There’s a certain nostalgia and romance in a place you left. ∼David Guterson

Ah, home again! Just barely getting caught up after 16 days in New England. On the plus side, there are new adventures to tell you about, but way too much to share in one post, so this is Part One.

We left Colorado on October 1st, with traveling companions Tom and Lexi. The plan was to spend a few days, before heading to Sunapee, cruising up the coast from Boston, visiting various landmarks of their time living in the area.

On the tour, Tom’s seminary (see him waving?) . . . ↓

. . . and the now defunct Red Barrel, which we had visited on a previous trip. Sad to see it crumbling away into ruin.

Fortunately, since we had already experienced the Red Barrel, we had already planned to lunch at another of Tom and Lexi’s favorites, the still thriving Woodman’s in the Rough . . . ↓

. . . where a poster offers the excellent lobster-eating advice: “What gets out butter stains? Nothing. Wear a bib.”

The next day we did a bit more touring, including Rockport and Newburyport, but it was so cool and rainy, we decided to head to Sunapee a day early.

By Saturday evening, we were here . . .

Here’s Tom trying out my favorite reading spot (especially when the fire’s going).

Of course a main draw of New England in the fall is the glorious foliage . . . We generally plan a longish stay in the fall to help close down the house for the season, but also to be sure we don’t miss the peak colors. This year they didn’t really get going until around the eighth, but then they were spectacular.

Couldn’t get enough of it. One of my favorite things about walking in the woods in the fall is the way it makes me want to look up . . . 

Things may be beginning to decay down below, but they’re glorious on high!