A Snow-Kissed Weekend in North Conway
Northern New England is a region of beautiful, sometimes contradictory, contrasts. We live a life devoted to old-school integrity and the slow pace, yet we are also modern men who appreciate comfort, convenience, and a little well-earned retail therapy. Our recent weekend trip to our cherished region of North Conway proved that these two worlds don't just coexist—they enrich one another.
This was a journey that seamlessly blended the commercialized bustle of a good bargain with the profound, quiet magic only a fresh layer of mountain snow can deliver.
Finding Hearth and Home at the Summit
Our base for the weekend was the comforting embrace of the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel in Bartlett. After navigating the winding roads to the mountain base, we indulged in the pure, restorative pleasure of modern convenience. The afternoon was spent relaxing in the heated outdoor pool and hot tub, followed by a delicious dinner. This intentional time of recharging is essential to the "Slow Life"—we must refuel the body and mind before we can truly appreciate the quiet beauty of the outside world.
The first part of our busy Saturday was devoted to Settlers Green outlets in North Conway. We aren't immune to the thrill of a good deal, and embracing a little retail therapy was a joyful release. Striking several amazing bargains was a small victory that funded our continued travels and supported the wider New England economy—a blend of modern consumerism and practical necessity that simply is part of life.
The Morning Gift: A Canvas of Snow
Then, magic struck. We awoke to the utter stillness of the region's first significant snowfall. Looking out our hotel window, the world was muted, transformed. We sipped our coffee, watching the flakes descend in a mesmerizing, silent curtain. It felt like a dream.
The shift was complete when we departed the hotel. The snow-covered landscape was breathtaking, creating a sense of profound purity and peace only possible in the mountains.
We set sail for our favorite breakfast spot in Jackson, Yesterdays, only to find, alas, that the rest of New Hampshire had the same idea! Instead of being frustrated by the full house—a true testament to the local favorites—we took the detour with grace and found ourselves at the Wentworth Inn. There, we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast buffet, sitting fireside as we watched the snow gently accumulate outside. It was a moment of unexpected grace, proving that the best memories often happen when you abandon the original plan.
The Chronicler’s Find: A 1700s Treasure
Back in the center of North Conway, I secured a key piece of personal Americana: a new cowboy hat. This small acquisition felt like a physical nod to the rugged, old-school values we cherish.
But the most meaningful stop awaited us on the way home. Leaving the commercial center behind, I spotted a farm that absolutely demanded my attention: Weston’s Farm Stand.
Wrapped in Christmas wonder amidst the fresh snow, the farm’s age drew me closer. This property has been in operation since the 1700s—a living monument to resilience and enduring local heritage. Inside, the rustic atmosphere was warm, packed to the brim with local finds, preserves, and good eats. It was the purest form of New England small-town integrity, a direct connection to the past, untouched by the modernity we had embraced earlier.
It is journeys like this—where the luxury of a warm hotel pool and the bustle of a retail outlet seamlessly give way to the profound, quiet history of a 1700s farm stand—that truly embody the spirit of Country Road Chronicles. We live in two worlds, and the true joy is honoring and appreciating the best of both.
