FALL FOLIAGE TRIP 2017
Day 1 - Flew to Boston MA.
This New England trip has been in the planning for quite a while. So many suggestions, so little time. Boston was the first order of business to get some good clam chowder and seafood to kick off our trip. We stayed at the Hyatt on Lafayette, great walking location. Had the best clam chowder at Legal Crossing (LX) along with stuffed squash blossoms (what?) and scallops, another fav.
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| Wow! Rich clam Chowder! Yum! |
Day 2 - We hit the streets of Boston.
We spent a day walking the city around Boston Commons and the Massachusetts State House but eventually found our way to the North End for some Italian food. It was interesting to see the diversity in another time and how it has evolved.
This chart reveals the detail that I find so interesting. No, I have not researched my family ancestry, at least not yet. But I am mesmerized by historical information that I should know, but do not know because I didn't pay attention in school. Oh well, at least I read a lot of novels and enjoyed them all!
Later we headed to the North End of course. We could smell the Italian food long before we arrived. Most restaurants had their doors and windows open to the street making it really nice to feel the cool air and to people watch. Went to Bricco for wine then Mother Anna's for home cooked Italian. Manicotti's and Chicken Viennsa (artichoke/mushroom) was delightful! We ate here on our last trip to Boston 10 years ago and still has the best homemade red sauce I have ever had. Its really best to make a reservation here in the Italian district, but we tend to just take it as it comes. Then on to Modern Pastry for dessert. We waddled back to our hotel.
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| The desserts here looked like art! And tasted even better. We had a lobster tail, but the sweet kind (not the savory). |
Thursday, October 12th, 2017 after walking to breakfast we packed up to drive to Gorham, NH. Using Air B&B, we rented a loft (garage apartment) in a beautiful wooded area with custom homes and fall foliage. We are getting excited for our hiking adventure there in the Mount Washington area. According to the locals we may missed the peak color time, but it was still inspiring. Had dinner in town at Mountain Fire Pizza and it was decent.
Day 4 - We awoke to a beautiful day of sunshine
Friday, October 13th, 2017 we visited the ranger station to plan out our days here. We decided to drive the 8 miles up Mt. Washington which is considered the most spectacular color in the New England area this time of year! We agree. Took more photos that I can even count on the way up (and back down).
Spectacular color! Arrival at the top was surprisingly cold due to 30 mph winds with major gusts that could know you off your feet. We toured the Tip Top House built in the 1850's, and it was a resort back then. Everything is so small in size. even though other buildings have been built, this small house is still used from time to time. It sleeps 12 in 3 tier bunks. Presently there is a Summit building with a snack bar and museum and a weather observatory. You can ride round trip on this mountain on a cog rail that looks intimidating. There are also cars you can rent to drive down once you have hiked up this rocky 6,288 ft peak. But make a reservation.
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| Sights along the way up Mt. Washington. |
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| This drive was even a little scary, and not for the faint of heart. You could actually drive right off the mountain if you are not paying attention. And you absolutely have to cool your brakes! |
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| This isn't even peak autumn color, we missed it by a couple of weeks. But still beautiful.
This scenic 112 Route has beautiful waterfalls as well. We finally took in our first hike, a 3 mile trip to Mount Willard with stunning views at the peak. Thankfully we brought our hiking boots for traversing the rocks.
After dinner we drive into town and had dinner at The Red Parka, a steakhouse and tavern. Good dinner with seafood, steak and a southern waitress!
Day 5 - Mount Washington
We decided to get out early so we could hike Mt Washington today. It is 8 miles round trip, or so we thought. It was 48 degrees when we began, so we bundled up preparing for the cold. The trail was steep and rocky but definitely well traveled. After about 2 miles in we noticed a change in terrain. The rocks became larger and larger, even boulders. We climbed and scrambled on all fours just to stay safe on this trail. There were ledges and overhangs that were intimidating, but we either had to go up or back down.
After 4 miles I was wondering why my fit bit mileage was off because we were not approaching the exposed mountain top with no end in sight to this trail due to fog. We stopped numerous times from exhaustion but kept going as other hikers were passing us. This is one of the first times I felt like quitting, which is funny since there is no such thing on a mountainside in the wind and fog. I love fog and the way it slowly settles in around the landscape. But today it was almost annoying.
This "hike" was really more of a climb. Maybe we got off the trail somewhere a long the way, but eventually we made it to the top. With the cold weather setting in and the wind, we knew there wasn't enough time to hike back down before dark. So we found a nice family who had driven up, and they graciously let us ride with them back down. We were disappointed, frustrated and even a little embarrassed, but our hiking research skills will improve after this hike.
Our Air b&b loft. It was wonderful!
   
This cairn was the only indication that we were on the right track.
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