Canoeing, Peak-bagging and Gunkholing

Peakbagging - Bethel from Mt Will
Lobster Shack on the Coast
The Gunk Hole
The past couple of weeks have been pretty exciting.
First - the canoeing. We have finally gotten to take a canoe down a short stretch of the Androscoggin - no pictures. It was raining so hard when we got off that we looked like a couple of drowned rats. Fortunately we did not take our camera with us or we'd be buying a new one. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and plan to take the longer trip later this week. Then we might move up to some basic river kayaking. The river is really friendly - "quick" water so we don't have to paddle too much, no rapids, lots of islands to stop and picnic on. We saw some wildlife - an otter (or maybe it was a mink), a duck and and an eagle or falcon.

Unfortunately, Tom is still not up to hiking much, but Sally has hit several local peaks. First was Mt Will which is about 8 miles from here. When I can get blogspot to upload a picture you will be able to see Bethel from the ledges about halfway down from the peak. Next was Mt Crag over in NH - a small peak but worth the practice. Then the Roost in White Mtn Natl Forest. Then Table Rock up near Grafton Notch. It is a blue blazed side trail off the AT just north of the notch. Finally I climbed Albany Mtn (1000 foot climb, the most so far). I brought back just two servings of the tiny blueberries for dessert that night.

In between, we went down to Portland and had a great seafood feast on the coast near Two Lights State Park. It's been up in the eighties up here in the Mountains but much cooler with the ocean breezes!

To cool off we go "gunkholing" which is an unattractive term for finding the best swimming hole with the coolest water and just hanging out till you either turn blue or have to go home. There are several close by and it really helps to get away for a couple of hours.

Stay tuned for more details ... we have been to the short track races and to hear a real small town Brass Band. And tomorrow we're going white water rafting - wish you were here!