Grand Thanksgiving Holiday

There was some snow and little traffic on our road trip

This year, we spent the Thanksgiving holiday in what's been described as one of America's remaining grand hotels. Fortunately for us, this one is located in Whitefield, NH, less than a 2-hour drive from our Nashua home.

Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, NH, front porch view and lobby

Nestled in view of NH's White Mountains area, the Mountain View Grand is among a handful of remaining grand hotels in the state. That's impressive considering that in the late 1800s, the U.S. had over 1,000 such large resorts. Many of these were similar to this wood-framed hotel with towers and extensive porches, which too often were completely destroyed by fire. 

Friends Randy and Judy, Patrick and Dorothy (Beatrice & Grenville)

This wasn't our first visit as we've visited several times before; however, it was our first visit during a holiday season. My previous post mentioned celebrating 🦃 with friends in years past. We did the same this year as our Nashua friends, Randy and Judy, also celebrated here. Entire family groups, did the same. The fact that Santa's Village, a North Pole-themed attraction is located a short drive away was a major draw on the Thanksgiving weekend.There's a lot of history associated with this hotel from its farmhouse start, expansion, closing, renovation and reopening. An earlier 2020 post provided the details and background of the Mountain View Grand, so that history won't be repeated here.)

Thanksgiving buffet at the Mountain View Grand (by the end of the night)

Thanksgiving dinner was served buffet-style in one of the hotel ballrooms. Later, in speaking with a manager, we learned that 425 guests had been served at several seatings starting at noon. Our preference is always for the last seating which left the day free to do things like the start of watching holiday films. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is always Grenville's first choice. How about you—what's your first holiday film?

After dinner, we went to the hotel's game room for to play dominoes. When at home, the four of us play weekly at a local senior center. During the pandemic, it was our game of choice. No, these animals were not on the dinner menu. In keeping true to its beginnings as a working farm, the resort includes a farm area with chicken, sheep, goats, llamas, donkeys and Scottish Highland cattle. Guests are invited to visit the farm which we did, once again, several times.This very cooperative goat not only posed for a selfie with me, but was very vocal in greeting and communicating with everyone who visited the barn area.One of the hotel's most popular outdoor activities is the ax throw (limited to adults only). While neither ourselves or our friends participated, it was interesting (and amusing) to watch other guests try their skills while everyone else stood at a safe distance. Grenville threw one on a previous visit and, after pulling a shoulder muscle then, was OK with not trying again.On a chilly afternoon, our foursome took a 20-minute tractor ride around the hotel grounds. Blankets were provided and we opted to sit on one as the wooden seats were quite cold too.Although, we didn't  use any of the provided services in the hotel's three-story tower Tower Spa, a visit there provided a great 360-degree view of nearby mountain peaks. Tradition was observed at the Mountain View Grand in that there were no Christmas decorations on view from our Wednesday afternoon arrival and throughout Thanksgiving Day.

Instead, the morning after Thanksgiving was quite a different story as the Mountain View Grand had been completely transformed and was decked out in 🎄holiday decorations. Those soldiers standing guard at the front door were joined by many interior ones of varying styles and colors.

Best of all, they were very obliging in posing with hotel guests. They never once moved from their location and will remain on guard in the hotel throughout the holiday season.Several lit and decorated Christmas trees were in various rooms throughout the hotel, all had piles of wrapped gifts with old-fashioned ribbon bows.

Father Christmas was represented in various forms and, in keeping with the hotel's traditional decorations theme, not one was wearing a red suit like you-know-who.

No explanations are needed for these ↓ holiday decorations which were on display throughout the hotel. All provided a wonderful start to the Christmas holiday season during our stay.

This fireplace is in the lobby by the front door and is a popular gathering spot. Seating was at a premium throughout our stay, but luckily, we were able to get a spot late Friday afternoon.The fireplace decorations provided a great background for this holiday photo. (We've become skilled at taking our own selfies, and politely decline offers of help—How about you?)

There was snow on a state road park and some mountain tops

Thanks to all for your comments on the recent Friendsgiving 🦃 holiday post. Grenville and I hope that your holiday was special, no matter how, where or with whom it was celebrated. We were happy and thankful once again to have celebrated with friends. We also met many nice strangers new friends, even if temporary, throughout our stay.

Today is December 1, let the 🎄countdown begin and for myself, card writing starts. Despite increasing USPS mail costs, I will send handwritten cards and believe there are those who enjoy both receiving them and doing the same.