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When I final left you within the September recap, I used to be coping with my first spherical of COVID. I’m completely happy to share that I started testing damaging shortly after October started, and solely needed to miss a number of days of my long-planned New Hampshire journey.
And the foliage was magical.
Seriously, you’ll assume that rising up in New England would get me to understand fall foliage a bit extra. It is healthier right here than anyplace else on this planet.
But this journey was an absolute pleasure, begin to end. Even with the crowds and the excessive costs and the general craziness. Now I need to come again house for foliage yearly!
Destinations Visited
Woburn, Reading, Wakefield, Chestnut Hill, Boston, Newburyport, Danvers, and Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Lincoln, North Woodstock, Franconia, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Littleton, North Conway, Albany, Gorham, Jackson, Conway, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portland, Freeport, Cape Elizabeth, and Ogunquit, Maine
Prague, Czech Republic
Highlights
I discovered my wedding ceremony gown!!! THAT is the spotlight of the month! I went on two buying journeys with my mother — first BHLDN in Chestnut Hill, then Bella Sera Bridal in Danvers. As a lot as I really like BHLDN and their quirky, inexpensive robes, none of these clothes felt proper, and I hated being rushed by way of an hourlong appointment (one hour is not sufficient).
I had an exquisite expertise at Bella Sera Bridal and extremely advocate dropping by should you’re wedding ceremony gown buying on the North Shore. The gown I selected has Old Hollywood vibes, and that can information my total look. I already discovered some cool earrings and a hair clip (no veil for me).
More wedding ceremony stuff booked! We are having two weddings: a much bigger one in Prague in May and a smaller one in Boston in July. Charlie and I made a decision on our Boston reception venue — a restaurant within the monetary district that serves up INSANELY good meals. The ceremony will probably be outdoors. (I’ll be sharing extra particulars after the occasion.)
Some of the most effective fall foliage I’ve ever seen. I took Charlie alongside to New Hampshire in early October to do extra analysis for my New Hampshire website, New Hampshire Way, and to get a LOT of foliage photographs.
Early October is peak foliage within the White Mountains, and we timed it PERFECTLY. Seriously, this foliage was among the greatest I’ve ever seen. It was at its absolute peak in northern elements of Franconia Notch and Pinkham Notch. Artist’s Bluff, my favourite climbing viewpoint in New Hampshire, was a zoo.
I cherished getting to point out Charlie a few of my favourite locations in New Hampshire, we did the hike to Franconia Falls for the primary time (straightforward and enjoyable however a bit lengthy at 2.5 hours spherical journey), Charlie drove us up the Mount Washington Auto Road (OUTSTANDING throughout peak foliage!), we went to a number of retro diners, and we even camped in a single day in a glamping tent at Huttopia in Albany, full with campfire and s’mores.
A beautiful little journey to Maine. My pal Beth and her household moved to Portland late final 12 months, and Charlie and I visited to see their new home. We strolled round Portland’s colourful neighborhoods, ate lobster, took a visit to the large LL Bean retailer in Freeport, and Charlie and I grabbed a lobster feast at Two Lights and strolled by way of fairly Ogunquit (Ogunquit submit coming quickly!). We did somewhat facet journey to NH Brewfest in Portsmouth, too!
I bought to check out the little self-driving pods at Heathrow. These driverless vehicles have existed since 2016, and I had no concept! I had a 14-hour layover, so I wanted to sleep someplace. The Yotel at Heathrow is now gone, so I stayed on the Thistle Hotel. To get there, it’s essential to take somewhat pod from Terminal 5.
It’s fairly cool! You press buttons and it simply takes you the place it’s essential to go. Highly beneficial you probably have a protracted layover. (Bring earplugs for the Thistle, although. When somebody checked in subsequent door I may hear them respiratory!)
Getting house to my kitties and again into a standard schedule. As grateful as I’m for my travels this 12 months, I overdid it a bit the final 5 months. It felt like I used to be preparing for the subsequent journey as quickly as I bought house and I may by no means really feel settled.
Now that I’m again, I’m in a way more productive work schedule and way more constant health schedule.
Lewis and Murray are nonetheless the ABSOLUTE BEST! They’ve been so candy recently. I really like waking up in the course of the evening, Lewis snuggled into the facet of me, Murray coming over searching for cuddles.
Challenges
I’m sorry to say that the Sugar Hill Inn was a disappointment. This is all the time listed as top-of-the-line inns in New Hampshire, together with one of many state’s greatest eating places. I wished to remain right here a lot, I booked my keep and eating reservation in MAY. I used to be planning to jot down an in depth submit on the total expertise on New Hampshire Way, each inn and restaurant.
I emailed to substantiate the eating reservation a number of days earlier than and bought, “Oh, we’re not serving dinner on Wednesdays anymore. Sorry.” They by no means knowledgeable me. The inn was booked strong in any other case. And the one different evening I had free in that area I used to be planning on having fun with my favourite brewery in New Hampshire, Schilling Beer Co in Littleton, which closes at 8.
I made a decision to not dine on the inn altogether, and I don’t remorse it — Charlie and I attempted the wonderful Cold Mountain Cafe in Bethlehem on Wednesday, and had an awesome night at Schilling with pizza, poutine, and peculiar European-style beers on Thursday, not having to fret about driving as we have been staying proper in downtown Littleton.
That’s the factor — in an space with out public transit, it’s essential to be SO cautious about ingesting and driving. I deliberate my schedule round staying strolling distance from the place I used to be ingesting that evening.
As for the inn, it was cute — however extra of a notable historic property than a luxurious keep. Every inch of the ground creaked, and partitions have been skinny. We did have one of many least expensive rooms (the Rose Room); maybe a extra upscale room would have been completely different. But it wasn’t the expertise I had anticipated. Breakfast was scrumptious, although.
The Conway Scenic Railroad was a little bit of a letdown. Maybe that’s too sturdy wording. Taking this prepare experience throughout peak foliage is meant to be top-of-the-line issues to do in New Hampshire.
The railroad has one-hour, two-hour, and five-hour journeys. We did the two-hour Sawyer River journey. And whereas classic trains are cool, and there have been often beautiful views, nearly all of the journey was by way of forested areas with no actual views. And the commentary was on such scratchy audio system that I struggled to know something.
A sluggish scenic prepare experience is sweet, sure. And actually, it’s an awesome possibility in North Conway for individuals who have mobility challenges. But evaluating it to the Mount Washington Cog Railway that climbs the best mountain within the northeast, I’d take the Cog any day over the Conway Scenic.
Blog Posts of the Month
24 Fab Things to Do in Cape Cod, Massachusetts — The Cape is improbable, and there’s SO a lot to do past simply having fun with the seashores.
How to Visit Studlagil Canyon, Iceland — Studlagil Canyon is a extremely cool pure surprise in East Iceland that was solely found a number of years in the past. Don’t go to earlier than studying my recommendation first, as a result of we had some points right here!!
Visiting Stokksnes and Vestrahorn, Iceland — You know that jagged black mountain in Iceland on the black sand seashore with inexperienced sand dunes? That’s this place. It’s very cool and surprisingly straightforward to go to.
This Month on Patreon
On the Adventurous Kate Patreon, I publish unique content material and never-told tales that you may entry for $6 per 30 days. We even have a personal Facebook group and members get free entry to the Book Club every month.
I posted an enormous recap submit of my New Hampshire/Maine fall foliage journey, together with particulars on the most effective and worst and the right way to do it your self. That’s greater than I’m going to jot down about on the weblog itself, so you can find it there!
I additionally wrote a few bizarre and scary incident that occurred whereas I used to be in Brno in September. It’s referred to as “Zombie Run.”
Book Club This Month
Our subsequent Book Club will happen on Sunday, November 20, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. And that is going to be a particular e book membership — the creator is becoming a member of us for a dialogue!
We will probably be studying An Ocean Apart by my pal Sarah Lee. So excited to study in regards to the Windrush Generation and assist Sarah have a good time her first novel
“Inspired by actual life tales of the Windrush Generation and her mom’s personal experiences as a nurse within the Fifties, Sarah Lee’s debut novel is a should for followers of Call the Midwife.
It’s 1954 and, in Barbados, Ruby Haynes spots an commercial for younger ladies to coach as nurses for the brand new National Health Service in Great Britain. Her sister, Connie, takes some persuading, however quickly the sisters are on their technique to a brand new nation – and an entire new world of experiences.
As they begin their coaching in Hertfordshire, they uncover England isn’t fairly the promised land; for each door that’s opened to them, the sisters discover many slammed of their faces. And although the women discover friendships with their fellow nurses, Connie struggles with being so removed from house, and retaining secret the daughter she has left behind in quest of a greater life for the each of them . . .”
You can enroll right here. Patreon members have a separate signup within the Patreon.
New Hampshire Way Update
Last month, I shared that my New Hampshire website had lastly been accepted to Mediavine. This month, the advertisements turned on! I began incomes cash from advertisements on the positioning on October 8, and I completed the month incomes just below $1000. Because Mediavine pays Net 75, I gained’t see my October cost till January.
It’s begin, however a lot of that was my New Hampshire Fall Foliage 2022 Guide submit going completely nuts earlier within the month, then tapering down after fall colours peaked. I feel issues are going to be fairly quiet traffic-wise till early subsequent 12 months, however I’m planning a bunch of Christmas and vacation content material within the interim.
Some posts I loved scripting this month included guides to visiting the waterfalls Glen Ellis Falls and Jackson Falls, a submit in regards to the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge becoming a member of New Hampshire and Vermont, and my favourite, a Guide to Conquering the NH 48: New Hampshire’s 4000 Footers!
What I Listened To This Month
This month I bought a tip on Twitter — the rating to the movie The Hours, composed by Philip Glass, is the very best music to work to. Turns out it’s a cult favourite.
I gave it a attempt to WOW. This music is PERFECT. It hits the right degree of mild strings with out being too obtrusive or loud. It works for inventive writing and it really works for busywork. It retains you productive!
I’ve been listening to different scores, too. Au Bout des Doights, composed by Harry Arrouche, is one other wonderful selection, although a bit extra showy at instances (omg, the prelude is SO GOOD). By the Sea has one other great rating, composed by Gabriel Yared, although it’s essential to select the opposite songs in between his compositions on the soundtrack.
But nothing beats The Hours. Honestly, should you want somewhat assist with productiveness, give it a pay attention!
What I Watched This Month
Have you heard of the present Reboot on Hulu? Nobody I do know is speaking about this, however we began watching it on a whim, and it’s INCREDIBLY FUNNY. Oh my God, this present!
The premise is a few workforce of actors and writers rebooting a cringey 90s sitcom within the current day. Doesn’t harm that it has an unbelievable solid, together with two of my all-time movie star crushes, Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville, in addition to Judy Greer, Rachel Bloom, and Paul Reiser.
But should you’re seeking to snicker — Reboot, What We Do within the Shadows, Abbott Elementary, and Never Have I Ever could have you sorted!
What I Read This Month
Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia (2022) — Jeannette is a 30-something Cuban American wrestling with dependancy whereas dwelling in Miami. When Jeannette takes in a baby whose mom was detained by ICE, she and her mom Carmen should reckon with their household historical past. The e book transcends a number of generations of Jeannette’s household and weaves backwards and forwards between Cuba and Miami.
We learn this for our e book membership this month, and all people preferred it (or largely preferred it). I used to be within the largely preferred it camp. I cherished the characters, the ladies’s tendencies to repeat historical past era after era, and the colourful descriptions of Miami and particularly Cuba.
My primary concern with it’s that it felt like a number of unrelated tales strung collectively that would have been somewhat deeper, and the best way it jumped backwards and forwards in time was complicated. Overall, an excellent e book.
Coming Up in November 2022
I’m staying put for the primary three weeks of the month. And then I’m heading to…Lisbon! Yes! This journey got here a few bit organically — Charlie will probably be main his firm’s workforce assembly in Sevilla for every week, and I thought-about dropping by afterward, however we determined to fulfill up in a better gateway to Boston. Lisbon was excellent!
I’ve been to Lisbon twice earlier than, however solely as a backpacker on a very restricted finances. I’m trying ahead to attending to attempt among the nicer meals in Lisbon, and assembly up with buddies, together with the Lisbon meals consultants 2FoodTrippers.
After that, I will probably be within the States for every week to have a good time Thanksgiving and attend my 20-year highschool reunion! Can you consider it’s been that lengthy?! I’m trying ahead to seeing everybody. And after I come again…we will probably be in Christmas market season! So excited for markets and pastries and sausages and gluhwein!
What are you as much as this month? Share away!
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