Glen, NH - Kancamagus Highway

Potpourri day today: breakfast out, falls, trails and the Kanc.

Ah, the Kancamagus Highway. Beautiful scenic highway cutting through the White Mountains with scenic views, waterfalls, covered bridges, rapids to play in, gorges, trails and history. The original route was started in 1837, but it wasn't until 1959 that is was opened and paving completed in 1964. Since 1968, the road has been opened year round except in the most dangerous winter weather. It’s a trip back in time: no gas stations, no fast food, no gift shops, no hotels and - no ice cream. Gas up, bring a picnic lunch and set off through one of the neatest road in the US. If you want a real pleasure, get in line and join the other hordes driving at a snail’s pace during leaf season. You too can become a Leaf Peeper.

And, this is our goal today. But, first, breakfast. We were heading for Peach’s where we ate a few days ago but we were both dissatisfied with the potatoes in the meal and, when we passed the Sunrise Shack and saw a full parking lot, we turned in and were glad we did. Gary had a chourico omelet with home fries and toast and I had my standard: 2 scrambled eggs, home fries and toast. The potatoes were delicious, well seasoned and cooked just right. Gary had cornbread and I had anadama bread. Now, where else can you get such choices? Excellent meal and I wrote a good review in Trip Advisor to counter my review for the other restaurant. They tell me that I am one of their top ‘advisors’ - but, don’t they say this to everyone?

We headed north first to see Glen Falls. Nice moss-covered trail down the side of the gorge, wet from the rains of yesterday (the ones we got caught in), woodsy setting and then the payoff:

Turning south, we drove by all the traffic heading north to Conway - mile upon mile of cars, almost at a standstill on their way north to the wonders of New Hampshire on a sunny day in July. Glad that we were heading in the opposite direction, we hit the Kanc and relaxed.

We turned in at Boulder Trail - 3 miles. Again, what do I not understand about trails in New Hampshire? They go up. And up, and up. But look at the neat steps.

Up and Up. But the payoff:

What view. At, at the view was a family: a baby in a baby backpack, a 3-yr old with the tiniest little hiking boots and 2 parents. Tell me that the 3-yr old hiked up the hill. You betcah. Slowly, but he hiked all except for a few tough sections over boulders.

The Lower Falls along the Kancamagus are a popular draw. Looks like lots of others got here before we did. Cool place on a hot day.

It’s rocky and everyone loves to play around the rocks. There is one section that has been worn smooth by all the water that has passed over it over millions of years. You can slide down one rock into a channel of water that will rush you into a big pool. Lots of fun and we’ve done it. Here’s a young kid having his first slide. You can see his expression.

But, mostly the river is very rocky - except in the spring with all the run-off from the mountains.

At the Rocky Gorge, the river narrows. Did we see some dumb kid jumping into it here? Right in front of the sign that said no jumping or entering the water here? Yep, and his mother was watching. Dumb and Dumber.

There is a sturdy bridge crossing it now but here is the bridge that used to span it.

We took the trail around the lake here.

Seems that everyone else wanted to play in the Rocky Gorge, we had the trail to ourselves.

Could the day have been any better? Nope. this was great. On the way home we stopped at Attitash which used to be a ski resort but then the owners realized that they were losing a whole season and they added all kinds of summer fun equipment. Back in 1976 or so they added their first summer downhill - a concrete U-shaped trough which you go down it in a special sled. We did this many years ago with my sister-in-law and it was lots of fun - until we got in back of a guy who was terrified of the speed. He had the brake on the whole time. Held us all up. Cripes, speed is the name of the game, sir. Get your hand off the brake. Lead, follow or GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!

Well, they have added lots more to their summer game.

The cement trough is still there. People still line up to come down it.
Oops, a woman just got out of her sled and was turning to pick it up when her little kid came down behind her and slammed into it. Luckily no one was hurt. He probably can’t read the 4’ tall sign that reads ‘SLOW.’ Probably not. Interestingly, we heard two kids at different times, bragging about their wounds from the rides and showing off their bandages.

But, it’s 5:30 and its time to head home. Oh, oh - look, an ice cream store. I hear the siren call of Brownie and Kahlua ice cream. Well, here’s the justification: we didn’t bring food or protein bars today and we’ve hiked 1200’ and 5 miles. We deserve this. Whew, a good justification works wonders to salve a conscience.

We leave tomorrow and we have some things to do. Gary likes to unhook all the utilities except the electricity and I wanted to clean off the RV. We’ve been in lots of rain and we have lots of little bits of sand and grit on our basement doors that I’ve wanted to remove for a while. But none of the campgrounds we’ve been recently allow any washing at all. This one says that we could, the forecast is for sun all the way to our next campground, just the words I’ve been waiting for. I sprayed, I wiped down and I’m done.

Ah, 7:30, time for dinner.

And, if you guess that it rains tomorrow, you’ve got prescience. Yep, showers, heavy rain, sprinkles - we drive through all of these tomorrow. Ah - but at least I’ll get clean, new dirt. Shucks.

‘I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.’
                Abe Lincoln