Andover, NH (USA)

I’ve been sidelined from “real” hiking for a few weeks and, just when I started feeling more like myself, the weather didn’t seem to want to cooperate...  Undeterred, and itching for a longer stretch of my legs, I headed back down (via I-89 and NH-11) to (East) Andover to resume my White River Junction to Boston trek on the Northern Rail Trail.  Got started (northbound) from a parking area next to Highland Lake (just off NH-11) at around 0930 - temps were good but the air was misty and damp.  The railroad ties and some spikes were visible (still in place) for almost a mile.  I passed an interesting sign about “one long whistle” that I assume referenced a nearby cemetery.  In a few places, I got great views of Kearsarge Mountain.  I was also treated to the continuous sounds of the “peepers” and red-winged-blackbirds in/above the ponds along the trail.  Uncertain about how long I might get outside before the forecasted rain arrived, I walked only about two miles - I managed to reach Switch Road, where I turned around last time, without any problem.  During my backtrack, I started to see people: bikers, joggers, moms with kids.  Back near my car, I saw several fishermen and boaters - I also passed a rod & gun club with large crowds of sportsmen (and some decoy deer in the middle of the trail).  Decided to keep walking and ended up going almost as far in a southbound direction as what I’d walked the other way.  The pleasant sounds of Sucker Brook followed me most of the way - the NRT got pretty far away from paved roads in this section.  I didn’t make it to the Town Line, like I’d hoped - started backtracking as a light rain began just after I passed Hoyt Road (I was actually crossing underneath the NH-11 nearby).  Ran into two older gentlemen who gave me an idea of where I could park during my next visit (near Webster Lake).  We talked for a while about the Friends of NRT Foundation (Merrimack County) and exchanged information about the trail conditions on either end of the NRT (they hadn’t walked the trail west of Danbury).  Walked towards the car as quickly as I could - the rain got stronger but I had tree cover most of the way.  Arrived at the parking lot by 1245 (after almost 8 miles).  Returned home via NH-11 and I-89.  Felt good and (maybe?) ready for an AT hike again!