The day was mostly sunny through early afternoon then clouds increased. Temperatures were in the upper 50s with calm winds. A wonderful day to see the sights.
Last year we were on the Great Loop. This time last year we were on the Tennessee River. We were ahead of the fall colors and we were in wonderful short sleeve and shorts weather.
But there was a down side to the wonderful temperatures - we missed the seasons. So being back home has once again allowed us to enjoy the transformation of the seasons. One day that we were especially looking forward to was a drive into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They are about 100 miles north of us and situated to allow for a wonderful day trip - and today was the day.
Here are some photos of our most enjoyable day in the mountains.
The first stop was to walk the The Flume Gorge. It is a State Park. I am embarrassed to admit that I have only done the walk once and that was when I was growing up and my parents took us as kids. Faye had never been, Great day to rectify that.
From the welcome center we walk a ways before the Flume and there are several wonderful vistas.
There is also a wonderful covered bridge, that from the date, you can see that it has been there for many years. There is a bus from the visitor center than still uses the bridge.
Before we reach the gorge, we came upon this interesting flow over a rock face. Don't imagine there was much debate on what to call it.
Shortly we are at the beginning of the Flume Gorge.
After walking the Flume, the trail wanders nicely thorough the woods with a few overlooks.
The Pool is an interesting formation in the rock made by the river.
And there is a second covered bridge - pedestrian only
The mountains are Liberty to the left and Flume Mountain in the middle - where the water for the gorge originates.
A closer view of Flume mountain with its landslide face. There is a trail up it but I will pass based on the reviews of the last half mile being very steep - it sure looks like it from here, eh?
After the Flume we head back south a few miles to Lincoln and the start of the Kancamagus Highway. This road crosses through Kancamagus Pass at 2855'. Just before the peak there are several overlooks that provide wonderful views to the west.
And on the other side of the pass is views looking east.
The Bear Notch Road connects with the Kancamagnus Highway. It runs west to east and ends in Bartlett. This view includes a wonderful scene that includes Mountain Washington - center and in the distance in the photo below.
And a telephoto view
We have now driven north from Bartlett. This is the view looking south from nearly the top of Crawford Notch.
We drove to Twin Mountain and then headed west to connect to the I-93 parkway that will go south and complete our wonderful loop.
A few miles north of the Flume is the Basin. This is the stream that feds the Basin - and it has some interesting "twists and turns" before the basin.
And this is the Basin - amazing to think of the countless years of scour it took to create such an interesting formation. One has to wonder how long the overhanging rock with survive the freeze/thaw cycles. I am sure it has a few more years - lest you worry.
And so ends a fine day in our "own backyard." So it must be time to say ........
Good Night and May God Bless
