Sightseeing in Portsmouth, NH

Like I said yesterday, I ended up with an extra day in Portsmouth, NH.  Sunday we were supposed to go home, but all travel to and from the Northeast was shut down.  It would turn out that Irene went west into Vermont once it got close to us.  However, Portsmouth was prepared just in case.  The entire town shut down.  Late Sunday afternoon, we became stir-crazy in our hotel room. It was still pretty windy, but the rain was down to a drizzle, so we took a walk.

*Again, all pics in this post were taken using an iPhone 3.  Please forgive unreliable quality.

We stumbled onto the home office (below).  Not what we expected, but still cool to see...

As is typically the case after any display of Mother Nature's wrath, the day after is beautiful. On Monday, Aug 29th, mom and I had a scheduled flight home in the evening. So we took advantage of the day to really explore the town and it's beauty.


We took a Harbor Cruise from the Piscataqua River into Portsmouth Harbor.  OMG, I am so glad we did, too!  It was amazing!  Let me say yet again that I love New England!

Historic Fort Constitution in New Castle, NH

Whaleback Lighthouse in Kittery, Maine

The lighthouse above is one of many lighthouses that were also used as lookout points protecting the Harbor from enemies throughout history.  Our tour guide / ship captain told the story of how when the lighthouse was manned, a person would go out there for 2 weeks before being relieved.  However, during bad weather or frozen water, his shift would sometimes last a month or longer before someone could navigate out to trade shifts. 

Wood Island Lifesaving Station in Kittery, Maine

The United States Lifesaving Service (above) was established in 1871 to aid those in danger at sea. The sole purpose of a lifesaving station was to send men and boats out, usually smack in the middle of a horrifying storm, to save the lives of those whose ships were in distress. Their motto was “You have to go out, but you don't have to come back”. In 1915, the Lifesaving Service was merged with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and was re-named the United States Coast Guard. (source)

These waters are the home of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, built in 1800.  It is one of the oldest still-operating shipyards in the country.

But what's even cooler is the neighboring Naval and Marine Corps prison.  It's knows as the "Alcatraz of the East" and I can see why!  It's quite erie in appearance and I'm certain it must be haunted.

It operated from 1901 until 1975 and now it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  There was never a successful escape from here.  One reason why no one ever escaped would surely be because of the rule stating if a prisoner escaped, the guard on duty would have to serve out the rest of that prisoner's sentence.  We heard a story about a young guard who successfully fought violently to prevent an escape.  The guard received a nasty cut on his lip which eventually scarred noticeably.  He was still considered handsome, though.  He was Humphrey Bogart!

A look at the Sheridan Portsmouth Harbourside Hotel from the Piscataqua River

Portsmouth, NH waterfront businesses

Home of William Whipple (signer of the Declaration of Independence)

It was time to pack up and head back to Boston-Logan airport.  However, there was time for one more sight to see...for those of you who don't know, I'm proud of my Italian heritage. And look at this lovely sitting bench we found just outside our hotel:

And, with no further ado, it was time to head back to the South!  I love Alabama with my whole heart, but don't worry, New England.  I'll see you again someday!  For sure!

Welcome to Portsmouth, NH

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit Portsmouth, NH.  You may know that I have been doing some work for my mom who is an independent sales rep for Heinemann publications -- a resource company for K-12 teachers.  Heinemann is based in Portsmouth and they flew all the reps and sub-reps (me) up to their home office for a national sales meeting. 

The original schedule allowed for very little sightseeing.  We flew in Thursday afternoon, had meetings all day Friday and Saturday, and would depart Sunday afternoon after a debriefing meeting in the morning.  More on that schedule later. So one morning Mom and I woke up way too early and took a walk around town looking at the sights.  Let me say for the first of many times, I am now in love with New England!  Oh, wow, it was gorgeous!

*all of the following pictures were taken on my iPhone 3, so forgive the unreliable quality

Look at those brick facades in the background! I swoon...Mom and I could both stand to have some extra geography lessons.  We were strolling across the Piscataqua River when we saw this sign below:

Maine?  Really?  We had no idea!  We were just in Boston, MA when we flew in!  Someone get me an atlas, stat!  The image below is a view of the town as we walked back to the hotel...be still, my heart!

Okay, like I said, we were there to work.  We sat in the ballroom of the Sheraton Harborside Hotel all day listening to presentations on the latest upcoming products, the greatest selling tips, etc.  However, on Friday night, we were treated to a company lobster bake in Rye, NH (a neighboring town).  Here was the view as soon as we got off the bus:

PS: for those of you who know me -- there were also land-meat and vegetarian options!

Back to meetings, but not before we had some serious discussions about the weather.  You see, there was this little problem brewing fast:

I don't know if that's exactly where we were (remember my geography struggles).  But it's close and you should get the point.  Airports were closing, cancelling everyone's return iteneraries.  We learned that we would not fly home until at least Monday night...um, I packed light.  I don't have enough underwear.  Kidding! Kind of...

Side note; I know Hurricane Irene did serious damage in some places and is the cause for several deaths.  A hurricane is never a laughing matter, and my prayers are with everyone affected.  However, since we ended up unscathed, I am able to be a little more lighthearted.  As it would turn out, we did get a day of sightseeing, after all!

So tune in tomorrow and I will show you why I really, really love New England now!