When you’re car-less in Philadelphia, it is a 180 juxtaposition from the must-have-a-car in Arizona to get anywhere vibes. The Phoenix infrastructure is only really made for buses and the train to the airport stops two stops above my exit in North Phoenix (of course) so getting around easily via public transit is a hassle. On the East Coast, you hop on a train or trolly spreading out like a star from Center City and voila! You’ve arrived at your destination without too much thinking. However, this trip required a lot more planning as we were going way out of city limits – even by New York City standards. To really see and experience the countryside of New Hampshire, you definitely need a car which goes with their live free standards. So I began searching for a rental car…
My first experience with Turo, the Airbnb of car rentals, was terrible. It was during the peak of the pandemic and I arrived at Harrisburg airport, took an Uber to the car and there was no way to get in it or contact the host. So I canceled it and got another car… this time one that starting having lights on the dash while driving to Williamsport, PA, and leaving leaking oil in my dad’s driveway before the host had to tow it back to Harrisburg. So my track record was not satisfactory with them but I will willing to give it another go again, I mean it had been four years since then! With outrageous car rental pricing, it’s a no brainer if you can find a newer car which is exactly what I did, a whopping 8 minute walk through Clark Park from where I was staying in West Philly. I took that as a good sign and it had an E-Z Pass attached, the Pennsylvania way to keep taking money from its driving citizens. One thing I love about the Wild West is there’s no stupid tolls every five miles. On the East Coast, they nickel and dime you for crossing a bloody bridge. And we ended up crossing a lot of them!
It was bright and early we left on a sweaty weekday morning and I was ready and raring to go! Loading up the SUV was a breeze and the eco-friendly option made gas mileage extend a lot. I packed all sorts of goodies for road tripping and my guest was grateful when we had a trunk picnic like most other weary travelers at the rest stop halfway there. Having a generational moment, my guest liked his old school maps while I was just picking the easier middle route via Naggy (as my dad calls it), the GPS navigational system of Google Maps. But we ended up going the New Jersey route (which was great for a Wawa coffee fix, it’s like crack for coffee lovers) but bad driving through New York City. It’s kind of like getting a cavity filled at the dentist, just bare through it. But honestly, the rainy day and clouds gave the city horizon a nice feel and it was nostalgic to see the skyline again as I’m guessing it has been over 10 years. But the biggest sigh of relief when we got out of the city and into the green countryside was palpable. The rain kept coming and we kept driving until finally we arrived into the woods!
The relief I felt when we pulled up to this exit was much like the feeling of being in nature after city living for so long! Called Moose Lodge and Cabins where we were staying, it was part of the Bretton Woods Vacations portfolio. Take the video tour below and keep reading for more information.Welcome to the Bretton Woods Owl Roost in New Hampshire! It looks a lot smaller from the outside than it actually is inside.To the left at the Owl Roost is an outdoor ski lift lounge.To the right, firewood which I attempted to use but there was not enough kindling to get those flames flickering properly at Bretton Woods Vacations. My high school high adventure camp counseling days are long behind me!Out on the deck when we arrived in the rain at the Owl Roost at Bretton Woods Vacations.An outdoor fire pit for when things dried out is always a good idea but check the local law first at Bretton Woods Vacations.The best thing I saw all day after that almost 10 hours of traveling in a car at Bretton Woods Vacations. Set at 102, this hot tub was a great way to boil away your troubles, aches and pains.Walking into the Owl Roost’s red door, a foyer for all your gear aimed to keep the house clean and clutter free at Bretton Woods Vacations.The living room at the Owl Roost! Surprise, there are two floors here.The first bedroom to your left, bunk beds for the kiddos and a desk at Bretton Woods Vacations.Another bedroom next to it with a queen sized bed at the Owl Roost. My guest took this room as an early riser by nature, I was still struggling with the time change even at the end of July.The first floor bathroom with a full bathtub and the hottest water you ever wanted! Very spacious with views of the hot tub and forest outside.Everything was glowing wood at the Owl Roost at Bretton Woods Vacations.A fully stocked kitchen was a cook’s dream at Bretton Woods Vacations. Every little detail was well thought out!A dining room table which became handy when I needed to check emails in the morning before our adventures began at Bretton Woods Vacations.A sweet treat of gifts left for us to enjoy and that we did along with the farm fresh eggs they gave us too at the Owl Roost!Then is was up the custom made steps built around a tree to the second floor at Bretton Woods Vacations.A view of the steps looking down at the Owl Roost. I have a fondness for spirals and found that fitting at Bretton Woods Vacations.View of the living space from the balcony in the Owl Roost at Bretton Woods Vacations.And right behind the balcony, another bedroom and game room at Bretton Woods Vacations.You could even toss another kid into the couch if they were small enough at Bretton Woods Vacations after a game of foosball.I was very pleased to see another shower option on the second floor with stone and views of the forest at Owl Roost at Bretton Woods Vacations.And a huge King bed somehow fit up those steps and was a delight to sleep in like a cave at the Owl Roost at Bretton Woods Vacations.After I gathered content, it was time to unload our luggage and settle in for a 3 night stay at Bretton Woods Vacations. We did not see a moose but other smaller critters outside!I love signs like these reminding you about what really matters at Bretton Woods Vacations. Notice Explore!Details like these glass carved owls were delightful at Bretton Woods Vacations.Or this throwback 70s style owl at Bretton Woods Vacations.The indoor fireplace that I tried to get going on a cool night at the Owl Roost at Bretton Woods Vacations. You can see my sneaker reflection!A Yankee candle from it looks like the 80s or 90s we lit for a minute at Bretton Woods Vacations.These made some mean pancakes with eggs and oil, thick and hearty at Bretton Woods Vacations.The owl that was at the top of the Owl Roost watching over us at Bretton Woods Vacations.And the apex at the top of the structure holding it all together at Bretton Woods Vacations. Outstanding design and one of a kind cabin!Our neighbors with some solar panels across from the ski lift outside lounge at Bretton Woods Vacations.If you take a short walk down the road, you’ll see some trail signs at Bretton Woods Vacations.A reminder that it does snow quite heavily here at Bretton Woods Vacations.Soon you’ll pop out into the sunshine at Bretton Woods Vacations.And be rewarded with these beautiful views at Bretton Woods Vacations.This is available to swim in if you like as well at Bretton Woods Vacations.A sight for sore city eyes at Bretton Woods Vacations.Back into the woods I went, a little sad to pack up and leave. And that’s how you know it’s an amazing place!
Included in your Bretton Woods stay is exclusive local partnerships with discounted tickets to the world famous Cog Railway which we explored the very next day as well as $25 pool and gym passes to the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa. For the snow bunnies, the 32-acre Moose Lodge and Cabins are only one mile from the ski lifts, with over two miles of trails for walking, snowshoeing, X-country skiing, an on-site 25 by 45 ice skating rink, and more. In the summer, you have central AC, private beach access, swimming and fishing in the Amoonoosuc River, a volleyball court, walking trails, firepit, wildlife watching, and more. The Owl Roost was inspired by a yurt and is hand crafted, the only one like it in the world. See why this space is a memory maker and watch yourself fall in love with the cabin life immediately. We look forward to returning to explore some more of this Certified Wildlife Habitat oasis but it will be hard to pass up the Owl Roost for another cabin!
