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The Great Literary Trip: Day 12

 I'm back! Welcome to the day 12 recap. 



Day 12

CITIES

Today we left Cambridge, MA bright and early and slowly made our way throughout the day to Hanover, NH. We had a very chill day, as driving days are some of our most relaxed without the hustle and bustle of big cities. The fact that we are very near to the end of the trip has set in. I am relieved and sad to be almost done with this trip. On the one hand, I have been given this amazing opportunity to take the trip of my dreams that I do not want to end. And on the other, we are all very tired and quite homesick. We reached our northernmost point of the entire trip today! That's a big milestone. Overall, I'm feeling a lot of gratitude for this experience today. 


BOOKSTORES

Gibson's Bookstore and Cafe

Today we visited a lovely bookstore in New Hampshire's capital city, Concord. Funny story, we did not actually realize we were in the capital until we noticed the statehouse to our left. Gibson's is a half urban and half small town bookstore that values bestsellers and children's books. Being in the state's capital, I think its priorities are well selected. Overall, our experience was very positive; however, I did not choose to purchase anything from this store. It was a little too Barnes and Noble-y for me to buy a book that I will always associate with my special trip. (and don't get me wrong. I love a good B&N.)

LIBRARIES

Class of 1945 Library at Philips-Exeter

Not originally on my stop list, we decided to visit this library and Exeter, NH because we had some extra time. I have been hearing about this library my whole life. Philip-Exeter's campus is lovely and classic; however, the Class of 1945 Library is a prime example of modernist architecture. It certainly stands out, as a library should. We, unfortunately, did not get to go inside this library. They were closed for Fourth of July weekend which we learned after I called the circulation desk twice and “pressed 2” for library help 4 times. From all of the pictures I have seen, the inside is absolutely spectacular, though unexpected. I don’t know about y’all, but when I think of a library I think of banker’s green lamps, wooden desks, richly carpeted floors, and pilasters. Instead, this Louis Khan building exhibits elementalism on the inside and out. Wood and brick are showcased on the exterior while the interior is largely “decorated” with sleek stamped concrete, showing off the books first and foremost. 

AUTHOR’S HOUSES

Robert Frost’s Farmhouse in Derry

Robert Lee Frost was born on March 26, 1874 and died on January 29, 1963. He was an American poet known for his realistic depictions of rural life and command of coloquial speech. He wrote about agricultural settings, characters, comunities, and activities in the 20th century to examine complexities and social themes during the time period. Frost won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and was the named the poet laureate of Vermont on July 22, 1961. 

Frost attended both Harvard (2 years) and Darmouth (less than 1 term) but left due to illness or familial complications. Frost married Elinor Mariam White on December 19, 1895 after having asked her multiple times. Frost's grandfather bought a farm for Robert and Elinor in Derry, New Hampshire, and the Frosts worked the farm for 9 years where Robert Frost wrote many of his most famous works including "Mending Wall," "The Death of the Hired Man," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," "Birches," and "Mowing." 

While I have never been much for poetry myself, Frost's words about rural communities have always resonated with me. Having grown up in a largely agricultural town myself and travelling to a city everyday to attend school, my life has been the reverse of Frost's. Robert Frost grew up in the city then moved to the country. While his timeline is the reverse of mine, the characters in his poetry and his thoughts conveyed mirror my own about my hometown. 

The woods are lovely dark and deep, 

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep. 

(We do have miles to go before we sleep. We are driving to Altoona, PA tonight, and we are still in Connecticut. Fingers crossed.)

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