AK Monthly Recap: October 2022

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AK Monthly Recap: October 2022


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When I final left you within the September recap, I used to be coping with my first spherical of COVID. I’m completely happy to share that I started testing detrimental shortly after October started, and solely needed to miss a couple of days of my long-planned New Hampshire journey.

And the foliage was magical.

Seriously, you’d suppose that rising up in New England would get me to understand fall foliage a bit extra. It is best right here than wherever else on this planet.

But this journey was an absolute pleasure, begin to end. Even with the crowds and the excessive costs and the general craziness. Now I wish to come again dwelling for foliage yearly!

Kate wearing a blue plaid shirt over a burgundy tank top and smiling, holding up a stick in front of lots of vibrant fall foliage.

Destinations Visited

Woburn, Reading, Wakefield, Chestnut Hill, Boston, Newburyport, Danvers, and Lynnfield, Massachusetts

Lincoln, North Woodstock, Franconia, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Littleton, North Conway, Albany, Gorham, Jackson, Conway, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portland, Freeport, Cape Elizabeth, and Ogunquit, Maine

Prague, Czech Republic

A road heading downhill surrounded by bright orange and yellow trees.
The view from driving down Mount Washington, NH.

Highlights

I discovered my wedding ceremony gown!!! THAT is the spotlight of the month! I went on two buying journeys with my mother — first BHLDN in Chestnut Hill, then Bella Sera Bridal in Danvers. As a lot as I like BHLDN and their quirky, inexpensive robes, none of these clothes felt proper, and I hated being rushed by an hourlong appointment (one hour is not sufficient).

I had a beautiful expertise at Bella Sera Bridal and extremely advocate dropping by if you happen to’re wedding ceremony gown buying on the North Shore. The gown I selected has Old Hollywood vibes, and that can information my total look. I already discovered some cool earrings and a hair clip (no veil for me).

More wedding ceremony stuff booked! We are having two weddings: a much bigger one in Prague in May and a smaller one in Boston in July. Charlie and I made a decision on our Boston reception venue — a restaurant within the monetary district that serves up INSANELY good meals. The ceremony shall be outdoors. (I’ll be sharing extra particulars after the occasion.)

Some of one of the best fall foliage I’ve ever seen. I took Charlie alongside to New Hampshire in early October to do extra analysis for my New Hampshire web site, New Hampshire Way, and to get a LOT of foliage pictures.

Early October is peak foliage within the White Mountains, and we timed it PERFECTLY. Seriously, this foliage was among the greatest I’ve ever seen. It was at its absolute peak in northern elements of Franconia Notch and Pinkham Notch. Artist’s Bluff, my favourite mountaineering viewpoint in New Hampshire, was a zoo.

I liked getting to point out Charlie a few of my favourite locations in New Hampshire, we did the hike to Franconia Falls for the primary time (simple and enjoyable however a bit lengthy at 2.5 hours spherical journey), Charlie drove us up the Mount Washington Auto Road (OUTSTANDING throughout peak foliage!), we went to a number of retro diners, and we even camped in a single day in a glamping tent at Huttopia in Albany, full with campfire and s’mores.

A stunning little journey to Maine. My pal Beth and her household moved to Portland late final 12 months, and Charlie and I visited to see their new home. We strolled round Portland’s colourful neighborhoods, ate lobster, took a visit to the enormous LL Bean retailer in Freeport, and Charlie and I grabbed a lobster feast at Two Lights and strolled by fairly Ogunquit (Ogunquit put up coming quickly!). We did a bit facet journey to NH Brewfest in Portsmouth, too!

Small white pod cars driving on a track.

I received to check out the little self-driving pods at Heathrow. These driverless automobiles have existed since 2016, and I had no thought! I had a 14-hour layover, so I wanted to sleep someplace. The Yotel at Heathrow is now gone, so I stayed on the Thistle Hotel. To get there, it’s essential take a bit pod from Terminal 5.

It’s fairly cool! You press buttons and it simply takes you the place it’s essential go. Highly really useful when you’ve got an extended layover. (Bring earplugs for the Thistle, although. When somebody checked in subsequent door I might hear them respiratory!)

Getting dwelling to my kitties and again into a standard schedule. As grateful as I’m for my travels this 12 months, I overdid it a bit the final 5 months. It felt like I used to be preparing for the subsequent journey as quickly as I received dwelling and I might by no means really feel settled.

Now that I’m again, I’m in a way more productive work schedule and rather more constant health schedule.

Lewis and Murray are nonetheless the ABSOLUTE BEST! They’ve been so candy these days. I like waking up in the midst of the night time, Lewis snuggled into the facet of me, Murray coming over in search of cuddles.

Murray, a large gray tabby cat, sprawled across a desk and sleeping, curving around a keyboard.
Murray loves being a desk bear whereas we work.

Challenges

I’m sorry to say that the Sugar Hill Inn was a disappointment. This is at all times listed as among the best inns in New Hampshire, together with one of many state’s greatest eating places. I wished to remain right here a lot, I booked my keep and eating reservation in MAY. I used to be planning to put in writing an in depth put up on the complete expertise on New Hampshire Way, each inn and restaurant.

I emailed to verify the eating reservation a couple of days earlier than and received, “Oh, we’re not serving dinner on Wednesdays anymore. Sorry.” They by no means knowledgeable me. The inn was booked strong in any other case. And the one different night time I had free in that area I used to be planning on having fun with my favourite brewery in New Hampshire, Schilling Beer Co in Littleton, which closes at 8.

I made a decision to not dine on the inn altogether, and I don’t remorse it — Charlie and I attempted the wonderful Cold Mountain Cafe in Bethlehem on Wednesday, and had an ideal night at Schilling with pizza, poutine, and bizarre European-style beers on Thursday, not having to fret about driving as we had been staying proper in downtown Littleton.

That’s the factor — in an space with out public transit, it’s essential be SO cautious about ingesting and driving. I deliberate my schedule round staying strolling distance from the place I used to be ingesting that night time.

As for the inn, it was cute — however extra of a notable historic property than a luxurious keep. Every inch of the ground creaked, and partitions had been skinny. We did have one of many least expensive rooms (the Rose Room); maybe a extra upscale room would have been totally different. But it wasn’t the expertise I had anticipated. Breakfast was scrumptious, although.

The Conway Scenic Railroad was a little bit of a letdown. Maybe that’s too robust wording. Taking this prepare experience throughout peak foliage is meant to be among the best issues to do in New Hampshire.

The railroad has one-hour, two-hour, and five-hour journeys. We did the two-hour Sawyer River journey. And whereas classic trains are cool, and there have been often beautiful views, the vast majority of the journey was by forested areas with no actual views. And the commentary was on such scratchy audio system that I struggled to know something.

A gradual scenic prepare experience is good, sure. And actually, it’s an ideal choice in North Conway for individuals who have mobility challenges. But evaluating it to the Mount Washington Cog Railway that climbs the best mountain within the northeast, I might take the Cog any day over the Conway Scenic.

Lewis the gray tabby kitten having his cheeks rubbed by two hands as British Bake Off plays on a nearby iPad.
Lewis love face rubs…and British Bake Off!

Blog Posts of the Month

24 Fab Things to Do in Cape Cod, Massachusetts — The Cape is implausible, and there’s SO a lot to do past simply having fun with the seashores.

How to Visit Studlagil Canyon, Iceland — Studlagil Canyon is a very cool pure marvel in East Iceland that was solely found a couple of years in the past. Don’t go to earlier than studying my recommendation first, as a result of we had some points right here!!

Visiting Stokksnes and Vestrahorn, Iceland — You know that jagged black mountain in Iceland on the black sand seaside with inexperienced sand dunes? That’s this place. It’s very cool and surprisingly simple to go to.

Artist’s Bluff, my favourite NH viewpoint, within the fall

This Month on Patreon

On the Adventurous Kate Patreon, I publish unique content material and never-told tales that you may entry for $6 per thirty days. We even have a non-public Facebook group and members get free entry to the Book Club every month.

I posted an enormous recap put up of my New Hampshire/Maine fall foliage journey, together with particulars on one of the best and worst and easy methods to do it your self. That’s greater than I’m going to put in writing about on the weblog itself, so you will discover it there!

I additionally wrote a few bizarre and scary incident that occurred whereas I used to be in Brno in September. It’s known as “Zombie Run.”

Kate and Charlie standing side by side on a rocky top with a sign reading Mount Washington Summit.
This automotive climbed Mount Washington!!

Book Club This Month

Our subsequent Book Club will happen on Sunday, November 20, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. And that is going to be a particular e book membership — the creator is becoming a member of us for a dialogue!

We shall be studying An Ocean Apart by my pal Sarah Lee. So excited to study in regards to the Windrush Generation and assist Sarah have a good time her first novel

“Inspired by actual life tales of the Windrush Generation and her mom’s personal experiences as a nurse within the Nineteen Fifties, Sarah Lee’s debut novel is a should for followers of Call the Midwife.

It’s 1954 and, in Barbados, Ruby Haynes spots an commercial for younger ladies to coach as nurses for the brand new National Health Service in Great Britain. Her sister, Connie, takes some persuading, however quickly the sisters are on their solution to a brand new nation – and a complete new world of experiences.

As they begin their coaching in Hertfordshire, they uncover England isn’t fairly the promised land; for each door that’s opened to them, the sisters discover many slammed of their faces. And although the ladies discover friendships with their fellow nurses, Connie struggles with being so removed from dwelling, and protecting secret the daughter she has left behind in the hunt for a greater life for the each of them . . .”

You can join right here. Patreon members have a separate signup within the Patreon.

The view from a relaxation cease close to North Conway, NH.

New Hampshire Way Update

Last month, I shared that my New Hampshire web site had lastly been accepted to Mediavine. This month, the advertisements turned on! I began incomes cash from advertisements on the location on October 8, and I completed the month incomes slightly below $1000. Because Mediavine pays Net 75, I received’t see my October cost till January.

It’s a great begin, however a lot of that was my New Hampshire Fall Foliage 2022 Guide put up going completely nuts earlier within the month, then tapering down after fall colours peaked. I believe issues are going to be fairly quiet traffic-wise till early subsequent 12 months, however I’m planning a bunch of Christmas and vacation content material within the interim.

Some posts I loved penning this month included guides to visiting the waterfalls Glen Ellis Falls and Jackson Falls, a put up in regards to the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge becoming a member of New Hampshire and Vermont, and my favourite, a Guide to Conquering the NH 48: New Hampshire’s 4000 Footers!

We went a bit overboard with the seafood in Maine: fried clams, fries, clam cake, chowdah, lobster roll, cole slaw, and a big whoopie pie!

What I Listened To This Month

This month I received a tip on Twitter — the rating to the movie The Hours, composed by Philip Glass, is the best possible music to work to. Turns out it’s a cult favourite.

I gave it a attempt to WOW. This music is PERFECT. It hits the proper stage of mild strings with out being too obtrusive or loud. It works for artistic writing and it really works for busywork. It retains you productive!

I’ve been listening to different scores, too. Au Bout des Doights, composed by Harry Arrouche, is one other glorious alternative, although a bit extra showy at occasions (omg, the prelude is SO GOOD). By the Sea has one other fantastic rating, composed by Gabriel Yared, although it’s essential select the opposite songs in between his compositions on the soundtrack.

But nothing beats The Hours. Honestly, if you happen to want a bit assist with productiveness, give it a hear!

What I Watched This Month

Have you heard of the present Reboot on Hulu? Nobody I do know is speaking about this, however we began watching it on a whim, and it’s INCREDIBLY FUNNY. Oh my God, this present!

The premise is a few staff of actors and writers rebooting a cringey 90s sitcom within the current day. Doesn’t harm that it has an unimaginable forged, together with two of my all-time superstar crushes, Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville, in addition to Judy Greer, Rachel Bloom, and Paul Reiser.

But if you happen to’re seeking to snigger — Reboot, What We Do within the Shadows, Abbott Elementary, and Never Have I Ever may have you sorted!

A large yellow tree in Prague next to Prague Castle.
Prague’s fall colours are good, too.

What I Read This Month

Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia (2022) — Jeannette is a 30-something Cuban American wrestling with dependancy whereas dwelling in Miami. When Jeannette takes in a baby whose mom was detained by ICE, she and her mom Carmen should reckon with their household historical past. The e book transcends a number of generations of Jeannette’s household and weaves forwards and backwards between Cuba and Miami.

We learn this for our e book membership this month, and all people appreciated it (or largely appreciated it). I used to be within the largely appreciated it camp. I liked the characters, the ladies’s tendencies to repeat historical past technology after technology, and the colourful descriptions of Miami and particularly Cuba.

My major challenge with it’s that it felt like a number of unrelated tales strung collectively that would have been a bit deeper, and the way in which it jumped forwards and backwards in time was complicated. Overall, an excellent e book.

A steep street with yellow buildings on each side of it.
Lisbon circa 2012

Coming Up in November 2022

I’m staying put for the primary three weeks of the month. And then I’m heading to…Lisbon! Yes! This journey got here a few bit organically — Charlie shall be main his firm’s staff assembly in Sevilla for every week, and I thought-about dropping by afterward, however we determined to satisfy up in a neater gateway to Boston. Lisbon was good!

I’ve been to Lisbon twice earlier than, however solely as a backpacker on a very restricted funds. I’m wanting ahead to attending to strive among the nicer meals in Lisbon, and assembly up with pals, together with the Lisbon meals specialists 2FoodTrippers.

After that, I shall be within the States for every week to have a good time Thanksgiving and attend my 20-year highschool reunion! Can you imagine it’s been that lengthy?! I’m wanting ahead to seeing everybody. And after I come again…we shall be in Christmas market season! So excited for markets and pastries and sausages and gluhwein!

What are you as much as this month? Share away!

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