birchblazephotography.com » The Photo Blog of Kerry and Taylor Struble

This is our last series of photos we did this past spring for the Valley Originals, a group of independent restaurants and inns in the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire. It just so happens that the Mt. Washington Valley of NH actually runs into the State of Maine as well, including the town of Fryeburg, Maine. Fryeburg is one of our favorite towns in our area because it hosts the Fryeburg Fair every October. It’s Maine’s largest fair and yet it has that classic country fair feel. There’s nothing quite like a gorgeous New England autumn day, with the blazing fall foliage and the smell of hand-cut fries and funnel cakes in the air. The Oxford House Inn is right down the street. It definitely has that main street USA feel, but the view out the back is of farm fields surrounded by the White Mountains. What a setting! This would be a great spot for a small wedding. The Oxford House is now run by Jonathan and Natalie, Jonathan an experienced chef, and Natalie keeping the Inn running smoothly. Together, they continue to add and personalize the Inn’s rich history. It’s pretty cool, ’cause apparently, The Newhart show years ago turned Jonathan’s young mind on to the idea of owning and Inn like the one on that show…for which, coincidentally, the opening sequences were filmed in Sandwich, NH, also not too far from us. Cue the pics…

Look for a post on my crazy class trip to Boothbay Harbor, coming soon!  –K&Tay

We have too much fun, really! Another food shoot, this time at the White Mountain Cider Co. in Glen, NH, a short jaunt from North Conway (just a bit past Rt. 302). After you see the pics I won’t have to tell you, but do yourself a favor and get on up to WMCC, the food is amazing! Don’t believe us? Check out this video review by the one and only Phantom Gourmet! Theresa (sharing chef duties with her Husband Scott) was a great host and Jeff (hey, Mr. Bartender!) whipped up some of their signature drinks, some of which involved fire! (always a plus). The restaurant is in an old (but restored) farmhouse and has a great atmosphere. Can’t wait to get back up there to sample more from their incredible menu! (they also have a very cool country store featuring homemade apple cider doughnuts, soups, deli sandwiches, pies and a lot more) Ok, so here’s what we captured…
 

This is so cool… they actually make their own crackers! How many restaurants do you know that do that?

Jeff has made bartending into an art…

…did somebody mention fire? Check out this sequence:

The Darby Field Inn is a great little get-away just off Rt. 112, otherwise known as The Kancamagus Highway, aka “The Kanc.” It’s in the town of Albany, New Hampshire, about 6 miles from North Conway. It’s a great New Hampshire Inn and many of the rooms have gorgeous views of the Mount Washington Valley. The place has a really cool vibe. The Inn-keeper Marc and his staff keep the Darby Field running clean and smooth, and we were especially interested to find out that they host weddings, including elopement packages (since Birch Blaze is now offering wedding photography) so you can get ‘er done! Here are some shots Tay and I took that day…

Recently we’ve begun a project with several restaurants and inns in and around the beautiful Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire, not too far from where we live. First on the list: The Bernerhof Inn in the little town of Glen, just a bit north of North Conway, NH. The Inn was actually built as an inn in the 1880’s “to accommodate travelers on their way north through Crawford Notch to the Mt. Washington Hotel.” You can feel the history as you walk through its many rooms and alcoves. George and June are super nice and have done a great job maintaining the Inn’s rich history and classic feel. We also were treated to some of the Inn’s great german cuisine…ok Taylor had chili, but it was very good! I had the sauerbraten, which was amazing. Chef Gary has it goin’ on up there at the Bernerhof! Ok, on to some pics…