Foliage along the Contoocook River in Peterborough, New Hampshire
We are supposedly on vacation, and taking a few day trips in the general vicinity. When Jim proposed a mystery tour yesterday, I was intrigued. We ended up in Deerfield, Massachusetts, but rather than going to the Museum, as usual, or to the Mariposa butterfly museum, or to an antique shop, the car pulled into the Yankee Candle Shop, a place that I had never envisioned wanting to go. I was in for a bigger treat than I could have imagined.
Upon walking in the front door, some welcome rest stations are situated to the left, and a kindly greeter stands with maps in hand. Yes, a map is needed to navigate one’s way through the many rooms! However, candles were not all that was in store. They have rooms of Christmas ornaments and moreover, dark, cavernous-like rooms with Bavarian villages set up by way of lit villages with homes, transoms up the side of a “mountain,” a waterfall, Christmas trees, and more. My passion for collecting extends to Christmas ornaments and since I have so many, I don’t really need more, so I have a good excuse to buy for other people.
There were animated, what we call them?, faux cowboys that moved, sang, talked, and were really neat figures. At once, singing about sleeping under the crimson sky, and then talking about the great fudge, sold across the aisle, they could have been politicians, with their quick turn of subjects. There were some benches so that folks could sit and listen to the hillbilly music.
The café had a limited menu, and while I ate a bowl of chowder, my ears were bombarded by a salesman who was doing his best (annoyingly) to see every product in his “line” to an apparently gullible client. He went on and on and on, in the cramped space.
I picked up a few things, and Jim bought some fudge which I must admit was some of the finest ever had. In all, the place was overwhelming in a sensorial way. Overcome with the fragrances emanating from everything – cosmetics, spice pads, candles – I needed some fresh air and went outside to sit in a rocker. I was pleasantly enjoying the sight of the huge, round Chrysanthemum balls, hanging all around, and the landscapes of flowers and unique ornamental grasses. Finally, Jim came out with a couple of little bags. He exclaimed that since we spent so much, we had been given a … (drumroll) … a scented candle! I had to laugh. Can you see the irony?
Great place to visit! There are picnic tables and it would be a great idea to bring a lunch. There is also a restaurant on the premises, too gourmet (spicy) to suit me, and prices start at about $14.50.
So, that was our mystery tour for something a little different than usual. Without the map, we would surely have gotten lost. Even with the map, I surely would have gotten lost! Their Halloween decorations were wonderful, and all in all, this place gets a two thumbs up from us. Thanks to Jim’s co-workers who recommended it!
Patricia Cummings
