New York's Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain

September 19, 2013

Traveling to the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain region of New York State along scenic highways and byways provided great views and serene travel.

 Leaving the White Mountain National Forest region of New Hampshire

Passing through Vermont

Crossing Lake Champlain

Entering New York

Camping at Barber Homestead RV Park in Westport, NY on the west bank of Lake Champlain in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains

September 20, 2013

Traveled to Ticonderoga Village for shopping at Walmart for a few groceries and Michael’s new toy (ask him about it) and lunch at the Wagon Wheel. 

Stopped at Gunnison’s Apple Orchard to browse the gift shop.

September 21, 2013

Visiting Lake Placid

home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics

town filled with visitors for shopping, dining, Relay for Life, getting away for the weekend

Lunch at Desperados Mexican Restaurant then some Main Street shopping that included new hiking shoes for Earl.

And scaled High Falls Gorge on west branch of Ausable River in Adirondack Park

September 22, 2013

Church day and clothes washing day. D and B to Dollar General for shopping. Also bought gifts of flags handmade with beads by a campground artisan.

September 23, 2013                                                                                 

Drove to Wilmington, NY to climb Whiteface Mountain – toll booth operator advised us of poor conditions at summit – zero visibility, 33 degrees F temp, 29 mph winds, snow flurries in early AM. We decided to come back another day when conditions are more favorable.

Ate lunch in Lake Placid at Black Bear Restaurant on Main Street – very good beef vegetable soup.

September 24, 2013

Back to Wilmington, NY to climb Whiteface Mountain 

near perfect conditions for standing on top of the mountain - sunny, above average temp 33, below average winds 10-20 mph, visibility 40 miles - clouds most days on the summit with zero visibility.

Nature trail from Whiteface Castle to Whiteface summit

Snow and ice remnants from previous day and overnite at the summit's weather research center

We will be leaving the Adirondacks on Thursday bound for central Vermont for two weeks to observe changing of the leaves.

Happy trails!

"Live free or die"

September 12, 2013

After arriving safely in Twin Mountain, NH in the White Mountain National Forest we set up camp at the Twin Mountain Motor Court and RV Park… rain, rain, more rain… for three days and nights. This RV park is conveniently located just north of Franconia Notch State Park and has easy access to enter, park and exit. 

The park offers 18 large, fairly level pull through sites with plenty of room for tow vehicles. Private and secluded, the park is 500 ft. back from the road and has panoramic mountain views with 4-way hook ups - water, 30 amp electric service, sewer and cable TV. Free wi-fi (good), swimming pool, laundry room, game room and store with limited groceries, gifts and RV supplies are among the amenities. The park was only 40% occupied during our seven nights stay.

September 14, 2013

Yesterday was filled with rain, but today we were greeted with sunshine and cool weather for touring the scenic byway Kankamagus Highway in the magnificent White Mountain National Forest – overlooks, waterfalls, rivers, covered bridges, hiking trails, bikers and more.

 A river runs through it

 Scenic water falls

 Wannabee hiking pioneers

 Pioneers of modern era mountain hiking

 Mountain streams

Lower falls

September 15, 2013

Climbing privately-owned Glen Road to the summit of Mt. Washington – 6,288 ft. – highest peak in northeast US – in Presidential Range of White Mountain National Forest. P.S. we climbed in the car.

The worst weather in the world at the summit – average annual temperature below freezing, high winds, lot of snow, ice and other harsh weather. Caught the weather in moderate conditions for Mt. Washington – mostly clear skies, 31 degrees F, winds 39 mph.

September 16, 2013

Rained all day. Washed clothes at the campground laundry mat since rules included not washing and drying clothes in the RV. Girls traveled to Littleton NH for personal pampering and shopping. Then to Harmon’s cheese factory in Sugar Hill NH for cheese surfing.

September 17, 2013

A tour of Franconia Notch State Park which borders White National Forest allowed us to see wonders from narrow granite passages and scenic pools to steep waterfalls, covered bridges and the Cannon Mountain Aerial tramway. Franconia Notch is a spectacular mountain pass traversed by a unique parkway winding between the high peaks of the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges.

A stroll on Echo Lake Beach

Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site

The Basin is a large granite pothole that was created by a glacier more than 15,000 years ago.

The Pool on Pemi River is 40 ft. deep with 80 ft. walls

Flume Gorge - one of New England's most popular natural geographic wonders.

 Avalanche Falls on Flume Brook above Flume Gorge

Liberty Gorge

Liberty Cascade

Pemigewasset River further along becomes the Merrimac which flows into the Atlantic.

Wolf’s Den – this narrow, one-way path involves crawling on your hands and knees and squeezing through rocks.

September 18, 2013

Climbing Cannon Mountain via aerial tramway to tour another of New England's most popular natural geographic wonders.

Aerial tramway up Cannon Mountain

 View of Echo Lake from atop Cannon Mountain

 Viewing the Kinsman mountain range from atop Cannon Mountain

Franconia Notch State Parkway

September 19, 2013

Relocating to Westport, NY – the gateway to the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain.

Home base is Barber Homestead Park.

Happy trails!

Pontooning Mooselookmeguntic

Our last day in Maine was spent pontooning Mooselookmeguntic Lake in the beautiful Rangely Lakes Region consisting of four major lakes and hundreds of small lakes and ponds.

Mooselookmeguntic is about 44,000 acres in size and is one of the major lakes.

Smooth and scenic ride with Captain Mike

And first mate Bettye

Enjoyed lunch in the middle of Mooselookmeguntic before heading back to dock after four hours of pontooning.

The following day September 12, 2013 was pack up, hook up and pull out day from enjoyable Cupsuptic Lake Campground heading off to the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire…

Light rain, rain and more rain.

Happy trails!

Moose or Bust!

From the ocean, to the mountains green with pines… God Bless America

Cupsuptic Lake Campground near Oquossoc and Rangely, Maine in the Rangely Lakes Region

As viewed from our campsite

Moose or bust – late dusk excursions on gravel roads looking for moose to shoot – with the Canon AE-1, of course. Busted so far. Bear hunting season just opened here, so we keep Michael indoors where he will be safer. (this moose image was borrowed from the internet)

A drive along the scenic Old Canada Highway that follows much of the Kennebec River took us from Maine 

into Quebec, Canada and a trip to the duty free store at the border crossing.

The Kennebec River was the first international “highway” of this region – canoe and boat trade traffic – connector between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Maine coastal region. 

Weather has cooled considerably in Maine with lows in 30s and 40s and highs in 60s and 70s. Love it! Leaves are beginning to change colors with peak expected around October 1. That's the date we are scheduled to be in the Green Mountains of Vermont, but before then we plan to visit New Hampshire mountains for a few days. 

Happy trails!