Our weekend getaway to Mooseville

You would not believe the day we've had. After Bridget and I did some serious last-minute planning for our trip to New Hampshire, we gathered our companions and the whole pre-semester vacation was sort of 'thrown together', which is a) more fun and b) yolo. We left Boston early, to catch the bus interstate to leafy New Hampshire, aka Moose Country. I've been prepping all the girls up on moose talk, moose stats, moose stories and pro-moose  phrases, because I am so freaking keen to see a moose. Right now, I love them more than Christmas markets in Germany. And puppies. I love them more than puppies. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of the trip I write a blog post entirely about moose because I love them so much and New Hampshire is full of them. Here's a pic to keen you satisfied-but-hungry for more moose talk later.

A moose.

Excitement hit us early on at Boston South Station as there was a terrorist threat which caused a bit of a kafuffle. But in the end despite all the authoritative drama it was just some old daft chap who had left his baggage unattended for too long.  That's something I've picked up actually, daft things that Annie DARLING says, my favourites including; 'daft', 'chuffed', 'ready to chip?' and 'I'm absolutely parched'. Anywho, Me, Bridget, Annie Darling and Maria (who is Mexican-English) departed for our country getaway.



 That would be Annie Darling with the suitcase, because she's British.

Three and a half hours on a bus later, we arrive in Franconia, NH.  If you're geographically-daft, which I mostly am, NH is a state north of MA, but not as far as Maine. We arrived, and were thrown out onto the sidewalk, and the bus pulled out. First impressions of New Hampshire - there's not a lot about, mate. It's a quiet, settled town, in the middle of nowhere basically. Franconia is in the middle of a national park (that's where brainy Trip Planners Caty and Bridget thought would be FUN and OUTDOORSY), so it was a good way out into the middle of the wilderness.

Bridget checking out the tourist centre - closed and nb: SINGULAR car in carpark, no signs of human life



New Hampshire - aka Moose Country aka Ghost Town





 

So long story short, still no signs of human life. TRU. We had no phone service, not sure where the accommodation was, and couldn't find a brochure or anything for a cab number. Oh but wait, even if we did, we didn't have a phone in service. It was hot too, so we wandered down the highway for a bit, with no luck, and then plodded on back and sat in the car park. Deserted. So as Annie Darling would say, we were 'absolutely parched' and hungry too. The next thing we did, I'm not terribly proud of, but we did it and we are ok. That's the point to remember when you read this folks, we are all alive, and it saved our Aussie, Mexican and English arses. After deliberation we headed off back down the rural highway with our backpacks, and Annie Darling with her suitcase. Then,

...we hitchhiked.

Just remember there was not a single soul in sight, I reckon we saw like, 2 cars come past in the last half hour. We had all our luggage, and were picking up serious serial-killer vibes, this is how all the movies start...four backpackers, stranded in a ghost town, until a kind and ever-so-trusting red ute pulls up, and you climb in to meet your fate. I think it's best I don't describe our car, driver or the circumstances in which we arrived to our accommodation, and that's important is that we got there safely (minus Maria). I'm kidding. Maria arrived safely too.

So! Hitchhiked across Moose Country in New Hampshire, North 'Merica. And I lived to tell the tale. Ticked off the bucket list. The mood drastically changed when we arrived at our cute country-inn! Family owned, Jim and Jan are fantastic, they are so helpful and treat us like their own kids. Not a lot of tourists, not gonna lie, not a great deal of people about, but I loved the NH accents, and their funny country phrases. The place is so cute, we all fell in love and it's really like the perfect setting for our cowboy kickin'
 country weekend...these photos, are lovely, the capture the place perfectly, and hey, it might not be a weekend of WILD COLLEGE PARTYING but we dig it anyway.

 

Back garden, yes please

Life could be worse #newhampshire



We heart the NH homestead country vibes



This is our room, there is a smaller separate room to the side and a small bathroom, two double beds. Time to get cosy.

Yeah, so our accommodation in Moose Country is super cute! We unpacked briefly and made plans to head out and explore Moose Country, but hats off to Caty and Bridget again, because try to imagine this; well of course you can - you are all very intelligent. Moose Country is vast and wide spread. The state of New Hampshire is something like 80% woodland. Nowhere is accessible by foot, or even bike. It's all woodland and mountains (which we heart) but coming from Boston city, not so accessible. After a lot of kafufferling around, we

 

had to hire a car.

 

Is is also worth mentioning, that Maria found an envelope of a substantial monetary value earlier that morning. So the car hiring didn't turn out too costly for any of us at all, thanks to that pick up. Our car is super cute, and we were all so excited for it. None of us have international licences, and Bridget is the only one over 21 with a  Victorian probationary licence. Important to note; she has her licence. But she doesn't drive at home. Luckily for us Joe at the car hire place (whilst terribly chirpy and chatty) made the half hour journey to come pick us up from our inn and was somewhat daft and didn't really know he was renting out a car to a group of college kids who;

 a) don't have international nor full Australian licences, b) the nominated driver hasn't driven a car for 6 months, c) have never driven on the right hand side before, d) have NO knowledge of the US laws (and believe me, they are different, they have funky traffic lights and different flashing lights and intersections *breathes deeply remembering their last encounter with an intersection*, again, lucky to be alive) and e) are positively and 100% daft and with Caty reading the map would be on equal measure in attempting navigation to the north pole in a snow storm.

 

This wasn't our car, but another poor victim of Moose V Car collision...the moose always wins and people are lucky to be alive after an encounter. There were three cars in the car park with these moose-inflicted injuries.

 

Oh Joe...how silly you are. Us, on the other hand, we couldn't wait to begin our Great (yet unexpected) 'Merican road trip in New Hampshire. Huzzah! We all pilled in our Volkswagen Beetle, turned the radio up super loud and tried to navigate our way through the state. There were a many moments where we were all trying to tell poor Bridget how to drive, how to turn, how to use her indicators  and to make sure she turned onto the right side of the road, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BRIDGET, and then squealing terribly when we took the corner to fast and  she still wasn't ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. BRIDGET. THE RIGH SIDE OF THE ROAD. Luckily, as I said, not a lot of traffic about. Thank heavens.

 

 

Our team, represented by U.S of A chain diner Ninety Nine

#'Merica

Nb the nanna in the window looking at me like I'm a hooligan

#moosecountry

Road trip break to get changed into swimsuits on the side of the road

 

 

I think the moment was when we were driving up the Franconia State Park, the radio blasting loudly, the windows down, watching the fantastic NH landscape whiz past our windows and laughing uncontrollably when I realised something. And because it's me, and this is a blog, I intend on sharing it. Amongst the company of these girls, I had an overwhelming sense of belonging. Considering we haven't known each other for very long, we chat, giggle, joke and mock each other like we have all been friends for years. It's that sense of warmth that spreads through your soul, it makes you feel happy to be alive, in such a beautiful place, with such charismatic company. They are the perfect travel companions, and today has been grand. Just something to note I suppose, to remember when the moments are gone.

 

Echo Lake Beach



 

 

This is our lame attempt at trying to look like lifeguards/moose spotting. Probably my favourite NH pic so far

 

Annie Darling

 

 

We swum, we frolicked, we met the locals and we did a brief (substantially pathetic) hike around the lake for a bit. Excuse the photos.

 

Wait, no, THIS is now my favourite Lake Echo Beach pic

The evening winded down with a bottle (or two) of wine, cheese and dinner rolls. We all got our pyjamas on and sat on the bed, and talked for a solid 4  hours. Period. Truth be told, there was also a tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and four spoons involved,  and I don't remember a time in the U.S since I've laughed so hard.

 

Fall in NH