“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Anne of Green Gables

In Florida, that quote always resonated with me as that is often one of our “sweet spots” of weather. Perfect temperatures, low humidity, and a skip in the step that comes with knowing that the respite from the blistering summer heat is coming and these moments in October are a welcome gift to be cherished! (Of course, it is also high hurricane season and this month was a doozy—-but that is a different post. This is all about the beauty of fall in New England).

Now. In New Hampshire. I feel this quote on so many new levels. While I have experienced the fall foliage in New England a few times and even peak foliage, I will say that LIVING in this period of time, in this October…….I am fully in agreement with Anne. I am SO glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

Photos can never fully capture what the eye takes in (of course that doesn’t stop me from trying!). I have been driving with my jaw literally dropping in awe with the popping of leaf colors as they change daily. The drive in to work is a winding road down in to a valley through farms and hills and mountain backdrops of yellows, golds, reds and purples as far as the eye can see. It is truly breathtaking and I am so grateful that the Hubs and I took the risk to brave this crazy adventure. These months have been a gift, each and every day.

I was lucky enough to share a piece of fall with one of my dearest friends and two of her kiddos last week and it was so fun. We braved the tour buses and traffic in the White Mountains in Lincoln, NH and again in Woodstock, VT. It was pretty packed, but who can blame anyone?? I mean, Fall foliage here is absolutely worth a little traffic and we were ready for it! St. Anthony didn’t let us down and found us parking spots in every venue—truly miraculous. Of course, this is a very large state, with a low population, so it doesn’t take much to escape the crowds to enjoy the foliage in peace. Especially when you take an 8 mile hike through the woods!!

Enjoy a few fall pics until you can get here and experience it for yourself!

Peace!

I found a hiking friend who is also a traveler and for three weeks in a row our mutual day off was rainy and our hike was rained out. This past week we decided to go for it; we both had rain gear and decided to test it out.

As it happened, it was cloudy and overcast for our hike, but the rain stayed away. Nonetheless, we were PREPARED!

Earlier this summer, the Hubs and I hiked a nearby ski mountain, Mt. Ascutney in Vermont, and the day was hot, we had just arrived and neither Bandit nor I were in hiking shape, much less straight up a mountain. Red faced, sweaty and feeling defeated, I vowed to return and take back that mountain! Last week was that day. Ha. <cue laughter>

I wish I could tell you things went better. Actually, they DID go better. The temps were in the 60s and with the cloud cover and occasional breeze we were off to a good start. Having been up here for almost two months and more hills and elevation under my belt in that time, physically I was more prepared as well. It would be the day I exacted my dominance on that mountain. Ha. <cue more laugher>

One thing didn’t change: the mountain. The dang trail was STILL straight uphill. Wet in areas creating waterfalls (which was fun), humid so the gnats were aplenty—in my nose, eyes and once or twice swallowed, and straight uphill. Apparently this makes for good skiing, just not so much for good hiking. The scenery was still gorgeous, so we just stopped a lot to take in the views (and catch our breath and let our calves relax). A lot. We stopped A. LOT.

Exerting dominance. Pshh. <more laughing>

Fortunately, my friend and I found compatible hiking partners in each other which meant we both enjoyed frequent rest stops. We also made it much further than my first attempt at the mountain. Quite a bit further. Not to the summit though. But close……..

With the cloud cover, also came intermittent fog and the higher we went, we entered the clouds. One of the lookouts nearing the summit housed an old ski patrol building and a great view of the town below between the clouds. We determined from the map we had about 800-1000 feet to summit which would take approximately 45 min +/- based on our progress and couldn’t guarantee a view with the weather once we reached the top. So we called it.

I thought I’d be bummed about not making it to the top, but the purpose of the hike was to explore and enjoy the views and we did that. It wasn’t a contest. There was no medal or trophy. The “prize” was getting out there and doing it and enjoying the moment(s)—which is exactly why we came up here in the first place. Perhaps that’s what the mountain needed to teach me. (And a little humility—or a lot)

Peace.

Last night we planned to catch sunset on a local trail, however, I could not remember if I had turned off the oven before we left. We had to turn back around and the delay left us approximately ZERO minutes of to spare. (The stove was in fact OFF) The hike itself is not long, slightly over a mile, however, it’s a pretty steep (to me) ascent at the last quarter mile-ish. We had to hustle to make it up in time for sunset and so we did. With seconds to spare.

One aspect of watching sunset on the top of the hill is that there is very limited light on the trail back down. And it is rooty. I have a comical fear of bears and haven’t received my bear horn yet….soon and very soon…..so this meant not only hiking with headlamps for the first time, but overcoming my fear of surprising a bear on the trail. (Honestly, I talk so much, no one is surprised we are coming down the trail, but again……a comical fear, but fear nonetheless. And there ARE bears, so it’s not irrational). We lamped up and headed down, with Bandit in the lead—glowing eyes and reflective harness bopping down the trail.

I honestly felt ok. Mostly because the Hubs kept me chatting and my mind was occupied. It was so peaceful in the dark and the cool air, no ambient noise or light—just us and the early evening trail.

The roots are no joke, so we went slow and steady. A great first effort. We are talking about a sunrise hike in the next week or two so this helps me to be less anxious about that and more excited to experience another dark hike with a gorgeous gift at the top. This hiking can be some addictive stuff.

Peace.

Now that we are settled in for a bit, we are working on visiting some friends and family along with checking out cool places (Boston and NYC, we are coming for you!). This week Hubs traded a weekday for Saturday on one of my days off and we ventured to Portland, ME to visit some friends from Florida (lucky snowbirds). The weather shifted into full fall temps and I never took off my sweater and had my jacket on standby, which I never used, but better to have and not need…….. zero complaints, ZERO.

We checked out multiple lighthouses along the coast. I won’t try to give you a history lesson, but I will provide some links which will be far more accurate than my attempt at historical accounting.

Something about the beach, no matter where you go, it never disappoints. Our day was bright blue sky and breezy/windy (depending on where you were) and the rocky coastline, choppy seas, Navy jets flying over on practice runs (I hope) were just breathtaking. It was low tide when we were on the beaches and it is hard to imagine high tide much less angry seas in the midst of a Nor’easter but I can imagine that it is beautifully magnificent in an entirely different way.

Lunch on the water at a local marina restaurant, Salt Water Grille was a highly anticipated (and not disappointing) lobster (lobstah) roll and cup of corn chowder (chowdah). So good. So good. Our friend had fish tacos which are generally my go to and he enjoyed them (his wife also had the lobster roll). Did I mention how delicious the lobster rolls were?

The downtown section of Portland was a great spot to stretch our legs after lunch and sightseeing. Main Street pier, Old Port, cobblestone alleys leading to shops, restaurants and bars. Had to do a little shopping—a few kitchen items at Leroux and a coffee mug and magnet—restrained shopping. But we did drool a bit over the bags at Sea Bags and may have to revisit them for a Christmas gift or two. Old sails turned into bags of all shapes, sizes. They are pricey and we have a lot of bags, soooooooooooooo. We’ll see.

We also had a driving tour of Cape Elizabeth as well as lots of the streets in and around Portland from our friends. Beautiful area and we will definitely be back to visit, eat, shop and enjoy! I mean, the holidays ARE coming!

It has been brought to my attention by the Hubs that New England has a different kind of rain than Florida. A rain that is mostly soft, often lasts all day and can last dayssssssssssss.—PLURAL I did not understand this, but he’s pretty smart and went along with his plan to purchase rain gear for hiking, with the idea that the rain jacket would be used during the above-mentioned rainy days when not hiking. My rain gear arrived yesterday and today it rained. All. Day. Long.

Another hike scratched.

I did have a few windows to walk the dog for necessity’s sake and was able to grab a 40 minute exercise walk. But it rained. And rained. And is still raining.

I wore that rain jacket though. I wore it to the grocery story. I wore it on the dog walks. I took it to Mass tonight. That thing is handy. Hubby is spot on—again! It now lives at the front door, ready for action.

Since it was such a wet day, I cooked a few things for the week: Hard boiled eggs, sweet potatoes and pepper mixture for lunches and a White chicken chili for dinner tonight. Y’all. I don’t know if it was the weather or what but that soup…………..a gift. So good. So, SO good. I’m going to share a link HERE and a pic below (for inspiration), but you should absolutely make this once the weather reaches soup-appropriate wherever you live. You’ll thank me! I’m thanking myself and froze half for another night—yum!

Peace!