Leaf Peeping in New England (6)
[Leaf peeping is an informal term in the United States and Canada for the activity in which people travel to view and photograph the fall foliage in areas where leaves change colours in autumn, particularly in northern New England]
When I was teaching it meant holidays could only be taken during the school holidays when it was more expensive and busy. And I couldn’t tag on to the OH’s conferences either. Which is why during one October half term we decided to do a fly drive holiday to the eastern side of the USA and do a spot of leaf peeping.
The last part of this autumn trip was to spend a few days on Cape Cod, south of Boston which meant about a 5 hour journey without stops, so pretty much the full day. We set off after breakfast and because I am never fond of doing the same route twice I decided to head down and around Lake Winnipesaukee which is the largest lake in New Hampshire, located in the Lakes Region at the foothills of the White Mountains. It is in a pretty stunning location and I would not say no to a holiday in one of the lakeside resorts there. Unfortunately the weather was much the same as yesterday with dark clouds and rain.
After briefly stopping to look at the lake views we continued south and joined the I93 at Tilton. As I mentioned earlier, Cape Cod is to the south of Boston, which means of course having to traverse the city. And that meant entering the tunnels. Where you have to keep your wits about you so that you don’t miss the turn off. Traffic speeds through these tunnels (though it is supposed to be restricted to 45mph) and having seen one car bounce off the central reservation just before entering them I was already a little nervous! Afterwards I’m not sure why I didn’t take alternative routes around the city!
Leaving the interstate at Quincy we joined the Pilgrims Highway (3) which later becomes the Grand Army of the Republic Highway (6) leading to Sandwich where we had booked the The Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa for the next three nights. Sound familiar? Yes. It was the same Daniel Webster that the highway was named after which we took en route to Mount Washington.
Incorporated in 1639, Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod and one of the oldest towns in the United States, settled by European immigrants nearly 150 years before the American Revolution. Another historic hotel this one dates from the 18th century, previously known as the Fessenden Tavern. Daniel Webster was a highly successful Boston lawyer who had a room booked at this Tavern from 1815 to 1851.
To stretch our legs after the long drive we had a wander around the town admiring the architecture but as the light began to fade on a very dull day we headed back to the hotel for dinner and a well earned Margarita cocktail in the bar where I got into a lively conversation about a Red Sox game that was on the TV. The OH ushered me out before there was any blood shed.
TRAVEL WORDS 
You’re braver than we are. We drove on the other side of the road in France and we’re never doing it again. It’s just too freaky. I hope you didn’t leave your geese in the wrong place! 🙂
I never had any problems driving on the right in USA or Canada, I think it is easier there because all the signs are in English so I knew what I was doing. I have never tried in Europe and probably won’t now! No geese were harmed in the making of this post… though we did see an awful lot flying overhead.
Beautiful autumn photos!
A great part of the world for autumn colour.
wonderful, brings back memories of my own fall road trips. Going to be doing another in a few weeks, but think too early for leaf peeping
Only problem with autumn trips is that you never quite know what the weather will be like. We had a couple of great days, but the rest of the week was very mixed. I shall look forward to hearing about your US trip. I loved driving in the US – except for in and around the cities.
Yeah my suitcase currently has every weather option in it as it looks like I’ll be starting at over 30 degrees, spending a short while in mid 20s before the potential of low teens.
The end of another wonderful trip? I’ve enjoyed all the leaf-peeping in among other sights these last few weeks – thanks for taking us along.
Not quite the end, we have a couple more days exploring Cape Cod. Not so much in the way of leaf peeping though.
Wonderful autumn colours and colonial houses. I like that sign too. I presume the town was named by settlers after Sandwich in Kent? A small English town well worth visiting.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Lots of English town names around there, and yes I agree with you, Sandwich in Kent is a lovely town.
You’ve done your share of travelling, darlin, and always in fine style (well, mostly!). No wonder that old body is used up. Let’s WOO HOO together!
I can’t complain. But less of the old please… 😩
Elderly doesn’t sound any better…
😜
And where’s your 7???????
Mine is scheduled for 7 pm. So you will just have to wait…
I’ll be out!
No change there then… you do more gallivanting than our Scottish friend.
I wish!
But thanks for the clue.
Apropos that Motto to Live By: yesterday we attended a memorial celebration for a friend who died in July. She had a great fondness for chocolates, an assortment of which was there in a bowl for people to take from.
Sorry to hear about your friend, but that was a lovely thing to do at her memorial.
Such classic New England architecture and more beautiful leaf colours – well worth braving the Boston tunnels for!
I’m annoyed that I didn’t take the not much longer route to the west of the city to avoid those tunnels.
I love that motto! I think it was Hyannis John had a conference and we had a few days in Provincetown afterwards. Just loved it.