Wildlife Sighting – Eastern Gray Squirrel (Raymond, New Hampshire)

The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a tree dwelling squirrel native to the eastern part of the United States and Canada. It is very important in forest regeneration due to its habit of scattering and hoarding of seeds. It is common in parts of Europe and is considered an invasive species there. Alex took these pictures as the marauding culprits scattered and ate birdseed on our deck overlooking the river.

Wildlife Sighting – Eastern Chipmunk (Raymond, New Hampshire)

The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) lives in deciduous wooded areas and urban parks throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. It prefers areas with rocky outcrops as it is mostly a ground dwelling animal. Alex took these pictures from our living room looking out on the deck as it was eating birdseed that had been scattered by marauding Gray Squirrels.

Taste Test – Dried Fish

My mother was from Eastport, Maine and growing up we would often have a comfort meal from her childhood. The Mainers refer to it as dried fish but it is more commonly called bacalao. The Maine version of the dish consists of salted and dried cod or pollack, caramelized onions, potatoes and either salt pork or bacon.

The salt fish must be soaked in several changes of water

Traditionally salt pork is used we have substituted bacon

Boiled baby potatoes

Onions

After soaking overnight and several changes of water boil the fish

The components of the meal

Mix all together

Nostalgia alone rates it 9 out of 10 for me. Alex 8 out of 10.

Restaurant Review – Newick’s Seafood Restaurant (Dover, New Hampshire)

We had dropped off Emma at the vet and had a few hours to wait so we stopped at Newick’s for lunch. The Newick family opened their first restaurant in 1948 in the Great Bay region of New Hampshire. Several locations came and went with this restaurant in Dover still in business. This was a frequently visited restaurant for my family growing up as we made our way to or from our vacation home in Maine. It was never a personal favorite but other family members rated it very highly. My sister especially liked it because they have smelts on the menu which are not offered in many places.

Views of the bay from the dining room

Home made chips 9 out of 10

Fish & chips 6 out of 10

Alex enjoyed his clam strips 8 out of 10