New Hampshire - Part 1

As most of you who read my blog regularly know, my best friend Emily, along with her sweet family, moved to New Hampshire in July.  You can catch up on that story here.  It was a sad and tearful goodbye but it didn't take long before we began making plans for me to go for a visit.  Talk about the squeals and giggles!  And we were only picking the flight dates!  Her husband Bruce, graciously took off work to keep all of their kiddos and Russ agreed to handle things alone here in Florida.  We were ecstatic! A girls weekend!  In New Hampshire!  In the Fall!!!!  How good is God?  I mean seriously!?!  We would have NEVER even attempted to plan a trip like this if she were still living here in Florida.  Who knew that her moving would create a whole new dimension to our friendship - site seeing!

I left early on Thursday, Oct. 15.  My flight took off at 7 am so Marc came to pick me up at 4:30.  I made it through all the security checks and was sitting waiting to board my plane when Russ called to tell me that Anne woke up with a 101 temp.  Ugh!  I had a tinge of guilt for leaving but knew that Russ had everything under control.  Besides - I was committed.  I landed in Boston by 10 am and we hit the ground running!  So much to see and do!  We prayed that the Lord would make the weekend feel longer than it was and boy did He answer that prayer.  We had the absolute best time and we were able to do all that we set out to do.

Here's our weekend in photos:

Our first stop on Thursday was the town of Peterborough, NH.  Emily had heard of lots of fun and quaint little shops in this town so we set off to explore.  We did find lots of fun shops - and lots of Fall leaves!

On Friday, it was rainy so we postponed our trip to Boston.  We had breakfast at an awesome local restaurant called Parker's Maple Barn.  They have the best Pumpkin Pancakes ever!

 This covered bridge was just down the road from the restaurant and very close to Emily's house.  We pulled over and had a great photo op......

After breakfast, we took off to Deerfield, Massachusetts to the Original Yankee Candle Factory.  Emily had heard of this place and we thought we would try it out.  It was an hour and 45 minute drive - in the rain.  But sooooo totally worth it!!!!  We were under the impression that it was still the candle factory and we would get to see how all the candles are made.  You know - like a tour.  WRONG!!!!!!  We shopped for 5 hours!  This place is AWESOME!!!!  Each time we entered a new room we would giggle!  They even had a room full of Christmas trees and it snowed every 4 minutes!  There were, of course, candles but many other things as well.

 Inside the Black Forest - where it snowed!!!!

There is even a HUGE toy room and Santa is here year 'round

They had a huge room with clothes and fun stuff!  I couldn't walk away without this fun hat!!!!

As a matter a fact - we both bought hats!

Outside Yankee Candle

On Saturday, after the boys Soccer games, we took off for Boston.  Oh My Goodness!  These two Orange Park girls had a blast!!!  This was my first time ever to ride, maneuver a major subway, public transportation system.  Yes - laugh at me. It's okay.  I've never been to DC or New York.  I've ridden the subway in the Atlanta Airport - somehow I don't think that matters.  

We drove about 15 minutes from Emily's house and caught the bus into Boston.  It dropped us off at South Station which is the major hub for the buses, commuter trains and the Subway system.  We then managed to figure out how to get on the subway and to Boston Common.  We did it!  Not once did we feel afraid or nervous.  We tried very hard to look the part.  (I wanted to take lots of pictures but I knew that would definitely be a give away!) I'm sure some could tell we were newbies - but all I know is - we did it!!!!

To be continued........