It is hard to know what to expect when the state motto is
“Live free or die”. Also, Dara read in
the Lonely Planet guide on her Kindle that the state logo was “The Old Man”,
which was a rock outcrop that looked in profile like your great grand
daddy. This outcrop fell down in 2003
but the logo is still on the car number plates.
In actual fact, we haven’t felt it to be more liberal or
right-wing here than anywhere else so far.
The drive over the state-line was seamless and we headed straight for
the most famous loop track in the White Mountains – the “Franconian Loop”. It is interesting to note the wild animals
we’ve seen so far from the highway.
Game-count so far...
Deer 6
Turkeys 3
Racoons 1 (recently deceased)
Skunk 1 (recently deceased)
Porcupine 1 (recently deceased)
Mouse 1
Pelican 1
The Franconian Loop (which is not a German contraceptive
device), was a 6.5 hour hike (9 miles) taking in 3 peaks on the famous
Appalachian Trail. If the Vermont Long
Trail is The Baby, the Appalachian Trail is The Daddy. It is just less than 2200 miles long and
stretches from Georgia to Maine.
We however only managed a couple of miles of the actual
ridge, taking in 3 peaks, the Little Haystack, Mt Lincoln, and Mt
Lafayette. There was some urgency in
getting around the exposed parts as bad weather was due in the evening. All was
still ok when we reached the end of the trail, and coasted down the I93 Highway
to Lincoln through a colourful avenue of gold, red and green.
With sore feet, a rest day was planned. All of you, who believe we may have been
getting far too much exercise, and moving too fast, will be pleased to know
that today we would be doing nothing but driving, indulging in gluttony and
shopping.
So, the rest day started with a 30 minute drive to Polly’s
Pancakes for breakfast. Fresh maple syrup, maple paste, pancakes made with home
–ground wheat, buck wheat or corn meal.
Also with blueberries, walnuts, coconut & strawberries, and of
course the bottomless cup of coffee.
Blood sugar and caffeine levels soaring, we headed over
Route 112 to Conway. This scenic drive through the forest is completely free of
buildings and was very misty and atmospheric in the pouring rain. Despite the numerous warnings we have yet to
have a moose jumping out on to the road in front of us.
On reaching North Conway, a minor orgy of shopping and
eating continued. Lobster Roll and Clam
Chowder, followed a few hours later by pizza Supreme and a bottle of
Californian Shiraz.
Live free or die!.................
No comments:
Post a Comment