The forecast for this morning made me reconsider hiking the AT. Instead, I decided to check out an area that I usually pass on NH-116: Forest Lake. I ate breakfast at the hotel (0700). Then relaxed and read in my room. Departed Gorham by 1000 and drove west on US-2. Once on NH-116, I explored some trailheads on the way to Whitefield. After passing through town, I stopped for some kayaking at Forest Lake. Spent about an hour in a clockwise circuit - it was nice but the wind really picked up at the end. From the northwest corner, you can see almost all the High Peaks of the Whites! Pretty hard to avoid thoughts of “Cabin Porn” as I paddled by dozens of awesome vacation homes - gotta get me one of those! After getting kayak back on the car, I drove a short distance around the lake until I located Forest Lake State Park. It turned out to be a free beach and I thought about staying for a while. However, one of my sandals broke and I was antsy to get home. Next time! Got back to NH-116 and drove to Littleton. Got on I-93 and took it all the way to I-91. Used the Interstate to get all the way back to Norwich/Hanover, arriving at my condo by 1415. Glad I didn't spend the whole day sweating in the woods - it was nice to be on the water!
