First winter hike of the season

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It was late October, and we set out for a short hike on the Davis Path towards Crawford Mountain.  The temperatures were a little chilly, but we werent expecting to be caught out in a snowstorm!  The hike started gently, but as we approached the summit we started to see signs of winter; frozen puddles on the trail and a few snowflakes in the air.  As we reached the top, a big storm coud blew in and we were hit by a snowy squall.  Fortunately we had our hats, gloves and down-jackets with us, and a thermos of hot tea too.  We had a great hike but we didn’t manage to snap any pictures on the summit because of the unexpected cod snap.

 

5 x 1 Relay Race

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Each year we participate in a 5 x 1-mile relay race at Pfizer in support of the local United Way charities. Part of the fun is to run the race in costume, and prizes are given for the best dressed team as well as the fastest (and the most money raised).  This year Bruno’s team were dressed as the “Village People” and Sheri’s team were elements of the periodic table,

Fryeburg Fair

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Near our chalet in New Hampshire is the small town of Fryebrug (Maine).  Every year this is the venure for an extrordinary and enormous agricultural fair.  The fair lasts for a full 8-days and includes everything from cooking demonstrations, blacksmithing, plowing competitions, horse racing, steam engines, ox-pulls, sheep shearing, a best christmas tree competition, and, of course, lots of country music and fried food.  We went on ‘woodsmans day’ which features various competitions for male and female lumberjack-types (cross-cut sawing, tree climbing, axe throwing, etc).  It was a wonderful family atmosphere and the fair is extremely well run.  We were especially impressed by the cleanliness of the rest rooms and the piped music therein!.  I suspect that we will return in future years because there is so much to see and we barely scratched the surface.

Pumpkin People Return to New Hampshire

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The Pumpkin People have returned to Jackson, NH and neighboring towns.  This event is sponsored by local businesses that participate by creating “people” made from real pumpkins.  During our travels with DiAnn and Mike around the Jackson area we were able to see many of the Pumpkin People displays.  This year the event offered some really creative uses of pumpkins, gourds and more.  We included photos of some of our favorites below.

Bruno, Kokee and Sheri as Pumpkin People
 Alice and Wonderland (Backcountry Cafe)
 The Presidential Range (Wentworth Hotel)

Rudolph and Friends (Snowflake Inn)
 Muppets (J-Town Deli)
 Donald Trumpkin (The Puzzle Box)
 The Band (Wildcat Inn and Tavern)
 Laundry Lady (Jackson Art Center) 

 Rapunzel (E-SKImos Ski Club)

Mike and DiAnn come to New Hampshire

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We enjoyed a visit from Mike and DiAnn (Sheri’s mom) for a long weekend in New Hampshire. This was their first visit to the chalet so we were eager to show them the local sites.  Thankfully the rainy weather associated with the hurricane went off-shore and we enjoyed fantastic weather for the entirety of their visit. We had sunny skies every day with temperatures in the high 60’s.

The first day of their visit we toured the town of Jackson and stopped at many local businesses to see  the Pumpkin People (stay tuned for a Pumpkin People post), and also went to Jackson Falls.  We then traveled west along the Kancamagus Highway to The Basin in Franconia followed by a stop at the Mt Washington Hotel for cocktails on our way back to Intervale.  We really enjoyed the unfolding of autumn with colors seemingly changing before our eyes.  
We also spent a day at the Freyeburg Fair in Freyeburg, Maine which is just across the border from Conway, NH. It was an impressive event with plenty of healthy food and interesting demonstrations.  We enjoyed the very  popular woodsman events including cross-cut sawing of logs, and chopping of blocks of wood and wooden timbers.  We saw grapenut ice cream being made the old fashioned way and took in some local music too. 
On the last day of their visit we took The Cog Railway to the summit of Mt Washington. Our journey started under the clouds but ended with bright blue sky for our tour of the Mount Washington Observatory.  We had  great tour and learned a great deal about the challenges of measuring windspeeds that can exceed 200 mph.
We enjoyed our visit with Mike and DiAnn and appreciate the long journey they made to come to visit.  We hope they can come back to our chalet on Dundee again soon.
Sheri and DiAnn at the Basin

Mike and DiAnn at the Basin

A-Day-old calf at the Freyeburg Fair

Little Maine humor – spotted on the way to the fair
Pumpkin People in Jackson – Mike completes the foursome as Pres. Adams

The Cog as we approach Jacob’s ladder
The Cog just below the summit, only moment later

Waiting to board The Cog

Sheri’s Visit to Colorado

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Last weekend Sheri spent a long weekend in Estes Park visiting sister Kerry, Kerry’s husband Brandon, and Sheri’s dad Jerry.  Sheri has been eager to visit and Brandon and Kerry since they bought a new home late last year in the town of Estes Park.  Their new home is situated right on Fall River and has quick access to Rocky Mountain National Park.  September turned out to be perfect time to visit as the aspens were in peak color.  

During her visit Sheri and Jerry traveled to the town of Nederland, which offered fine views, the chance to go to the famous Dot’s Diner and visit the Carousel of Happiness.  The Carousel is right in the center of town in Nederland and is an amazing work of art.  Sheri and Jerry also spent a day in Rocky Mountain National Park, covering the entire park, and crossing the Continental Divide. 
Sheri, Kerry and Brandon did a few short walks together, including a short scramble to Old Man Mountain which is located a short distance from where Brandon and Kerry live.  Old Man Mountain is a a great place to catch sun rise over Estes Park in the east and the distant morning alpenglow on Long’s Peak.
The final evening in Estes Park was celebrated with dinner at the Stanlety Hotel.  
Brandon and Kerry were wonderful hosts, Sheri loved the trip to the Stanley, the short hike/scramble/bouldering trips, and the time with them sitting by the river.  Oh, and the cat themed patchwork PJ pants rock Kerry, thank you!
We are both grateful to Brandon and Kerry for the care they are giving Jerry.   Thank you for all that you are doing for him!
The apens along the road to Nederland, CO
Sheri and Jerry in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Carousel of Happiness

Sunrise over Estes Park
Aplenglow on Long’s Peak

At the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park
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Branon and Kerry at the Stanley Hotel
Sheri and Kerry at the Stanley

John Muir outside his home in Estes Park
Kerry and Sheri in the park

Zealand Mountain hike

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On the second day of our camping weekend we hiked up Zealand Mountain via the Zeacliff trail.  The weather was perfect and we enjoyed fantastic views along the way.  We met many people along the way including quite a few Appalachian trail hikers.  We stopped for refreshments at the Zealand Hut where we had spent a chilly weekend in February.  In fact, the temperature was over 100-degrees warmer than the last time we were there!

Zealand Falls

Mike on the trail

View south from Zeacliff view point

A bright sunny day…..

Sheri checks out the route

Lunch stop at the summit of Zealand Mountain

Denise and Mike enjoying the views

Looking east towards the Presidential Range

We could almost see the sea..

Lots of granite everywhere…