Places to Stay, The Stark Inn, Stark NH
Lisa and I meandered our way through the late September afternoon looking for fall color in the scenic Vermont landscape. We were heading for New Hampshire and the Stark Inn, in Stark NH. This was originally written in September 2015.
The Stark Inn is a great location to position yourself in early October. I think during the 1st week in October you “should” find really good conditions. What is nice you can head east to Milan and North or South on Route 16 depending on what the colors are doing. To the West is Groveton (covered bridge alert) and then North or South on Route 3, again, depending on what the colors are doing.
As an added plus you can get up early to get long exposures of the covered bridge and church with a possible multi-colored sunrise. But remember you are surrounded by mountains so you won’t catch the sun on the horizon. (I tried but didn’t get it…)
Nancy Spaulding had just had a full house all weekend, but we had the place to ourselves on this Sunday night. She gave us a tour of the old rambling farmhouse. We loved that the house was filled with “old” New England memorabilia, family mementos, and little oddities hidden here and there.
The old farmhouse has vintage charm and each room has a private bath. It’s quite cozy, if a bit cluttered. The beds were a bit soft but comfortable. The price was right at $60 per/night. (This was years ago so it probably has changed).
If you want to get away from everything, this is the place–no WIFI and iffy cell service. But if you want peace and quiet and the beauty of small-town New England, this is THE place, the river in the backyard and the covered bridge right there with it, and right across the river is the little white church.
Mrs. Spaulding does not take credit cards and you can visit the Stark Village Inn on Facebook as well. The only way you can make a reservation is to call her directly at (603) 636-2644.
One downside is that there are no places to catch lunch or dinner nearby. We went west on 110 to get dinner at the North Country Family Restaurant in nearby Groveton. It was filled with locals, tourists, and bear hunters, and the food was primarily comfort food but filling.
We drove back to the Stark Inn and settled in on the backyard patio to watch the amazing lunar eclipse. As the shadow of the earth fell across the moon, and the landscape darkened, the stars brightly filled the sky. What a light show!
The breakfast the next morning was quite satisfying and then we meandered our way South and back home to Salem.
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
- Visit my Fine Art America Gallery
- Visit my Amazon store to pick up New England-related materials
- Visit my Pictorem Gallery (Free shipping in the US and Canada)
- My Facebook foliage page
- Threads.net/@Jeff_Foliage
- Follow our new Fall Foliage FB Group!
- You can visit Lisa’s Artist Facebook Page by clicking here
Stay home- that’s what I think – we don’t need to be driving around, going to gas stations or public restrooms -stay home!!!! Insulting and ridiculous post at this time
Anita, I don’t believe any of my followers either in the US or in any other country are “out and about” at this moment. I prefer to think that people are using my images and descriptions as virtual vacations from the stress of dealing with the covid-19 virus.
I assume all of my followers (or anyone who happens upon this or other articles) are very bright and pragmatic. It is my opinion is that this event will NOT… I repeat, NOT… last forever.
I could be wrong but I hope I’m not… You are very correct that people should be staying close to home at this time. I’ve not been out except for walks in the woods and going once a week to the grocery store, so I haven’t been very far from the house. I did not go to visit family on my birthday (yesterday) and I expect everyone who reads this to be doing the same.
Thank you for your concern but remember that going beyond concern to the verge of panic doesn’t help either. I suggest you go out your own front door and wave to a neighbor (if possible) and take a big breath of fresh air. Feel the sun on your face and listen to the birds in the trees. These things we can all do and not risk our health. And when this is over we can go and travel and look for the fall colors that will show up virus or no virus…
Jeff Foliage
Stay home- that’s what I think – we don’t need to be driving around, going to gas stations or public restrooms -stay home!!!! Insulting and ridiculous post at this time
Anita, I don’t believe any of my followers either in the US or in any other country are “out and about” at this moment. I prefer to think that people are using my images and descriptions as virtual vacations from the stress of dealing with the covid-19 virus.
I assume all of my followers (or anyone who happens upon this or other articles) are very bright and pragmatic. It is my opinion is that this event will NOT… I repeat, NOT… last forever.
I could be wrong but I hope I’m not… You are very correct that people should be staying close to home at this time. I’ve not been out except for walks in the woods and going once a week to the grocery store, so I haven’t been very far from the house. I did not go to visit family on my birthday (yesterday) and I expect everyone who reads this to be doing the same.
Thank you for your concern but remember that going beyond concern to the verge of panic doesn’t help either. I suggest you go out your own front door and wave to a neighbor (if possible) and take a big breath of fresh air. Feel the sun on your face and listen to the birds in the trees. These things we can all do and not risk our health. And when this is over we can go and travel and look for the fall colors that will show up virus or no virus…
Jeff Foliage
Great location and looks good for a stay
Great location and looks good for a stay
Good grief, Anita! Please take some deep breaths!
Jeff, thank you for your calming words. We all know what we should and should not be doing to keep ourselves safe. It’s social distancing – not house arrest! During this crazy time, I look forward to your posts and beautiful photographs. It helps to remind me that eventually this will all be behind us and the back country roads of New England will still be there waiting for us to discover them. Meanwhile, it’s spring … the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the trees are beginning to leaf out. Go out for a walk every day if you can … you’ll feel better for it.
Johanna
Good grief, Anita! Please take some deep breaths!
Jeff, thank you for your calming words. We all know what we should and should not be doing to keep ourselves safe. It’s social distancing – not house arrest! During this crazy time, I look forward to your posts and beautiful photographs. It helps to remind me that eventually this will all be behind us and the back country roads of New England will still be there waiting for us to discover them. Meanwhile, it’s spring … the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the trees are beginning to leaf out. Go out for a walk every day if you can … you’ll feel better for it.
Johanna
Beautiful visage. I do plan to go for my annual foliage trip to New Hampshire this year. I am already booked for it and I look forward to it every year. I will make a point to stop at Stark Inn and visit for a day. Thanks for all the information and great sites. Keep them coming.
Beautiful visage. I do plan to go for my annual foliage trip to New Hampshire this year. I am already booked for it and I look forward to it every year. I will make a point to stop at Stark Inn and visit for a day. Thanks for all the information and great sites. Keep them coming.