PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
It has been a while since my last post and so much has interfered with traveling and writing for New England & Me, but here we are! After my professional Nikon was taken for a thrill ride from gust of wind while hooked on a tripod - I had to quickly evaluate my photography tools. I was also notorious for having a prehistoric iPhone so my needs consisted of a ‘turn of the decade’ new phone // Enter the iPhone 11 Pro Max. This was the first trip I ever took without my Nikon and I am slightly not sorry? Weathering the elements and tackling a learning curve, I was able to capture interesting little pockets of character.
For this Martin Luther King Jr weekend, I took a ride to charming Portsmouth, New Hampshire. My second visit to this colonial port city and still so much to explore. The bitter cold had my fingertips turning white so I had to limit my time outdoors. If you are thick blooded and and a snow worshipper like me, January is a great time to visit. The hotel rates are unbelievably reasonable this time of year and I quickly remembered why… it’s freezing!
Real New Englander’s don’t even notice the bitter temps. A winter chill that is most certainly comforted by a hearty cup of chowdah! The kind so thick that the spoon rests atop the cup without sinking in. You have to consider the geographical location here too. These tightly bricked restaurants have sailors and fisherman to feed. Not only current day seamen but historically speaking, Portsmouth was and is an active US Navy hub. Through all the major national conflicts, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) was called upon to design and construct warships -- from the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War. "Sails to Atoms" is the shipyard's motto, reflecting its building of the line Washington, launched in 1815, to the fast-attack nuclear submarine USS Sand Lance, launched in 1969. The Shipyard currently has a lead role in the overhaul of nuclear-powered submarines.Through several centuries, the PNS has distinguished itself as a leader in naval design and construction.
A thickly settled colony for architects, quaint little shops pepper the downtown with colorful displays and purposely designed aesthetics. Downtown holds a cohesive artist/designer vibe. With the intricate old time charm, it is easy to understand the draw here. Many of the structures encompass modern amenities but it is the historic character that really deserves celebrating.
The Portsmouth Brewery is a definite stop in this very walkable city. Buttery hot pretzels with a beer cheese dipping sauce compliment their entire line up of craft beer (speaking from experience). My personal favorite is their “Surrender To The Flow” pale ale. Stress is checked at the door and the only thing on tap is fun!
Seasonal fun at Puddle Dock Pond // Labrie Strawberry Banke - an outdoor history museum located in the South End historic district of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is the oldest neighborhood in New Hampshire to be settled by Europeans, and the earliest neighborhood remaining in the present-day city of Portsmouth. It features more than 37 restored buildings built between the 17th and 19th centuries in the Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style architectures. The buildings once clustered around a waterway known as Puddle Dock, which was filled in around 1900. Today the former waterway appears as a large open space.
In my 48 hours in Portsmouth, I was not in my best health and we did encounter a snow storm so regrettably this is all I have captured. I did manage to also take some shots from a quick jump into Maine, which I will feature next.
