Day 4: Robert the Recluse

The drive to Robert Frost's home in Franconia, New Hampshire today was full of views that were too gorgeous to be captured on my camera (even though I continue to try). 

I drove north up the Vermont/New Hampshire border and into the White Mountains for two hours. Caffeine and gasoline were both important fuel today. As you can see, my traveling companion and I were getting a bit burnt out from all of the driving. 

After two hours, we realized that we were on dirt roads, surrounded by walls of trees, and mountains were peeking out at us. We began to make "road less traveled" jokes as the car carefully avoided holes.

Finally, we arrived at Frost's house. It is literally in the middle of nowhere. Frost lived in the forest with a stunning view of the White Mountains. He had acres of land which has been turned into a poetry trail. This consisted of Frost's poetry on signs throughout the trail (a 1/4 mile loop). As we walked, the nature and surrounding area completely reflected the sentiment and tone of the poetry that we were taking in. This way of curating literature was unique to me and the backdrop set the tone for what I was reading. 

Poetry Trail

To put in perspective how secluded this spot really is, while on the trail I saw a bear run across the path and up a tree (my parents just read that line and are probably worried, "my daughter was in danger!" but don't worry, my traveling companion had encountered bears before and we took all the safety precautions). I live in a city and have never seen a bear in my life other than in a zoo. Frost was really away from it all.

The Frost home is a humble white building surrounded by small gardens with a big porch. The front of the home faces the white mountains. He lived here from 1915-1920 and wrote some of his most famous poems including "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." 

There were only three rooms open in the Frost home. The home is actually partially occupied and acts as a writers retreat. A reproduction of Frost's writing desk is in his front parlor. He would mostly write here or on his front porch. According to the information on tour, the man experienced many upsetting events in his life including the deaths of his children. He moved to England when his career flourished but then decided that he needed to get away from the city and chose Franconia. 

Items in Front Parlor

Front Parlor Including Reproduction Desk

Frost's Bedroom, Bed Below

Bedroom view, my favorite so far

This museum had a greater impact outside than inside, especially since there isn't an option for a guided tour. I feel that the museum itself is better for the writing conferences, summer poet-in-residence programs, and teacher programs open to the public. It was a great opportunity to see the rooms where Frost worked and lived. The outside, however, is a fantastic way of setting Frost's poetry in a setting that would have directly inspired him.