11.23.09
Our blog has a new home…
Our blog has moved and can now be found at http://blog.littleriverbedandbreakfast.com. We hope to see you there.
-Paula and Rob
10.21.09
Keene Pumpkinfest 2009
Four years in NH and our first Keene Pumpkinfest…never have we seen so many Jack O’Lanterns in our life! More than 29,000 (we contributed two) which was a Keene record lining up and down Main Street and carvers were very creative.
Although it’s mostly about the pumpkins, there were also street vendors and entertainers, crafts tents, and fireworks. Check out all the pumpkins in the pictures below and more can be found on our Little River Bed and Breakfast Facebook page.
10.14.09
Pack Monadnock Hawk Migration
During the months of September and October, the NH Audubon Society sets up a Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory to observe and count the migration of hawks from up North to down South. Pack Monadnock is considered one of the best places in NH from which to observe the migration.
During today’s visit, we spotted some Red-Tailed Hawks, Sharp-Shinned Hawks, and one Cooper’s Hawk that attacked the Audubon Society’s decoy owl (meant to attract rival bird’s of prey). The spotters have counted over 10,000 raptors in two of the past three years and have already spotted almost 6,000 this year (see the count board below).
Cathedral of the Pines
Another wonderful stroll with fantastic views of Mt Monadnock is Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge. The history behind the property and how it became a non-denominational peace memorial is an interesting story and the setting is idyllic.
They hold outdoor weddings and religious events throughout the warmer months, just check out this picture of the outdoor chapel with Mt Monadnock in the background!
Hancock Railroad Depot
Cannot believe it has been a month since we last posted to the blog but September/October is very busy around the B&B as the leaves change colors, apple picking season is in full bloom, and the days get cooler.
We are always looking for new places to explore and hike and whenever we get a chance to get out we do. One little peaceful gem we found was the Hancock Railroad Depot just ten minutes to the North of us. The railroad used to go through many of the small towns up here. The railroads are gone but evidence of their past can still be found and this is one of them.
We parked at the depot which is a nicely maintained station just outside of town along Norway Pond. It’s a short but very pleasant 1/3 mile stroll on the old railroad bed which drops you off at a quiet and scenic spot perfect for picnicking and relaxing (sandwiches can be bought at either the Hancock Market or Fiddleheads Cafe right in town).
If you want to enjoy some solitude and scenery and are not looking for a long or challenging hike, this is the spot (see picture below)!
09.20.09
It’s coming…
Yup! Whether we are ready for it or not, Fall is on it’s way! The mild days and chilly nights we’ve been having lately are bringing colored leaves to the tips of some of the trees and Fall wildflowers to the sides of the road. While it is impossible to predict when the peak of the Fall foliage will occur (probably still 2-3 weeks away, but that’s really just a guess), one of the nice things about the early Fall is that we can count on things just getting prettier and prettier!
08.24.09
Stone Arch Bridges of Hillsborough
Often we suggest guests take a driving tour of the covered bridges South of Keene but we had a half day free this past Sunday and decided to drive the Stone Arch Bridge Tour of Hillsborough just thirty minutes to our North.
The bridges are unique and the history behind their construction is interesting. We explored five bridges and the driving tour gives you hiking, picnicking, swimming, and photo opportunities and of course there are some geo-caches to find as well.
There is more to Hillsborough than the bridges though, we visited Gibson Pewter where he makes handmade pewter items and has been recognized as one of America’s Top 200 craftsmen. There are also some nice antiques shops, the Franklin Pierce Homestead (our 14th president), and let’s not forget our favorite place to get a hot pretzel and some excellent breads and baked goods at German John’s…psst, there’s a pretty good ice cream shop right next door 
08.22.09
Peterborough’s Triathlon
Peterborough hosted the 1st Annual Monadnock Challenge Series Sprint Triathlon today (Saturday August 22nd). It was a .40 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 5K run and the course passed us twice, once on the bike and once on the run. Here’s a link to the Facebook page.
About ninety people completed it and we stood outside cheering the participants on. I know there were plenty of hills on the course but the heat and humidity were not likely expected and I am sure it slowed some of the athletes down. The winner finished the course in about one hour and eleven minutes.
08.14.09
Pitcher Mountain
The wild blueberry bushes at Pitcher Mountain are going strong! A short 10-15 minute hike up to the top gets you great views and lots and lots of blueberries to snack on or take home (when you bring your own containers). The berries are a bargain (only 75 cents a quart… and the money goes to keeping the trails maintained), but picking them is a labor of love. The wild berries are so small, it can take quite a while to pick ‘em!
08.08.09
Buckets of blueberries!
We are now in the midst of blueberry season, so I made my annual outing to Monadnock Berries in Troy for PYO berries. Even though it isn’t the closest place to pick blueberries around here (there are quite a few farms close by in Peterborough and neighboring towns), it is still one of my favorites! The views of Mount Monadnock are spectacular and the blueberries are delicious and plentiful.
The folks at Monadnock Berries have many different varieties of blueberries, so their season lasts from mid-July into September. The ones I picked were Blueray… they were yummy and varied in size from average to gargantuan! In less than 2 hours, I picked about 13 1/2 pounds.
My next blueberry outing will be to Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard. There, the wild blueberry bushes cover the mountain so you can hike and pick berries at the same time. Payment is by the honor system and the price can’t be beat (75 cents a quart, goes towards helping to maintain the trails)!
