A Poem Lovely as a Tree

Beyond Perfect or “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree….”

A few comments on NH---Ugly is outlawed by the state constitution, and quaint is mandated. Is it possible to get bored by beauty? I haven’t so far. The B & B we stayed in Friday night owned the covered bridge next to it. Behind the B & B was a beautiful rushing stream and more of the ubiquitous and mandated beautiful trees. All the buildings are decorated in fall—scarecrows, cornstalks, pumpkins. It is the perfect setting to celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving.

We went on a five- hour train ride yesterday to Crawford Notch—the most scenic ride I’ve ever been on, and married to a train fanatic, I’ve been on many. Again we saw forest after forest of fall foliage. In order to take pictures, Dan hung his head out like a dog( minus the wagging tongue) in a car window taking picture after picture.

We are now in Portsmouth, MA in our most expensive stay on the trip: $200/ night including breakfast. At least it’s worth it. We have a a separate sitting room, and our own screened in porch—everything decorated in a charming and tasteful way. Everything is booked in New England this time of the year because Columbus Day is a MAJOR holiday. One more note about NH, I don’t think it has any freeways, and everyone seems to drive 5 miles UNDER the speedlimit. I miss good old CA speed demons!

…..Shirley