Parker's Maple Barn

Because my dad is an excellent cook and breakfast is my family’s favorite meal, the only place we go to for breakfast is Parker’s Maple Barn. Parker’s Maple Barn is a family establishment located in the quaint country town of Mason, New Hampshire, a town historically known as the boyhood home of “Uncle Sam” and illustrator/writer of children’s books, Elizabeth Orton Jones. 

The building Parker's now occupies was built 1782 and was the home of an early American family called “The Laurels”. In the 1930s, the place was purchased by William Buzzell who operated it as a dairy farm until the 1950s when the Parkers family bought it to serve as their home. When the barn got passed down to Ray Parker and his brother in 1969, they decided to reconstruct the beloved place into a family establishment. It began as being nothing more than a small Sugar House, but since 1987 Parker`s Maple Barn has become well-known throughout New England for their famous hearty breakfast and lunch. 

The most popular order on the menu is, The "Parker`s Special"- which consists of two eggs, two pancakes (or one French Toast), two bacon, two sausages and ham (or ham hash), home fries, and toast. My dad orders that, and since I didn’t have the stomach to wolf down that much I ask for the “Mini Parker Special”, which is the exact same order only you get one of everything instead of two. My parents and I all ordered their Pumpkin Pancakes, which are the size of an average plate, because you can’t go to Parker’s without having their maple syrup. Parker’s makes their maple syrup from the surrounding trees the old fashioned way by using wood fire. Their Sugar House is in full operation from March until mid-April every year. During the sugar season, the wait can be a half an hour  so I’d recommend touring the Sugar House or checking out the Corn Crib Gift Shop, which sells maple products and Native American arts, crafts, clothing and jewelry. 

      From when my family and I went in December. 

You might think my family is crazy because our drive to Parker’s takes us an hour, but going to Parker’s is only a yearly or bi-yearly treat for us. Another thing that makes Parkers exceptional is the experience. Parker’s is located in the middle of a winding country road, far from crowded and noisy neighborhoods. In fact, Parker’s is so isolated that most people find it by accident when they are out looking at foliage. The interior is charming as well with its high ceilings, wood burning stoves (the barn’s only source of heat), and old farming tools and touristy knick-knacks adorning the walls. Amazing food and a serene atmosphere, what’s not enchanting about going to Parker’s? 

1316 Brookline Road
Mason, NH 03048
(603) 878-2308

Twitter: https://twitter.com/danca_l

Instagram:https://instagram.com/wickedblogger20

Christmas Farm Inn

January 1, 2015 

I don’t know about you guys, but this year Christmas didn't feel like Christmas. For me, I think it felt different for five reasons- 1) my family didn't attend my aunt’s annual Christmas Eve party 2) my parents and sister requested I didn't buy them any gifts so I can focus on paying for college (as Jo March says in the first sentence of Little Women,“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents) 3) I had to work for the first time at one of the select places opened on Christmas Day, the movie theaters 4) it was two of my friends’ first Christmas without a parent and 5) there wasn't a single snow flake on the ground. Despite the fact that this December didn't feel as festive as previous ones, this isn't to say that my holiday season lacked any joy or magic. During Thanksgiving break, I got to stay at the charming Christmas Farm Inn in Jackson, New Hampshire, and it was an experience I believe every New Englander should have before they die! Set on a hillside called 3 Blitzen Way that overlooks the White Mountains, the Christmas Farm Inn is a country amenity that will literally make you feel as though you were transported to the North Pole.



The Cape Cod-style “saltbox," the inn’s original building, which my family had the pleasure of staying in, was believed to be built in 1778 and was the farmhouse of Rufus Pinkham family. The white main building, which has other rooms you can stay in and is where the restaurant is, was erected in 1786 and became the Pinkhead’s new home. The property had many owners before it was handed to Chase B. Perkins in 1883 who turned the place into the “Free Will Baptiste Church.” After doing some research, I learned that if you stand outside the main inn facing the porch you can see the outline of the old church. An ironic role this tranquil destination has had over the years has been a jail. During the Great Depression, Chase Perkin’s daughter sold it to a Philadelphia man who was gave it as a Christmas gift to his daughter. Naturally, she named the place ‘Christmas Farm.’ She had dreams of making it a working farm again but those goals failed so she sold the farm to Doris and Dick Welch in 1946 who renamed it to the ‘Christmas Farm Inn’. Since then, there has been other managers of the inn and they have contributed to its modern resort by importing a playground, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center, and the Carriage House and Spa. The current owners are Gary and Sandra Plourde.

Even though the Christmas Farm Inn is the winner of 'The Best 2014 Family Inn for New Hampshire' by Yankee Magazine, this place is perfect for romantic getaways, retreats, and weddings. 2014 was a successful year for this inn as it also received a 'Certification of Excellence' from TripAdvisor.com.


Besides the Christmas Farm Inn’s colonial atmosphere and generous hospitality, another reason that makes this inn authentic to New England, is its’ food! My parents and I arrived at the Christmas Farm Inn during the early evening of Thanksgiving Eve. Due to the snowstorm that occurred that day, our trip took twice as long. Needless to say, when we finally arrived, our moods were punchy, our bones aching and our muscles tight. But when our six o’clock dinner reservation rolled around, I wish that day never ended! The Christmas Farm Inn has an awarding-winning restaurant. They are under the direction of Executive Chef Stan Shafer, who won "Chef of the Year" by the American Culinary Federation. That night I ordered a quesadilla and garden salad, because I love myself some Mexican food. Even though my course was delicious, I wish I had ordered what my parents got, the Green Apple Bourbon Steak, the restaurant’s bestseller, which is without question the best steak I have ever savored! The great thing about this Christmas Farm Inn is there is something on the menu for everyone and all of their meals feature organic, locally grown ingredients. For dessert that night, my parents and I split their chocolate bag, which is so rich, you need to eat it with a group.


Of course, as a newly turned twenty-one-year-old, I can’t skip their drinks! The pub features a large whisky and Bourbon selection, Tuckerman’s on draught, as well a wide selection of bottled beers. Their Martinis and cocktails change seasonally. Before our dinner on Thanksgiving Eve, I had two Grinch Martinis and two glasses of red wine, both of which were delectable, and made me very happy during dinner.


I love this quote! I stupidly forgot to take some pictures of my breakfast during my stay, but they were hearty! They have a station for continental breakfast as well as a menu which consists of eggs, french toast, pancakes, and Belgium waffles.

Another reason to love the Christmas Farm Inn is its’ close to the North Conway shopping outlets (got to love tax free shopping in New Hampshire), StoryLand, the Polar Express Train Ride at Conway Scenic Railroad, and there are a wide of assortment of outdoor activities to do like golf, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and cross country skiing. But a must-see during your trip to Jackson is Jackson Falls. My parents have been visiting Jackson for years and it wasn't until our personable waiter told us about it on Thanksgiving morning that they had heard about it. It’s a five minute drive from the Inn and even though I got wet trekking through the snow to see it, it was SO worth it!



Breathtaking, huh? In the summertime, hundreds of visitors come to this swimming hole. As my family and I were leaving, we saw a wife take a picture of her shirtless husband pretending to take a dive into the water.

As we start this brand new year, my advice for you all is to take some time to de-shackle yourselves from your phones every once in a while and soak up what’s around you. If you’ve been following this little blog from the beginning, you will know that this post is the first one  I have written in about three months. When I went to college, I got lazy and sadly became a little uninspired by life. Though I didn't spend my Thanksgiving with my extended my family, the trip to Jackson was much needed. I was mentally exhausted and I would say my two and a half day vacation was life changing. I know now the reason why I was sad was because I wasn’t being grateful. Going to New Hampshire, I saw so many cool things and they made realize it’s the tiny moments that flutter by, day after day, that define us. The hardest part is seeing what’s right in front of you and holding on to it. New Year Day’s is often seen as a time of rebirth, the chance to start anew, so in 2015, I encourage you all to really try and look for you will be amazed by how many blessings you have, especially here in New England.


Christmas Farm Inn
3 Blitzen Way, Jackson, NH 03846
Phone:(603) 383-4313

My Social Media
Twitter:https://twitter.com/danca_l
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wickedblogger20/

Canobie Lake Park

July 18, 2014 

Although amusement parks are presumably the last reason tourists vacation in New England, we do have an historic one, Canobie Lake Park, in Salem, New Hampshire. 

Opened on August 23, 1902, Canobie Lake Park was originally known as a trolley park for the Massachusetts Northeast Street Railway Company. Throughout its one hundred and twelve summers, the establishment has had three major makeovers. If you were to go back to the park’s early days, it would be unrecognizable. Back then, it was known for its mild attractions and lush flower gardens. During the 1930s to 1950s, a new audience of teenagers and young adults washed through to watch musical acts, such as Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington, and Frank Sinatra perform at Canobie’s Dance Hall Theater. Today, Canobie is a family friendly spot that features fifty plus rides (thrill, family, kiddie, and water), three arcades, live entertainment, and fireworks.  

I dug deep to find these pictures from the Canobie time capsule. 


Built the year the park opened, the Antique Carousel is Canobie’s oldest operating ride. 


The Yankee Cannonball is a wooden out-and-back roller coaster that was built in 1930 at Lakewood Park in Waterbury, Connecticut and relocated to Canobie in 1936. Don't let its age or speed limit of 35 mph stop you from going on it because it is seriously one of the park’s most iconic and beloved rides. The whole duration of this ride is just one minute but during that time you experience a drop over sixty feet that quickly leads into a 90° right turn! In other words, the Yankee Cannonball is one bumpy ride that will have you laughing and squealing simultaneously. 



The newest addition to Canobie is the 2011 Euro-fighter roller coaster, Untamed. I did not go on this ride because its 75-foot, 97° vertical drop scared the shit out of me, as it should all of you.

The two most daring rides I went on were the Canobie Corkscrew and Starblaster. 

The Corkscrew, first operated at Canobie in 1987, is one of the first steel-looping roller coasters manufactured in the world and is part of a series of Arrow Dynamic corkscrew models produced from 1975 to 1979. Because I had been on an upside down roller coaster before, the ride didn't overwhelm too much; the two turns were over in a blink. 


The Starblaster, on the other hand, was a ride my friend had to dig her fingernails into my arm to drag me along. Shooting twice up the 80-foot tower, this exhilarating ride will have you screaming your head off. Fun fact: the Starblaster opened on the park’s one hundredth anniversary and is also the only double shot in New England. 

My other favorite rides at Canobie include the Boston Tea Party, Policy Pond Log Flume, and Xtreme Frisbee. 


Warning: the Boston Tea Party (1998) will leave you SOAKED! 


The Log Flumes (1982) snaps a picture as you and your party speed down the hill. 


The Xtreme Frisbee (2007) has the perfect amount of thrills. 

For the non-adrenaline junkies, Canobie also has a waterpark called Castaway Island, twenty-minute boat ride on the lake, chairlift that overlooks the park, magic show and tribute performances to Michael Jackson, Madonna, and One Direction. The Michael Jackson impersonator looked so much like the late King of Pop I thought he came back from the grave! 





I would recommend people visit Canobie Lake on a Saturday so they can have their night capped off by the park’s delightful firework display. If you can’t go to Canobie this summer, no need to fear! This fall Canobie will be open for Screemfest, a Halloween extravaganza, and Rocktober, which will have tribute concerts to Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Journey and the Police.

85 N Policy Street 
Salem, New Hampshire 03079
#603-893-3506

My Social Media 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wickedblogger20
Twitter:https://twitter.com/danca_l