Moose Alley, as it is known, is officially route 3, running through Pittsburg in northern NH. It is known for its unusually high Moose populations and according to a variety of websites I found, moose can be seen there on most days regardless of time of day. There are people from all over the world that travel to Moose Alley to spot moose. Some tours offered in the area actually guarantee that you’ll see at least one moose! Because it’s such a popular route, there are also several local accommodations that you can stay at during your search for moose. Personally I prefer to stay in a cabin on these sorts of trips and luckily there are several to choose from.

Cabins at Lopstick in Pittsburg NH offers 37 uniquely different rustic style cabins and is located just 3 miles off Moose Alley. The cabins come in various sizes and have amenities ranging from outdoor grills to in room whirlpools. The best amenities however, are found outside in the natural world where bird watching and moose spotting are at their best. Nearby Garfield Falls and Beaver Brook Trails also offer excellent picnic spots and photo opportunities.

Partridge Cabins, well known for their ice cream stand and blue berry picking is also an excellent choice for accommodations in the Great North Woods. The waterfront cabins offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and fishing (with a license) is permitted off the dock. The cabins here sleep up to eight people and most have full kitchens.

One interesting website I came across lists 10 things about Moose Alley that locals won’t tell you. It lists such advice as when to use that moose call you’ve been perfecting, and what types of trees moose like best.

So in the end, although I was distracted from finding a suitable sledding hill, I am really excited that I came across Moose Alley and am looking forward to visiting it in the near future for my first NH moose sighting.

As technology advanced, wealthy people bought automobiles, and railroad travel quickly became a thing of the past.  The Grand resorts of New Hampshire were no longer as appealing as they once were and many fell into disrepair or burned.  The Grand Hotels of New Hampshire were almost forgotten.  Today, a desire for high quality lodging experience has returned, and what many people do not realize is that the Grand Resorts of the past have come to life with even more luxuries than in the past.  In the Northern Forest, three Grand hotels still offer all inclusive packages: Mount Washington Grand Resort, Mountain View Grand Resort, and the Balsams Grand Resort.

The real luxuries of the northern forest however, are not inside the hotels, but are found as “grand adventures” in the nearby forests.   Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha Kenney Maltais, the Northern N.H. branding project manager, who directed me through a new website designed to promote destination vacations in New Hampshire’s Northern Forest.  The new website, found at www.nhgrand.com not only lists the Grand hotels, but a host of other local accommodations, activities, and places to dine in the Northern Forest.  The website details these adventures and also lists the top 51 things to do in NH Grand.  The list includes such things as the nostalgic Northern Lights drive-in in Lancaster, a steam engine ride up Mount Washington, and exploring Garfield Falls in Pittsburg.

For those that seek out a more outdoor experience, this site also has a list of campgrounds in the area as well as classic motels and hotels.  There are many other options offered for lodging in the Northern Forest as well.  Bed and Breakfasts and specialty lodges are found throughout the region.  The lure of the grand hotels and grand adventures is attracting people from all over the country to explore the Northern Forest.

This past Thursday, during my visit to The Rocks Estate, I had the pleasure of meeting with Nigel Manley, a Director for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and Manager of The Rocks Estate and Christmas Tree Farm.  Originally from the UK, Nigel brings to Bethlehem strong conservation ethics that lay the framework for many of the educational based programs The Rocks offers throughout the seasons.  Well-known throughout New England for their superior Christmas tree farm experience, that brings guests right back to before cars replaced sleighs in New England, The Rocks Estate has recently been diversifying its programs and attractions in order to attract visitors to the estate grounds during all times of the year.

In addition to the sleigh rides offered on the premises, The Rocks Estate has partnered up with other local businesses in order to give visitors a destination package, and a way to truly enjoy an authentic New England Experience.  Visitors can choose from aChristmas Memory Package, or a Maple Sugaring Vacation.  The Rocks has partnered up with over twelve local White Mountain hotel/motels to offer guests a range of accommodations.  The Maple Sugaring Vacations take place in March an offer an exciting behind the scenes look at the maple sugaring business.  From a horse drawn carriage, participants learn about such topics as, tree identification, the history of maple sugaring, and why sap moves through trees.  Visitors also get to visit a fully operating sugarhouse where samples of real maple syrup can be sampled.  Nigel shared with me that part of the century old sugaring house is now being renovated into a sugaring museum so visitors can enjoy learning about maple sugaring year round.

Other interesting things that can be found at The Rocks include dog sled rides, free hiking trails where snowshoes and cross country skiers are welcome, gifts from local crafts people, and beautiful gardens designed by the famous Frederick Law Olmstead perfect for family reunions and Weddings. The Rocks Estate’s website provides a list of local businesses that include anything one might need to put on an event at the Rocks from florists, to caterers, to tent rentals.

One thing that surprised me about visiting the Rocks estate was how diverse the property was, and how many purposes it served in the rural town of Bethlehem.  Employing up to 35 people during busy seasons and acting as a stimulus for other businesses in the community, The Rocks Estate can serve as a model for how local business can work together for the greater good of a community.   I look forward to visiting The Rocks Estate in the near future, perhaps to pick up a Christmas tree or take part in one of their seasonal interpretive tours.

Detailed information about The Rocks Estate and other local partners can be found at the website www.therocks.org or by clicking the following link: The Rocks Estate.

Recently while researching some of the different opportunities for recreation on the Northern Forest, I came across a website that talked about The Northern Forest Canoe Trail.  This paddling trail traverses 4 states and 1 Canadian Provence for a total length of 740 miles.  It also passes through 45 towns along the way.

The Initiatives outlined in the mission of the Northern Forest Canoe trail support the definition of Ecotourism outlined in my last post.  Details about all the goals of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail can be found at the following link: http://northernforestcanoetrail.org .  I am intrigued by this trail and am looking forward to traversing part of the trail in the future.

If anyone has paddled any part of this trail I am looking for first hand information about the trail.  Also post any other destinations you want to share that fall within the bounds of ecotourism definition.

I think that the definition from The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) says it well when they define ecotourism as this: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” (TIES, 1990). That is exactly the type of tourism we would like to continue and support in The Northern Forest. Given this, there are several interesting and intriguing tourism destinations that I would like to discuss over the next few months in this blog, and many more that I have yet to discover.

Please feel free to respond with your favorite spot to visit in New Hampshire and elsewhere, or with questions, concerns and criticism about this discussion.

As a student research assistant for the Center for Rural Partnerships at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, I am researching sustainable economic solutions for a recent economic downfall here in the Northern Forest.  This blog was started to help generate, collect, and spread awareness about positive solutions for other forest communities that are working around the world.