A Night at the Mount Washington Hotel

It's been a beautiful spring so far! From treating myself to locally-grown tulips to being surprised with the young professional of the year, it's been kind of crazy! 

                       

We've been keeping busy with hikes and trail cleanups, and sometimes just slowing down to smell the flowers. 

But most excitingly, I had the opportunity to go to an event and stay at the Mount Washington Hotel! From the minute you turn into the driveway to the property, the snow-covered Presidential mountains greet you and personally, stopped me in my tracks. What an incredible view and the photos don't even come close to doing the experience justice. 

The hotel itself isn't so shabby, either. Built in 1902, the red roof and snow cover was quite the sight to see. 

The amazing view from my room! The "backyard" is a golf course during warmer months. 

Room key.

My (probably haunted) room and furniture. 

Our dinner and event were in the main ballroom, and the views from that room and the beautiful wrap-around porch were equally as amazing. 

I was very disappointed that the Cave, an old prohibition speakeasy and very cool basement bar, were closed for renovations but the entrance itself was enough to make me want to come back here and stay again. 

The gold room is where the Bretton Woods economic treaty was signed after World War II! Hundreds of diplomats met at the hotel and after staying here myself, I understand the appeal of the location. 

Very haunted lobby! 

Friday morning my boss told me "not to rush into the office" so obviously I went for a hike. The weather was pretty mild and the sunshine felt amazing. 

Joseph Stickney, a guy from Concord who build the hotel, and his wife Carolyn. 

I can't wait to go back someday! 

April Adventures

There were lots of great adventures this month! To begin, I got to join a zoom author meet-up with one of my favorite authors, Kate Quin! It was great to hear how she writes her stories and learns from strong women from history.

Matt and I have been exploring lots of local rail trails as the majority of the state is muddy right now. 

Yay for the return of in-person coffee meetings and fun events with live music. 

My Christmas present from Matt was a weekend in Boston and tickets to see To Kill A Mockingbird! It exceeded ALL of our expectations. The actors (especially the guy who played Atticus and all the kids) were incredible and the show was slightly modernized to discuss the ever-evolving racial issues within the justice system. We loved it. 

After our matinee, we had made reservations at Terramia Ristorante and had one of the best meals of our lives! The 10-table restaurant was in the heart of the North End and was probably the most authentic Italian food I've ever had, too. We started with lobster fritters (surprisingly I loved them!) with a delicious balsamic glaze and fried sweet potato ribbons, then I had this delicious mushroom parmesan truffle gnocchi and Matt had a veal chop that he is still talking about. We couldn't resist splitting tiramisu to finish the night. Absolute perfection. 

Walking back to our hotel to try to work off some of our enormous dinner, we explored some of our favorite downtown areas and it was just a perfect night. 

The ducklings wearing their Ukraine scarves 

We had a beautiful Sunday morning walking around and getting brunch on Newbury Street. 

The swan boats weren't out yet but it was a perfect weekend in Boston. 

Of course Spring means I buy new plants 

And a visit to the indoor farmers market wasn't complete without locally grown tulips, carrots, and popcorn! 

Moving Forward

Spring and events are truly making an appearance this month and it's been so therapeutic. 

In-person Chamber events are back!! I love our new Bank of NH Stage and that networking event brought me so much joy. 

$5 tulips at the grocery store are where it's at. 

And we brought the masquerade back!! It was SO much fun - I can't properly describe it and even our professional photographer couldn't fully do the scene justice. But it was absolutely worth it and we got so many compliments and there was so much joy and gratitude in the room that night. 

I have the best people. 

To celebrate the masquerade being done, Matt and I braved mud season to drive to pickity place and treat ourselves! 

This is their insanely intricate free little library that they're building out of the tree stump of the giant oak that fell during a winter storm last year. 

The food was incredible, per usual. 

We stopped at this incredible greenhouse on the drive home; I swear there were miles of plants.

And turtles! and koi fish! 

To properly use up my vacation time before our year end, I've been taking Fridays off and one week it lined up perfectly with a 60+ degree day so naturally I went to the seacoast. I stopped for breakfast at the Sassy Biscuit and I was impressed. The cafe was gorgeous and full of character, and their biscuit sandwiches and iced coffee were beyond good. 

Is there anything better than a brunch picnic at the beach? 

I parked at the beach and then walked the neighborhoods up to the Nubble lighthouse. I felt a little like a local and I didn't hate it.

Took a friend out to a cider place for maple weekend! 

Grateful for warmer weather and lots of changes of scenery.