A central part of Maritimers' trail of tears.
If it were not for my impending holidays I would be disgusted with myself for doing things like getting a haircut on a hot summer day off. But things being what they are, it is critical preparation...as critical as ensuring there is a vast array of suntan lotions and beach umbrellas in the car to ensure that not one ray of the demon sun actually encounters my alabaster bits between the freckles while by the salty sea*. Like my father before me, I am the Great White Whale and have accepted my lot in life.
As part of these vacation preparations, I now tell you that this Friday I will be travelling on the eastern segment of US Route 2 between Burlington, VT and Farmington, ME before heading on to our destination on special assignment. Even though I travelled this route like any good Maritimer with a job in Ontario, I have only now discovered that Bishop's Homemade Ice Cream is not too far off that path in Littleton, NH. After my pleasing encounter with a "Syrian" sandwich last year in New London, NH, I have hopes. All part of the 2st century being the century of my coming to terms with New Hampshire. Here is a review of Bishop's. I may have to break with good sense and actually order Grape Nut, something that hitherto has only been foisted upon me. But this may be the Platonic ideal of Grape Nut ice cream and how often do any of us actually bump into an actual Platonic ideal?
So - have you any other knowledge of Route 2 that needs to be taken into account?
*Follow that link to the best short short movie with a summer theme entitled "Bucket and Shovel". "Snow Sound" is still the best in the year-round category.
Comments
gr - July 3, 2006 5:53 PM
Littleton is the nicest town in all of New Hampshire. The diner on Main st is great, an old dinig car style, and the river walk behind main has a restored covered bridge and is grogeous. Main st also has a candy store boasting the LONGEST candy counter on earth, confirmed by the Guinness book. And of course, dozens of my pots for sale at league of NH Craftsmen gallery....
cm - July 3, 2006 9:33 PM
Alan, can you pick one up for me while you're there? (One of gr's pots, mind, not a grape nut ice cream - that you can keep for yourself. I had a Laura Secord one (ice cream, not pot) at Union Station today, the frosted mint.)
gr - July 4, 2006 8:42 AM
Nice of you to say that, but hang in there, cm, there are rumors that Gen x at 40 is going to open an online gallery. Orders have already been taken.
The gallery in Littleton is owned by a family who opened a terrific independent bookstore, then added a great toystore, and now the gallery a year ago. That is the appeal of Littleton: except for a small strip out by the highway, it is a genuine town with real stores and is sooo pretty.
Hans - July 4, 2006 9:19 AM
Do they let people on that road in the daytime?
gr - July 4, 2006 10:24 AM
Actually, cm, it is tempting to think big here. The wife and I, along with the dogs and cats, think it would be fun to host a studio sale and party here at the purple house. It is so darn beautful around here, and only a short distance for Gen x at 40 members in NY and Ontario (ha ha ha! well, closer than a trip to Iowa, anyway) This could include a visit to nearby breweries, of course.
cm - July 4, 2006 11:57 AM
I'll bring the Doritos. :-)
Alan - July 4, 2006 12:09 PM
That would be great, Gary. If we added the beer blog, Donavan could show as well.
gr - July 4, 2006 12:43 PM
OK, will do, but only if somebody kidnaps Portland and drags him here. We need entertainment after all.