TXgalinGA

My aunt and uncle have a house in Eastman, NH and are opening it up to my husband and me this fall. Being from Texas, we don't really get the beautiful fall leaves that New England does! We're thinking about traveling up there for Columbus Weekend- October 6-9... I know it's hard to predict, but are we going at a decent time to see the leaves change? We're planning to drive to Maine for lobster and over to Vermont as well. I just want to make sure we'll see *some* color in the trees! If you think we should postpone until later in the month, that could be a possibility. I just want to get those FF booked! Thanks!

outwest713

Definitely don't go later. The "official" answer of peak leaves in upper New England is late Sept to Early Oct so you might be hitting a little late if you don't arrive until Columbus Day weekend. A week can make a big difference depending how far north you are. Looks like Eastman is about mid-state on North-South axis. For comparison, I was in Southern VT (Brattleboro) around Columbus Day and leaves were still very nice, but past peak. Of course every year is different and catching "peak" is always a gamble, but really not necessary to still enjoy the best place for fall leaves in the states (IMO). So if you can't go for a longer prd and increase your odds, I'd opt for going a little sooner.

cantstayhome

At home in northern Mass., I've noticed the leaves seem to have started early this year. Not sure it's going to be a very good season - some claim that all the flooding we (and New Hampshire) had in the spring will have a negative effect on fall color. Something is definitely going on with maples around here as a lot have just had their leaves turn brown and drop already. Don't know if that is happening in NH or not, but Columbus Day you should definitely see some color!

Anonymous

The area ffected by flooding was a small area of northeastern MA and southern NH. The rest of New England looks like it will have a fine foliage saeason, with the potential for an earlier-than-average peak. So that early Columbus weekend i perfect timing. If it's not peak right where you are, head north or south accordingly! But it's better to be a little too early, and see some green, rather than too late and see bare trees.

TXgalinGA

Oh good!! Then we'll stay with Columbus weekend. Anyone mind helping out with a short itinerary? We will fly into Manchester, landing around 3:00pm, pick up rental car, and stop at a great grocery store we found last time, right off the highway near the airport. Then I imagine we'll head to the house in Eastman. (It is all going to depend on when our other friends arrive- hopefully near us.) We'll need a great dinner place- suggestions??? We loved the Canoe Club in Hanover (I think that is the town) but our friends are on a budget....I am in search of G R E A T clam chowder and lobster!!
We plan on taking a day trip on Saturday and on Sunday- any suggestions? A "Fall Festival" would be so fun!! We enjoy all things outdoors. Monday morning we fly out- It's a short weekend!
Thanks!

dfrostnh

First, things are already coloring up in the Concord NH area and predictions are for early color. According to experts, the wet year means the color is going to last longer but I have noticed some areas where leaves are turning brown. There was a fungus problem on the coast last year, it's probably similar. Heard it was mostly birches but I see some maples affected. OTH some trees are already putting on a nice display.
Warner NH right off Rt 89 about 1/2 hour west of Concord has a nice Fall Foliage Festival. See their website. There's a parade on Sat and Sunday. We went last year but that was during flooding. Indoor craft show, outdoor very nice farmers market, very small midway, some lumber competition etc. It's a very pretty downtown. Parking areas are set up at each end of town with shuttle buses.
You'll find plenty of color. It might not be so advanced on the seacoast. It's a lovely drive over to Portsmouth via Rt 4 (Rt 101 is boring but that's the way Mapquest will send you.) If you want "cheap" lobster, you could stop at Market Basket at exit 9/Warner on Rt 89 and have them cook the lobster right in the grocery store. Other grocery stores in the area will also cook your lobsters. They also serve lobster dinners at the Warner Foliage Festival but it's picnic style.
You'll also be practically driving by Gould Hill Orchard in Hopkinton (not far off Rt 89) which has a wonderful variety of heirloom apples and a terrific view toward the mountains. I realize there are orchards all over NH and VT but this one is extra special.
If you get to the coast, a family type restaurant with extensive fried and grilled seafood is Newick's on Dover Pt Rd as you get near Portsmouth. It's a paper plate kind of place but overlooks Great Bay. Good for budgets. You can get lobster there. It's big and popular but might be too casual and crowded.

TXgalinGA

I think it would be really fun to pick up lobster and have it our first night and I'm sure the grocery store we've been to will do that. But how? (We're from TX... we never have lobster!) Do they just toss the cooked lobster in a bag? I guess we should buy butter or something to dip it in? Will it last for an hours drive? Baked potato and a veggie and we should have a complete meal, right?? I am soo clueless on this one!
Any help at all would be much appreciated!

capxxx

Plan 1 (tastiest). Get live lobsters. The store will pack them in a cooler or insulated bag for you (don't worry, they have rubber bands on the claws to keep them shut). Cook them yourselves: get a huge pot of full-boiling water, and drop them in head-first for, like, 5-10 minutes. Serve with lemon, melted butter, baked potato or boiled red potatoes, and corn on the cob. Maybe a lettuce salad or parsley for green. Check that the house is equipped with lobster-cooking supplies: big pot, tongs to pull them out of the water, a lobster cracker (or big pliers), a pick or tiny fork to pull out the meat, and bibs or towels.

Plan 2 (easier). They are live in the grocery store, but you can ask the store to cook them for you. They can put them in an insulated bag. If you don't have crackers at home, ask the store to split open the claws and tail, too. Serve as above.

Lobster can be eaten steaming hot, at room temperature, or chilled. You might want to look up an internet site on how to eat them. Yum yum.

TXgalinGA

Thanks for the tips! That does sounds yummy!

dfrostnh

I can't think of which grocery store is near the airport. Keep in mind Friday night traffic esp on that weekend is very heavy. It will help if your flight gets in at 3pm. We figure two "chicken" lobsters per hearty eater (these weight about a pound. There is more meat worth going after in a 1 1/4 and larger but the price per pound is higher). Lobster shacks typically serve a small bag of chips and maybe a roll so we've gotten used to not having extras with the meal. A good piece of pie for dessert is good. But non-New Englanders might expect at least a green salad. Keep in mind all that butter is rich. If you're really hungry and only plan on one lobster per person, serve some chowder or cook up some steamers. I think part of the reason for not having other things with lobster is that it's very messy. You need to devote your plate to the lobster.

capxxx

Also, tell the store that you have an hour's drive ahead of you, so they can pack it properly. You don't want to cook a dead lobster.

Ackislander

Heed dfrostnh's warning about traffic. Unlike most parts of the country, Columbus Day is a public holiday in New England. Schools are closed etc, and many people head for the mountains for a look at the color. In prime spots like the Kankamaugus Highway, you will have lots and lots of company!

TXgalinGA

Alright- I got the flights booked last night using double delta miles and was charged $50 per ticket bc I was in the 20 day window. Full size car booked on Priceline... now all I need to do is figure out a great itinerary and decide how I am going to call in sick for staff development next Friday !

Our flight arrives Friday (MHT) at 3:00. (I don't think our friends will be joining us anymore) We plan to hit that grocery store I mentioned (hope DH remembers where it is!) and head to Eastman Resort in Grantham. Either we'll bring some lobster or cook something there, since I'm guessing it will be nearing 7:00pm by the time we get there. (Does that seem about right?)
Saturday and Sunday are totally open! That fall festival sounds awesome.
Any suggestions for hiking or outdoor activities? I would LOVE to do something on the water (like a foliage cruise- what is that???) but I don't want to freeze my rear off either! Like I said earlier- we're a pretty fun couple and are up for anything. We love wine, good food, and anything outdoors. We'll need three restaurant recs- 1 for Saturday night, Sunday night (or maybe a big, late lunch Sunday) and Monday for lunch (near Manchester.. maybe the coast?). We lucked out on flights- not leaving until 3:30 Monday afternoon.

Sooooooo......... feel free to bombard me with any and all suggestions!
TIA!
TXgal

bm

If you feel like taking a day trip up to Stowe, VT, the Fall Foliage Arts & Crafts Festival is going on. I wish I could myself, but can't this year. www.gostowe.com has the details.

TXgalinGA

Oh that looks awesome! Any clue how long it would take for us to get there? Maybe a "Festival" one day and hiking the next....

bm

Stowe is a little under an hour and a half from White River Junction/Lebanon. I think Grantham is 15 or so minutes from Lebanon?

dfrostnh

Arriving in Eastman around 7pm sounds about right. If the grocery store is going to cook the lobster for you I think it takes at least 20 minutes. If you can't find the grocery store near the airport, stop at the Demoulas/Market Basket off Rt 89/exit 9 (I think). I fully expect 5pm traffic to be stop and go from the vicinity of the airport all the way to Rt 89 and Concord. We always have heavy traffic on Fridays, this is going to be extra heavy. You can take a foliage cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee/the Mount Washington or head to Portsmouth for a harbor or inland rivers cruise. Neither should get too windy although it was chilly today. It's not open ocean.
In Bristol/Meredith area of Lake W we like The Homestead. It's in a farm house, nice general menu. Casual dress would be okay but make reservations. If you go to Portsmouth you will have lots of wonderful choices. We usually pick a casual place but there is everything from a brew pub to upscale. You might consider going to Chauncy Creek in Kittery but check to see if it's still open since it's open air (follow signs to Kittery Point). Check to see the hours for a wine tasting at Flagg Hill Winery and Distillery in Lee NH. They make vodka but not sure if they can sell it at their store yet due to NH liquor laws. It would be a slight detour going or returning from the seacoast. If you spend the day on the coast you might want to head back for dinner in Concord before going on to Eastman. 55 Degrees on Main St is a new wine bar, very upscale with small portions and limited menu. The Common Man is reliably good, very popular, casual and doesn't take reservations. It's at exit 13, Rt 93. If you've had a big lunch you could opt for appetizers and salad. If you just want sandwiches you could also stop at Peter Christian's in New London which would be closer to Grantham. It's a very pretty town. Keep in mind that there's not many restaurant choices along Rt 89 between Concord and Eastman.
Mt Kearsarge is an easy hike not far from Warner's downtown. But, if you got to Wilmot, there's a fantastic view from the auto road. I haven't hiked the trail to the summit. It looks steep. This is not a very big mountain.
Lunch in Manchester offers a lot of choices. The city is getting back on its feet with some lovely new restaurants in the old mills along the river, ethnic places all around, some places on Elm Street (the main st) that I hear are very good. I tend to just get a quick lunch at the Vietnamese place on Elm St. All the chain restaurants are around. You might want to try the Starfish Grill in one of the old mill buildings for your last seafood mill. I haven't been there since it changed hands. Kind of a funky place. Hope you have a terrific time!

TXgalinGA

Thanks for the great suggestions! Would the Market Basket be a good place to stop for "staples?" All we need is maybe a 6 pk of eggs for breakfast, and some good bread, meat, & cheese for sandwiches.... do they carry wine and/or beer?

Monadnock

Yes, Market Basket carries beer and wine; for anything else (as well as a better selection of wines), you need to go to a state liquor store.