.

On Friday, July 18, Jarvis and Dave Govatski, well known naturalist from Jefferson, will lead a field trip through Franconia Notch. It will meet at the Cannon Mountain Tramway parking area. There will be three short hikes. One will be to Artist Bluff, a second around the summit of Cannon on the Rim Trail, and then a short walk at the Flume. Total about 2 miles. There will no charge for the Field Trip, but participants will pay (a special rate) for the Tram ride to the summit.For more information, call Carol Riley, 603-745-8159

First BBQ of the Summer

This past Tuesday we held out first Summer BBQ for 2008. I have to say that it was a great success. We had 96 guests attend the BBQ and they all left with smiles on their faces. We kept a nervous eye on the sky as lately we have been having afternoon Thunderstorms, but on this day the weather Gods cooperated with us.

The cost is $10 per person and kids under 5 eat for free. The menu consists of Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Grilled Chicken, Baked Beans( a crowd favorite), Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Assorted Fruit, Chips, and Ice Tea/Lemonade.

Sasha from the Recreation Department did some activities with the kids. There were some pretty cool Tye Dye shirts that were made. Unfortunately I was not able to capture them on my camera as I was busy attending to the guests.

As you can by this plate, everything looked good. Trust me when I say that there was nothing left when she was finished.

Please be sure to attend when you are here. We will be holding them every Tuesday from 5-7pm until Labor Day.

July 4th in Lincoln, NH

Celebrate the 4th of July in Lincoln-Woodstock

10:00 am Family Games Begin at the Kancamagus
Recreation Area, Lincoln *Immediately Followed by a Family BBQ

10:30 am The Papermill Children's Theatre Presents
St. George and the Dragon

2:00 pm Lincoln

Parade Begins at Alpine Village Resort No.
Woodstock and Travels Rt. 112 to the
Rivergreen Hotel Entrance in Lincoln


7:00 pm No. Woodstock

Live Concert of Patriotic Music by the St.
Johnsbury Band at the Bandstand in
Soldiers Park


9:00 pm Fireworks Display, Lincoln

Flying Yankee Open House July 5th

Flying Yankee Schedules Second Open House of 2008

N. WOODSTOCK, NH – Officials with the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, located in North Woodstock, NH, have announced that the second of four Flying Yankee Open Houses for 2008 will be held at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH on Saturday, July 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (final tour is at 3:30 p.m.). The event will take place rain or shine and will feature ongoing guided tours of the Flying Yankee inside and out permitting folks of all ages to get an up-close view of this historic streamliner. Although reservations are not required for the guided tours and there will be no entry fee to enjoy the Flying Yankee Open House event, tax-deductible donations for the ongoing restoration project will be greatly appreciated. Spend a part of your Independence Day Weekend holiday viewing one of the most unique pieces of Americana that you’ll ever see. This is the best weekend to come and view the Flying Yankee as the Lincoln-Woodstock area has many July 4 weekend events planned, including a parade, concert and fireworks, so come and make a weekend out of it and ride the Hobo Railroad while you’re in town.

Operated jointly by the Boston and Maine Railroad and the Maine Central Railroad throughout northern New England from 1935 to 1957, the Flying Yankee was the second of only four diesel-electric, 3-car streamliner passenger trains of this type ever manufactured by the E.G. Budd Company of Philadelphia, PA. It traveled nearly 3 million miles during its time in service. The Flying Yankee was purchased from the Edaville Railroad in Carver, MA in the early 1990s by the late Robert S. Morrell, creator of Story Land and Heritage NH in Glen, NH and donated to the State of New Hampshire in 1995 for the sum of one dollar.

Now based at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH where restoration work will be completed, the Flying Yankee will be the only train of its type to ever operate again – anywhere in the world – once the restoration is completed. The Flying Yankee will also serve as an icon for Education, Economic Development and Tourism for the State of NH when the restoration is complete. The restoration is over 50% complete at this time. A $3.5 million dollar Capital Campaign to raise the funds necessary to complete the Flying Yankee’s restoration and testing is underway and a Naming Rights Program is a central part of the fund raising effort. Attend the Open House to learn how you can own your own seat on The Flying Yankee forever and ride free each and every year.

To learn more about the Flying Yankee Open House scheduled for Saturday, July 5 or how you can help support the project though a tax-deductible donation, contact Flying Yankee officials by calling (603) 745-3974, visit the Flying Yankee’s official web site http://www.flyingyankee.com or send an e-mail to flyingyankee@usa.net. To get information on all the July 4 weekend activities in the area, go to http://www.lincolnwoodstock.com.

GPS Issues in the White Mountains

I have noticed a significant increase in the number of guests who travel here using their GPS device in the past year.

I have discovered that not all GPS devices are accurate here in the White Mountains. For example if you try to get to the Mount Washington Cog Railway , some devices will actually direct you to the Auto Road, make you drive to the top and catch the Cog. I have seen this first hand at the Cog Railway when people miss their train because they are 45 minutes away from the train at the wrong location.

On a different occasion we were doing my weekly caravan to the Cog. When we arrived a guest who was following me there came up to me and told me that his GPS wanted him to left at a location where we had turned right and the GPS had insisted that we were headed in the wrong direction. Obviously the guest realized that the GPS was incorrect.

This is not the first time that this has occurred as I have typed out Itineraries to different locations and the guests state that their GPS gave a different set of directions.

Another unique situation is that due to our rualness (is that a word) some places/attractions do not have a street address. In this situation you will need to know the Longitude and Latitude of the location to get the proper location. Many of these locations will state on their website that they do not have a physical address. One such location that comes to mind is Storyland on Rte 16 in Glen, NH.

This is a quote from their website:
Looking for Story Land on your GPS system?Well, we're still rural enough up here in the North Country that we haven't quite been assigned an address that works on GPS -- really!One Alternative: if you can use latitude and longitude you'll be able to pinpoint us at Latitude 44 degrees, 7.1 minutes north; and Longitude 71 degrees, 11.0 minutes west; or Lat 44.1175, Long -71.183.

Another Alternative: if your GPS unit lists attractions, try New Hampshire, Attractions, Story Land, Glen NH, zip code 03838. Or, Address/Hospitals - Memorial, 3073 White Mountain Highway, North Conway NH 03860 (Story Land is five miles north on Route 16). Fortunately, Glen is small enough that once you're in town, you can't help but find us. There are only two routes into and out of town, Routes 16 and 302, and we're right near the northern junction of the two. You can get directions from your starting address to Glen from randmcnally.com and, once you're in town, follow the signs or ask just about anyone where we are.

This is probably more common than you might have thought but I thought I would share it with you as we enter the popular driving season here in the White Mountains. Please always check with me before you go to verify directions.

Everything Breaks towards Cherry Mountain

Yesterday I took advantage of a perk of the job and accepted an invitation to play golf at the Waumbek Country Club located in Jefferson, NH. I decided to invite some friends to play with me so I could get more opinions. Names will be with held but they all had the day off(in case their bosses read this).

My first impression of the course was even if I play poorly (highly likely) that I will still get to play golf in some of the most beautiful surroundings possible in New Hampshire. The course had amazing views of the Presidential Range and the White Mountains.

Once of the people I was with had played the course in the past and mentioned that everything breaks towards Cherry Mountain. I received the same advice from Larry Fellows, the Golf Pro. My weakest part of my game is that I have no idea how to read a green. I have some basic knowledge, but this was by far the best advice I had been given and I took full advantage of it.

The course was in good condition. This course is pretty wide open and can be very forgiving if you don't hit the ball straight. My best advice is don't drive fast down the fairways as they are very bumpy and you will probably spill whatever beverage you have with you.

Overall we had a great time playing. I would recommend this course to anyone visiting the area. While you are at the resort please see me for a tee time and I can get you set up here for $25 per person with a gas cart.

Calendar Feature

One of the frequent questions that I receive is what will be happening while I am there. I think this new addition to my blog will help you plan and see some of the things that we do at the resort.

I have added a new calendar feature to my Blog. This is to help you see the different activities we have planned at the Resorts each week. Some of our trips will remain the same for a season and we will occasionally mix it up due to scheduling conflicts that are sometimes beyond our control.

Always refer to the Moose Report when you arrive for the actual schedule. Sasha and myself will be maintaining the calendar.

The arts & crafts that we do change regularly. I hope that you will find this to a useful tool in your vacation planning.

Brewfest is Coming Next Week!!!

The Fourth Annual Olde New England Day Brewfest is back by popular demand. After three successful years, we have outgrown our location in Woodstock and will be moving to a new and improved venue at the Lincoln Village Shops, right on Main Street, Lincoln.
Like years past, the Brewfest is held on Saturday, June 28th from 4pm until 9pm as part of our Splash Into Summer and Olde New England Days Weekend.

Come and sample some of the finest beer in the country as all of New Hampshire’s microbrewers gather under the giant tent and tap into some of their remarkable brews. While you sample, enjoy the live entertainment, some great food and exhibits offering brew paraphernalia and souvenirs. It's truly a night you won’t want to miss!

Please click here for ticket information : http://www.lincolnwoodstock.com/events/brewfest.php

Brewers that will be there:

Woodstock Station and Brewery Meticulously handcrafted right here at our own Woodstock Brewery. Our traditional seven-barrel system employs premium hops from around the world blended with imported English grains and brewed with pure, deep-well water to produce a superior selection of seasonal ales.

Martha's Exchange BreweryWe offer upwards of 25 different brews throughout the year. We have a rotation of semi-regulars that appear off and on through out the year...

Moat Mountain Smokehouse and BreweryWe are a 174 seat Brew-Pub, Inn and Restaurant, located within a historic building of the 1840's. Starting with mountain water, seven superb Ales and Lagers emanate from our brewhouse...

The Portsmouth Brewery
The Portsmouth Brewery, New Hampshire's original brewpub, has been serving great food and outstanding handcrafted beers in a friendly, lively atmosphere since 1991.

RedhookRedhook brews its specialty bottled and draft products exclusively in its two Company-owned breweries, one of them right here in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Smuttynose Brewing Co.Welcome to the Granite State's leading craft brewery, located in the historic seacoast city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Tuckerman Brewing Co.Named after the legendary Tuckerman Ravine, is dedicated to the art of brewing the finest beers from the finest ingredients. The Ravine, long admired for its majestic solitude and beauty inspires the boldness in our brews.

Seven Barrel BreweryEstablished in 1994, the Seven Barrel Brewery offers friendly service, fresh craft brewed beers, and great pub-style fare.

Pennichuck Brewing CompanyAward winning brewery from Milford, NH.

RapscallionIt is easy to order a beer and not think twice about how far it has traveled. But consider this...

Papermill Theater Childrens Theater announces Summer Schedule

Children’s Theatre on Wednesdays AND SATURDAY mornings in Lincoln, NH

NORTH COUNTRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS KICKS OFF 2008 CHILDREN’S THEATRE WITH “SNOW WHITE AND ROSE RED” PERFORMANCE AT PAPERMILL THEATRE IN LINCOLN, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Weekly Summer Theatre Performances Throughout Central and Northern New Hampshire

Lincoln, NH The North Country Center for the Arts will kick off its 2008 summer season with the performance of “Snow White and Rose Red” on Wednesday, June 25, at the Papermill Theatre in Lincoln, NH.

Throughout the summer, five adult actors from the Papermill Theatre company perform eight original musical adaptations of favorite fairy and folk takes. The performances generally last 30-40 minutes are arranged for families with children 3 years and older.

Children’s Theatre performances include the following and families can catch a performance at one of seven different locations this summer.

June 23-28 - Snow White and Rose Red: Two sisters, a bear (who may or may not be a prince), a treasure, and an evil troll ... this classic Grimm's fairy tale is sure to delight the family.

June 30-July 5: St. George and the Dragon: A little girl's imagination takes her into a magical world with misunderstood dragons, a befuddled knight, and lots of adventure.

July 7-12: Thumbelina: This classic, based on the tale by Hans Christian Anderson, tells the story of a beautiful girl (no bigger than a thumb), and her escapades as she searches for her place in the world.

July 14-19: Jack and the Beanstalk: A young boy with big dreams makes a split second decision that leads him on a dangerous journey into the clouds.

July 21-July 26: Just So Stories: "The Elephant's Child", "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin", "The Crab that Played with the Sea", and other Rudyard Kipling classic stores come to life on stage in this charming adaptation.

July 28-August 2: Cinderella: A mistreated orphan girl, evil step-sisters, a royal ball, a glass slipper ... a little bit of magic is needed to help Cinderella find her prince.

August 4-9: The Elves and the Shoemaker: This Hans Christian Anderson classic shows the magic that can happen when a poor shoemaker offers kindness to two industrious elves.

August 11-16: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A little girl falls down a rabbit hole, and an exciting adventure begins! Don't miss this final production of the Papermill's Children's Season.

Whale's Tale opens this weekend

The Whale's Tale Water Park will open this weekend for the season. It couldn't happen at a better time as we have just gone through one heck of a warm spell.

The water park has something for everyone including a lazy river, wave pool, water slides, and a kiddie pool. Also on Saturday nights they will have Whale's Tale After Dark which is a fun filled time for the grown ups to enjoy some music, good food and perhaps a beverage with an umbrella in it. I don't know if it is appropriate or not but the only picture I have right now is from April

30, 2008. I guess on a hot day it is nice to reflect on the cooler days that are still a fresh memory. I am not sure why I took this picture as I really wanted to capture the snow on the mountains, but today it came in handy.

Check with our Recreation Department as we will be doing a trip here on Saturday this week. we may change the day that we go as the summer goes on, but for now we will be going there on Saturdays.