This is one of several mysterious stone chambers in New England, whose provenance and purpose is…read moreunknown. Usually they are square or rectangular in shape, with stone slabbed roofs and soil floors. Archaeologists usually try to claim that they were built by early colonists as 'root cellars' yet they are ill-suited to that task as the floors are soil, which is hardly conducive to dry storage. There is also some documentary evidence from early colonists saying that the chambers were there when they arrived. Other chambers have had very old trees growing out of their walls, evidence that the chamber must be older than the tree. Another theory is that they were sweat lodges used by native Americans, but there is no evidence to show that any native groups built stone sweat lodges. So who did build these things? The closest equivalent in Britain is the souterrains of Scotland or fogous of Cornwall, but these tend to be larger and have curved layouts. The corbelled roof construction is similar to the beehive cells constructed by early monks like the Culdees, but there the similarity ends. Maybe it was early Viking explorers? An earlier megalithic culture that we don't know about? It's a fascinating enigma. Research by antiquarians and earth mystery researchers has shown that many chambers have precise geometric ratios in their construction, and that they are aligned to significant solar events like midwinter solstice, and this Beehive Hut seems no exception. The proportions are almost exactly 2:1 - it is just short of being twice as long as it is wide, and the width and height are the same. The entrance (by my estimation) seems to be aligned to midwinter sunrise (it's hard to be precise because of the tree cover), and is situated part-way up a hillside, which would allow the rising sun to enter the chamber. There are an interesting couple of white quartz stones, one in the back wall and one in the left-hand side wall, which may mark the extremes of the sunrise positions between equinox and winter solstice. But as I'm not resident here I am unable to do the long-term observations that this theory would require to confirm it. Interested locals should get in touch with the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA), who will know more about these things.

Perkins Cove is one of the very few places to park in Ogunquit, ME. Pay at the kiosk near the…read moreentrance to the parking lot. There are a few shops in this area where you can purchase souvenirs, ice cream and other things. The bridge is near these shops. If you are new to the Maine coastline, Ogunquit offers some nice views of the rocky seaside and open ocean. You climb up on the bridge to view the cove, filled with boats on our visit, on one side and a waterway to the ocean on the other. The area as a whole is very 'seaside, tourist destination'. It's known for it's photo opportunity. For myself, it was just OK. However, I have lived seaside for decades and have had many opportunities, in many states, to enjoy the views. So take that opinion with a grain of salt. We came to Perkins Cove to park and walk the Marginal Way, so it was a quick stop to explore the area a bit before we headed off on our walk. You will definitely get that 'cute sea side village' impression here and if you walk the Marginal Way, you will end in the village of Ogunquit at the other end.

Such a beautiful part of Ogunquit. Love walking the Marginal Way to Perkins Cove and seeing this…read morepicturesque bridge. Definitely worth it to walk on the bridge and see the views from either direction. IT's a special treat to see the drawbridge in action when a boat needs to go through. This area is very walkable with cute shops, a few restaurants, a lobster roll shop, and an ice cream show. It's also a working harbor with docks and reserved parking areas for fishermen. We always make a point of visiting Perkins Cove whenever we come to Ogunquit.

You stumble upon the burying ground without really expecting it. On the corner of a dead-end street…read moreis a statue representing Mother Africa reaching out to her children. Look down that side street and you see the monument follows the road from the statue to the end. There are plaques along the way with information about how the memorial came to be. There is a QR code you can scan for more information as well. The city did a nice job creating this memorial to those citizens who were buried and forgotten to time. Who were not seen as deserving of a burial in sacred ground. Whose names and lives not deemed worthy of remembering. A much deserved memorial.

Portsmouth did a great job at paying respects to the Black residents who were buried here. It is…read moresad the originally they did not, actually painful. In 2003, construction workers discovered the site while doing work on the street. They found the remains of Black Portsmouth residents. A 1705 map sited the cemetery but the site was paved over. By the 1800s houses were on the site and the cemetery was gone. A sewer line went through the coffins. The Black residents were buried in the same fashion as white residents at the time. Sadly they do not know who they are. To correct the disrespect, the city built the memorial park that is here today. If you have time, I highly recommend doing the Black Heritage Trail.

this light sits behind the coast guard station in portsmouth harbor and is thoroughly inaccessible…read moresince the plannedemic according to the goat keepers which kind of detracts from the whole "let's go see some historic lighthouses" experience but slightly enhances the "we're already here so let's go have a look" and "do you think the coast guard is hiding something back there?" aspects of the trip so it's almost a push. original tower erected in 1771 was the first light north of bean-town; the current forty-eight foot tower was built in 1878, the focal plane for the fixed green light is 52' up and visible for 12 nautical miles give or take... automated in 1960 the light is still in use and the coast guard still holds title but the 'merican lighthouse foundation holds license since 2000 with the local chapter acting as stewards and fixing whatever needs it. the light is supposedly open to the public a few days each year but not right now because of storm damage and the impending change of seasons.

With Fort Constitution closed, all opportunities to visit the lighthouse are null. You can see…read moreanother lighthouse at the distance, in an island and maybe available with a boat, but the Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse is not available. You can walk around, go into street that lead to the area, but the lighthouse is not visible from the street unless you go further. Basically, skip until the fort is open again.

I discovered Fort Foster almost two years ago when I decided to explore Kittery. I was looking to…read morespend a bit more time along the pristine coast of Maine and enjoy the sounds of the ocean again. What I didn't expect to find was just how perfect this location was and how the seasons change the overall experience of walking along the beach trails. During late spring to early fall, charcoal grills are installed along the abundant picnic tables so the scent of grilled meats permeate the air and boast of good times. When the grills are removed for the rest of the "off-season", the crowds become much smaller and the sound of the ocean becomes the main soundtrack. But this time around, after missing several opportunities to witness how snow transforms Fort Foster, I finally had the chance to see the magic happen. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of magical white blanketing this whole area in a peaceful glow. The clouds, the utter silence, and the cold but refreshing breeze that bites deep reminding you what it feels like to still be alive is a magic that cannot be replaced. I love it here and I finally can say that I've loved this place truly through all the seasons.

Remnants of the historic Fort Foster and Battery Chapin can be found at this hidden gem of a park…read morein Kittery, Maine. Fort Foster was commissioned in 1900 following the Spanish American War to protect the harbor underwater minefields. Originally, Battery Chapin was equipped with large mounted guns and a spotlight. The fort ceased operation after WWII and was left idle by the military. Local residents petitioned to turn the grounds into the park that stands today. The park has great views of two lighthouses and other historic structures in the bay and across the shore. There are plenty of picnic tables and a slightly dated playground for the kids. I was able to climb the aging stairs of the Battery Chapin and explore across the structure, but I had to be careful as there are no handrails and the stairs are narrow. The fort is interesting. There is plenty of parking during off season and there was no admission. (There may be admission during peak season, I couldn't tell). Portable potties are available in the parking lot. The park is a great place to bring kids, walk the dog or just have a peaceful afternoon. Lots of history and beauty to enjoy.

This is one of several homes Robert Frost lived in during his lifetime. The property was lovingly…read morerestored to the appearance it had when he lived here with his wife and young children. Photos and information from his life, beginning with his parents, are in the barn and a very interesting read. On the hour, a video is played in the barn. The primary narrator is his daughter, as a grandmother, speaking with a group of elementary school children of her memories growing up here with her dad. There are also segments of Robert Frost reading his own poetry. If you are a fan, you will very much enjoy those segments. Directly after the video a tour begins in front of the barn and moves through the barn into both floors of the house. Each tour guide offers their own insights so visiting multiple times you may learn new things. They have purchased furnishings as close to those owned by the family as they could find, including dishes, wood stoves and wall paper. They also own part of Robert Frosts personal library. He had many of the 'classics' of his lifetime. Handicapped parking is available directly in front of the barn with a ramp up into the building there. The rest of us park behind the building in a dirt lot. Here you will find the entrance to a loop trail walk that includes a series of signs with Robert Frost poems along the route. The first floor of the tour is probably handicapped accessible, but the upper floor, where bedrooms are located, is not. A gravel pathway at the side of the barn leads to and from parking. A basement entrance here leads to a tool display and two restrooms. Picnic tables are located under the trees here as well. This state park is 'carry in, carry out' meaning there are no trash bins and you are expected to leave with whatever you brought. Dogs on leash are allowed outdoors. Picking up after your pet is appreciated and expected. A gift shop is located in the barn and includes new and used books of poetry, t-shirt, cards, mugs and a few other items. We spent about two hours here taking the tour, walking the property and purchasing gifts from their shop.

Was such a beautiful day today so I decided to go visit the Robert Front farm in Derry Nh and I'm…read moreglad I did what an amazing and beautiful place. The farmhouse is closed for the season but the old farm out back is quite the adventure walking on the trail and reading his poems and living on the farm the inspiration from living on the farm. Wonderful poem's along the way the sounds of birds squirrels just being in the nature of it all. What a time in America The cold winters weren't easy and yet we fortunate to have the Robert Frost farm here in New England

Pam was amazing! She made our stay wonderful. The view was…read moregorgeous and it was fun watching the boats and water

Fires lights and…read morecoasts The town of Newburyport has a long ship building and nautical history, mostly because of it's location right on the Merrimack River. The river empties in to the sea and is wide enough for some large ships to go into Newburyport. Unfortunately the river can also be very treacherous. Lots of huge storms, fog and currants turns the lovely river into a real killer at times. Many ships have been lost trying to get into Newburyport. So the good people of the town decided that something had to be done to make it safe. At first huge bonfires were lit to help guide the way up the river but that proved less than satisfactory. So in 1873 a lighthouse was construction at the point where the river narrows into the town. In fact two lighthouses were built. Having two lights was once thought to make things easier for ships to judge angles and distances but frequently proved to just makes things more complicated. The idea was to have a small one in front and then a taller one in the back to contrast the first light. With the fog and other variables it never worked quite as well as advertised and the idea soon fell out of use. The front range lighthouse in Newburyport is small, only about 25 feet tall and right next to the river. It originally had a 6th order Fresnel Lens that was later removed. It served it's purpose of guiding ships into the town until it was deactivated in 1961. It still is a very cool looking little light but is frequently neglected and ignored because of the looming presence of the much taller rear range light just a few hundred feet away. The light is now part of the Coast Guard Station and is blocked off by a fence. But nice views can be had if you go right down to the river and peer around the fence. Don't try to actually go on the CG property, I learned the hard way that they don't like that. It's a little light but one that did it's lighthouse duties for decades. Survived all kinds of storms and everything else nature could throw at it. It's no longer is active but still a cool part of the maritime history of Newburyport.

What an awesome prehistoric Stonehenge. Well worth the visit to see the amazing stone work that…read moredates back to 1200 BC . You start off by the sundial and follow the path to see all of the amazing stones. caves foundations stone walls they also have the solstice stones the view is cool as well it truly is beautiful and worth visiting by the way they also have a gift shop with stones and sweatshirts and more.

My only disappointment today is that I didn't time travel when I touched the monoliths…read more In all seriousness though, super cool spot to visit and spend a few hours walking around. Would recommend gym shoes, but I made it around just fine in sandals in case you forget some. Everything is clearly marked and labeled and I wish we lived closer, I can guarantee my husband and I would be visiting all the time. Looooooved the gift shop, and the alpacas at the end are adorable. Def going to have to drive up for the next solstice for sureeeee.