Surprises…who doesn’t love a good surprise now and then?  Surprises are like a kiss from life.  They make you feel good inside…happy to be alive.

The idea for a surprise meet-up with a Coastie friend we hadn’t seen since Galveston circa 2011, in the New Hampshire town of Portsmouth was definitely an event we weren’t going to miss. Being from the Lone Star state where crossing the state line usually involves a good 6-8 hour journey, sometimes 10 hours depending on the direction you’re headed, made the 2 hour venture even more appealing.

Happily reunited after our “surprise run-in” with our Coastie friend, we all wondered about the downtown, tasted the local culinary fare, threw a few rocks at the local bowl-o-rama, wasted a good $10 on silly arcade games, and closed the day with a cold one at the town’s first real watering hole.  Literally, it WAS Portsmouth’s original water well–1600s– it’s now home to 5 or so Japanese koi fish and sits conveniently inside a vintage tavern that at one time was a brothel–whoa, imagine that.

If you ever find yourself in Portsmouth, wonder into the Dolphin Striker, lower level and sit at the bar that’s built over the old well.  Watch the spring-fed water fill into the koi pond–you’ll kiss your life when you think about what a pain it must have been to live back then…especially for the madame of the brothel upstairs–yikes!!! Thank goodness I was an 18th century French princess 😉

Ever been to Portsmouth, New Hampshire?  If so, do share your experience…