White Mountains, New Hampshire

Thursday, September 29 - Monday, October 3, 2016
North Woodstock, New Hampshire

Country Bumpkins Campground is a snug little park in the trees in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. FHUs with 30 amp and cable. Level dirt sites. Park Internet doesn't work for us, but our cell phones have coverage so we're once again connected.

While the trees are colorful here as well, within a few miles of the state border we start seeing dead grass and dry brush. It's the first sign we've seen of the eastern drought since the dry creeks in New York.

Several months ago I saved an article on covered bridges and waterfalls in the area so Friday we head out to see what we can see.

The first stop is The Basin in Franconia Notch State Park. The trail wanders through the forest, along the Pemigewasset River. Although the water is low, it sounds like a rushing river - especially when we find the 15-foot-deep Basin. The crystal clear pool and smooth rock walls are beautiful, but the sideways waterfall steals the show.

Pemmigewasset River

On Thoreau's first visit he called this ".....perhaps the most remarkable curiosity of it's kind in New England."

You can't have it - it's my rock!!

We find the first bridge in Jackson - and we get to drive through it!! Known as the Honeymoon Bridge, this single lane structure spans the Ellis River. Built by Charles Broughton and his son Frank in 1876, the sidewalk was added to safely allow for foot traffic in 1930. For years it has become tradition to have wedding photos taken at the bridge, thus the Honeymoon moniker.

Here we go!

Love the paddleford arches

Down the highway several miles we find another bridge crossing the Saco River in Conway. Also built by Charles and Frank Broughton in 1890, it replaced the original bridge that was destroyed twice - once in a flood, then by fire. 

I get ridiculously excited getting to drive through these.

Very similar to the first one. Just as beautiful.

The drive through Crawford Notch is spectacular. High mountains on both sides, lush forests, rock formations, dry waterfalls. It is a beautiful drive.

Here the mountains are speckled in the distance with rescue teams training on the rock to the left.

Nope

Around the corner the colors explode.

Silver Cascade just a trickle today

Loving New England

Saturday morning we enjoy breakfast at the Sunny Day Diner down the street. They only take cash so we walk to the ATM at the trading post and train station - where I'm disgusted by the live bear show they have. I can't believe these places are still allowed, and that people take their children to see them. Horrible.

Cute little diner with tasty vittles. Really good coffee.

The rest of the day we run errands, including a trip to Plymouth to pick up a new phone for Bill's mom. While there we find another covered bridge. I'm surprised to see 2001 as the date. 

Originally built in 1788, then rebuilt for $2700 in 1850, it was destroyed by arson in 1993. The new bridge cost $3.3M, was dedicated in 2001, and can hold the same loads as interstate highway bridges.

Spans the Saco River

Wonderful puzzle pieces.

Although she recently moved to another floor in the same location, Bill and his cousin have discussed moving his mom to be near more family. When we get home he starts working on making that happen. 

Tessa and I wander around the campground, appreciating the rapidly changing trees.

Adding our own color

Inevitable 

Waiting for the big one, and in this case, the water.

Monday we move to southern New Hampshire.