New Hampshire to Maine

We camped on a snow mobile road in Vermont and then crossed into New Hampshire in the morning, a morning that eventually became sunny. We had a full day to enjoy New Hampshire. The route we took was through the White Mountains and we were at a loss about where to hike. It got old jumping out of the truck for all the scenic outlooks. Eventually we settled on a hike that promised to be “relatively easy” with great views. This “easy” category is in comparison to trying to live in a rural New Hampshire environment and keep food and shelter together for a family. Nothing to it, except that it was straight up and then straight down…luckily, just 3 miles. (In this designation of “easy” they are like the Canadians map makers who also must have bionic knees.)
If I can stop complaining a moment I’d just like to write that the views were beautiful. We have been so lucky to hold onto the fall colors since Wisconsin.

It frosted, down to the mid-twenties, last night. By then we’d crossed into Maine. We camped at some dog training field that was interspersed with small clear cuts. In the morning the small survivor plants were etched in ice.

Once we’d re-provisioned at a natural foods store in Norway, Me., we canoed the Androscoggin River, in search of a moose. (Apparently the search for a moose defines the tourist in Maine and brings out great disgust in the locals...) We saw osprey and bald eagle, but moose have proven illusive throughout all the northern ranges we have hoped to see them. We were able to add to my vast garbage collection however. It seems that plastic and styrofoam litter is one thing that the wanderer can count on, no environment seems to be totally free of it. The bottom of the canoe was loaded with it when we paddled back to voyage on to our friends'.