Day three of our honeymoon started with us leaving Stonehurst Manor and driving down Kancamagus Highway. I have read and heard many good things around this area that we both were looking forward to driving it. We stopped at the Ranger’s station and purchased a 7-day pass for $5 and headed to our first stop; an unnamed turnout. Once getting out of your car you walk down a small flight of wooden stairs which leads you into the woods that twists down a small hill and at the foot of the path are exposed boulders of various sizes which the Swift River eroded. The scene was beautiful; the shore line was lined with trees in varying stages of autumn.

Our next stop was Lower Falls which was a larger area than before, much busier as well. We walked past a rest room and headed down to a sandy bank with a pool of calm water due to be shielding by boulders acting as a wall. Further down the river the bed was actually exposed due the lower amounts of water, a floor of smoothed ledge rang along the left side which reflected the morning’s sun would cause you to slip if you were not paying attention. We continued on and found the falls which had a very pretty setting; the falls were very small but still enjoyable as you could walk out to the edge and look down. The wind picked up heavily so we decided to continue our drive.

The next stop was a little further into the byway; Rocky Gorge Scenic Area. We walked down a paved trail where you saw a calm portion of Swift River to your left and then a slant of 15-20 feet which is the gorge; if you continue following the trail a wooden bridge crossed the gorge which led to a small pond with one bench. The bridge provided many scenic shots from different angles; some of which Robin had pointed out. On one side of the bridge a maple tree overlooked the river which I thought was an excellent picture; it also provided me another opportunity to shoot colorful leaves up-close.

We were roughly a quarter of the way through the byway and we had already spent 3 to 4 hours walking around taking in God’s beautiful creation. Our next stop was Sabbaday Falls; one of which had a beautiful dirt path covered in freshly fallen leaves; along the left flowed a stream also filled full of autumn leaves. The falls are 3 tiered, the upper tier is about 8′ tall and drops into a deep emerald punchbowl. The punchbowl spills over a 20′ horsetail then makes a 90° angle turn into a flume and drops about 12′ into a very deep trough pool before flowing into the broad pool at the base. Robin and I really enjoyed this as we now have a special attachment to waterfalls as that’s where we got engaged. On the walk back we stopped and took more photos from different angles and even shot some of our rings.

We proceeded on the byway and stopped at a turnout that overlooked a valley with various mountains; we took pictures of people with their cameras and they returned the favor for us.

As we neared the end, I told Robin that I had one more stop in mind for her but it was off from the byway. Near the end of the highway is a mostly scenic view of mountains and valleys due to the increase of elevation the road takes. Although the views were very colorful I could not snap a decent photo as the sun was directly above the mountains.

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Robin and I woke up mid-morning on Sunday, packed our cloths and other items we would need for the honeymoon and set off to North Conway, New Hampshire. We started off on I-95 South and got onto Rt 202 from Augusta and then onto Rt 302 all the way into Conway, NH, the entire drive took roughly 4 hours.

While on the White Mountain Highway in North Conway Robin was looking for our hotel we signed up for, I drove by it without her knowing as I directed her attention to a store on the opposite side. I turned into the “Stonehurst Manor” driveway which winds up a hill into an opening that overlooks the White Mountains; as I we made our way into the Manor parking lot I told her that I was lost and that we should go in and ask for directions with a sly smirk on my face. When inside I stated, “Checking in, under Ogden”; when Robin heard that her eyes lit up and a big smile followed. As we walked up the three flights of stairs, we looked around at the Victorian Manor’s beauty, it looked much like it did 100 years ago, it was kept up very nice, the only hint of modernism in the hallway were the electrical lights. We arrived at room 33, I opened the door, swung it open and walked in with Robin in my arms. To her astonishment she looked around the suite, king sized bed, personal washroom, jacuzzi, it was beautiful and totally unexpected to her.

After settling in, we headed downstairs into the dining area which has thus far been the most fancy place we have dined- and we have ate at fancy restaurants. The lounge which hosts the waiting area has the original fireplace with bay window seating and tables; while talking, we were greeted by a waiter and were escorted to our seats where we were served 3 course (in my opinion) 5 star meal. Since we were guests the food was on the house. Later that evening we enjoyed a relaxing time in the jacuzzi.

The next morning we headed downstairs for our complimentary breakfast which was no less than excellent. The Manor has several connecting trails which we walked through, one of which crosses the North Conway Scenic Railroads. The majority of the day was overcast but at one point the sun came out just enough to light up a few leaves. Throughout certain portions of the trail, the leaf colors varied, ranging from green to brown, my favorite part of our walk was near the end where one section looked as if I were walking through Lothlorien Forest on Lord of the Rings; the ground was covered in freshly fallen golden yellow leaves, the sides of the trail were walled with the same leaves and when I looked up a canopy of the tree tops glistened in the sun’s rays. On our way back we were stopped by one of the Manor workers, he told us that if we come out at around 10PM we may see a black bear in the dumpster.

Our two nights and two day stay was coming to an end at the Manor, we drove around North Conway looking at the stores, and scenic areas to get an idea of where everything is. Later in the evening we headed out to the dumpster to see if we could spot a black bear; we did not see it but we did hear something rustling in the woods. We decided to play a game of Chess while waiting on the bear to emerge; although we played for awhile it did not show. We utilized the Jacuzzi on our last night at Stonehurst Manor and left the next day for Kancamagus Highway.

Today Robin and I got married. It started out the day before with my father and mother helping me move all of my belongings into Robin’s small, one bedroom apartment. At the end of a long and tiring day dad and I finished moving about 90% of my things; we headed to Cornerstone Baptist Church for the rehearsal dirty and tired. Robin and I rushed around the church getting things in place and taken care of. Everyone kept asking me if I was nervous but I wasn’t even at the rehearsal. Robin’s Maid of Honor was late, she got lost somewhere along Rt 222 and Stetson; mom drove out and found her as it can be confusing at night in Exeter. The rehearsal was fun, we were able to talk to everyone that was going to be assisting and performing in the wedding, which was nice because we got to know each other better.

After the rehearsal Robin, her parents and I drove to my apartment in an attempt to move the remaining 10% of my items. We coiled computer cables, network cables, broke down the kitchen table and gathered up other miscellaneous items and packed them all into two cars and one van; unfortunately we were only able to move 5%. We headed back to her apartment, we asked that her parents stay outside for 5 minutes as Robin and I exchanged our gifts to each other. I asked Robin to close her eyes as I guided her into her bedroom where my mother’s 30 year old red cedar chest sat with a Pooh & Piglet stuff animal; the cedar chest was something my father had made for my mother before they got married. I had sanded the polyurethane off which exposed the natural color and scent of the wood. Robin was surprised; she thought that it was a superb gift. Robin handed me a small dark box; I opened it carefully, I noticed a Swiss Cross on top and to my delight it was a beautiful two-tone Swiss Army watch – exactly what I wanted in style and design.

The Wedding Day

The next morning, the wedding day, I woke up early in my hotel room and asked mom if she could help in moving the remaining things from the apartment to Robin’s. Two and half hours later we had finished moving and cleaning everything and were off to Exeter.

As I walked into the Church I had the song, “White on White” by Danny Williams in my mind as we had just listened to it in the car. Nervousness crept into my mind but not a regretful feeling; I headed up to the sound room where Rita was waiting for me. I hooked Robin’s laptop into the sound and video system while walking Rita through the process of controlling the video cameras, Power Point slide shot, audio, etc as she offered to help since Bryon could not be there.

I was shocked at how much effort Robin and her mother had put into the reception decorations, it was as if walking into an artificial forest. The floor was scattered with tiny autumn leaves, the tables covered in reds, oranges, yellows and browns with favors surrounding a bottle of Welches Sparkling Juice. The Wedding Cake was beyond my expectations; we had asked that the cake be white with a waterfall, our two custom cookie cake toppers; what we received was much more than that. The frosting that depicted the water fall appeared as if it were wet, on the sides of the waterfall were a bed of falling autumn leaves, with bits of grass and sporadic pine trees.

My father, Robin’s father and I put on our Tuxedos in the Pastor’s office 20 minutes before the ceremony was set to start. As my father and I stood in the office waiting for our queue I started to get anxious about stepping out in front of the crowd, my legs and lower back started to ache from that thought and moving the previous day. Our queue was called, I followed Pastor Stan out the door with my father behind me as the Best Man, we stepped up onto the stage and watched the Maid of Honor, and the Ring bearer and Flower Girl walk down the aisle flawlessly. Then all of the sudden the piano sounded the bridal call and the Pastor called for all to stand; my eyes looked up to Robin, my bride, in excitement, all nervousness had vanished as we locked eyes. I could feel a big smile on my face as I walked down to take her from her father; when we were standing in front of each other I could feel my heart start to throb, the veins in my neck pulsating against my bow-tie and my brow begin to dampen- she looked so beautiful!

Stan spoke about Robin and I deciding to choose each other just as we decided to choose Christ at some point in our lives; he also worked in a Salvation message which was great. We recited our vows with only a few tears. Jack spoke to us and the Church indirectly about honoring and respecting each other and how a husband and wife should love and obey each other as Christ does for us.

At the end Robin and I lit our unity candles and kissed, we were finally married. What a feeling, to be joined together with someone you love so much and that loves you back. We walked briskly down the aisle to our photographer where we went outside to take photos of ourselves, wedding party, family, men, ladies and the children.

Forty-five minutes later we returned and were announced into the reception area where we were waited on and greeted by friends and family. The food was delicious, unfortunately we were so busy talking with people that we didn’t get to sample it all. Robin’s Bride’s Maid gave a speech as did my father which we toasted to.

Robin and I did not smoosh the cake; we were a little playful however.

I’d like to thank everyone involved in helping with our Wedding and for everyone attending and for the gifts; if any family or friends would like our Wedding DVD, please contact me.

On our way home from the honeymoon we went to GM Polluck to have Robin’s rings soldered together and to get my watch band re-sized in the Maine Mall. After shopping and completing our errands we headed over to Berlin City Honda since I had not heard from them today. I had hoped that my new car would have come in today; while pulling into their parking lot a saw a 2009 Honda Fit Sport sitting in the parking lot as if it had just come of the truck from the way it was parked.

I asked one of the Salesmen if my contact was in today, he said yes and we waited in the lobby; while waiting someone else had stated that the Fit we saw earlier was in fact ours and was just driven off the truck. The entire process took a couple of hours (test driving, paper signing, going over the car, etc) and eventually Robin and I made it out in our new Honda Fit Sport.

The ride is very smooth and quiet, I have never understood why people say some cars are fun to drive until now, this car is very fun to drive. The windshield and front door windows are very large, enabling the front passengers to see a wider range of the road. One of our favorite features is the hatch back and the ability to fold the seats down or up for different storage options.

Here are a few photos:

• Front
• Front
• Side
• Rear