Nomad Life - Day 15

I woke up at about 0615 this morning and immediately started teleworking.  After two days of eating snacks for breakfast, I thought it was time that I get something more substantial.  So, at 0730, I departed the Motel 6 in Portsmouth and drove across the Piscataqua River (I-95) so I could get some food at a little place I'd seen on the Kittery Rotary called the Bagel Caboose.  It wasn't too busy and I was able to quickly order a Canadian Tuxedo (0740) - I added some orange juice (all to go).  With breakfast in hand, I decided to check out a little harbor to the west of the I-95 bridge (I later learned it was called the Spinney Creek Causeway).  From there (Great Cove Boat Club in Elliot, I got a great view of the bridge and lots of fishing boats.  The weather was much nicer than the previous few days (mid 70s, sunny) and I would have liked to tarry longer,  Instead, I reluctantly returned to the New Hampshire side of the river (via I-95 again) and resumed my work day at the hotel (in my room again by 0755).  For the rest of the morning, I took are of some small projects and had one meeting of importance.  My friend from Lebanon (NH), Joe C., had asked if we could have lunch and I eagerly accepted the offer.  I didn't realize when he mentioned meeting me in Portsmouth that he'd be leaving from his house to visit the Seacoast for the day - that meant he was at the mercy of traffic all the way down I-89, I-93 and NH-16 (US-4) into Portsmouth.  And, he was using an old GPS in his car and it wasn't able to find my hotel.  As a result, our 1230 plans ended up being 1315 (with me jogging across Gosling Road to find him at the McDonalds).  Joe then drove me to one of his favorite lunch spots in the area: the Airfield Cafe in Nort Hampton.  What a great choice!  The restaurant had various RC aircraft models flying overhead (on a track that was continuously moving) - one was even a Navy Trainer, complete with orange and white markings.  Even better, though, was that we got to watch flight training taking place at the Hampton Airfield (a stone's throw away from our table).  The whole place had a great Aviator Vibe and I really enjoyed eating there.  Our lunch was good too (mushroom burger and side salad).  Afterwards, Joe and I went as close to the flight line as we dared and got a front row seat for the action.  Spotting the New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway (located just beyond our parked car), I convinced Joe to take a walk with me for about half a mile.  The weather was still very pleasant and it felt good to get some more rail trail miles.  In this case, the section we were on was close to the 6.5 mile marker - we actually found the southernmost completed part.  Apparently, the next phase (through Hampton) will be completed later in the year.  Satisfied that I had found the parameters of the Greenway since arriving on Sunday, I now know how I might be able to finish walking the rest...  After getting back in the car, Joe drove us back to my hotel, following the crazy GPS - it absolutely had no idea where to go to find my hotel.  Fortunately, I had driven back and forth enough times to guide him.  Along the way, we experienced our first real taste of road rage, which seemed completely ridiculous for the ubiquitous beach traffic in the area.  Oh well - some people just suck...  Joe dropped me off at the Motel 6 by 1515 and I went back to my room for some more teleworking (Joe, meanwhile, went to Odiorne State Park).  I continued working in my hotel room until 1800.  Afterwards, I did some repacking in my car and then got ready for another walk on the New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway.  About 20 minutes later, I left Newington (the area where my hotel was located) and drove to the town of Greenland, looking for a parking lot for the rail trail near the Breakfast Hill Country Club.  I found it at about 1845 and, after locating a nearby mile marker (it said 10.0), decided I should walk north to the place where I turned around on Monday (Banfield Road).  The weather was still wonderful - mid 70s, breezy and clear - and I had a great walk of about two miles north and then two miles back to my car.  In one mile, I walked through the towns of Greenland, Rye, Greenland again and then Portsmouth.  I saw (and heard) lots of birds, encountered local dog-walkers and cyclists and generally enjoyed my time in this rather remote area.  I wrapped up my four mile walk at about 2000 - a good pace - and noticed it wasn't yet dark.  Hoping to find a spot to watch the sunset over the Great Bay (nearby), I drove north to NH-33, crossed the busy road and then made my way along the eastern edge of the bay (on Newington/McIntire Road).  The sun kept slipping below the horizon but the sky was a brilliant orange-red - I wanted to find a parking place so badly but kept getting stymied by private roads, construction at the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge and then the time.  The homes in this area were wonderful, with large lots, pretty designs and amazing waterfront views.  Still, I knew they probably didn't want to share those views and I kept getting my hopes dashed by "private road" signs.  I'd almost given up hope when I found (after taking a chance on Little Bay Road) a private parking lot (with boat launch) near the northern tip of Fox Point.  A sign said I'd be towed if I didn't live there but I quickly clambered down the embankment to the edge of the water and caught a last glimpse of the sun.  By this point, it was very difficult to see much - I could, however, make out the silhouettes of fishing trawlers in the channel.  I don't think they were permanently moored but maybe I'm wrong.  Wistfully, I returned to my car and backtracked towards the Portsmouth International Airport.  Using Nimble Will Road, I returned to civilization and NH-16 - from there, it was just over a stone's throw back to my hotel.  In my room again (2045), I found a good movie to watch, recorded my birding results (three locations today) and got started on packing up my gear.  I went to bed just before 2300.  It's been a great week - I'll be departing tomorrow...