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Once I final left you within the September recap, I used to be coping with my first spherical of COVID. I’m completely happy to share that I started testing unfavourable shortly after October started, and solely needed to miss a couple of days of my long-planned New Hampshire journey.
And the foliage was magical.
Critically, you’ll assume that rising up in New England would get me to understand fall foliage a bit extra. It’s higher right here than wherever else on the earth.
However this journey was an absolute pleasure, begin to end. Even with the crowds and the excessive costs and the general craziness. Now I wish to come again house for foliage yearly!
Locations Visited
Woburn, Studying, Wakefield, Chestnut Hill, Boston, Newburyport, Danvers, and Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Lincoln, North Woodstock, Franconia, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Littleton, North Conway, Albany, Gorham, Jackson, Conway, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portland, Freeport, Cape Elizabeth, and Ogunquit, Maine
Prague, Czech Republic
Highlights
I discovered my wedding ceremony costume!!! THAT is the spotlight of the month! I went on two buying journeys with my mother — first BHLDN in Chestnut Hill, then Bella Sera Bridal in Danvers. As a lot as I really like BHLDN and their quirky, reasonably priced robes, none of these attire felt proper, and I hated being rushed via an hourlong appointment (one hour is not sufficient).
I had a beautiful expertise at Bella Sera Bridal and extremely suggest dropping by if you happen to’re wedding ceremony costume buying on the North Shore. The costume I selected has Previous Hollywood vibes, and that may information my total look. I already discovered some cool earrings and a hair clip (no veil for me).
Extra wedding ceremony stuff booked! We’re having two weddings: an even bigger one in Prague in Might and a smaller one in Boston in July. Charlie and I made a decision on our Boston reception venue — a restaurant within the monetary district that serves up INSANELY good meals. The ceremony might be outdoors. (I’ll be sharing extra particulars after the occasion.)
Among the greatest fall foliage I’ve ever seen. I took Charlie alongside to New Hampshire in early October to do extra analysis for my New Hampshire web site, New Hampshire Means, and to get a LOT of foliage pictures.
Early October is peak foliage within the White Mountains, and we timed it PERFECTLY. Critically, this foliage was a few of the greatest I’ve ever seen. It was at its absolute peak in northern components of Franconia Notch and Pinkham Notch. Artist’s Bluff, my favourite mountain climbing viewpoint in New Hampshire, was a zoo.
I cherished getting to indicate Charlie a few of my favourite locations in New Hampshire, we did the hike to Franconia Falls for the primary time (simple and enjoyable however a bit lengthy at 2.5 hours spherical journey), Charlie drove us up the Mount Washington Auto Street (OUTSTANDING throughout peak foliage!), we went to a number of retro diners, and we even camped in a single day in a glamping tent at Huttopia in Albany, full with campfire and s’mores.
A stunning little journey to Maine. My buddy Beth and her household moved to Portland late final 12 months, and Charlie and I visited to see their new home. We strolled round Portland’s colourful neighborhoods, ate lobster, took a visit to the large LL Bean retailer in Freeport, and Charlie and I grabbed a lobster feast at Two Lights and strolled via fairly Ogunquit (Ogunquit submit coming quickly!). We did a bit aspect journey to NH Brewfest in Portsmouth, too!
I bought to check out the little self-driving pods at Heathrow. These driverless automobiles have existed since 2016, and I had no concept! I had a 14-hour layover, so I wanted to sleep someplace. The Yotel at Heathrow is now gone, so I stayed on the Thistle Resort. To get there, it is advisable take a bit pod from Terminal 5.
It’s fairly cool! You press buttons and it simply takes you the place it is advisable go. Extremely beneficial in case you have an extended layover. (Convey earplugs for the Thistle, although. When somebody checked in subsequent door I might hear them respiration!)
Getting house to my kitties and again into a standard schedule. As grateful as I’m for my travels this 12 months, I overdid it a bit the final 5 months. It felt like I used to be preparing for the following journey as quickly as I bought house and I might by no means really feel settled.
Now that I’m again, I’m in a way more productive work schedule and far more constant health schedule.
Lewis and Murray are nonetheless the ABSOLUTE BEST! They’ve been so candy these days. I really like waking up in the midst of the night time, Lewis snuggled into the aspect of me, Murray coming over searching for cuddles.
Challenges
I’m sorry to say that the Sugar Hill Inn was a disappointment. That is all the time listed as the most effective inns in New Hampshire, together with one of many state’s greatest eating places. I needed to remain right here a lot, I booked my keep and eating reservation in MAY. I used to be planning to write down an in depth submit on the total expertise on New Hampshire Means, each inn and restaurant.
I emailed to verify the eating reservation a couple of days earlier than and bought, “Oh, we’re not serving dinner on Wednesdays anymore. Sorry.” They by no means knowledgeable me. The inn was booked strong in any other case. And the one different night time I had free in that area I used to be planning on having fun with my favourite brewery in New Hampshire, Schilling Beer Co in Littleton, which closes at 8.
I made a decision to not dine on the inn altogether, and I don’t remorse it — Charlie and I attempted the wonderful Chilly Mountain Cafe in Bethlehem on Wednesday, and had an ideal night at Schilling with pizza, poutine, and peculiar European-style beers on Thursday, not having to fret about driving as we had been staying proper in downtown Littleton.
That’s the factor — in an space with out public transit, it is advisable be SO cautious about consuming and driving. I deliberate my schedule round staying strolling distance from the place I used to be consuming that night time.
As for the inn, it was cute — however extra of a notable historic property than a luxurious keep. Each inch of the ground creaked, and partitions had been skinny. We did have one of many least expensive rooms (the Rose Room); maybe a extra upscale room would have been completely different. But it surely wasn’t the expertise I had anticipated. Breakfast was scrumptious, although.
The Conway Scenic Railroad was a little bit of a letdown. Possibly that’s too robust wording. Taking this practice trip throughout peak foliage is meant to be the most effective issues to do in New Hampshire.
The railroad has one-hour, two-hour, and five-hour journeys. We did the two-hour Sawyer River journey. And whereas classic trains are cool, and there have been sometimes beautiful views, nearly all of the journey was via forested areas with no actual views. And the commentary was on such scratchy audio system that I struggled to know something.
A sluggish scenic practice trip is sweet, sure. And actually, it’s an ideal choice in North Conway for individuals who have mobility challenges. However evaluating it to the Mount Washington Cog Railway that climbs the very best mountain within the northeast, I might take the Cog any day over the Conway Scenic.
Weblog Posts of the Month
24 Fab Issues to Do in Cape Cod, Massachusetts — The Cape is implausible, and there’s SO a lot to do past simply having fun with the seashores.
The way to Go to Studlagil Canyon, Iceland — Studlagil Canyon is a very cool pure marvel in East Iceland that was solely found a couple of years in the past. Don’t go to earlier than studying my recommendation first, as a result of we had some points right here!!
Visiting Stokksnes and Vestrahorn, Iceland — You recognize that jagged black mountain in Iceland on the black sand seaside with inexperienced sand dunes? That’s this place. It’s very cool and surprisingly simple to go to.
This Month on Patreon
On the Adventurous Kate Patreon, I publish unique content material and never-told tales that you could entry for $6 monthly. We even have a personal Fb group and members get free entry to the E book Membership every month.
I posted a giant recap submit of my New Hampshire/Maine fall foliage journey, together with particulars on the very best and worst and learn how to do it your self. That’s greater than I’m going to write down about on the weblog itself, so you can see it there!
I additionally wrote a few bizarre and scary incident that occurred whereas I used to be in Brno in September. It’s known as “Zombie Run.”
E book Membership This Month
Our subsequent E book Membership will happen on Sunday, November 20, at 1:00 PM Jap Time. And that is going to be a particular e-book membership — the writer is becoming a member of us for a dialogue!
We might be studying An Ocean Aside by my buddy Sarah Lee. So excited to study in regards to the Windrush Technology and assist Sarah have a good time her first novel
“Impressed by actual life tales of the Windrush Technology and her mom’s personal experiences as a nurse within the Fifties, Sarah Lee’s debut novel is a should for followers of Name the Midwife.
It’s 1954 and, in Barbados, Ruby Haynes spots an commercial for younger ladies to coach as nurses for the brand new Nationwide Well being Service in Nice Britain. Her sister, Connie, takes some persuading, however quickly the sisters are on their method to a brand new nation – and a complete new world of experiences.
As they begin their coaching in Hertfordshire, they uncover England isn’t fairly the promised land; for each door that’s opened to them, the sisters discover many slammed of their faces. And although the women discover friendships with their fellow nurses, Connie struggles with being so removed from house, and holding secret the daughter she has left behind seeking a greater life for the each of them . . .”
You’ll be able to join right here. Patreon members have a separate signup within the Patreon.
New Hampshire Means Replace
Final month, I shared that my New Hampshire web site had lastly been accepted to Mediavine. This month, the advertisements turned on! I began incomes cash from advertisements on the location on October 8, and I completed the month incomes slightly below $1000. As a result of Mediavine pays Internet 75, I received’t see my October fee till January.
It’s a very good begin, however a lot of that was my New Hampshire Fall Foliage 2022 Information submit going completely nuts earlier within the month, then tapering down after fall colours peaked. I feel issues are going to be fairly quiet traffic-wise till early subsequent 12 months, however I’m planning a bunch of Christmas and vacation content material within the interim.
Some posts I loved penning this month included guides to visiting the waterfalls Glen Ellis Falls and Jackson Falls, a submit in regards to the Cornish-Windsor Coated Bridge becoming a member of New Hampshire and Vermont, and my favourite, a Information to Conquering the NH 48: New Hampshire’s 4000 Footers!
What I Listened To This Month
This month I bought a tip on Twitter — the rating to the movie The Hours, composed by Philip Glass, is the very best music to work to. Seems it’s a cult favourite.
I gave it a try to WOW. This music is PERFECT. It hits the proper degree of mild strings with out being too obtrusive or loud. It really works for inventive writing and it really works for busywork. It retains you productive!
I’ve been listening to different scores, too. Au Bout des Doights, composed by Harry Arrouche, is one other glorious alternative, although a bit extra showy at occasions (omg, the prelude is SO GOOD). By the Sea has one other great rating, composed by Gabriel Yared, although it is advisable select the opposite songs in between his compositions on the soundtrack.
However nothing beats The Hours. Actually, if you happen to want a bit assist with productiveness, give it a hear!
What I Watched This Month
Have you ever heard of the present Reboot on Hulu? No person I do know is speaking about this, however we began watching it on a whim, and it’s INCREDIBLY FUNNY. Oh my God, this present!
The premise is a few workforce of actors and writers rebooting a cringey 90s sitcom within the current day. Doesn’t harm that it has an unbelievable solid, together with two of my all-time celeb crushes, Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville, in addition to Judy Greer, Rachel Bloom, and Paul Reiser.
However if you happen to’re seeking to chuckle — Reboot, What We Do within the Shadows, Abbott Elementary, and By no means Have I Ever can have you sorted!
What I Learn This Month
Of Girls and Salt by Gabriela Garcia (2022) — Jeannette is a 30-something Cuban American wrestling with habit whereas dwelling in Miami. When Jeannette takes in a baby whose mom was detained by ICE, she and her mom Carmen should reckon with their household historical past. The e-book transcends a number of generations of Jeannette’s household and weaves forwards and backwards between Cuba and Miami.
We learn this for our e-book membership this month, and everyone favored it (or principally favored it). I used to be within the principally favored it camp. I cherished the characters, the ladies’s tendencies to repeat historical past era after era, and the colourful descriptions of Miami and particularly Cuba.
My essential situation with it’s that it felt like a number of unrelated tales strung collectively that would have been a bit deeper, and the best way it jumped forwards and backwards in time was complicated. General, an excellent e-book.
Coming Up in November 2022
I’m staying put for the primary three weeks of the month. After which I’m heading to…Lisbon! Sure! This journey got here a few bit organically — Charlie might be main his firm’s workforce assembly in Sevilla for per week, and I thought of dropping by afterward, however we determined to fulfill up in a neater gateway to Boston. Lisbon was excellent!
I’ve been to Lisbon twice earlier than, however solely as a backpacker on a very restricted price range. I’m wanting ahead to attending to strive a few of the nicer meals in Lisbon, and assembly up with buddies, together with the Lisbon meals specialists 2FoodTrippers.
After that, I might be within the States for per week to have a good time Thanksgiving and attend my 20-year highschool reunion! Are you able to consider it’s been that lengthy?! I’m wanting ahead to seeing everybody. And once I come again…we might be in Christmas market season! So excited for markets and pastries and sausages and gluhwein!
What are you as much as this month? Share away!
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