Roses are my favorite flower, so every year I head to Fuller Gardens. These gardens are all that remain of Governor Fuller's fine estate on Little Boar's Head in North Hampton. Each year a section of the garden reveals itself to me. Unusual rose varieties, a restored fountain or new sculpture provide a pleasant surprise. The roses are a big draw here, with over one hundred varieties to view, people come to see the color explode in summer. When you walk into the gardens the warm raspberry smell of these roses is almost overwhelming. Perenials are mixed in here and there. Cosmos and morning glories surround the well, while beds of dahlias with sunflowers guard the conservatory. Inside the conservatory are tropical blooms, a variety of cacti and a tranquil pond with gently flowing water. Statues and strategically placed benches enhance the sense that an artist created this place. While the flowers and roses in the gardens are extraordinary, one of my favorite spots is the little Japanese garden. Beautiful and quiet it's an absolute oasis on a hot day. Sitting among the red cedars, with the water fall and bamboo fountain gently rocking behind you, for a moment you get a sense of perfect peace. Plan to arrive when the gardens open at 10 for quiet enjoyment, after 10:30 until closing at 5:30 the gardens bustle with activity. A sign on 1A directs tourists to the garden. Cost of admission is $7 for adults. -AMA
Did you know that there are actually two water falls in Vermont named Moss Glen Falls? Pictured on the right is Moss Glen Falls in Granville on Route 100. These falls drop down into a valley that runs through the Green Mountain National Forest. A boardwalk, created by an Eagle Scout winds through the woods until you get to the main water fall. Walk twenty feet into the canopy and you can barely hear noise from the road. Fresh cool air washes over you, but be prepared for mosquitos. The boardwalk is meant to last, but is not maintained by the Vermont Department of Transportation, so use it with caution. As you approach the falls, water roars down from high above and just makes you want to jump in, but don't. These falls are dangerous, rocks tumble down them constantly. Over thirty young people have died from swimming here. A sign used to warn visitors but was washed away during the floods a few years ago and has never been replaced. Where is the other Moss Glen Falls? Well, that's up Route 100 just past the center of Stowe, near Mount Elmore. A short walking trail and a minimal climb is required to get to the big show. One of the best parts of traveling in New England is seeing geological wonders like these. -AMA New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades and Waterfalls (Second Edition) (New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 200 Cascades & Waterfalls)
