Ashland, NH

We left Morrisville this morning and headed over to my sister's in Ashland, NH.  Neat drive across Vermont to New Hampshire.  We really enjoy all the farmsteads and their beautiful barns and the small towns along the highways and byways of both states.  Crossed over the Connecticut river and decided not to take the Interstate, but rather try to use the state routes.  The only problem with that was there is one section over the Franconia Notch in New Hampshire where I-93 is the only route.  Route 3 used to be the main north-south route, but when I-93 went in, it took its' place.  The other interesting fact is that I-93 through the Notch is only two lanes - one each way.  They tried to make it a four-lane highway, but the environmentalists successfully fought the effort.  To the best of my knowledge (which ain't saying much), it's the only two-lane interstate in the country.

We passed at the base of Cannon Mountain which has a great tramway - obviously, it's a ski area.  Then we went through Franconia Notch and checked out a couple of the local sights, including a huge iron blast furnace.  Got off I-93 and travelled Route 3 all the way down to Plymouth and then to Ashland.

Just south of Woodstock (no, not that one, it's over in New York State), we saw a golf course and decided to play nine holes.  It was called Jack O'Lantern Resort and I thought perhaps it was going to be like the miniature golf course we played yesterday.  However, it was a full 18-hole course along the banks of the Pemigewasset River and had a railroad track running through it.  Fun course even if they had spray-painted the brown areas on the greens with some type of coloring - got to keep those tourists thinking they are playing on a green golf course! There was even a covered bridge connecting two of the holes.

After lunch, we headed down to Mary Ann and Stuart's.  Sat out on the back patio and watched the golfers come up the 18th hole while we sipped wine.  Had a bar-b-que dinner and some great conversation while enjoying perusing old family photos.  Nice to have family get-togethers - which we have been doing all along the route.