Getaway Weekend Up North, Mountain View Grand

I am craving a trip to white sandy beaches and aqua water… bad- BUT it just wasn’t in the cards for this winter.

I am thankful that thanks to freelance web clients and extra projects I have been doing I could treat Chris and I to a weekend away. We decided to head north…I love my home state of New Hampshire, and I just don’t get up there enough to visit. Looking at our busy calendars the only free weekend we had happened to be Valentine’s Day weekend. This was fabulous, but it also meant it was the weekend before the Loft Art Retreat AND the start of school vacations so it was busy busy busy. We chose to go to Mountain View Grand and we are so happy with that choice. It was just what we needed. Relaxation, quiet, and time together with no work or frenzy of the everyday. It was about a 4 hour trip up, as soon as we got past Concord NH and traveled into the White Mountains I had this sense of calm. Chris and I shared stores about our times spent up there. I used to camp in Campton NH every summer as a kid so I have a lot of fond memories. My grandfather had a bed & breakfast in Landaff, and as a child we spent a TON of time in the White Mountains and all over northern NH. There will always be a special place in my heart for all those trees and mountains.

Most of our trip up there were snow flurries, and as soon as we hit Franconia Notch sure enough the road conditions were worse, resulting in a slow drive for the rest of our trip. This didn’t surprise me. It can be sunny, warm and beautiful but then you hit the notch and there could be a snow storm happening!

Approaching the Mountain View Grand was amazing, pictures just don’t do it justice! It is a beautiful building and the bright yellow against the snowy landscape was so beautiful. I love how when they renovated the hotel they kept the feel of the original structure. It wasn’t too modern and it is very traditional. Our room faced the mountains and I had high hopes we would see a lot of Mount Washington (my dad’s favorite mountain) but the weather had a different idea. There were a lot of storm clouds throughout the weekend and there were often flurries. It was beautiful.

Saturday we walked around the property and visited the farm and made some furry friends! We read, and napped, and ate, and drank, and RELAXED!

Sunday morning we headed south and stopped at my Dad’s in Meredith NH on our way home. My dad showed Chris around, we visited with sweet little Ali who is 20 this year and then we grabbed lunch in town. It was great!

We got back late Sunday night, and as I fell asleep I was reflecting on just how lucky I am. I had a wonderful weekend away with Chris. I truly love spending time with him- as much as I can- we always have fun together no matter what it is we are doing. I also was thinking about the excitement of the Loft Art Retreat that was fast approaching! I will blog more about that very soon I promise.