Fall Trip to White Mountains October 1, 2020

Well it is that time of year again, The colors of fall have decided to appear and remind us that summer has officially gone and to be sure to gather stores for the winter - remember the grasshopper and the ant story!

The first hints of this occurrence manifested itself in our neighborhood last week when this tree almost overnight turned from green to magnificent red/orange. I missed the best shot of this tree as the sun was behind it and rain the next day knocked of most the leaves - but even this shot demonstrates why this time of year is such a wonderful annual occurrence.

The other interesting thing is that the foliage in the White Mountains generally is best around the middle of October. But a check online says that it is near or, in some places, at peak up there. So we decide that our fall drive will be earlier this year. Glad we did.

We really enjoyed the walk through the Flume Gorge last year and decided to do it again this year. Friends Bob and Paula from Maine drove over and we met and walked the Flume together. They had never seen the Flume so I was fun to share it with them. The sights begin with Table Rock.

Faye and Paula - we do have our masks but removed for the photo.

The beginning of the Flume Gorge

And there are some nice overlooks along the winding trail that you follow to get back to the visitor center.

We started our trip around the Flume at about 10:30. When done it was a perfect time for a picnic. Note that we are all in shirt sleeves - a sign of a truly wonderfully mild day for October 1.

Some readers may remember seeing Bob and Paula from boating posts as they have the boat Honey Dew. Then you also may remember seeing their dog Scupper. Today he is home and thus it is time for them to head back to Maine to check on the boy. We drove north through Franconia Notch and around to Crawford Notch and then at Bartlett we picked up the Bear Notch Road to connect to the Kancamagus Highway.  There are a number of wonderful turn outs along the way as you can see from the pictures below.

Mount Washington in the distance

Coming down the Kancamagus Highway we begin to follow the Pemigewasset River. Here I am standing on the entrance bridge to Loon Mountain that is a short ways upstream from the Town of Lincoln and our connection to I93.

It was a fine day in the White Mountains once again. The time for our leisurely drive home consumed most of the remainder of the sun's time in the sky for the day, so it is time to say ........

Good Night and May God Bless

End of Season Great Bay Marina Newington NH Saturday September 12, 2020

It has been a nice season after all. We didn't think so with first the Covid crisis and then the lousy month of June. But as you may have read in posts from this summer, July and August turned out to be nice weather and cruising months. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end - and thus boating is done until next year.

We have been on the boat since Saturday Sept 4. We made it to Boothbay, Seal Cove (or Eastern Cove for a select few in the know), and back to Robinhood for several days.

On Monday we headed back to Robinhood. The weather was wonderful. The swing bridge swung,

Indian Point still pointed,

and the Sheepscot River was beautiful - but wait what is that over the land headed this way?

That my boy is FOG. And in ten minutes our wonderful day and plans for a nice cruise down the coast to NH with pleasant stops along the way faded like the views all around us.

Thick fog on Wednesday had us staying put. On Thursday the forecast was for light winds and light fog. The rest of the week looked not as good - so off we went. The Admiral doing her wonderful part filling in for the lack of others in the crew to do what must be done - a working Admiral!!

Is that a buoy - there is supposed to be one near here.

Yup, the Portland Light buoy.  In days pass there would have been the Portland Lightship on station here. I can't think of a worse duty than to be on a ship that in storms ships that can't see are aiming at you
.
But today I am glad that the sea is calm and there is some visibility.

We traveled about seventy miles today and made it to York Harbor for the night. We had planned to be here on a nice day and walk the harbor and shore paths that we have enjoyed in years past - but we just stayed on the boat and barbied a nice steak.

Leaving York Harbor on Friday.

The day was still cloudy but the fog was gone - but waves - fortunately behind us - had built overnight. The photo below doesn't show it but it was a bit of a roller coaster for an hour until we turned and entered the Piscataqua  River.

This is the old Life Saving Service building on Wood Island . at the entrance to the river. It is an amazing building that is being restored for all to be able to visit and learn of its history. It is actually a welcoming sight even if the seas weren't as perilous as would have caused the men at the station to mobilize to save sailors off of Portsmouth.

And Kittery Navy Yard still remains active - there is even a fair amount of construction going on site - a good sign it would seem.

The rebuilt Route one bridge frames I-95 bridge.

The sun did come out as forecast - and we are glad we made it safely.

Typically we are allowed to tie to the dock, but we were directed to a mooring this year - oh well.

And after a day of end of season chores we are able to see a wonderful sunset that seems fitting and a wonderful segue to my final salutation for the boating season of ...................

Good Night and May God Bless - for another year.