Andover, NH (USA)

Happy Easter, everyone!  I started my day with Mass at St. Helena in Enfield.  This was the first time that they’ve been open for services in over a year and I wanted to try them out, since Sacred Heart has been getting more crowded every week.  I liked the old building, the priest and the local flavor (everyone knew each other) - if they actually stay open, looks this might be a good place to return...  Had about climbing Mount Cardigan (another reason why I was in Enfield) but changed my mind when I reached Canaan (there was too much snow at the summit).  Instead, I used US-4 to reach Grafton and then took gravel roads to Andover.  I saw lots of snow patches along the way and was convinced I’d made the right call by the time I reached the Potter Place Northern Rail Trail Trailhead (0915), where I’d turned around yesterday.  Temps were still in the low 30s but the sun was shining and there weren’t any clouds.  This meant that a t-shirt and light jacket were enough for the elements and I started walking south.  The Andover Historical Society had gone all out with a vintage railroad experience - it felt like I had gone back in time while walking this section because the tracks were still in place.  After leaving Potter Place, I got to enjoy several miles of remote forest with views of the Blackwater River, several ponds and huge fields (some seemed to be turning into quarries).  There were still solid ice patches in (shady) places - Winter is still holding on tightly...  I passed a nice covered bridge and saw a few pretty farms - seemed like a quiet, pleasant area.  There was plenty of evidence that this section was popular with horses - I eventually encountered a pair of women who were enjoying a great day of riding.  It was nearly silent for most of the day - unless I count the happy birds that seemed to be singing constantly (like a sort of white noise).  At one point, I started wondering whether my ears were playing tricks on me because I heard voices but didn’t see any people. It took a bit of investigation but I figured out I was hearing skiers who were coming downhill at the nearby the Proctor Ski Area.  I turned around at Switch Road, just off NH-11 (east of Andover).  Made great time on the return trip and encountered more people: a pair of lady cyclists, a pair of young lady athletes (Spring HS Track?) and an older woman with her HUGE Great Dane.  Was back at my car after nearly seven miles (a bit more than yesterday) by 1130.  The temps had risen into the high 40s and more people were arriving at the trailhead.  On the way home (via I-89), I was treated to some spectacular views of several mountains: Kearsarge, Sunapee and Moosilauke (had to check my map to verify that I truly had the visibility for a peak that far away).  It wasn’t an AT hike but I still felt quite good about my Easter Morning - it’s nice to be able to recharge mind, body and spirit in the space of a few hours.