Finally time for my latest tour, but first, check out the new site! What do you think? This post has been delayed because I’ve been trying to figure out this new site, so I apologize for that. If you’re new here, I used to be at Searchingforhumor.blog, but since literary tours are my thing, I felt like my site needed to reflect that more. This blog started as a dating blog as I was “searching for humor” in my NYC dating life to save my sanity. It seems like my blog has saved my sanity because it inspired me to go on solo dates in the city inspired by books set in the city. Hence the new name, Literary Dates.

Thank you to my Twitter friend @Alex_Micati for inspiring a great name! Also, I should mention another Twitter friend, @singleliving4me because chatting with her made me want to read an Audrey Hepburn book. That’s what got me started on my literary dates because after reading 5th Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson, I decided to check out Breakfast at Tiffany’s film locations. Who knew Twitter could be so influential? I had no idea. Thank you both!

For the first time ever I’ve taken my literary dates out of the city and into one of my favorite places in the world- Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

I read the awesome book A Little Murder by Cindy Davis, which inspired this tour. If you didn’t read my book review and sneak peek into my tour, check it out here.

I took this tour with my family over the span of two and a half days, so I’ve decided to break up this post into two parts. I hope you’ll enjoy the ride and don’t get lakesick. Yes, folks, I got more jokes just like that one coming! That was just a snippet. You’re in for a treat.

Usually, my tours are peaceful solo dates with myself as I head out to take on NYC as the independent woman that I am. This time I’d be with my family. I love them dearly but can the serenity of my solo dates translate to a book tour with my family? The fact that they are indulging me by coming along on a tour inspired by a book they haven’t read bodes well, I think. It shows how they support me in all my random pursuits. They always have, but I won’t get too mushy.

Tour time!

Let’s get on that boat!

Anybody believe that I drove that boat? No one!? Why not? I could totally drive that boat!

I did not drive that boat.

The real boat driver aka my brother had a “no pictures” rule, so check out these pics instead…

It was a windy day which made for a very wild boat ride. I’ve never been on a bumpier ride! We were getting splish-splashed all over the place like we were taking a bath. See what I did there? Still searching for humor people! Help me!

My brother, I think, took inspiration from the book A Little Murder too far! I think he could have controlled that boat better. I was at the front of the boat all by myself so I don’t want to say he was planning something…but I think he was planning something.

Just check out my poor mom who was praying for her life, my father’s, and her children’s lives the whole ride.

There was a point that I tried turning around to get a shot of her cowering and as I did that, we hit a huge bump, which smacked my butt down so hard on the seat that I thought I broke my butt bone! Luckily, my bum lived to tell this tale.

Alas, there were moments of reprieve from the rockiness.

Like this guy on a sailboat:

Since this is a book tour, it is time to get to see some sites in the book. Don’t you worry because we are headed to a pivotal point in the book.

Without further ado, I give you…

Angie, her husband, and the rest of the crew were on a fishing boat when around the time they were near Rattlesnake Island, they discovered the boat captain was murdered.

Here’s a closer look at Rattlesnake:

Kind of looks like an alligator, right? I think once upon a time there were actual rattlesnakes on this island, but they haven’t been seen in many, many years.

It’s possible to hike on Rattlesnake Island but you have to become a Lakes Region Conservation Trust member. More info about that as well as other sites to see in and around Lake Winnipesaukee here.

Where were we? Cool houses on Rattlesnake? Yup!

After shooting Rattlesnake from many different angles, including the southeast edge (which was noted in the book when the 911 call is made), but do I know which of my at least 25 pictures of Rattlesnake are from the south east edge? Um no. Anyways, after that, we head to our destination of Alton Bay, where much of the book takes place.

Angie and Val eat and drink at Shibley’s so it’s only fair that we eat and drink too!

Shibley’s at the Pier

And some cute houses across the way

We go in and head for the deck.

Time for some grub!

Going to a restaurant is quite a spectacular feat with my family. My father and brother both have celiac so have to be gluten-free (my brother cheats), my mom has type 2 diabetes so she has to limit her sugar, but does she? And then there’s me…the vegetarian. The wait staff loves us!

Some guacamole would’ve been nice though…just sayin’.

I think my family enjoyed their meals, but I couldn’t really say because did you see all that cheese? I was too much in cheese heaven to notice how everyone else was faring.

After devouring our meals, we all agreed that there’s always room for ice cream. We head out in search of some but first, check out one last pic…I went a little trippy with this one.

 

My mom and brother

I don’t think this goes against my brother’s no picture rule cuz who could tell who this is?

Bear with me, we are getting to the ice cream, I hate to do this to you all, but it has to be done.

Time to look at me!

I’m sorry.

One last pic, that is sure to be pretty this time and then I swear we are getting to some ice cream.

Wasn’t that worth it? Don’t worry, I promised you we would get some ice cream.

Scoop your dog poop people! Even If No One Sees You!! That goes for a lot of things in life. Like don’t eat that fifth cookie…Even If No One Sees You!! Don’t drop someone’s toothbrush on the floor and put it back…Even If No One Sees You!! Don’t watch The Bachelor in Paradise…Even If No One Sees You!! Okay, I’ll admit, I do that last one. I have no regrets.

Finally! What you’ve all been waiting for! Right…you’ve been waiting for this?

Here we go!

We continued with the Shibley’s theme and went to Shibley’s Drive-In.

Check out the goods!

My mom and bro’s cones.

I didn’t start to eat mine until we crossed the street to go sit at the promenade, a spot where Angie went to a couple times. I wanted to get the pretty lake in my shot.

It was hot.

It got a little drippy. This is what I do to get the shot. I will get ice cream all over my hands to get the perfect shot. Isn’t it perfect (minus the drips)? I know, it’s an Instagram fail. Still yummy though. This flavor had an appetizing name- dirty water. Coffee ice cream with cookie crumbles and chocolate chips. Pretty tasty for dirty water.

We sat down at a picnic table to enjoy our ice cream and the relaxing vibes of Alton Bay.

I have no idea what they are pointing at. I wish I did.

My father, who also got ice cream all over his hands, is a resourceful guy. No sink…don’t matta!

He cleaned his hands in the lake. I asked his permission to post pictures of him, but he probably didn’t realize that I got this money shot. Sorry papa.

After relaxing for a bit, it’s time to get back on the boat and head back home.

After the wild ride on the way in, my mom insisted on wearing a life jacket on the way back.

Luckily it was much calmer this time or my brother gave up his sinister plan? We’ll never know.

What you’ve all been waiting for…

We finally made it home and in a nod to my solo dates, I enjoyed a glass of wine at my favorite spot by the lake.

All in all it was a pretty nice day with the fam. Thank you Cindy Davis for inspiring a lovely tour. In part 2 we’ll be heading back to Alton Bay by car to visit more sites in the book. We’ll also briefly head over to another spot in the lakes region called Wolfeboro.

Will my family and I still be singing Kumbaya in part 2? We shall see!

Check out the 2nd part here!