Travel - Seashells by Millhill

Back in Florida After a Visit to 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.

Not the Best Week For Doing the Tourist Thing in St. Augustine

My younger son’s girlfriend is in college so her logical choice for a trip to see her boyfriend here in Florida is during Spring Break. Unfortunately it’s when all the Spring Breakers are here in Florida. Roll that together with Bike Week – which was the same exact week – why? … and you have a state filled with tourists and traffic.

traffic — Traffic and Full Parking Lot at Fort

So what did we do? We went to St. Augustine which has become attraction city. I used to love St. Augustine but like every other beautiful space in Florida it has become a place to build up and make money. Continue reading “Not the Best Week For Doing the Tourist Thing in St. Augustine”

Florida Vacation Rental Review, Part 4

I made this picture large so you don’t miss the big, white hand in the background. Hmmmmmmm. I really have nothing more to say about that, but it was in the front yard of our Fisherman’s Cottage rental property.

The front yard (water side) is also where we found the hot tub. As you can see the cover is too large and it’s torn. Not in good shape – just like much of the rest of the place. It was the end of June when we rented this house in New Smyrna Beach so it was way too hot to consider going in the hot tub – and I knew that tub was full of the nasty water… yuk… who wants to soak in that? Continue reading “Florida Vacation Rental Review, Part 4”