new hampshire | The Maui Stamper

This morning we set two goals: ride the cog wheel train up Mt. Washington and hike the Appalachia trail. Ever since I read Bill Bryson’s Walk in the Woods I’ve wanted to set foot on the Appalachia Trail. We did hike for just under an hour, enjoying the fall color, scent of the trees and peaceful woods – as well as the occasional snow flurry.

Next stop was the cog wheel train station. There were 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground at the station but we bought our tickets anyway. As we ascended the mountain it got greyer and windier and when we reached the summit, we were in another country. Officially it was 12 degrees but with windchill it was -9.

Once we got back to the highway it was a simple decision to turn into the Mt. Washington hotel for Kahlua and coffee.

Ray and I are on the road, taking in some fall color and visiting our daughter. We stayed in Portsmouth, NH Sunday night. It’s a charming New England town with lots of history, restaurants and shops. We walked around town in the chilly night air looking in windows of shops and restaurants alike. After a long flight and hit-or-miss food, we were ready for a real meal.
We found just what we were looking for at the River House in Portsmouth. Friendly, cozy and a beautiful view of the river. Our food was awesome…Ray had the special, a fillet topped with lobster served with a salmon cake, and I had a steamed lobster. If you object to eating something with a face don’t look!