Granny

My husband and I live in the East Village of New York and have an unexpected opportunity to take a one-week vacation in early August.

I love the ocean and trees. My husband won't tolerate too long a drive or plane trip to go to/from a mere one-week vacation. We both hate bugs (I'm a mosquito magnet) and fighting crowds (DON'T ASK why we live in NYC).

I don't want to go to Block Island because in the photos I've seen the trees seem so small.

We've considered the Maine coast, but I've read it's packed with tourists in the summer.

I'm considering flying to Manchester airport, renting a car and making a loop: north to Currier Gallery of Art, Canterbury Shaker Village, Lost River, the Flume, the Profile, Franconia Notch, Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Mount Washington Cog Railway, Pinkham Notch Scenic Area and then driving south to Ogunguit and Portsmouth before returning to Manchester.

Can anyone comment on the crowds (or bugs) in early August.

Audrey

We have been going to Maine for a long time, at every time of the year. In my opinion, things start to quiet down just a little after the month of July. That said, you might arrange your time in Ogunquit and Portsmouth to weekdays. To be honest, I would spend the week on the coast rather than the other places you mention--they'd be better to see during foliage season (except the Currier of course). Mosquitos have never bothered me in Maine; the black flies of New Hampshire are a different story, but they're gone by June 1. If you've never been to Maine, you are in for a real treat. Using Manchester (or Portland, Maine) airport is a very good idea.

Jane

Fly to Manchester and drive to Ogunquit Maine - stay at the Cliff House (www.cliffhousemaine.com) you won't be disappointed - wonderful clifftop hotel - Ogunquit is nice (we've been twice) and you are not too far from Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise, Freeport and some other neat towns - my husband and I have been twice and we loved it!

Donna F

August is usually the best month for good weather and lack of bugs. Canterbury Shaker Village is a must-see and includes a very pretty drive, plan to have lunch there. I wasn't real happy with the Cog Railway ride and limited time at the top if you wanted a guaranteed seat on the way back. There are some good hiking trails in the White Mtns that wouldn't be so touristy as the Flume. Pack a picnic lunch and take plenty of water. Easy hikes can be found in the Guide to Hiking in the White Mountains with Children. If you come when there is an event scheduled at Musterfield Farm in Sutton NH (easy drive from Concord) you will find a very beautiful place. A couple of years ago, we took my father there for a Civil War Encampment in August. It was fascinating. (The Civil War doctor was doctor in real life and quite humorous as well as serious.) Even the children were dressed in period outfits, playing period games. My mother enjoyed the wonderful flower garden. Musterfield Farm is part of NH Farm Museum but miles away from the museum farm in Milton NH. Maybe you should try a day cruise out of Portsmouth harbor. The League of NH Craftsmen will be having their annual fair in Sunapee NH Aug 5-13 - very high quality crafts. It will be crowded but it's worth it. The furniture and clothing is very beautiful. You can always find a quiet spot for a break, it's held at the ski area. If you happen to need lunch or picnic essentials in the Concord NH area, I highly recommend In a Pinch Cafe/Bakery. It's on Pleasant St up by the hospital (closes at 5). The cold peach soup is fabulous - but it's not always on the menu. If you don't want to swim, you will find a nice walk and it probably won't be too crowded at Odiorne Point south of Portsmouth NH. Great place for a picnic and ocean watching but not quite as pretty a walk as the Marginal Way in ME.

Topper

Burying, burying, burying

Granny

Thanks for your suggestions. We have decided to fly to Manchester, rent a car and spend two nights at the Follansbee Inn and four nights at Woodward's in Lincoln. (Perhaps we will go to the Maine coast for our anniversary in mid-October.)

After arriving at Manchester, we plan to eat at the Wayfarer's in Bedford and stop at Warner on our way to Follansbee. Any comments on the Mt Kearsarge Indian Museum?

We plan to spend an afternoon at the Craftmen's Fair while at Follansbee. Has anyone ever eaten at the Potter Place Inn in Andover or visited the goat dairy, Nunsuch, in South Sutton?

I plan to take an introductory solo hang gliding lesson at Morningside Flight Park near Claremont on our way from the Follansbee to Lincoln! I wanted to do a tandem flight with an instructor so that I could get a real taste of hang gliding, but I weigh too much! The student should weigh no more than 80% of the instructor - I assume so that the instructor can control the flight.

Has anyone ever visited the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site near Cornish or eaten at the Alden Country Inn in Lyme?

Any less-crowded waterfall outing recomendations in the "easy" category for our stay in Lincoln? I do have a waterfall book which tells me which outings are easy but not necessarily which are the less crowded.

I hope to try out a canoe while at Follansbee. We've never canoed, but we've enjoyed using a rowboat before. How different is a canoe? Is it more difficult to balance? I'd like to schedule a guided canoe trip in the Umbagog Wildlife Preserve, but I'm concerned that a full day in a canoe will be too much for us. Does anyone know a reputable outfitter doing half-day trips in the Preserve?

DougD

Granny, I don't know if you've left yet, but here are a few tips. I live in NH very close to St. Gauden's. It's a very beutiful, relaxing spot to spend a summery afternoon. On Sundays, they have classical music concerts. Flying into Manchester is a good idea. Manchester, however, is not the most interesting or scenic part of NH. However there is a great restuarant in downtown Manchester - Pavone's. If your going to spen some time in Claremont and Lyme (Lyme is very idyllic), you should stop for lunch or dinner in Hanover NH, which has a wealth of great restaurants for a small town. A great side trip would be to drive up Mt. Ascutney in Vermont, for a great view of NH and VT. Also check out the Cornish /Windsor covered bridge. The Maine Coast is a great place also, but it's a drive from the Hanover area, about 3 hours+. Ogonquit is always crowded, but it's quite beautiful. Portsmouth NH is a quaint seaside small city with lots of interesting restaurants and shops. Eat at the Stockpot for a great view of the water, with pretty decent food. The Mediterraneo is a fabulous Italian place in Portsmouth. Have fun!