
Well summer, we had a good run – beachin’ in Wells, ME, warm weather walks around the city, reminiscing with the fam in Canada, countless ice cream cones and grilled everything
. Thanks to the wonderful weather (a nice change from last years endless monsoons), it turned out to be a great season.
In addition to lots of relaxation, I had the chance to go hiking in NH twice this summer: a few trails in the White Mountains and this past Labor Day weekend, Mount Cardigan. Two weekends ago, the BF and I headed north for a little R&R. Our plan (hatched the day before….procrastinate much?) was to stay at a Bed and Breakfast then try to hike a few trails in the White Mountains. At the last minute we found The Mulburn Inn in Bethlehem, NH. The reviews on trip advisor looked great and after speaking with the Mary the Innkeeper, I knew we had a winner. Bethlehem is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes from Boston – a bit of a hike, but once you cross the N.H. boarder the views are gorgeous. Mountains dressed in lush green forests, endless blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds and a sense of boundless freedom
. 
Before reaching Bethlehem, we stopped in Woodstock, NH at the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery for lunch.
We started off with a couple beers, made on site.
Raspberry Weasel Wheat Ale & Loon Golden Ale
The BF got the mac & cheese ( a Woodstock Inn specialty), spiced up with a sweet chili cheese sauce and spicy chorizo. I had a few bites and we both agreed it was in our top 5 mac & cheeses (the best still being from Oceanaire…crazy good….). I ordered the Bison Burger, ‘Rajing Style’ with pepper jack cheese and hot onions. I know bison is a leaner meat, but I think it might have been over cooked. The topping however, was pretty good – suuper spicy, but tasty nonetheless. We of course couldn’t finish a meal without a sweet treat
.
The Brownie Sundae (and yes, we polished off the whole thing
)
After lunch it was off to Bethlehem and the Mulburn Inn! 
The Inn was gorgeous, filled with history. Built in 1908, the Inn originally served as a residence and summer home, frequented by the likes of the Rockefellers, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe and Thomas Edison. The Mulburn has 7 guest rooms named after various early presidents, each with a private bath. The majority of the fixtures in the Inn are original with a mix of current and Victorian furniture. 





Not only was the Inn clean and comfortable, the Innkeeper Mary was an absolute delight. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had been friends for years. Mary recently moved back to NH from San Francisco and bought the Inn in June of this year. Her excitement about the property and each of its guests is contagious – not to mention, she makes the most amazing chocolate chip and dried cranberry cookies (that were always warm and waiting in the foyer whenever we returned…incredible
). Both mornings Mary made a hearty breakfast for us all; an estratda with fresh veggies and ham and stuffed french toast with warm blueberries.
On Saturday with Mary’s guide books and suggestions in hand, we headed to the Franconia Notch State Park to do some hiking – we hiked the Coppermine Trail to the Bridal Veil Falls and the Bald Mountain Artists Bluff Trail. 

Bridal Veil Falls



View from top of Bald Mountain Artist Bluff Trail
It was a wonderful weekend filled with good food, fresh air and R&R
. If you’re thinking of getting away for a few days, I highly recommend the Mulburn Inn – close to Lincoln, N. Conway and the Franconia State Park. 