Day 10 - Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Today is Thursday and the end of our excursion. As I type we are sitting in Boston's infamous traffic. Not home just yet so I'll reflect on the past few hours.

With money dictating the amount of time we spend up in the clean air of the mountains, and the hassle of switching tent sites, since someone had booked site 16A for a thursday arrival, we got up this very wet morning to start packing. It seems our tent had also gotten tired of fending off the mountain rain and fog. Overnight we had drenching and distant thunder. Puddles started to form in the tent by the corners of the windows. Solemnly I pack up our damp bedding (can't wait to sleep on dry sheets with dry blankets), and tried to sort our clothes and gear. Next came disassembling the tent and rain proofing tarps covered in wet sand and leaves. Destroying the many new homes of extremely large daddy-long-legs, a big fat juicy earthworm, and a quick little salamander.

Everything packed and loaded into the truck we checked out begrudgingly. I half heartedly joked with the friendly lady behind the counter about not wanting to leave and if they were hiring. My answer from her was, "Well actually, can you work the front desk?"  Oh so tempting, at a drop of a hat I would jump at it if Alex could get a job up there too.

We weren't giving up on the mountains just yet. Since home is so close we had time to play and explore more.

Breakfast at Glen Junction again, if you haven't tried it I totally recommend it. Warning the pancakes don't fit on the plate. Sneak through the back roads and bypass the tourist traffic on route 16 through the Conways, and onto the Kancamangus to Lincoln. Refuel; diesel and red bull. Now off to find Tripoli Road, a dirt "Highway" that winds through between Mount Osceola and Mount Temescula into Waterville Valley. 

From Waterville Valley we explored route 3 south to Plymouth, New Hampton, and eventually Meredith where we grabbed the major highway south towards home.

Thats it for this summer's major adventures. Maybe a few local adventures in the next week. Thanks for reading!

Day 9 - Finding New Roads

The White Mountains always seems to have a surprise up its sleeves. No matter how many times I come I find new roads to travel. We all know I love roads, especially dirt ones or ones less traveled. 

Todays trip took us up Mt Clinton road, though paved it would be less bumpy if it was dirt. Not much to see but it winds around Mount Clinton eventually crossing Base Camp Road and onto Mount Jefferson Road. The signs here are unclear, a Jeep and Bocx Truck X-ed out, underneath it says No Unauthorized Vehicles. But the map shows parking lots for the hiking trails. So we took it. Nice dirt road that follows a river, nice climbs and turns. And eventually we reached this sign.

Thats 154 feet higher than the highest point on the Kancamangus. 

From the other side of Mt Jefferson Road we followed Route 2 up into Lancaster by Santa's Village of which brought back childhood memories. We ventured further north into New Hampshire in areas we've never explored. Route 3 north to route 110 also known as Stark highway. A more country look of New Hampshire where the mountain get smaller but still substantial in size. Following a river like most New Hampshires main roads do and along a rail road line.

This whole trip our eyes were open for moose sitings. Along this route was no different. We passed over a river, then a swampy area, on the other side was a field bordered by woods and against the bright green of the field I spotted a dark animal. With seemingly long legs, big body and long neck this large animal was grazing on meadow grass. "Moose" I said and Alex found a spot to turn around for another look. Sure enough, with my luck, it was a Cow. Hah!

Back on the road laughing about it we followed 110 into Berlin. An old mill town that looked as though it once seen better days. I found this informative link recalling Berlin's history. http://www.berlinnh.gov/pages/berlinnh_webdocs/berlinhistory

Just driving through you can really feel the rise and fall of this city by its surroundings. 

From the City of Berlin we went into Gorham only eight miles away. I stopped and browsed in an up and coming bead store, and a great general/gift store. We then headed down through Pinkhams Notch and back into North Conway for some more people watching and dinner.

After dinner a quick trip up Hurricane Mountain Road and back. If your not familiar with this road two words describe it; roller coaster. Its only about five miles long. Two tight switch backs and many hills that you can't see the bottom of, some turn but you can't really tell until the last second. Blind curves, drops, and whoomps, add frost a heave filled pavement and you have the right ingredients to mimic an old wooden rickety roller coaster. So its alway a cheap thrill across and back. I did manage to get this photo of a stone house before you get to the hairy part of the road. 

After Hurricane Mountain Road went back up into Pinkhams Notch parked at the visitors center and hiked a short trail across the street. We crossed over the marsh and ponds via a wooden walkway much like the bog walk at Ponkapoag Pond. Then into a very dark forest moist with the day's periodic rain showers, and dark with the shadows of the mountains from the setting sun.

Just about twenty feet into the trail that read Ladies Lookout, I had started climbing the large natural stones that lead up the steep trail. I turned to look at Alex an on my next step there was a very loud "Woooshhh" sound from above. Almost that of a plane just above the trees with no engine. It was weird and eerie, not that of a bird but that of turbulent wind over head, and it sounded large. We both looked at each other an exclaimed, "what the hell was that?!" Of course I have my own theories of what it may have been.

The photos below are from the hike.

Christina P

w - www.dragonscaleminiatures.com

Photos - Bar Harbor

Day 8 - Diana's Baths

We've been getting up late and starting our days later. Today we got breakfast at Glen Junction. Great food there. Then went to Diana's Baths. What a wonderful place and worth the half mile trek in the woods to get there. Many levels of falls both natural and man made. Once home to a saw mill, some remnants still remain. Cold mountain waters mix with the sun warmed rocks, glacial potholes and flumes. There was even a four meter deep hole that this german kid kept plunging into and bringing back rocks from the bottom. Unfortunately I left my camera back in the car, there were many great photo opportunities. Along with the falls, there were many awesome kinds of mushrooms and fungus along the trail that I would have loved to get pictures of. Its ok though since I know we'll be back. It must be amazing in the winter covered with snow and ice.

We then sat in North Conway for a bit, people watching. Had some Ben & Jerrys and some pizza (in that order).

I managed to get a few photos of the train station with the sunset behind.

Day 7 - Jackson Falls

No photos for day seven, sorry. Just an average day, we had some laundry to do. We explored a dirt road off of Bear Notch road. Then headed back into Conway for some stuff to make sandwiches. I showed Alex Dundee Road, a dirt road I found with my mom a few weeks ago that lead into Jackson. We picnicked on the tailgate of the truck over looking the Jackson Falls. And as the sun was getting low in the sky we played in the falls for a bit. Before making our way back to camp via Glen Ledge Road.

Our friend the fox returned but not for nearly as long. We think he was spooked by the dog in the next campsite. Or he really didn't like the old hot dog bun we threw out for him. Instead of eating it in front of us like last time, he took a piece and ran into the woods, took another piece and did the same, until something really spooked him and he took off for good. He may have come back when the camp got quiet, as there was no food left the next morning.

Day 6 - Mt Washington Hotel

We rolled into Crawford Notch Camp Ground at around 5, rainy foggy and humid. Knowing we didn't have a rain fly for our tent we headed into town to grab some tarps and some more supplies.

After a soggy night at camp we awoke refreshed to an overcast day. Made breakfast got a good shower and headed out just to relax.

Our travels then brought us to the Mount Washington hotel. I seem to be drawn to there and Alex just likes people watching. I ventured into the ladies room and had to take this picture. Nice new windows that the vines have decided to grow through. You can see there were more but have been clipped. Later I found flower vases on the table containing the same type of vine plant. Hmm... looks like a bit of in house gardening going on, roots and all.

We then headed out onto the new wing roof/patio that over looks the pool. Where I caught this photo of Alex as he contemplated something serious.

Next we moved inside to the first floor rear verandah, now enclosed it has nice wicker furniture with fluffy pillows. We put our feet up here for a while and people watched. I spent some time catching up on my blog, then accidentally deleted it.

A photo of Alex just relaxing

Then we went upstairs using the hundred and nine year old Otis Elevator, recently refurbished. I asked the nice elevator operator about the history of the elevator. The five minute wait for it just to go up one floor was worth it.

On the lobby floor we sat inside of the round sitting room in over-sized wicker furniture where Alex did some more contemplating. I think he was thinking about changing the decor in this giant mansion we just bought, as he hates pillows.

After much deep thinking, and watching the very interesting guest of a wedding get drinks on the Veranda Bar, we too decided it was only appropriate to end our evening at the Mount Washington Hotel with a beer. We moved on outside to the Veranda and got ourselves a beer as we watched Mt Washington disappear behind a veil of clouds.

Below is a clouded view of Mt Washington from the Veranda.

After relaxing at the Mount Washington hotel we made our way to Sugar Hill New Hampshire, to hopefully catch the sunset. My mother had told me about parking spot on a hill where you could see all of the Whtw Mountains. We got up there and there was no place to park, and the overlook was grown in with summer foliage. The only reason I knew we found the spot was the sight seeing binoculars that take coins to see.

We the headed back to camp to cook the food we bought the night before. On the ride back down Sugar Hill I took this photo.

After we cooked dinner and chatted by the campfire we got a sweet little visitor that was very fond of cheddar cheese potato chips, CRUNch crunch crunch crunch. He even laid down a few times to munch away in front of us.

Day 5 - We're Outta Here

After our nice way too eerily quiet but dry overnight in the cabin we woke up rather late and headed off to our favorite destination.

Along the way following route 2 westward from Bangor we passed through Mexico before coming to the old mill town of Rumford Maine. 

We stopped here for a quick look at the falls that power the hydro electric plant there. The power of the water was amazing. We were already feeling better about out trip. 

Even from far away you could feel the rush of energy from the falls in the photo above.

The falls below reminded me of some water slide rushing around the corner.

 

Even Alex wanted to try his luck at going down the falls in a canoe. (below)

Then we each took photos Mr Paul Bunyon.

After this stop we continued onto Crawford Notch Campground.

Day 4 - Quick stop Molunkus Maine Where?

Well after a night in a nice hotel we headed off to Molunkus Maine, in the pouring rain. Hand drawn map in hand to a cabin in the woods. After finally finding it we realized how remote it was. Its right on route 2, only a couple of yards from the road, but 30 minutes to any type of civilization.

Unfortunately it is a vacation resort for numerous breeds of larger sized mosquitos, that now have many pints of blood. The rain didn't make things any better. To boot there is no running water or electricity. I don't mind going back to basics, but not preparing ahead of time (ie bringing fresh water) or propane for the lanterns that the cabin is piped for.  It also was way too hot and humid for getting the wood stove going to cook on, or heat water for a shower.

Although it may have been a free place to stay we stayed one night because we were miserable.  I think it'd be nice if we prepared ahead of time and the weather was cooler. 

We wanted to check out Baxter State Park but when we found out that it is closed to motorcycles we were completely turned off.

The next morning we packed up our things, repaired the door to the cabin. Someone had previously kicked the door in and broke the wood on the casing. I wouldn't have felt right leaving it unlocked, so a tube of epoxy and many screws. I got a workout with no power drill to make the job easy. Many vials of blood donated to the mosquitos later we were off to someplace we know we both enjoy.

Day 3 - Part 3 - Quoddy Head Light.

On the way back to route one we took a quick detour to see Quoddy Head lighthouse

Met a nice lady there from just next door Westwood Mass, she worked at the visitor center and moved up to Maine 8 years earlier and loves it. 

Seeing pictures of Puffins everywhere I had to ask where is the best place to view them. Answer on some little Island that you need to charter a boat to. Thumbs down Boo! 

Another few hours of driving brought us to Calais Maine. The further north we went the crappier the surroundings got. Downpours didn't help with shedding light on the scenes. If there was nice scenic views we couldn't see them. Winging it we had a hard time finding an affordable place to bunk for the night. Eventually we rolled into Houlton ME just after sun down. Grabbed dinner from McDonalds and headed southbound on 95 to Millinockett for the night. Long day of traveling ended with a comfortable bed and shower at the Kahadin Inn.

Fwd: Day 3 - Part 2 - Lubeck

After a few hours of driving we stopped in Lubec Maine to wave to Canada. Maybe next time we'll cross that bridge, because this time my passport is expired. I got a few nice pictures there before heading to the next spot.

Other side of the bridge in the photo below is Canada.

Continued...

Day 3 - Maine - Part 1

We packed up camp early, as the fog rolled in and out of the campground off of the harbor below. A humid hot and damp morning. I wanted to get morning fog photos of the islands in Bar Harbor but the fog was too dense to see anything.

We turned around and headed for the best restaurant in Bar Harbor, Mainely Meat. By far the BEST pulled pork I have ever had. Not smothered in a bbq sauce, it was still moist and very flavorful. It reminded me of my mother's roast pork loin, Yumm. Paired with three HUGE blue berry pancakes, needless to say I had a happy belly.

North on good ole route 1 is the direction we headed. Stopped at a place that was called Tidal Falls. Pretty area but I think because it was low tide there were no "Falls". But I did manage to get some good fog pictures here.

Continued...