June 15th, 2011 by donnanandersen
The Robot Zoo at The Montshire Museum of Science - Chameleon
The “Robot Zoo” , a nationally touring exhibition, reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Visit the Montshire Museum and explore the bio-mechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work. The robot animals and hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics of animals, such as how a chameleon changes colors and how a fly walks on the ceiling. After exploring the robots you can go outside to the Science Park and float balls down The Rill, immerse yourself in the Water Dance exhibit and make amazing shapes with water at Water Bells. The new Hughes Pavilion overlooking the Science Park offer visitors a respite from sun or showers and is the perfect place to have lunch. Bring a picnic or purchase lunch from the King Arthur Flour bakers. No longer do you need to leave the museum for lunch – King Arthur Flour’s offerings will include sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, chips, ice cream, cookies and cold beverages. So stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut and take one day to explore the wonders of the Montshire – but don’t forget the towels (we will supply those), swimsuits and sunscreen!
Tags: Montshire Museum of Science, New Hughes Pavilion, The Robot Zoo, Upper Valley Events
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Fall Events, Spring Events, Summer Events | Comments Off
June 15th, 2011 by donnanandersen
Hermit Thrush
Welcome to the Connecticut River Birding Trail, especially the Upper Valley Section. The CRBT is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitats. There are 31 sites on the Upper Valley section of the Connecticut River Birding Trail, each with its own personality and wonderful natural attributes. Lyme, the home of Breakfast on the Connecticut, has three sites: The Pinnacle, The Chaffee Wildlife Management Area and Hewes Brook Wetland along the Appalachian Trail. All three of these areas have well-defined trails through a variety of terrain. All are very productive birding areas and can be accessed best spring through fall. The Birding Trail is a non-profit conservation-education initiative – their philosophy is that the more people get out and enjoy the land, the more they will respect natural areas and the wonders they highlight. It is their hope that with increased involvement in, and appreciation for, natural landscapes, the public will be inspired to conserve and protect these and other special places, now and in the future. Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut and if you decide to explore sites on the CRBT we will give you a map that outlines all 31 sites.
Tags: Chaffee Wildlife Management Area, CT River Birding, CT River Birding Trail, Hewes Brook Wetland, Upper Valley Birding
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Fall Events, Inn Activities, Spring Events, Summer Events | Comments Off
June 1st, 2011 by donnanandersen
Connecticut River Byways
“Connecticut” comes from the Abenaki word “Quinnetukut” which means “Long River”. Begining its journey in the far northern reaches of New Hampshire in a chain of lakes emerging from a high elevation beaver pond and ending at Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River unites New Hampshire and Vermont for over half its 410-mile length. The history of New England’s longest and most powerful river goes all the way back to the time of glaciers, the Abenaki living on its banks and to the colonial settlements whose architecture can still be seen in many of the Connecticut River Valley’s villages and towns.   It is the flow of people, commerce and culture that has characterized the history of the river. Ten river towns , strung like pearls along the Connecticut River Byway in Vermont and New Hampshire, offer traveler information and services. At the Waypoint Welcome Centers of Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Windsor, White River Junction, Wells River and St. Johnsbury, all in Vermont and Claremont, Woodsville, Lancaster, and Colebrook, all in New Hampshire, you will discover the special natural, cultural, historical, and recreational attractions of the regions served by each welcome center. Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut and ask for one of the Byway maps to begin to connect with the heart of New England.
Tags: Connecticut River Byway, Connecticut River Valley, national scenic byway, waypoint welcome centers
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Fall Events, Spring Events, Summer Events, Winter Events | Comments Off
May 27th, 2011 by donnanandersen
The Putney Bicycle Club Riding In The Prouty
On July 9, thousands of riders and walkers will wind their way through the Upper Valley and the streets of Hanover for the 30th Prouty. What started with four Cancer Center nurses riding 100 miles through New Hampshire’s White Mountains to honor their patient, Audrey Prouty and raise $4000 for research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center has grown to 5000 participants with a monetary goal of $2.5 million. This year for the first time, rowers will join the fun on the Connecticut River. For the last 8 years, Breakfast on the Connecticut has captained the largest SAG (Stop and Go) stop located on the green in Lyme, NH.  Here dozens of volunteers will provide food, water, mechanical assistance, emergency assistance if necessary and lots and lots of words of encouragement and gratitude. In 2010, even in the rain, the Lyme SAG serviced over 4000 participants. Both volunteers and participants come together not just to ride, walk or row but to celebrate the courage of cancer patients and survivors. We come together to thank caregivers, to support loved ones and strangers, and to raise money for crucial cancer research, patient services and hopefully, someday, a cure.  Visit The Prouty’s website and see where you fit in. If you decide to ride, Breakfast on the Connecticut offers a 10% discount on room rates. Can’t ride, we can always use an extra set of hands at the Lyme SAG Stop or a monetary donation, whatever the amount. So let’s Prouty to celebate courage and find a cure!
Tags: 30th Anniversary of The Prouty, Hanover NH Events, The Prouty, Upper Valley Biking
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Inn Activities, Inn News, Innkeeper Adventures, Summer Events | Comments Off
May 25th, 2011 by donnanandersen
EDgell Covered Bridge, River Road, Lyme, NH
Covered bridges are placed throughout the state of New Hampshire. “Kissing Bridges” as some affectionately call them are unique unto themselves. They can reflect the town that they reside in, the artist or architect that designed them, and even the period that they were built in. A picturesque New England Covered Bridge is more than just beautiful, covered bridges are practical and why our forefathers built them. They provide a great place to walk in from the sun, to hide from the rain and to look down at the water that passes below. Covered bridges also protect the structure from the harsh northern New England winters. Breakfast on the Connecticut is less than a mile from the Edgell Covered Bridge that spans Clay Brook which feeds into the Connecticut River. You can reach it in one of two ways – put on those sneakers and take a walk to the bridge and back. What a great way to get in some exercise before breakfast! Or, put on those sneakers and take out one of or canoes paddling to the bridge – you can go under the bridge and explore the large pools of water that make up Clay Brook. And don’t forget to bestow that kiss on your significant other! For many years we had our children convinced that the horn of the car would sound every time we passed through a covered bridge – they eventually discovered the slight of hand but they asked us to continue with their children. Covered bridges are magical places.
Tags: Edgell Covered Bridge, Lyme NH, NH Covered Bridges, Upper Valley Covered Bridges
Posted in Fall Events, History of the Inn, Inn Activities, Spring Events, Summer Events | Comments Off
May 24th, 2011 by donnanandersen
Sunset From Holt's Ledge
Located in Lyme, Holts Ledge is an easy dayhike of 2.2 miles roundtrip. Holts Ledge is a precipitous cliff with fine views to the east. The cliff edge is fenced off not only to protect unaware hikers on foggy days, but also to protect the peregrine falcons who nest on the cliff. Before being protected by the Endangered Species Act, peregrines were driven out of New England by the ravages of DDT, which thinned their egg shells and caused the eggs to break before the chicks were mature enough to survive. Holt’s Ledge was one of the first sites in New Hampshire where peregrines were successfully reintroduced. The gentler northern slope of Holt’s Ledge is home to the Dartmouth Skiway. and also the route of this dayhike. Breakfast on the Connecticut is 7 miles from the Skiway and Holt’s Ledge. You will travel east from Route 10 on Lyme-Dorchester Road to the parking lot of the Dartmouth Skiway, which is also the trail head.  If given advance notice and for a small fee, Breakfast on the Connecticut will pack a picnic that can be enjoyed on this outstanding dayhike.
Tags: Holt's Ledge, Lyme NH, Upper Valley Hiking, Upper Valley Trail Finder, Upper Valley Trails Alliance
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Fall Events, Inn Activities, Spring Events, Summer Events | Comments Off
May 14th, 2011 by donnanandersen
Lyme Creamery Antiques
2011 marks 123 years since the establishment of the Creamery in Lyme, which served the community and surrounding area until 1958. 2011 also marks the 15th Anniversary of Lyme Creamery Antiques, which opened for the first time on May 24, 1996. They will be celebrating on that day this year and all year long. They will be serving ice cream for 15 days beginning on May 24th and continuing daily through June 7. Except for those 15 days, when they will be open every day, they will continue their scheduled opening days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 11 to 5, beginning on May 13. They do have a program called the Antique Buyers’ Club with earned credit balances being carried forward from last year at 50%. In recognition of this year’s anniversary all discounts with the Antique Buyers’ Club will start at the 15% level. Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut, have a wonderful breakfast and then visit the Lyme Creamery Antiques, about 4 miles away.
Tags: Antiquing in the Upper Valley, Long River Studios, Lyme, Lyme Creamery Antiques
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Fall Events, Inn News, Restaurants & Shopping, Spring Events, Summer Events | Comments Off
May 14th, 2011 by donnanandersen
Fall Foliage Along Route 112 Near The Kancamagus Highway
A hundred years ago, the White Mountains region in New Hampshire was a different sight. Hundreds of photographs and articles depict a region of mountain sides stripped of trees, streams choked with silt from eroding hillsides and ash from forest fires falling on nearby towns. There used to be whole towns, hundreds of mills, dozens of mines, quarries, charcoal and lime kilns and much, much more. Today’s visitors to the White Mountain region see acres and acres of healthy green forest because of the enactment of the 1911 Weeks Act which enabled the acquisition of over 19 million acres in 124 national forests, spanning 42 states and including the New Hampshire White Mountain National Forest. In many ways, New Hampshire considers the Weeks Act as “our” National Forest law because the White Mountain National Forest was the first of the eastern National Forest Reserves. Where would we be without the scenic views of Pinkham Notch, Franconia Notch, The Basin and the Kancamagus Highway? According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, almost 51% of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail passes through lands administered by the United States Agriculture Service. Of those lands, the Weeks Act had a major impact on the 2,000-plus mile trail seen as a national treasure. A short 25 minute drive from Breakfast on the Connecticut will get you to the White Mountain National Forest. Once there, you will travel slowly as the next turn always has another spectacular view. Log on to www.weekslegacy.org to look at all the activities that are planned to celebrate this milestone.
Tags: Weeks Act, White Mountain National Forest, White Mountain Region
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Fall Events, Inn News, Spring Events, Summer Events, Winter Events | Comments Off
May 9th, 2011 by donnanandersen
International Migratory Bird Day, May 14 & 15, 2011
My husband spotted a Scarlet Tanager yesterday – the first of the season. It is a brilliant red with black wings – a truly stunning bird. That reminded me that on May 14 & 15, 2011 it is the 19th Annual International Migratory Bird Day, the only international education program that highlights and celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds. VINS Nature Center in Quechee , VT has decided to celebrate on May 21st, 2011 with an entire day packed with interactive games, crafts and live animal ambassadors. You can test your bird knowledge in a trivia style game, compare human physical capabilities to that of birds in an interactive Olympic meet test,and take a walk at 12:30 in the woods. The day ends with a program presented by Dana Brener, a member of the Inter-Tribal Council of NH Penobscot, Micmac and Piqwacket descent, speaking about the connection between Native Americans and birds. This series of events should inspire people of all ages to get outdoors, learn about birds and take part in their conservation. Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut, bring your binoculars and go for a walk – see what species you can identify! In the words of the International Migratory Bird Day - Go Wild, Go Birding!
Tags: Birding Activities in Upper Valley, Quechee VT, Upper Valley Events, VINS Nature Center
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Inn News, Seasons at the Inn, Spring Events | Comments Off
May 9th, 2011 by donnanandersen
Quechee Ballon Festival
There is nothing more magical than to see a hot air balloon in the sky- if they land on your property they will break open the champagne and ask you to share it with them. We were fortunate to have that happen at Breakfast on the Connecticut during breakfast – our guests were thrilled, mimosas all around! You can watch 20 colorful balloons ascend over the Quechee valley and beyond during the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival on June 17 – 19, 2011. This is the longest running Hot Air Balloon Festival in New England with flights scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 6:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, weather and wind permitting. You can purchase a balloon ride on the website prior to the event and during the event. Additionally you can enjoy the Balloon Glow on Friday evening; continuous bands, comedy acts, dance routines all weekend; and the kids’ zone with games, rides, a playground, face painting and much more. There are more than 60 craft artisans in attendance displaying pottery to potpourri. And of course there will be festival food, a beer and wine garden, and many more surprises.
Adults, $10; children 6-12, $5; children 5 and under are free. So stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut making a special weekend – Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19 and on Sunday all dads accompanied by a child are half price!
Tags: Quechee Balloon Festival, Quechee VT, Upper Valley Events
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Inn News, Spring Events, Summer Events | Comments Off
Opera North 2013 Summer Season
Sunday Mountain Maple Farm – Carlisle Trophy 2012
Dartmouth Pow-Wow – May 11 & 12, 2013