Mount Washington, et al, et al

Despite the forecast of 29 degrees, 50 mph winds at the summit, not to mention rain and snow on the way, we decided to give it a shot. Not the best idea we've had, and we turned back after only about a mile on the Tuckerman Ravine trail.



We then drove to the Mount Washington Hotel, where we walked the grounds, ate, drank, and relaxed.





The next day was the ziplining canopy tour! I lost count of how many ziplines we rode, but I think the longest one was over 600 feet.



We then drove up to Montreal and spent the night. Next day we went to the Jardin Botanique.


And the Notre Dame Cathedral, before heading back to New Hampshire and spending the night in Gorham.


To be continued...

Mount Washington, et al

Our trip to the White Mountains was, in all honesty, one of the coolest vacations ever. I count myself very fortunate that I have a partner who will not only go on your typical touristy, relaxation + sightseeing vacations, but will actually plan out a more adventuresome trip with multiple fun, interesting, and exciting outdoor activities.

We drove up the day after the Inaugural Autocracy Sit N Go, and found ourselves in Jackson, NH in time to check into our B&B and get (an included) dinner at a local pub. We woke up the next morning to an overcast day, and headed to our first adventure after breakfast: kayaking!

The people at the kayaking place seemed a bit surprised that we even showed up, since the forecast called for rain all day. Fortunately for us, their surprise was warranted, as there was nobody else on the river! Unfortunately, the river was running a little low, and we found ourselves running aground a few times, having to bounce or shove our ways free.


We did run into a riverside resident who said that Alice looked like a spaceman.

After kayaking, we went back to the B&B, warmed up in the hot tub, and then went out for dinner in North Conway.

Next day we arose to somewhat better weather, and headed to Black Mountain for the next adventure: horseback riding! We ended up with another couple in a group of four, and I ended up with the friskiest, most aggressive horse (which, admittedly, isn't saying much, as they were mostly old horses accustomed to stupid tourists.) We made it up the mountain and back, despite a slightly worrisome moment when Alice's horse slipped in the mud and ended up on its knees for a brief moment.




After our ride, we headed back to North Conway and did some shopping. We checked out some local art galleries, then went to the Mount Washington Discovery Center. We had the opportunity to speak, via webcam, to a weather observer stationed on the Mt Washington summit, who informed us that tomorrow's weather looked REALLY BAD.

That evening, we camped at the Dolly Copp campground (which, incidentally, is the same place I camped during my 2007 cross country trip.) Alice thought it would be a good idea to take a picture in the dark in the tent...

And the next morning, we geared to hike to the Mt Washington summit!

To be continued...