November 16, 2017 – WANDERLUST FAMILY ADVENTURE

Grafton Notch State Park – Bethel, Maine

November 16, 2017 Joseph Candora Hiking, Maine, Mountain, North America, State Parks, United States, Waterfalls

Grafton Notch State Park is just over the New Hampshire border in northwestern Maine. The park is open seasonally from mid May to mid October. During the winter it can be accessed with skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. A very challenging section of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park for the hard core hikers.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Grafton Notch Scenic Byway runs along the spine of the park with several scenic pull offs and short trails.

Screw Auger Falls is the highlight of the park and other attractions include Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave.

On an early trip to the park I was afraid my dog Vincent was going to fall into Moose Cave.

Cape Ann Road Trip – Massachusetts

November 16, 2017 Joseph Candora Feature Post, Historic Sites, Massachusetts, North America, Road Trips, Scenic Drives, United States

Cape Ann on the north shore of Massachusetts contains the towns of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Considered Massachusetts’ second “cape” it is full of beaches, shopping and other attractions.
We headed down from our home in New Hampshire and as it was about lunch time as we were passing J.T. Farnhams we decided to stop and get some takeout. Farnhams is one of three iconic fried seafood restaurants in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Woodmans and the Clam Box are the other two. Woodmans is the inventor of the fried clam but all three have wonderful fried seafood.

Food in hand we made our way to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. We enjoyed our fish n chips and seafood platter before exploring the park.

The park was the site of the first group of settlers in Gloucester in 1623.

We proceeded down the cor-niche in Gloucester stopping at the memorials to the fishermen and their wives on the pedestrian walkway.

After driving along the cor-niche we took a right leading us to the Eastern Point Lighthouse at the entrance to Gloucester Harbor. There are two lighthouses here the main one on shore and one out on the long breakwater reaching out into the harbor.

We passed through the shops and restaurants in downtown Gloucester on our way to our next stop Rockport. In Rockport we explored Halibut Point State Park.

Last on the itinerary was photo ops at some of the beaches in Rockport catching the pounding surf during a very windy day.

New video by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A beautiful sunset capped a wonderful day.

Restaurant Review – J.T. Farnhams (Ipswich, Massachusetts)

November 16, 2017 Joseph Candora Massachusetts, North America, Restaurants, Reviews, TIPS, United States

The town of Ipswich is renowned for the fried clam and claims to be the birthplace of favorite New England treat. There are three iconic clam shacks in Ipswich; Woodman’s (the inventor of the fried clam), the Clam Box and J.T. Farnhams. Farnhams is the last of the three as you head onto Cape Ann and towards Gloucester and is the most convenient if you want take out as you head to Gloucester for a picnic. The restaurant is set alongside a scenic salt marsh with several outside tables for when the weather is nice.

The restaurant is cash only but there is an ATM on site. The ATM is located behind some swinging doors be sure to look closely or ask the attendant.

Nothing fancy at Farnhams, you order your food at the counter and then pick it up. Paper plates and plastic ware are what you should expect.

Despite the casual atmosphere the quality and freshness of the food does not suffer as the awards and recognition attest.

The chowders and lobster rolls are both good but it is fried seafood that excels here. From simple fish and chips

to an enormous fisherman’s platter which has giant ocean scallops, large shrimp, delectable fried clams and a big slab of fresh fish along with large portions of french fries and onion rings. The fries are routine but the onion rings are thin and some of the best in the area.

Plum Island Lighthouse – Newburyport, Massachusetts

November 16, 2017 Joseph Candora Historic Sites, Lighthouses, Massachusetts, North America, United States

The Plum Island Lighthouse in Newburyport was first built in 1787 on the northern end of Plum Island. The first lights were wooden and moved several times due to shifting sands of the barrier island. The wooden lighthouses were later replaced by a brick and mortar tower which is actually currently quite a ways away from the shoreline due to those shifting sands. To get to the light drive all the way down the road until it ends on the northern part of the island. The lighthouse will be on your left. The grounds are open all year and the tower can be climbed during open houses occasionally during the summer.

Laconia Motorcycle Week – Laconia, New Hampshire

November 16, 2017 Joseph Candora Attractions, Events/Festivals, New England, New Hampshire, North America, United States

In 1923 the first Loudon Classic Motorcycle Race was held. This event has morphed into one of the largest motorcycle ralleys this side of Sturgis or Daytona. The Laconia Bike Week is the opportunity for us in the northeast to experience the motorcycle culture of the US.
The Laconia region is a great vacation spot most of the year with resorts, beaches, train rides, Lake Winnipesaukee cruises and fall foliage.

Bike week makes it all the more interesting. Even if you are a casual fan and just want to wander and look at the bikes and cars it makes for great day trip. If you are planning on staying overnight book well ahead as the resorts and hotels fill up fast. Check listings for dates sometime during June each year.

Check out the event calendar if you are planning a day trip from Boston (about three hours) for the most up to date information. My favorite restaurant in the area is the Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant in nearby Meredith, New Hampshire where almost everything on the menu is turkey from turkey soup to the main entree. There are other options available if you do not like turkey.

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