Leaf Peeping

 In mid-September on the coast of Maine the changing colors of the trees were barely making their appearance.  However, a few cold nights changed that and more and more colors began appearing so we thought it would be a good time to do some leaf peeping in New Hampshire and Vermont.  Yes, we got our fill of the changing colors and it was all that we thought it would be.  Though some of the locals said because of the drought the colors were not very vibrant, not as many and as soon as they changed color they would drop.  WARNING: LOTS OF TREE PICTURES!!!

From a vista point in New Hampshire looking towards Vermont

We packed up our trailer and found an RV park in North Conway, New Hampshire along the Saco River.  

I was excited to find a covered bridge as I didn't know how many we would come across on our trip.  This one is closed off to car traffic.

We then turn another corner and there's another covered bridge(!), that you can drive through!!

The next day we headed to Mt. Washington's Auto Road.  Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern US and part of the Appalachian Trail sitting at 6288ft.  You can drive up, hike up, or take a cog train up.  It was low 70's at the bottom, at the top it felt like it was in the 20's with the wind blowing around 60mph and clouds blowing in and out.  We didn't get any pictures at the very top (too cold, not dressed for it!).  We got about 100 pictures of the trees and other scenery driving up or down the road, some with the truck window down, some with it up due to the wind blowing.  There are many hiking trails and waterfalls along the road to stop and enjoy, so we did.

We had read there was a Dog Fair going on in North Conway so we joined in for a couple hours watching dogs leap into the water, going through an obstacle course, and mingling with other breeds.  We did see one other Standard Poodle, but not another Portuguese Water Dog.  We then strolled through town to the many boutiques and checked out the eateries.  Onto the "Kanc"!  The Kancamagus Highway is a 34 mile scenic drive in the White Mountains of NH which follows the Swift river and its many waterfalls, gorges and flumes.  While the trees were not in their "prime" colors just yet, it was still beautiful.

Since we were so close, we drove into Vermont (because it would look SO different 😁) to see more colors and go to an apple orchard.  We were also told about a "Dog Mountain"in St. Johnsbury, where 50 acres were open for dogs to play.  We happened to go through . . . another covered bridge!  It was a beautiful drive.

Apples all over the ground!  I wonder what they do with all of these?  Some are perfectly intact.

Dogs weren't allowed in the orchard, so I had to do a selfie of the actual picking....hahaha!!  These are Honeycrisp, my favorite apple variety.

I made Ina Garten's Apple Crisp with these apples, along with a Salted Carmel sauce.  It was delicious!

Next stop was Dog Mountain which is privately owned.  There are hiking trails, during summer there are cooling ponds,  a gift store and a doggie chapel.  The chapel is filled with note cards of pets that have gone over the rainbow.  I also heard it is where dogs can get married ?!?  I guess anything goes!  

Otis has found either a hole or a tennis ball.  Beautiful grounds and scenery....all you need is wine!

The dog chapel, with a dog door

Love the ends of the pews

We had read about floating down the Saco river and it's one of the reasons we picked North Conway and our campground.  Well, let's just say that the wind was stronger than the current, going the opposite direction.  It was still fun to get on the paddleboard and go up and down the river a bit, and cool off.  The dogs liked swimming and trying to catch up.  

Duke REFUSED to sit.  We were able to go up and back for about 15 minutes like this.  When the paddle- board hit the shore Otis kept sitting on it, I think he really likes being on a vessel in the water.

We have a month left in Maine and then ???  We are going to DC area for sure, to South Carolina and Georgia but no definite timeline or places yet.  We are taking all suggestions for RV parks, Doggie daycares, and must see/do's.  Thanks for following!