"Rscimagery's New Hampshire Page " a New Hampshire Travel Page by rscimagery

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New Hampshire, my home and backyard playground offers opportunities which are basically unending. Mountians, rivers, culture (in places), skiing, foliage, camping, hiking, a few cosmopolitan areas, access to Both Boston MA and Portland ME, all of the Coastlines in between, and more than I care to get into. It lacks: beautiful people, friendly people (this usually applies only to strangers), bikinis, tans, cultural diversity (think all white folk - NH is the #2 'whitest' state in the union), and an active night life. I have heard people say the nightlife exists, but I have to wonder what they really mean... Growing up in New York State, I hardly knew that New Hampshire actually was a state due to it's lack of media attention. You never heard "man, New Hampshire is cool," you just thought of the Presidential Primaries and then laughed and thought of cows and rednecks. I've later learned that New York has way more cows, and even more rednecks. But I concur.

So let me begin by saying that parts of the state are idyllic, some are regular US of A with strip malls and car dealers as far as the eye can see (mostly on the MA borders due to NH's lack of any sales tax). The state is tied together to major metropolitan areas (i.e. Boston and the weekend regional tourist travel that gives NH its cosmopolitan-esque tourist culture) through some well developed Interstates, so it retains a Yankee meets well-educated, well-to-do Cosmopolitan feel throughout most of it's borders. This is more so in the South than the North, where wilderness, moose, and Paper Mills rule the Land. Vermont and Quebec also border the state, so way up North you almost get a French feel.

The best part about New Hampshire for a traveler (at least to me) is the freedom to walk into any town, any place and not get threatened with a shotgun or be in fear of being in a 'bad place.' There are of course exceptions, but they're used to tourists and generally won't give you a hard time (unless you have Massachusetts plates...that's a story for later). I really can't say that about many other states. Most folks are kind, true Yankees, friendly to a point yet reserved, and keep themselves satisfied by eating up the tourist money and keeping quiet until they get back to their homes and normal lives. They're a well informed and well educated group as a whole, many residents seemingly have done time at the University of New Hampshire at least once in their life, industrious and hard working. It shows in homes and lawns and the way folks take pride in their outside world and environment. They will offer their opinions on a regular basis wether you ask for it or not. And of course, there are cars on blocks in many yards statewide, but I would bet fewer than the national average.

The White Mountains rule the state, incredibly broad and beautiful, yet extremely well developed for the tourist. Everything is easy, marked, and well documented so day hikes and tourist travel is spent seeing, not looking. Same goes for the Seacoast area, though small it is very succint and to the point, a few beaches, a few views, and lots of chilly Atlantic water. Though summertime warrants large crowds, I still ponder why anyone would want to swim in 55 degree water. The dogs definitely like it though, and in off seasons you are likely to find an equal ratio of people and dogs frolicking on the beach.

The Lakes region, in particular Winnipisaukee, is more of a locals playground, it's only fun if you have a camp, know someone with a camp, have a boat, or, you guessed it, know someone with a boat. It is however, very beautiful, but crowded and congested in its summertime prime. Many people have summer homes here.

So that's a good start. Hopefully I can answer questions if you have any. Also try my website www.seacoastnewengland.com for a number of great images and a few tidbits of travel and local information. Enjoy!

PS - The Dog's name is Dotti, I was introduiced to her through my girlfriend Sharon. We all just purchased the worlds most expensive 200 year old house in Portsmouth.

Rich