…or at least the top of New Hampshire! As we drove into New Hampshire on Thursday, we immediately saw more color in the trees. In hindsight we wish we had planned 2 days here, but as we make the turn South our “extra days” are limited. Several folks had told us how cool Woodstock was, so we drove there for supper. The brew pub we chose was less than spectacular, but the drive there was. As we reviewed the maps and “what to do propaganda” we discovered there was a cog train to the top of Mount Washington. The tickets for the steam train were gone, but there was room on the 9:30 bio-diesel. After talking to the folks on the phone, we found out they even had RV parking, so I followed Dave up the mountain in “Bessie” and he parked with no problem.
The train ride and views were AWESOME!! This is the oldest cog railway in America, (Do you know the difference between a railway and a railroad?… our guide told us!) and it has some of the steepest grades imaginable! One of the trestles is called Jacob’s Ladder and is a 33% grade and is 30 feet high and has a hairpin turn incorporated in it! The train goes by the Appalachian Trail several times and you could see the cairns marking the trail. We thought about Richard and wondered if he attempted it or part of it when they visited. We took our pictures at the top by the trail marker, but only climbed a small pile of rocks to get there. But don’t laugh!... it was cold and windy and Deb’s knee made it, so let me be proud! We laughed and said it would be a good picture/advertisement for Dr. Supprock, my orthopedic surgeon!! We had glorious weather for this trip, on the mountain that boasts the “worst weather in the world.” It was bright and sunny, if “brisk” (27 degrees) and windy (gusting at 60, steady at 45 MPH!!) The views were amazing. Our guide told us they are renaming one of the mountains in the presidential range (Washington, Madison, Monroe, Franklin, Adams, Eisenhower, Jefferson and Clay…). Since Clay wasn’t a president (tho’ a NH Revolutionary hero), they are renaming his mountain in 2012 to become Mt. Reagan. We can only speculate on the controversy that kindled and wonder how they will handle Franklin. We looked it up and NH is renaming it but the Fed’s will still recognize it as Mt. Clay. Glad nobody lives on it!! LOL Here are some pictures from our trip:
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| The engine pushes the car up and helps break it coming down but they are not attached! |
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| Pretty view with Steam Train ascending the mountain in the distance |
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| At the Top! |
The drive to our campsite in Maine was a trial. First Dave and “Myrtle” took a shortcut on Dawson’s Path which proved to be one of the prettiest drives we’ve taken so far. But the path was only one lane wide and we were nervous about meeting another fool in a RV towing a truck! LOL.. we met several cars, but luckily always where we could stop and they could get by. When we got to the “real” roads, they were not better, and we rocked and rolled all the way to Maine. Before leaving NH we stopped at Moat Mountain Brewery and Restaurant for some of the best food and beer on the trip! It was suggested by the couple we met RockArt Brewery. We are finding that is the best (and occasionally the worst, but usually not) way to find good food and beer! Upon arriving at our campsite in Maine, Deb went off to wash clothes (we have been out that long!) and Dave wrestled with the awning and broken glass from things falling during our shaky trip! The couples across the road had a good fire and were congenial. We drank wine and shared stories of going out west.
By the way a railway is less than 14 miles, and a rail ROAD is 14 or more.
Off to find good beer and lobster in Maine… Stay tuned...
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