Day 3 & 4 - NH to Ogdensburg, NY

Don speaks:

Wednesday was hiking day in New Hampshire's White Mountains.  Weather forecast called for sunny and 80 degrees.  Linda wanted to see some waterfalls and I was in the mood for a beaver stream and a mountain pond.  As luck would have it, both were available in the White Mountains National Forest about 15 miles from our campground.  We got underway at the crack of noon and headed for Glen Ellis Falls.

Glen Ellis Falls are just a couple miles from Mt. Washington on Rt. 16.  We parked on the east side of the road and walked through the pedestrian tunnel to get to the stream on the other side.  I wondered if the local wildlife had figured out that this tunnel is a much safer way to cross the road.  We didn't run into any deer, moose or bears.  Maybe we should have gone back at night and done a critter stake-out. 

The path to the Falls was short and somewhat steep,  but the forest sprites made it easy by putting in 152 stone steps and a hand rail.  Once at the bottom, the falls were beautiful.  They tumbled 66 feet from the stream above into a beautiful pool at the base.  The water was as clear as glass as it continued its way on down the mountain.  I wonder how many other sites in the White Mountains are similar to this, but with no steps or handrails? 

When we finished admiring the falls, it hit Linda that she would have to climb back up those 152 steps.  I let her know that I would be behind her, cheering all the way.  I don't think she was too impressed by my support.  We got started and, to my surprise, she sprinted from the bottom step to the top.  NOT!  However, she did get back up with only a few rest stops and groans.  About then, I was getting hungry and suggested going somewhere to eat our lunch.  Linda needed another waterfall fix and cast her vote for the Crystal Cascade near the Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center. 

The path to the Crystal Cascade starts behind the Visitor's Center.  It's a gentle, rocky walk beside another one of the clear mountain streams that run through much of the White Mountain National Forest.  The soothing sounds from the stream made an interesting counterpoint to the grumbling of my stomach as we headed toward the second waterfall of the day.  I didn't have long to wait as the bridge over the Cascade came into view after about 10 minutes of walking. 

The Crystal Cascade is a series of small waterfalls descending over a few hundred yards of stream.  The sound is delightful bringing to mind a number of different-sized crystal wine glasses being tapped with small silver spoons.  The many pools formed by the chain of small falls looked like ideal trout habitats and I would have loved to try my luck at catching our lunch.  However, I made do with the ham and swiss sandwich that Lin had packed.  Our seats on the rocks overlooking the stream were perfectly positioned for enjoying the view.  Entertainment was provided by a red squirrel that really wanted something to eat, but wasn't quite brave enough to take the Tostito out of my hand.

Fortified with the wilderness lunch, it was time for the long distance hike of the day to the Lost Pond somewhere across the road from the Visitor's Center.  We knew that this jaunt would be a challenge right from the start - no wimpy pedestrian tunnel.  We had to dash across Rt. 16 just like all the other wild creatures in the mountains.  Actually, there wasn't any traffic coming so we just sort of ambled across the road. 

The trail to the Lost Pond starts off next to a beaver dam then continues past a beaver lodge and on to another beaver dam.  At no time did we actually see any beavers, but I imagine that all changes after dark. 

After passing the beaver area, the path started climbing toward the pond.  As we climbed, we saw a big tree growing over a rock that was unlike anything I'd ever seen. 

Hard to imagine how many years this tree has been there.  Continuing the hike, we went through woods and rocky areas that went away from the stream where we had started.  About the time that I started to think that maybe the pond was lost again, we saw it ahead of us.  It's a pretty place with impressive views of Mt. Washington from the shore.  Or they would have been impressive views of the mountain if it hadn't been shrouded in clouds.  Nevertheless, we found a nice rock to sit on and enjoy the peacefulness of the pond.

After a brief rest, we headed back down the trail and made it back to the truck.  We saw some beautiful places and got some good exercise in the process.  You know, this retirement traveling is really kind of nice.

Linda speaks:

Yesterday, Thursday, Sept 23rd, our goal was to leave Gorham, NH early for the long 7-hour trip to Ogdensburg, NY. We were up at 6:00, but never really got "on the road" until 10:00! We need to improve our timing  on breaking down camp. The snafu this time was a low pressure tire that needed to be checked. [Encyclopedia Don just told me that "snafu" is an old WWII acronym. Do you know what s.n.a.f.u. stands for?]

We drove across Vermont and what a gorgeous State! Homes were beautifully maintained and all yards were well-manicured. No Maine "Beans" in sight. The farms with big red barns, the rolling green hills and the outstanding fall leaf colors made for a scenic and pleasant ride.  Lunch break was a quick pull-off on one of the VT roads. I mentioned to Don that I needed a bathroom break. He said, "I don't know where we'll find a rest stop on this stretch of road." I gently reminded him that we had our own private potty right behind the truck!

We crossed into NY at the Canadian border near Montreal and then dropped down westward to the St. Lawrence Seaway. We pulled into Lisbon Beach Campground around 5:30, tired, hungry and weary.

After setting up the trailer, we headed out for my romantic 63rd birthday dinner. Don really knows how to woo a gal. Oscar's is a sports bar, recommended by the camp director. We had beer ($1.50 a pint), a pizza and wings. It was absolutely perfect! Returning to Four-Bit, we had Boston Cream pie, with PT as part of the party. Thanks for your calls, cards, emails, birthday wishes and gifts. I felt truly well celebrated.