New Hampshire

Because Covid kept me away from New Hampshire for over two years, I took an extended trip recently. Two of my four kids live there and it was very nice to see them again. (And my daughter’s cat, Frankie!)

I got to spend lots of time with the family members I seldom see, including Frankie the Cat.

I love New Hampshire for it’s quaint, small towns like Hancock, where we visited Fiddlehead’s Cafe and shopped at the Hancock Market. One day we were waiting for our pizza from Fiddleheads (really delicious) and took a stroll around the tiny downtown, where I took this photo of some vintage buildings.

Trees and shrubs were just beginning to bloom after the long, northern winter. And there were mountain views, rolling hills, and clear ponds and rivers to enjoy everywhere. Not to mention, small populations.

Hancock New Hampshire quaint town — Hancock, NH

While I was there (in March and April) I saw all kinds of weather, which is pretty typical for New England. One day it reached 80 degrees, and although it was nothing like the humid 80 degrees of Florida, it was warm.

But most days begin in the 40’s and warmed to 50 or 60. One day it snowed! It was like Christmas for me! But the locals were not happy to have a snowstorm in April! I was the only happy soul in the area.

snow snowstorm New Hampshire late season winter — April snow in New Hampshire

This is not where I write about my New England visits, but I wanted to explain my absence from writing about seashells and boat trips.

I began walking a lot during my visit, because I stayed in an area I know, and the weather was great for walking and hiking.

Now, I am continuing my journey to good health by continuing to walk every morning in my neighborhood. There is no need to wonder which coat I should wear, or remembering to dress in layers. Every summer morning in Florida is plenty hot. The rule is to just wear as little as possible!

Florida road walking early morning — Early morning walk in Florida

If you want to see more photos of my New Hampshire trip, please visit New England’s Narrow Road.

beach chairs — Florida vs. New Hampshire

Florida and New Hampshire don’t have much in common. I have lived for extended periods of time in both locations. But each place has a beauty which is uniquely their own.

Both states have beaches, although they are distinctly opposite. Warm water vs. icy cold; long stretches of smooth sand vs. one small area packed with so many people you can barely see the sand. Actually, I haven’t been to Hampton Beach, NH since I was a kid. But the ocean water in the north stays extremely cold even in mid-summer. I see no reason to venture near it! I’ve been spoiled by the tropical, sandy beaches.

Let’s talk home improvements. In Florida I had no time limits as to making home improvements. In NH we scramble to replace the roof and landscape the yard before it freezes and snows. Except for the afternoon thunderstorms in Florida, and the occasional threat of a hurricane, the weather was not much of a concern.

But in Florida I never felt safe, like I do living in my area of New Hampshire. Continue reading “Florida and New Hampshire, in Comparison”