Campground Views in New Hampshire

Spending time at the campground really hasn't been on my agenda.  

I enjoy parking and then going to check out the local areas.

Our campground in New Hampshire though was a joy.

(Lincoln/Woodstock KOA)

On a trail nearby I found these views that left you in awe!

In or out of the water these trees showed off their colors!

These wild animals are usually with me when off exploring any trails I can find.

Do you think they'll chase off any bear or moose?

Back up the side of the mountain trail to the campground.

We were at the campground for the last week it was open before the cold weather hit.

It was quiet and sparsely populated, which is fine by us!

Mt. Washington, NH Whether or not there's Weather!

In September the ice is already starting to form.  It will soon be a solid fixture for several months. 

 On this spot some of the highest wind speeds have been recorded.  231 MPH!  

It'll blow ye over!

This original building is chained to the ground and I'm told you can still feel it trying

to come up for a whirl.  

This would've been quite the trip for Dorothy and Toto!

Look close for the ice build up.

This is called rime ice.  It's forms from the fog and wind. (and it wasn't even Winter yet!)

Lots of outdoor equipment is used to measure the weather on top of Mt. Washington.

You'd have to be a scientist to understand it!!

The  windows offer  a 360 degree view!

Imagine being inside for a wind gust over 200 mph!

High above those clouds on the horizon, the weather monitors keep an eye on everything.

Everything is buckled down in two or three ways.

I'd love to experience this in the middle of January, but I'm not sure how my nerves could take it!

Around the world today:

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Mt. Washington, New Hampshire

Almost to the top of Mt. Washington!

We came through the tree line and the clouds and came out into the sun!

Beginning to enter the end of the cog railway line at the top of the mountain. 

This is one sturdy building to stand up to winds in excess of 200 mph!

Arrived~

You could look out over the world!

The steps to the right lead down to a parking lot for those that chose to 

drive their vehicles up the mountain instead of taking the cog train.

See those clouds in the background? 

 They were fast approaching to cover up that beautiful view.

When we left the cog railway station the temperature was a beautiful

 morning Autumn of 52 degrees.  When we got to the top the temperature 

was a brisk 22 degrees with a windchill of 1 degree!

The wind whipped us along at 51 mph with gusts over 70 mph!

Many hikers were checking in at the weather station in case they don't make

 it to the bottom of the mountain within an appropriate amount of time.

  Needless to say I won't be hiking to this summit!

The picture looks calm and serene but the truth was you couldn't stand straight

 up and down but forced yourself against the wind just to look down the mountain.  

~~Those clouds to the left were arriving even faster!

As the clouds made their way toward us you could feel the mountain become another realm!

Can you see the cog train going down the mountain to the left?  It's green

Can you see vehicles coming up and down the mountain to the right?

Remember me mentioning those clouds fast approaching?

They had arrived and made you feel lost.

Around the world today:

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Mt. Washington Cog Railway tracks

Starting to head up the mountain we made sure we were on the correct tracks.

The further up the mountain we chugged the more foreboding it became.

Each of the railroad ties are numbered going up and down the mountain. 

With each cog and chug someone inspects the tracks to report where something needs

to be looked at or corrected.

Number 95 and 96 appear good to go!

We followed the blue and green train going up!

Mt. Washington Railway

It appeared to us below that the railway way reaching to the top.

Once we were in our railway car we realized that this wasn't even the beginning of the ascent!

You could almost draw a line where the frost began.

The chugging begins.

While waiting for you train there's lots to explore at the base station.

All the railway cars are tin top notch shape.  

Ascending and Descending the mountain every day requires on-going maintenance.

The passenger rail cars provide warmth and comfort for the ride.

Mt. Washington Cog Railroad Base Station

Starting at 2700 ft is just the beginning of adventure at the Mt. Washington Cog Railroad Station.

The beginning of the climb.

The ole steam engine is the worker bee!

Look closely at for the cogs that gives the mountain its name!

The cogs keep the trains safe when navigating the mounting tracks.

Through the rain, snow, sleet, ice, winds and 'sun', the cogs keep the train secured to the tracks.

From all around the world folks make their way to the mountain.

--If you build it they will come--

God provided the mountain and the cog railway provided the access!

Mt. Washington Hotel ~ A day inside

A cozy day inside the Mt. Washington 

From the ceiling to the floor artwork provides a place for your eyes to gaze.

A grand piano always catches my eye ~ and a Steinway to boot!

Each door has old world character!

A relaxing pseudo outdoor spot where you can stay warm!

Mt. Washington Hotel ~ Bretton Woods

My first thoughts on viewing the Mt. Washington Hotel?

~That porch is my destination!~

Before you enter the premises of Mt. Washington you're in awe by the building itself let alone the astounding mountains surrounding the area.

That Porch!

Sit back and relax with your favorite hot or cold beverage.

The scenery can mesmerize you for hours.

The ever changing clouds on top, below and through the mountains changes the view continually.

Even the back of the hotel offers awe filled moments!

Lost River Gorge, New Hampshire

Through the pines on the trail at Lost River Gorge you can peer out to the New Hampshire mountains that roll in every direction possible!

My turn to squeeze through the boulders!

Sometimes you go up - up - up and then sometimes you go waaaaay down!

If you choose you can do some sperlunking! 

The boulders have markings to give you directions to go in one end and crawl, squeeze, or whatever it takes to come out the other end!