Escape to New Hampshire Getaway Week

Hosted by the Welcome to the Granite State Committee formed to promote New Hampshire as the best choice for the Free State Project, Escape to New Hampshire will be a getaway week of fun, relaxation, information sharing, and new friendships. All are welcome whether you plan to join us for a single day, a weekend, or the entire week.

The event will be held at Rogers Resort and Campground in Lancaster, NH from June 21-29. Motel rooms, cabins, and camping sites are filling fast, so we encourage you to make your reservations TODAY. To do so, call 603-788- 4885 or email rogers@ncia.net. Make certain to tell them you are with the Free State Project group.

For frequent updates on the event, you may visit http://www.lpnh.org/escape.htm or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Escape_Announce/. We look forward to meeting everyone!

PROGRAM PLAN:

June 21, 2003  (Saturday)
CHECK-IN & ORIENTATION DAY

Spend the afternoon getting oriented to Roger's Resort and Campground. Set up your campsite, enjoy the swimming pools, hot tub, and water slide, as well as the many other sports and activities offered on the Roger's grounds. Meet and get to know your future FSP neighbors. If you have time, consider visiting Christie's Maple Sugar Museum within easy walking distance from the resort.

The "Escape Welcome Cabin" hosted by George Reich will open at 3:00 pm. Make sure to stop in for a chat and to pick up information about the Escape program, nearby attractions, and the state.

At 8 p.m. join us for the Granite State Welcome and Porcupine Kick-Off Campfire. Put faces to email personas, meet the NH delegates, and get to know your future Free State neighbors and allies.

June 22, 2003 (Sunday)
LIVE FREE HERE - THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVANTAGE CONVENTION

Join us for a full day (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) of stimulating presentations by speakers including Elizabeth McKinstry and Tim Condon, members of the FSP board, LPNH gubernatorial candidate and chair John Babiarz, LP Presidential candidates Gary Nolan and Michael Badnarik, Diane Gilbert from the New Hampshire Center for Constitutional Studies, among others, and a panel Q&A session including Don Gorman, James Maynard, and others answering all your questions about the NH advantage and political environment.

Vendor and information tables will give you the choice to learn about the many freedom-movement groups in New Hampshire, New Hampshire real estate, employment opportunities, business climate, and more. Lunch will be on your own.

Then join us again at 7 p.m. for the WttGSC-sponsored BBQ and let the Welcome to the Granite State Committee members serve you traditional BBQ fare while you get to know fellow FSP porcupines better.

June 23, 2003 (Monday)
TOUR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS & GREAT NORTH WOODS REGIONS

A group will be traveling to Lincoln (a short 30-minute drive) to spend the day at Franconia Notch State Park. If you wish to join us, please meet outside of the office store at 8:45 a.m. This is a not-to-be-missed trip during which you'll get a tour the Flume Gorge, a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty, and view the Basin, a beautiful waterfall with a 20-foot granite pothole at its base formed 15,000 years ago.

While much of the park is available to tour for free, there is a nominal user fee charged for parts ($8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 6-12. Under 6 are free). If we have time we'll take the 80-passenger aerial tramway to the 4,200-foot summit of Cannon Mountain (additional fees).

Do you prefer to spend the day on your own? Consider taking a several-hour sightseeing trip traveling the 34.5 mile Kancamagus Highway from Lincoln to Conway, considered one of the most scenic routes through the White Mountains. Once at the end, consider taking the "long" way back to camp through North Conway into Glen to visit Heritage NH depicting 350 years of New Hampshire's history through 25 state-of-the-art movie sets built in a 120,000 square foot museum.

To see more of the Great North Woods, head north on Route 3 to Colebrook or Pittsburg to see the wilderness areas, returning on Route 26 through Dixville Notch, home of the famous Balsams Grand Resort, and, from Errol, Route 16 south. This route will take you near the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge and through beautiful Thirteen Mile Woods and "Moose Alley" an area known for its many moose sightings. Or in Lancaster, turn south on Route 3 to Weeks State Park. From the tower you can enjoy spectacular views of the White Mountains and Vermont.

Tuesday, June 24
GETTING TO KNOW NEW HAMPSHIRE

We've intentionally left this day free. Enjoy the time to get to know your future FSP neighbors, spend time with the NH delegates, or use the day to explore and discover the true New Hampshire.

Perhaps you would like to visit the Seacoast region. Although a 2+ hour drive each way, this is well worth the trip, especially for history buffs! Once in the region, take Route 1A from Hampton Beach to Portsmouth for gorgeous views of sandy beaches. A stop in Hampton Beach or Portsmouth is a must. Walk the long sandy beach in Hampton, while in Portsmouth you can take a carriage ride or a walking tour to get to know the colonial city. Have lunch overlooking the water while you decide how to spend the afternoon: on the water on a whale watch, lighthouse or island tour. Consider visiting Fort Constitution in New Castle where the first aggressive act of the Revolution took place. Ashore, visit Strawbery Banke, one of America's oldest settlements, or the colonial homes that line Portsmouth's streets. In Exeter, you'll want to spend some time visiting the American Independence Museum and tour the Ladd-Gilman house where an original of the Declaration of Independence was found several years ago. Displays feature two drafts of the U.S. Constitution along with original letters, documents, and portraits of the Founding Fathers.

This evening (or any evening), consider taking a scenic moose and wildlife tour with Pemi Valley Excursions. This is a 2.5 to 3 hour journey through the White Mountains in an air conditioned bus in search of the gentle giant of the North Country. The nightly excursions feature a guided tour of the local area, a 1/2 hour video called Moose Close-Up, and interesting historical sites along the way, including a visit to the Old Man of the Mountains, the symbol of New Hampshire. Please contact Pemi Valley Excursion for charges. The tour departs at 7:15 pm, so you will want to plan on leaving Rogers by 6:15.

Wednesday, June 25
Mount Washington and the Lost River Gorge Excursions

On this day, a group will be visiting Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in North Woodstock, about a 45-minute drive. Set in Kinsman Notch, between Mt. Moosilauke and Mt. Kinsman, Lost River Gorge is accessible via wooden walkways, bridges, and ladders. A self-guided tour about ? of a mile long, this will be an afternoon of adventure, fun, and beauty enjoyed by both children and adults. Sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing recommended. Park fees are $9.50 for adults and $6.50 ages 4-12. If joining us, please meet outside the office store at 8:45 am.

Spending the day on your own? Consider visiting Mt. Washington and traveling to the observatory via the auto road or cog railway. It can be quite cold at the top, even at the end of June, so be sure to dress appropriately. You can find more information at http://www.mountwashington.org/ and http://www.mountwashington.com/ .

Thursday, June 26
NEW HAMPSHIRE SUN, FUN & EXPLORATION

Another day of fun and exploration! Hang out with FSP friends at Rogers' pool or take a scenic tour through the region of New Hampshire that interests you most.

Perhaps you will choose to take Route 16 to visit the NH Lakes Region. There's a gorgeous scenic route along Routes 153, 125, and local roads around Milton and Wakefield; or you can take Route 28 east to Wolfeboro, "America's first summer resort." The town is ideal for walking, browsing through shops and visiting the local historical society. If you're lucky, you'll get to see the m/s Mount Washington cruise ship come into port; and maybe go on board for a tour of Lake Winnipesaukee, the state's largest lake.

From Wolfeboro, Route 109 takes you to Moultonborough and Castle in the Clouds, with its stunning views of the region. Then continue on to Center Sandwich or head west to Center Harbor, Meredith and Laconia, all fascinating lakefront towns. The Squam Lakes area and its Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, as well as the Winnisquam and Newfound Lakes areas each deserve a special trip. Squam Lake is also well-known by movie buffs as the location of the film On Golden Pond.

Friday, June 27
MEET NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR BENSON

On this day, a tour of the Historic New Hampshire State House and meeting with New Hampshire Governor Benson have been arranged for Free State Project members joining us for the Escape to New Hampshire.

The meeting for FSP members with Governor Benson will take place in the Governor's office at 1:00 pm. FSP members will have the opportunity to speak briefly with the Governor and gain a better sense of the welcome FSP will receive from the very highest levels of New Hampshire state government.

Led by a visitor's center guide and John Babiarz, LPNH Chair, the tour of the historic State House will occur just prior to the meeting. The New Hampshire State House is the oldest in the nation in which the legislature still occupies its original chambers.

Although most Escape to NH events have been designed for casual attire, we must ask that those planning to attend the State House tour and meeting with the Governor plan to wear proper business attire (i.e., no shorts, sports coats for men, skirt or slacks for women). Concord is a 2+ hour drive from Lancaster, so you will need to plan on leaving Rogers' in the morning. Welcome to the Granite State Committee members will be happy to help you plan your route or try to arrange for carpooling.

Saturday, June 28
NEW HAMPSHIRE FREEDOM NETWORKING DAY

Join us at the Rogers' Function Hall and spend the afternoon talking with representatives and members of liberty-oriented groups from around New Hampshire. Begin to form coalitions and partnerships with the individuals and groups who will support the FSP in New Hampshire and talk directly with freedom-minded New Hampshire residents to learn about the NH advantage. This will be a full day of food, fun, information, literature, and networking.

In the evening, join us at the special "Hospitality House" in Jefferson, NH for a BBQ, closing party, and fireworks hosted by Welcome to the Granite State committee member, John Barnes.

To make reservations click here!

More information is available here.