p.s. I'm Moving to New England

I'm so enchanted by the New England states.  In fact, things that would normally bother me don't when I'm here.  Consequently, I don't even mind doing school with the kids while traveling the bumpy, twisted back roads with pencils and books flying everywhere.

I refuse to notice. 

The beautiful state of New Hampshire seemingly cancels out the fact that each time we turn or top a hill, our holding tank sloshes around and wafts a sewage smell throughout the cabin. 

I.  Don't.  Care.

Nothing can rob my joy in New England.

Notice the mountain climber near the summit.

My personal driver and I spent time in New Hampshire on a mountain climbing trip before, and LOVED it.  This trip did not disappoint.  We spent most of our time in Northern New Hampshire around North Conway in the White Mountains.  We hiked all the way up Cathedral Ledge.  I'm not going to try to describe it, because words don't do it justice.  Just . . . go there.

 

The view from the bottom at the beginning of our hike.  Destination:  the top of that granite slab.

On the way up.

Waiting on those with shorter legs.

Almost there.

One hour later -- making sandwiches on the summit.

Atop Cathedral Ledge -- White Mountains, New Hampshire.

On our last visit to NH, we also did some sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee.  This is the lake where the movie What About Bob was filmed.  One of the little towns around the lake, Wolfeboro, has to be one of my favorites in the country.  It's this quaint New England town with white picket fences, little shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlors around the water's edge.  The water is crystal clear, surrounded by wooded lots with beautiful homes, and in the distance you see snow capped Mount Washington.  C'mon.  Does it get any finer?

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

Playing around Lake Winnipesaukee.

CBR.  Love it.

We also spent Mother's Day in New England.  I think being pampered all day helps you enjoy a place, too.  My precious family did just that.

My kids planned out breakfast, lunch, and dinner for me.  They went grocery shopping the day before, and had everything all planned.  They prepared every meal, complete with flowers on the table.  I felt so loved.
Many thanks to my personal driver for assisting in their efforts.  



 

They put lemon in my water.  I couldn't stop smiling.

On our way to church on Mother's Day.  New Hampshire.

Mr. Fix-It went paddle boarding in the Saco River the day before Mother's Day. 

Mr. Fix-It - Saco River - New Hampshire.

An overlook on the Saco River.

He deemed it paddle-worthy and arranged for me to enjoy an afternoon paddle for Mother's Day.  My favorite gifts are experiences!  He drove me to a point on the Saco River and dropped me off with my paddle board.  Our campground was seven miles down the Saco, and I was to meet up with them there.  It took me one hour and 20 minutes.  It was so serene.  I loved every second.  What a gift they gave me!

My Mother's Day gift.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 feet.  It's also recognized as "Home of the World's Worst Weather."  Our planet has few other places with similarly fierce weather.  Mount Washington has recorded a combination of extremes - snow, wind, cold, fog, icing.  Temperatures have dropped to -47 F.  At the same time, winds were gusting at 130 mph, making the cooling power of the environment similar to a still air temperature of -85 F.  BRRRR.  We visited the Mount Washington Weather Discovery Center, which was really cool.  We tried to visit the Weather Observatory at the top of Mount Washington, but the roads were closed due to extreme icing . . . in May.

Discovering New Hampshire weather at the Weather Discovery Center.



CBR measuring his wind speed on the anemometer.

We also took a hike to play at a great waterfall for kids called Diana's Baths.

Diana's Baths -  New Hampshire.

 

And before we knew it, it was time to roll on . . .