Oct 3, 2013 Fall in NH - Gorgeous!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Good morning, we decided to continue into the Park, and wait for good light at the first stop, Lower falls.  Had ham and eggs for breakfast in the parking lot there. 7:30 and already a few cars, mainly photographers.

  At Rocky Gorge the lighting was getting better.  Met a photographer from Friendswood, Texas there and had a nice chat.  Reflections of color in the water really did look like “watercolors”.

Took a road to Bear Notch, a notch being a mountain pass, and a small town named Bartlett.  Steep road, beautiful scenery. Have had spotty sunlight till Sugar Hill Vista where finally there is full sunlight.

Having read about Franconia Notch State Park we decided to head north up 93 for a few miles to see it.  Passed on another spot where you paid $17 each to walk a 2 mile trail, and instead went to an area called “The Basin”, which had some amazing carved waterways along a rocky trail.

Amazing tree in the Visitor's Center Parking Lot

Back to 93 south till we stopped for the patch of flowers along the highway.  Talk about beautiful color!

Decided to head towards Brett’s with a detour to Currier and Ives Scenic Byway “quintessential New England”.  A few nice stone fences, a few nice homes…nothing particularly grand. 

Last stop before Brett's (except for the liquor store)was billed as the “the American Stonehenge” near Salem, NH.  A collection of old stone walls, chambers and such with carbon dating back 4000 years.  Many astronomical stones, though not as large or clearly delineated as Stonehenge.  Pictographs and a few other artifacts.

Goofy alpaca

Stopped for some wine and beer at a New Hampshire Liquor store, then made our way to North Reading and Brett & Dave’s home.  They had a rehearsal tonight, so we parked, plugged in and showered while they were out. What a delightful home! Visited briefly when they returned, then turned in for the night.

Brett and Dave's, North Reading 

Wild turkey