New Hampshire

Bob and I managed to avoid the giant rainstorm that flooded much of the east coast this week. We did spend three hours driving in it, and got soaked setting up at our campsite in Ashland, NH, but it was short lived. The humid warm weather has gone away and now we have much cooler weather. It was 38 degrees one morning!

New Hampshire is a lovely state. It has lots of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, hiking, camping, lakes, forests, charming little towns, covered bridges, inns and restaurants, and the people seem very nice. Even the drivers are polite. Too bad about that winter weather because this state has many of the things I’m looking for in a new home.

Bob and I visited some of the top NH attractions this week. We did a tough but worthwhile hike in Franconia Notch State Park that brought us to a granite mountaintop overlooking a colorful forest and valley. We also did the harrowing drive to the top of Mt. Washington, the highest peak on the east coast. It was a sunny day, with only a light breeze so we lucked out. The highest wind ever recorded in the world was at this peak in 1932 – 231 mph. The private road is very steep, has no guardrails and is barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass, but the view from the top is spectacular. I don’t know why they don’t spend some of the admission fees on guardrails. It certainly would be worth it.

We drove the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest. This road is famous for fall colors and the “leaf peepers” are definitely out and about. The leaves are starting to change here and the hillsides have an orange and pink cast to them, especially at the higher elevations. I hope we will get to see some flaming red hills before we leave the northeast.

Moulton Farm in Meredith, NH, was a really fun stop on our tour around Lake Winnipesakee (gorgeous lake). We went through their corn maze, bought pastry and veggies and admired the many types of pumpkins and gourds they grow. We also spent several hours at the Canterbury Shaker Village. This settlement began in the late 1700s and lasted until the last elder died in 1993. Now there are only 3 Shakers left and they live in Maine. I visited the Maine village a few years and was really happy that I could now introduce Bob to this fascinating group. They were great inventors and craftspeople.

Tomorrow we are off to explore Vermont, and will be spending five days near Burlington.