Thank you to everyone for all the New Hampshire tips. I am loving it! It's a beautiful, green fantasyland, although it is a bit hot and buggy. I've been dousing myself in Cutter ever since one mosquito found the crook of my knee while I was climbing out of Walden Pond. The ever-agitating location combined with my allergy actually made it swell up to the size of a golf ball. Wanna see? Damn, I wish I had a digital camera to show off weird bodily things.
Today... I was bad. Very, very bad. Did you know that Classic Elite Yarns runs their factory store out of a town just south of the Mass/NH border? Did you know that they have oodles of stuff that you will never, ever find at such a low price? Did you know that I am very weak? For a girl on a budget trip, I certainly pigged out.
But really, if I am going to winter in Montana (still keeping quiet about that plan, just in case it doesn't pan out), I really do need a big thick aran sweater, and they had the most delicious cream wool/silk/alpaca blend. And who could pass up a big bag of shimmery linen balls for $25? Not to mention the two skeins of cotton I needed to finish a tank... I went a bit nuts. But I liked it.
On the way back I revisited America's Stonehenge. Noah and I had stopped there, but, it being after 5, the gates had been locked. This time I was able to wander quickly (as I was being chased by millions of buggies) through, marvelling the whole time at modern, er, I mean ancient construction. Pretty cool. I think that makes my fourth 'henge. The others were mostly replicas, but this one was reportedly an Archaic Native American site that served the same solar purpose as the 'henge we all know and love.
Tomorrow I think I may swing by Portsmouth. I know I went by there, but I don't think I stopped to check it out. It deserves a leisurely revisit, I believe.
Definately would've liked to see a picture of that there golf ball sized skeeter bite. :)
Classic Elite sounds like fun and your future Aran beautiful. I regret not going there...oh, my fiber regrets...
Posted by: Kathleen | May 21, 2004 at 04:47 PM
I've been a NH resident all my life, and I had no idea about that. *immediately starts having yarn fantasies* Now that I know, I'm sure that I'll have to make a pilgrimage.
You did, unfortunately, hit my happy state right in the middle of one of our special Seasons. See, most areas of the country just have the standard 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. In place of Spring and Summer, we get Mud, Bug, and Tourist season, though Tourist season actually tends to stretch all the way around 'til Mud season again -- we've got Leaf Peepers who come to look at our leaves and buy maple syrup in the fall, and the skiers and snowboarders who come in droves during the winter.
America's Stonehenge is nifty; I've been there once or twice before, usually on the way to a day at Canobie Lake Park, a small amusement park just a few miles from the 'henge.
Enjoy yourself in Portsmouth; it's absolutely gorgeous there! There's so much to see and do -- you can hang out and go shopping, or tour historical homes, take a walk around Prescott Park, go to the beaches near Rye....
If you want to find food for not a lot of money, go to Gilley's, on Fleet St. for lunch. It's this old trolley that was turned into a lunchwagon forever ago, and never left. If you want a great dinner, also fairly cheap, go to the Press Room on Daniels St. All the entrees are less than $10.00 -- more around the $7.00 range, and it's all excellent. There's always a crowd on weekends, so you might want to get there before 8 or 9pm.
Posted by: Kim | May 21, 2004 at 05:34 PM
Man you get around fast as I've been packing like a mad man trying to prepare to go to the Berkshires you've been flying around New England. I miss travelling with you. It was a taste of the open American adventurous road. Now I jsut get to enjoy it over your blog again. I jsut wanted to tell you how much fun it was having you visit Boston. Remember me when I am in the Berkshire mountains of Western Mass. Theres always a comfy place to sleep and a warm shower when ever you make it by. Take Care
Posted by: Noah Marincich | May 21, 2004 at 06:24 PM
where is this yarn type place?
Posted by: maryse | May 22, 2004 at 09:57 AM
Ah, but it will, and you will visit me in central WA any time you like. :)
Posted by: Ann | May 22, 2004 at 11:48 PM
Hey Bethany! I'm so glad you're making such *practical* yarn purchases. Got a question for you: know of any good resources with which to find an inexpensive but nice hostel-type place in NYC?
Posted by: Em | May 23, 2004 at 09:55 AM
Heh heh, You don't know just how much of a deal that 'Wings" is. (retail was at least 7.00 a ball) The Shiny stuff is Studio, do watch that for breakage.
I'm glad you had fun at the Mill store. In a way I'm sad I don't work there any more, but it's better for my budget. I miss the customers, and the yarns..
Did you have fun with Minerva, Fielder and Dawn? they are very special.
Posted by: Kate | May 27, 2004 at 06:59 PM