Matt and I were very spoiled with two straight weeks of vacation this summer! We spent it in the Lakes Region exploring new places and restaurants and visiting old favorites. We both agreed the best part of the whole thing was feeling truly relaxed and can't wait to do it again.
There were lots of boating and beach days and lovely sunsets.
Finding frogs on my runs along the WOW trail!
We spent our first full day of vacation (besides the day of getting everything together and groceries) driving up to Wolfeboro in the convertible and had a fancy lunch at one of our favorite spots. Their new and improved lakeside patio was even better than last year and the food and drinks were awesome.
The Mount Washington boat even made a stop next door while we were eating!
For Matt's birthday I got him a membership and book for the NH Rail Trails Coalition so we decided to check out the Wolfeboro rail trail.
It was beautifully done and we loved the lakeside scenery and the loons!
For my birthday, Matt got us tickets to see Norah Jones! We really enjoyed the concert and it was the perfect relaxed atmosphere with great music.
We stayed at the family's lake spot which had the added bonus of blueberry bushes! Many were picked to make blueberry muffins and it was funny to see the ducks pass by each day and help themselves to a snack.
On Wednesday we went on a food tour of the lakes region! Brunch was at Gusto, a new Italian restaurant and we loved it so much. Matt was raving about the homemade meatballs on his sandwich and my fresh croissant breakfast sandwich was phenomenal. I would be so happy if they opened a second location closer to me.
The Sandwich Creamery is not to be missed.
And neither is sampling new creations at Tamworth Distilling.
We braved a thunderstorm (including torrential downpour) to go to a show at the newly renovated Colonial Theatre in Laconia. Postmodern Jukebox put on a terrifically entertaining show and we loved it.
The Wolfeboro rail trails were calling so we drove back to hike another section of the trail.
Matt called me a tourist for buying this sweatshirt but I am a tourist so who cares?
Deer visitor!
Saturday night we went to a new restaurant in Franklin called the Broken Spoon and we really enjoyed their bao buns and ramen! It's a takeout only restaurant so we had our dinner date at the park next door.
Our last minute theatre ticket purchase was a hit! This show was absolutely hilarious and the Franklin community theatre group did such a fantastic job bringing it to life. Matt and I both want to see this on Broadway now.
Week two began with a boating day including a trip up to Stonedam Island! It's one of several islands on Lake Winnipesaukee where if you're a member of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust you can dock your boat at their docks and hike the island. LRCT manages the land and I love that these beautiful spots will be conserved!
It was a gorgeous hike, even on a sweltering day, and the 2+ mile hike was a great morning adventure. We found some new beaches we want to check out, too.
The next day we embarked on a different kind of boating trek and took out the kayaks! After 4+ miles we visited the Osprey nest (although they were not pleased with us), found an old loon nest, and saw lots of fish, turtles, frogs, and a beaver dam.
Wednesday was windy and potentially stormy so it was a private beach day. We hung out with the ducks and got both a boat and air show.
On Thursday we had Matt's cousins and new puppy over for a cookout and took out the pontoon boat to cool off, too. The grilling was completed just as a terrific thunderstorm hit so that was rather exciting.
I'm sure there are tons of things I didn't take pictures of (including ourselves) but suffice to say it was a terrific vacation and I feel very fortunate for all these opportunities and, most importantly, the chance to relax in such a beautiful place. Until next time...
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