September in New England

The New England visit goes by way too quickly.  It seems like it was just July and we were arriving  and now it is October and we are heading south.

This was a great bike ride with Sean and Madison all around the Sebago Lake State Park Camgrounds and the Day Use Area.  With a little help from Madison's talking bird.

A small cabin in the Day Use Area seems perfect for a playhouse.

A necessary part of the ride is a stop at the Songo Locks.

Only one boat this time, but all hands were put to use in opening and closing the lock gates.

Part of our research this trip was to find a campground or two that we might be happy in for longer than a week or so.

We found two.  One was in Alfred, Maine and the other was in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.  The nice thing about Alfred is that it is close to a lot of Maine that we enjoy.
This picture is of York Beach Short Sands.

Short Sands is the location of that other icon, The Goldenrod, home of famous Goldenrod salt water taffy made at the window for all to see.

Long Sands York Beach is best known by the wonderful views of the ocean and Nubble Light.

Our family learned how to body surf the waves here back in the 1950's.

Of course, that was after your ankles stopped being so numb from the ice cold water.

Most views of Nubble Light are much closer, like this.

Luckily , we had another chance to visit with Lucas, Rachel, and Scott.


Lucas and Grandma are checking out the clouds.

It had been a long time, but it was good to visit Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Massachusetts Audubon.

Lucas loves the chickens and the wild birds.

So Lucas, we know cousin Emilie is now driving, but we think, maybe, you might wait for a few more years.

Sometimes, at a big place like Drumlin Farm, you need to take a break.

A good section of Drumlin Farm is dedicated to large fields of all kinds of vegetables and flowers.

This is part of CSA or Community Sponsored Agriculture which we mentioned from our last visit with Scott and Rachel. What is Community Sponsored Agriculture.
Jan is checking the size of these wonderful looking beets.




There is something about Sunflowers.









We had many choices of places to visit in New England.  Vermont was one that did not happen this year.  But, we did visit three New Hampshire state parks.  The first was Pawtuckaway State Park off Route 101 in Raymond, New Hampshire.  Pawtuckaway State Park Pictures and Videos.
The above link had great pictures and video links when you scroll down to the bottom of the linked page.


After Pawtuckaway we head up back roads to Lake Winnipesaukee.  We are close to Alton Bay on Route 11 for this first view above of the lake.

Jan and I are a little surprised to find Ellacoya State Park.  It is a small campground with full hookup sites directly on Lake Winnipesaukee.  No crowds in September and we can have a wonderful view of the lake right from Lady Blue.

Mountains in the background and the M/S Mount Washington boat that cruises the lake.
All about the M/S Mount Washington Boat
This link will give you all you need to know about the cruises on the lake.

Following the west shore of Winnipesaukee up route 25 to Route 16, we come to a hidden gem of New Hampshire.  White Lake State Park.

Quite busy in the summer, it is very accessible and quiet in the fall.

Jan and I find a nice site surrounded by absolutely no one.  A large site with room for many more people and probably another couple of tents.

No senior card here.  This campground was $25 per night, but that still beats the $40 to $60 fees at the private campgrounds.

You can see all the crowds around Lady Blue.

There is a trail all the way around the lake.  We notice right away that there are no private buildings around the lake.  This is all state park property.

The foliage is just beginning to change.



Some wonderful views are to be had on the trail.

The views of the mountains include Mt. Chocorua

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You never know what you might find.

Jan was worried about a black bear that was sighted in the campground right before we began our hike.

Much more likely for us was the Blue Heron in the weeds.  Perfect in the fall colors with just a hint of reflected color in the water.

A handsome fellow closer up.

Leaving New Hampshire, we still have time to visit with friends and family.

But, before a blink of the eye, it seems, we are on our way south.

This little guy was enjoying the sun right outside our campsite.  About 3 feet long or so.

To make plans for our journey west, a visit first to Ives Run Corps of Engineer park in Tioga, Pennsylvania.

Some wonderful colors to be seen along the route and in the park itself.

Also, some great glimpses of a local eagle that likes to hunt over the lake.

Meanwhile, we are looking forward to next summer.  What a great country!!