Katie's Birthday Weekend - Day 2

After my busy evening the previous day, I decided to take my time going home… I started at Katie's (up at 0600) and visited with her, John and their kids.  At 0900, I left Hanover (MA) and drove to Salem, NH (via MA-2, I-93, NH-28).  After some exploration in and around the Tuscan Village (wow), I located parking for the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor (1000).  Unlike most of the other Rail Trails I've found in New Hampshire, part of this one was paved and very popular.  However, the other half of the old rail bed (south of the parking area) wasn’t really accessible.  From what the website said, I should have been able to walk south, from the old train depot, all the way to the MA-NH line.  In reality, there was so much construction associated with the developing Tuscan Village area (and associated infrastructure) that most was impassible (I didn't try to walk it but saw other people attempting it).  Instead, I walked north (paralleling NH-28) until the paved Salem section ended (after about two miles) and the Windham section began.  I continued until I passed the “2 miles left” sign and when backtracked to my car.  The temps were good but it was overcast all morning - I actually got rained on whenever I was in the open areas but was mostly protected under the nice tree cover.  There were lots of bikers out and everyone was in good spirits.  I reached the car at 1300 after walking for about three hours (close to 9 miles) and then the skies opened up - it was pouring!  Very glad that my timing was good.  I’m looking forward to coming back to the area to walk the rest of the Windham section and to tackle the Derry section of the (developing) Granite State Rail Trail.  Brenna called and we talked a lot about her new classroom (first year teaching).  I also picked up lunch at Wendy's nearby (1355).  After that, it started raining a lot more and I was glad to be inside my car.  I drove to Manchester via some back roads (NH-28, NH-111) and I-93.  Even though the Notre Dame Club event I'd planned to attend didn't start for more than an hour later, I arrived in Manchester at around 1500.  Trying to kill time, I explored a bit and then relaxed (and cleaned up) before driving to the New Horizons Soup Kitchen to participate in the planned volunteer opportunity.  Met a lot of nice people and spent about an hour (1700-1800) serving food and cleaning up the kitchen.  Afterwards, I drove home via surface streets, US-3, I-93, NH-3A and I-89.  Altogether, I was able to travel at a very good pace and reached home just after 1900.  Spent the rest of the evening unpacking and relaxing.  Glad to have been able to celebrate my sister's milestone this weekend!

Katie's Birthday Weekend - Day 1

My brother-in-law (John) invited me to my sister, Katie's, 50th Birthday (surprise) party so I made plans to spend most of the weekend in the Boston area.  This morning, I did some cleaning up and organizing in my condo until around 0830.  Then, I drove to West Lebanon and dropped of printer cartridges (0900).  I also picked up limoncello for Katie at the NH Liquor Outlet (0915).  After that, I drove south on I-89 until reaching NH-103 West.  I used NH-114 and US-202 to get to Hillsboro, where I had learned there was another trail on the the NH Rail Trail Challenge list.  I parked at the Deering Fish & Game Club (good lot there) and walked the northern half of the Hillsborough Recreational Trail between the northern terminus (Mill/Bridge Streets, Hillsborough) and the midpoint (crossing of Bennington Depot Road). Had no trouble following the old rail bed during any of my three hour (8 mile) day - except for where the trail crossed into Hillsborough itself.  It then basically tracked into the woods and crossed many private yards until it completely disappeared into a fenced-in EPA Brownfield site.  I was able to guesstimate where it was but had to walk on the road for over a mile to reach the official trailhead.  Not sure if they will ever finish a passable route - meanwhile, it would probably be more accurate to name the Rail Trail after Deering…  Regardless, I still enjoyed remote forest views, passed through pleasant farms, followed the edge of an Airpark’s runway and marveled at the power of the Contoocook River.  Only saw a few people so had lots of time for reflection.  Looking forward to coming back for the southern half!  Mollie had called during my walk, so I called her back after I was finished (1400) and departed towards Massachusetts.  It started raining almost immediately.  I used back roads to reach NH-149 and then switched to NH-114 in South Weare, where I stopped for gas (1425).  I then continued on NH-114 (through Goffstown, where I saw another Rail Trail) until reaching I-293.  Followed that until reaching I-93 - the traffic OK at this point but got much worse just after I passed through Tewksbury.  From there, it was stop/go and lots of frustration for the next hour (plus).  My Google Maps kept telling me I'd be late (I thought the party started at 1600) and I arrived at Town & Country Clubhouse in Kingston at 1635.  Fortunately for me, Katie and John were also running late and I was able to be present when she arrived for the Surprise Party.  We had a great time eating, talking, singing, (etc.) and stayed until almost 2000.  Then I drove Katie home and the whole family convened at the house for talking (and drinking).  I went to bed at close to 2300 after a fun-filled day!

White River Junction, VT (USA)

[went to medical appointment at VA Medical Center in White River Junction (1100-1300)]

Pompanoosuc, VT (USA)

Squeezed in some paddling before the sun went down this evening - 3+ miles on the Ompompanoosuc River between 1830 and 2000.  Made it a bit farther upstream this time (compared to last Summer's visit) but the water was shallower that I expected and I had to portage in a few places.  The current didn’t seem strong at first but I was really fighting it by the time I turned around.  Lots of wildlife out in the gloaming - birds (herons, kingfishers, geese), beavers, muskrats, frogs and fish.  Talked to a fly-fisherman who was out in the middle of the river (but the water was barely above his ankles).  Got my kayak on the car just as it was getting too dark to see.  Made the drive home with all the windows open.  After temps of almost 90 degrees today, this cool "Upper Valley" evening on the water was really sweet!

Hartland, VT (USA)

Woke this morning to discover that the storm wasn’t here yet… Decided to take my chances outside again! After Mass (0800) and a one-hour walk on the Mascoma River Greenway, I drove over to Hartland, VT (I-89, I-91, US-5).  Based on exploration I did over the winter, I thought I’d be able to put my kayak into the Connecticut River right where the Ottauquechee River joins it.  However, I found that someone had installed a new (closed) gate at the access road.  Disappointed, I tried finding parking at a few other places nearby, including the North Hartland Dam Recreation Area (road closed due to flooding) but wasn’t successful.  I almost gave up and went home… But then I noticed another, inconspicuous, gravel road near the US-5 bridge across the Ottauquechee - it followed the river and passed through cornfields but didn’t have any warning/posted signs.  Decided to act like I knew what I was doing and launched my kayak (1050)… The weather was Jekyll & Hyde (sunny, windy, overcast, cool and warm at the same time) - I guess the edge of the storm was reaching the area.  Keeping an eye on the conditions, I paddled downriver towards the lower dam at the two covered bridges next to I-91.  At times, the water was smooth as glass.  There were lots of birds: several kinds of ducks (I believe I saw some Common Mergansers), herons and hawks.  More interesting (or disturbing?) was that I encountered at least two dead beavers.  Their bodies were swelled up and floated very easily - I’m guessing someone wanted them off their land… The river had several large islands and I took my time exploring channels on both sides of each.  I didn’t see anyone else on the river but there were boats & “floaties” on land in a few places.  After about 1.5 hours of paddling (got my upper body tired again), I left the water (storm clouds looking more ominous), loaded up my kayak and headed towards Hanover (1220).  Drove north on US-5 until I was able to access I-91 - from there, I used I-89 to get home (arrived at around 1315).  All the way, I kept thinking about how it would be great to live with this kind of isolated river section in my back yard!  Like so many things I've discovered around here, today’s activity is worth repeating! 

Cornish, NH (USA)

With Hurricane Henri setting his sights on New England, I’m trying to pack as much outdoor activity into my weekend as possible. First event: I finished the Sugar River Rail Trail, starting at the parking lot on NH-103 and walking the 4ish mile crescent to the northeast until I reached the terminus in Newport.  Used the same route for my backtrack.  Really only saw ATVs today - very few people wanted to bike or walk, I guess.  Started at 0915 and finished at 1215, mostly beating the heat of the day and avoiding precipitation.  Logged over 8 miles on flat, pleasant gravel and enjoyed the sounds of the river throughout my journey.  Hoping I’ve still got a few more hours of good weather left (there was still fun stuff to do!), I drove west to Claremont and got on NH-120.  After a short drive, following several hand-made signs, I found the location of the Cornish Fair (around 1300).  It was quite crowded and business on the Midway was booming!  Watched lots of proud young people (especiall 4-H members) showing off their prize animals (cows, sheep, horses, chickens) - there was so much variety in each breed.  I cheered on cattle teams pulling huge loads - the handlers whispered in their ears and away they went.  Watched a country band and a comedy show - the positivity was infectious!  There were also lots of impressive exhibits of with amazing produce, artwork and photography.  The heat was a bit harsh but I’m going to plan to my visit better next year - definitely work a return trip!  Left at around 1500 and drove home (via NH-120), arriving about 30 minutes later.  So far, so good with avoiding nasty tropical weather - hoping to be lucky again tomorrow...

Wilder, VT (USA)

After a week of sweltering temps, today saw pleasant 70s!  It’s taken longer for my old body to recover from the last few AT hikes, so I decided to take it easy - I spent the morning walking on a trail I found that paralleled US-5, just across the Connecticut River from where I live.  It started at the Dothan Brook School and ended at the village line for Wilder, VT.  Highlights: meeting several nice people; passing historic old homes; getting the radar gun in town to register my 3 or 4 mph (!); watching soccer games; exploring the King Arthur Baking Company (est. 1790) “campus”.  Logged about 3.5 miles (0945-1100). I later drove a short distance to Kilowatt Park and launched my kayak at the landing.  From there, I paddled upriver (into the wind) about two miles until I reached the Ledyard Bridge (connects Norwich, VT to Hanover, NH).  I returned to the landing at a much slower pace, resting and enjoying the scenery & slow current.  Highlights: talking to fishermen and other boaters; watching the Dartmouth students (recently returned) seizing the day; racing a motorboat full of kids to the bridge pilings and winning (they may not have realized we were in competition); watching an AT Thru hiker taking selfies of himself at the NH/VT marker (he didn’t see me); exhausting my upper body for a change.  Paddled about 4 miles (1130-1315).  I’m tired now but am really glad I was able to spend the day outside - perfect New England day!

Enfield, NH (USA)

Took a nice walk this morning after Mass (0800) in Lebanon.  Completing a walk that I'd started earlier in the summer, I explored the northern half of the Old Route 10 Bikeway (in Enfield, between I-89 Exits 15 & 16) and logged about three miles on an hour (0900-1000).  Got great views of Whaleback - it made me think of winter… Hadn’t expected to have to climb any hills but was pleasantly surprised to find some - I should return to this place before each future climb in the Whites!

Franconia, NH (USA)

Since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to climb Mount Lincoln (5089’) and Mount Lafayette (5260’), both on the Franconia Ridge.  The AT crosses both peaks and I thought I could kill two birds with one stone.  Of course, this meant I’d have to use one of the trails from the lot on I-93 (east side, 1450’) to get up there… I’ve learned that early birds are the only hikers who get a parking space in the Franconia Notch, I departed my condo at 0600, hoping to be one of them.  I used I-89, US-4, NH-118, NH-25 and I-93 because was concerned about large crowds all the way (Canaan and Lincoln) - fortunately, I arrived in time (0730).  One of the AMC (or Franconia State Park) volunteers told me that the best way to hike these peaks (“to avoid falls on the way down”) was to climb via the Falling Waters Trail, hike the AT NOBO and descend via the Greenleaf Trail & Bridle Path (in other words, counterclockwise loop).  Despite the steep climbing that appeared to result from such a plan, I took his advice (along with almost everyone else who left civilization when I did) and started my hike (0745).  Temps were initially in the low 60s and it was overcast.  I’d used Falling Waters Trail (blue blazed) previously and remembered it as steep and mentally challenging - perhaps such foreknowledge wasn’t a good thing because it seemed harder than last time (ugh).  I stopped a LOT on the way up and, at several points, questioned the wisdom of the whole plan for the day.  My 50+ year old body protested in nearly every way it could, demanding that my brain acquiesce to the temptation to head back to the car.  Lots of young people passed me - it actually felt like the Peloton catching a failed breakaway - I but I caught almost all of them when they took THEIR many breaks.  We commiserated about our difficulties and reveled (it’s all we had) in the game of “Leap Frog” we were playing all day.  Very few people were descending via this route.  Somehow, I managed to reach the summit of Little Haystack Mountain (4800’) and took a longer break there to psych myself up for the daunting climb of Mount Lincoln to the north.  I put on a light jacket (a cold wind was blowing) and managed to start my (woefully short) AT section (NOBO).  The trail was just as steep as it was on Falling Waters but I quickly realized that the image of the goal (peak) helped me keep moving, even if my eyes were checking my footing almost all the time.  It was a shame not to feel pleasure in the spectacular views I had on the treeless ridge but a ranger had (unhelpfully) warned several of us about an approaching thunder storm - this added pressure to get done (“get-there-itis”) that I’d wanted to avoid…  I was passed by some NOBO Thru hikers who looked just as exhausted as I was, even after hiking 1800+ miles from Georgia.  I made it to the top of Lincoln (no sign but Guthook confirmed it) and then had to deal with a large descent, a short climb, a short descent and (finally) a HUGE climb to the summit of Lafayette.  I made it to my goal, though - I’m sure it was 99% mental because my desire not to maroon another AT section completely overrode everything else (I had cramps in leg muscles that have never complained).  I rested and ate on the peak for almost 30 minute and, seeing Greenleaf Hut 1.1 miles and what looked like thousand(s) of feet below, I started downhill towards I-93.  The Greenleaf Trail was very steep but I no longer felt the strain of stepping uphill so often.  As I descended, the sun was shining and temps had climbed into the high 70s - I was very glad to reach the tree line again just before I arrived at the Hut.  I looked around inside but decided against another break - soon, I was walking downhill on the Old Bridle Path (yellow blazed).  From what the volunteers in the valley had told me, this trail was supposed to be better for footing - I call “fake news”!  I saw far more slippery granite slabs (with no handholds) than made me comfortable and I nearly face planted multiple times.  One of these slips was epic - I managed to avoid falling altogether by leaning forward, with my feet windmilling underneath, until I found myself upright again.  The price for this “save” was some painful Charlie-horses but, at least, I had my pride because there were witnesses!  I did some more leapfrogging with familiar faces and talked to optimistic hikers coming uphill - the contrast in mental state of starters vs. finishers was stark.  Best moment of the descent: a view of most of the Franconia Ridge that included all the terrain from Lafayette to Liberty (wow!).  Otherwise, I just focused on my footing and tried to resist the urge to predict my completion time…  One of the people who passed me was a young guy with a bunch of boxes tied on his back - He was apparently one of the Hut staff-members and was taking food up the mountain - until today, I'd only heard about them.  Just before I reached the end of my hike, a small rain squall dropped water on me - fortunately, it’s impact was dampened by the thick tree canopy.  I made it to the car at 1515 after completing over 11 of the toughest miles I can imagine.  Oh wait, there’s more AT hiking left in the Whites - maybe I can find something *more* difficult… Took my usual route home through Haverhill (I-93, NH-141, NH-18, Wells Road, NH-116, NH-10, River Road, NH/VT-25, I-91) and started plotting my next AT adventure!  AT Today = 1.7 miles / Grand Total AT = 1843.8 miles / AT Left = 341.5 miles / NH 4000 Footer #8 and #9 of 48

Franconia, NH (USA)

The weather was great yesterday but I slept too late to guarantee a parking spot in one of the WMNF lots.  Instead, I'd stayed home and "took it easy."  This morning, I was up much earlier and made it (via I-91, VT/NH-25, River Road, NH-10 and NH-116) to the Reel Brook Trail WMNF parking lot at around 0815.  It was overcast (rain was forecast) and temps were in the 50s (nice).  Within 15 minutes, was on my way into the woods.  I’d “marooned” a short section on Kinsman Ridge the last time I was here (June 19) and that forced me to hike three miles of Reel Brook (out *and* in) in addition to the roughly two miles of AT I needed to complete (and then add the backtrack).  Reel Brook wasn’t too tough and I made great time to the AT intersection. I was feeling good at that point - I estimated about an hour to the summit of Wolf Mountain and another hour back to Reel Brook Trail.  As usual, though, the Whites kicked my @$$…  Headed SOBO, wasn’t so much the elevation change or the distance (although it was an almost continuous climb from my car), it was the deep mud and *standing water* (!) that I encountered.  Every step had the possibility of slips, trips and loss of a boot.  It was mentally exhausting to try to calculate the best route for so many hours (yes, it took longer than two).  Along the way, I passed a large crowd of NOBO weekend backpackers who seemed pretty happy (can’t imagine why; were they high?).  During my short time going south, I also passed 10 NOBO Thru hikers (and two SOBO day hikers when they stopped for a break).  I turned around at the sign for the view at Mount Wolf (like during my last visit, I didn’t check out the actual view) and started my backtrack - thankfully, it was mostly downhill…. Thru hikers #9 and #10 (young couple) played leap frog with me during the early part of the descent but they eventually fell far behind, probably due to obstacles that didn’t affect me and my day-pack.  I wasn’t in a particularly chatty mood all day but made an effort to greet people whenever I passed them.  The lowlight of the day came when I asked Thru hiker #7 (a middle aged, red headed lady) how she was doing - she snapped at me about “why I’d ever ask how she was doing during a difficult hike with a big backpack.”  I’ll admit, I was speechless - maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised by such a reaction but this is the first time that any other hiker has bitten my head off for an innocent comment I made.  I tried not to let it bother me and got far enough ahead of her that she never saw me turn off the AT at the Reel Brook Trail intersection.  From there, it was just me and the trees (much quieter)… I reached my car just after 1345, having completed a hike of over 10 miles without any rain - it started on my way home.  I retraced my steps via NH-116, NH-10, River Road, NH/VT-25 and I-91 - I got gas at Irving in Hanover at 1500 and was some soon after that.  The AT distance today was short but I now have completed a long, continuous section of the trail (between US-19E in Roan Mountain, TN and Little Haystack Mountain on Franconia Ridge, NH) that measures 1425.1 miles!  Hoping the weather (and my body) cooperates to add some more distance to that in 2021... AT Today = 1.9 miles / Grand Total AT = 1842.1 miles / AT Left = 343.2 miles