We've a few great adventures this year, but we haven't had a local daytrip in a long time, local to us at least. Back in March we tried to head to Polly's Pancake Parlor with Kate's sister Emma for an amazing breakfast but had to postpone as Kate and Wesley got VERY sick.
We decided that Saturday August 16th was the perfect make up day, and thankfully the weather agreed. Emma was able to tag along with us and as it turns out she had never been to any of the places we were voyaging to.
We hit the road a little after 6 am and didn't make out first pit stop until Fair Grounds Cage in Fryeburg so Kate and Emma could get a coffee style drink. I bought a molasses cookie and it is the second best molasses cookie I have ever had. My wife makes the best, and I love molasses cookies so I always have to pick one up. Typically they are ok but nothing compares to my wife's this is a VERY close second place.
Kate had Emma sit in the front seat so she could experience the beauty of the Kancamagus Highway and driving through Franconia Notch State Park. Both roads are uniquely gorgeous, but the Interstate running through Franconia Notch is the prettiest Interstate I have ever driven on.
On the other side of the Kanc we stopped at the McDonald's for a bathroom break and Wesley and I explored the railroad tracks.
We stopped at the Betty and Barney Hill abduction site, the first widely spread UFO abduction story. Down the road is a gas station with a mural honoring it as well.
We got the Polly's about 930am and they had a short 45 minute wait, which really isn't that bad. Kate found a bench in the shade, coupled with the low temps and nice breeze it was a pleasant wait.
After an amazing breakfast we made the short drive to Harman's Cheese and Country Store where I got two pounds of their May 2023 aged sharp cheddar. I was hoping for the 4 year cheddar, which they did have this past March, but oh well.
We continued north to town of Littleton and their beautiful main street. We went to Chutter's home to world's longest candy counter to get some delicious treats. They actually sell penny candy still and I got 220 pieces of frooties, 20 of each of the 11 flavors they have.
Also on main street is a bakery called Crumb Bum that Kate has been following for a while Instagram and just had to try it. We got some croissants to bring home for later. I thought it was good, but I like the ones that Kate makes better.
After getting back in the van we hit the McDonald's drive thru for some Diet Coke's, I got a Coke Zero, and headed west towards Bethel. We decided to drive a big loop and come back into Maine a different route.
Once we got into the Bethel the temptation to stop at Smokin' Good BBQ was too much and we just had to get the best BBQ in Maine. When we stepped out of the vehicle the smell of the smokers was AMAZING! If you weren't hungry you would be that's how good they smelled.
I finally tried the Hot Links, and they were delicious, but I'm glad I got the two meat combo as I would have been sad to not have some Texas beef brisket. Kate got the pork sundae, Emma got just the pulled pork, and Wesley got a heavy half rack of ribs. We had plenty to take home with us.
The final planned stop of the day was just over the line in Greenwood at Maine Line Products so we could get some of their delicious fudge and some shaker peg racks for the mud room.
We got home just about 5pm for a good 11 hour daytrip through the White Mountains and back.
If you ever get a chance to hit all the places I wrote about in this post, you should!
Until Next Time!
