By Thomas Best
Over the last two weeks, I shared with you my fascination with our fall trip through Vermont. Today and next week, I will take you next door through Vermont’s New England neighbor, New Hampshire.
New Hampshire, or as locals say “NaHampsha,” this land has an old history as one the oldest colonies, established in 1623. This state had the nation’s first public library. It is the original home of the Budweiser Clydesdales along with chicken tenders. The “Purple Finch” is the state bird, but it’s not actually purple in color. If you like having Thanksgiving and time off from work, you can thank Sara Josepha Hale. She is credited with influencing the federal government to make this holiday and national holiday. Indeed, these are strong willed people. Not surprisingly, their state motto is “Live free or die!”
In choosing what sites to highlight, I had to include the quaint city which served as our base of operations: Littleton, New Hampshire. Founded in the late 1700s with the name of “Chiswick” or “Old Saxon for “cheese farm,” Littleton sports about 7,000 people nestled on the northern boundary of the White Mountains and Franconia Notch (or a gap through the White Mountains). Running through the town with several adjacent scenic one-time water-powered mills turned into restaurants and shops is the Ammonoosuc [Ama-noo-suc] River. Littleton is also known as the home of the Eleanor Hodgman Porter, author of the Pollyanna stories. Pollyanna, first associated with the cheerful and optimistic perspectives of a young girl, her character is today more often linked to the idea of someone having an excessively positive perspective bordering on being naïve. No matter to Littleton, residents still celebrate her spirit of optimism with a variety of downtown public art displays including a number of gorgeous murals.
However, one of my favorite places to visit and eat was the Littleton Diner, which advertises itself as having some of the best breakfast food in all of New England. In fact, their pancakes have won awards as being among the best tasting!
Finally, you can stay in a variety of chain hotels on the outskirts, but I chose for us the historic Thayers Inn, whose opening dates to 1843. This stately accommodation has offered rest and great food for everyone from presidents to famous actors. The rooms and furniture will make you believe you are stepping back in time. In fact, our room was right outside a second-floor balcony which Ulysses Grant used to deliver an address when he visited here after the Civil War. Others who had stayed here range from Bette Davis to a plethora of presidential candidates hoping to capture the early primary votes of this crucial state. Their photographs grace the walls and display cases throughout this three-story hotel.
Next week, I will focus on the hiking we did in New Hampshire.
Thank you for listening.
