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New England Fall 2023
  • Amy and Pat Taylor

New England Fall 2023

A 15-day adventure by Amy and Pat Read more
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  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler
    11

    Fall color and Covered Bridges

    October 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    This is Amy's take on the covered bridges (the photos she took while we were there.

    There was a second covered bridge we saw that I did not include in my photos. Unlike the first bridge, the second bridge is closed and has been replaced by a modern bridge.Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Polly's Pancakes

    October 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    Polly's Pancakes has been around for more than 80 years and is the goto place around here. A massive variety of pancakes - all made from scratch and serve with local maple syrup.

    How could we go wrong? We gad a short wait (they run a wait every day). The pancakes were great. It was a nice experience. Amy (the traditionalist) got plain pancakes. I tried a mixture. They let you mix and match upto 3 different pancakes and each with toppings if you like.

    I got 1 Oreo cookie pancake, 1 gingerbread pancake and 1 oat pancakes. Amy's plain pancakes were the best. But it was worth the try.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Flume Gorge, Franconia SP

    October 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    So, this is one of those places where you wonder how many pictures can you actually take and how many can you bear to post?

    The Flume Gorge is a gap in the rocks created by a glacier 25000 years ago. The water rushes, trickles, runs, pools, and slides down the mountian through the gorge. The water is crystal clear. There are hundreds of great photo locations. Then there is the fall foliage.

    This was a nice easy hike up a piece of the gorge and back down, about 3.5 miles round trip. The park service built walkways to make it possible for just about anyone to do the hike.

    There is something different about a flume vs a waterfall. The flume has a lot of character and is drawn out over a larger area.

    Here are about 20 pictures from our hike. I'm sure we have 300 more. All beautiful.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler
    2

    Biking the Franconia Notch Rec. Path

    October 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    The Franconia Notch path runs along the river / stream after the gorge flume that we hiked. This is an 18-mile (down and back) path running through the woods mostly, but it pops back over to the stream several times for beautiful mini flume opportunities as well as a few pond pools.

    The path is mostly paved and easy to navigate. There is a bridge overpass that has a massive moutian view.

    We had a great time. The ride was not as nice as the ride at Acadia, but that is not a fair comparison. We did find a lot of fall color.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Amy's Cannon Mountain

    October 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Pat captured it perfectly. He was not a hiker before, and it means a lot to me that he hikes with me. And that he gets it...he understands why I love it so much, he is loving it too. We have met so many great people on this trip and on these trails. It's nice to make connections, even if only for a few minutes. We met a man and his young son ,maybe 12 years old, on top of the fire tower who HIKED up Cannon Mountain! Over 4000 feet! The man was probably 50 and they were thrilled with their awesome accomplishment! They were smart and had a ticket down on the tram...it's the downhill that kills the knees! Pat was inspired.Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler
    2

    The "Kanc" and Scenic White Mtns Trail

    October 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We spent our afternoon in full Leaf Peeping mode...we have earned our badges! The Kancamagus Hwy (a National Scenic Byway), nicknamed "the Kanc" runs through the White Mountains National Forest. It climbs to nearly 3000 feet and has numerous scenic overlooks. Depending on where you are, elevation wise, leaves are in varying degrees of changing color. Here, it was definitely in peak color! I have to say again, pictures just do not do it justice. They say this coming weekend is going to be CRAZY! We are thrilled with our timing...the leaves are gorgeous, the weather is perfect, the crowds are low! The only negative is the smoke haze. Its not too bad, but views would be longer if skies were clearer. We took the Kanc drive in the reverse direction from the guide map, so traffic in our direction is even lower...at times no one ahead or behind! We made it to the ice cream stop in Crawford Notch just in time! 10 minutes later and there would have been disappointment! We never did see a moose. The tram guide says the population is down due to high numbers of ticks (we never saw one). They weaken the moose and they don't survive winter 😪 . Trying to include only the best of the best pictures...it's hard to pick! We have loved NH and hope to come again someday!Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler
    2

    Be verwy quiet, we're hunting moose!

    October 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    We took a short but very lovely hike in our final moose hunt...there is an active moose wallow nearby and so there was a chance ..no luck on moose, but a very peaceful stroll through a quiet mostly pine forest. Reminded me of the forest behind my grandmother's house that I loved so much as a child.Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler
    2
    2122113

    Cannon Mountain Tram Ride

    October 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 61 °F

    Today's big adventure was a tram ride to the top of Cannon Mountain. Another ski mountain (this time in New Hampshire). The tallest ski mountain in New Hampshire and the same mountain we were biking and hiking around yesterday.

    We took the tram up, and then it was a short hike through some evergreens (it sooo smelled like Christmas) and climbed a stairway up a tower for a mountain peak 360 view.

    The view was great, but the hike was better. The hike was better because as we walked through the evergreens and came upon an overlook, My Lovely gasped like a 15 year old girl. I could hear the joy bounding out of her. Truly, the best thing about this trip for me has been that moment.

    A few steps later, and you see the video I shot of her walking out on the rock face. (1st video)

    My Lovely sat down and took it all in. She took some pictures and some video, but mostly she sat there and breathed for 15 minutes. Fabulous. The look on her face. The look in her eyes. I just can't tell you. You have to see it in your heart.

    We left that rock face and back into the evergreens. My Lovely says, "This speaks to my soul."

    Enjoy the pictures. The fall color is now completely in its prime.

    Today's weather was perfect. Except for the time on the mountain top, it was a tee shirt and windows down day.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Morning fog, OTR to Delaware Water Gap

    October 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    We had a wonderful time in Vermont and New Hampshire, but it us time to move on. The first 2 hours (at least) of our drive out was moving through fog. My lovely captured some of the beautiful scenery through the fogRead more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Time Lapse (sort of)

    October 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Can she pick it or what? My Lovely scheduled this trip perfectly. As we leave, the fall colors are fully there. The locals are saying that this weekend will be completely crowded with the leaf peepers. We got to see the show without the crowd.

    You have seen the beautiful colors on the pictures we have posted. These 2 photos are the same shot 72 hours apart. Look at the color change during our stay.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    DWG NRA Dingman's Falls

    October 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    I (Amy) worked at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for 2 seasons when I was 19 and 20 as a volunteer the first season, and an official (stetson and all) interpretive Park Ranger the 2nd. I loved every minute of it. I did a lot of different things, but my favorites were canoe trips on the Delaware River, doing guided nature walks to Silverthread and Dingman's Falls, and working in the living history village. Pat and I rode our bikes from the campground up to the visitor center at Dingman's Falls. My 2nd year I lived in the house at Dingman's Falls with Jeanette McGeehan from Baltimore. I've tried to find her through the years on FB but have never had any luck. I googled the house A few years back....and it was gone. In its place was a new visitor center, parking lot ,and restrooms. It made me sad. I wanted to show Pat the falls and the place of so many great memories. We rounded the last bend in the road and the visitor center came into view. And right behind it....the house!! Shrouded in trees. It must have been hidden from satellite view by the trees. I was so overcome, I teared up, almost cried. It made me so happy to see the little house still sitting there after all. We stood on the porch and I showed Pat where we once pulled 3 picnic tables up to the house, put them end to end, covered them in newspaper and had a party. Jeanette's BF came up from Baltimore with coolers full of still-warm Baltimore steamed crab. It was heavenly. Pat and I walked to the falls. Silverthread was running a little heavier than normal. It was beautiful. We walked on to Dingman's Falls and found the boardwalk closed. Several people were there sitting and chatting. They said the storms a few days earlier had done some damage to the trail. It's very unlike me, but I had to try, so we ducked under the tape and kept going. We were almost to the falls, could kind of see it through the trees, when the path was blocked completely. Disappointing, but we turned around. Had a nice conversation with the group back at the closure. One couple lived in Franconia NH where we just came from! I was still just so happy the house was standing! We rode our bikes a few miles on the McDade trail and spent a few minutes on the beautiful riverbank.
    ***UPDATE***
    As we left DWG, I searched Facebook again and found someone who lived outside Baltimore and looked like I imagined Jeannette might look like today. I messaged her. It took a few days before she saw the message and responded! See pictures below... I immediately called her and we reconnected for the next 40 minutes. She has a great memory! They are headed out west with their camper in a couple weeks and are going to try to come thru Nashville...I can't wait to see my sweet friend from so long ago!    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    The VCT...what is it?

    October 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    A destination for visitors from across the US and a cherished asset for local residents, the Virginia Creeper Trail is best known as a biking trail, but in reality, the VCT is a multi-use trail with opportunities to bike, walk, run, fish, horseback ride, people watch, cross country ski and geocache, along with chances to observe and learn about the native fauna and flora, as well as the fascinating historical and economic role the railroad played in southwest Virginia.

    The trail got its unusual name from the early steam locomotives as they struggled slowly up steep grades, carrying lumber. Having failed to turn a profit since the Great Depression, the Creeper ran its last train on March 31, 1977. The trail gained new life in 1984, when it was designated a National Recreation Trail.

    Over 150,000 people use the trail annually, and in 2014 it was inducted in to the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.

    From Whitetop Station near the top of the second highest peak in Virginia, the Creeper Trail meanders (mostly!) downhill through and over some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable – open farmlands and fields, dense forests, Christmas tree farms, rushing streams and creeks. On your way, you’ll sail across nearly 50 wooden trestles as you glide above this stunning scenery and travel through small, charming towns and past restored railroad depots. The VCT will intersect with the Appalachian Trail at a few points along your journey and, between Damascus and Whitetop, you’ll find Whitetop Laurel Creek, one of Virginia’s largest and most beautiful wild trout streams, just feet from the trail.

    The elevation change along the 34-mile trail is moderate. Near the top of Whitetop Mountain, you’ll find Whitetop Station at 3500’ and Damascus (the half-way point) clocking in at a little over 1900’ – an elevation change of almost 1600’ in 17 miles. From Damascus to the trail head in Abingdon, the trail inclines slightly, with an elevation increase of less than 300’ that includes a moderate climb from the Holston River confluence to Abingdon. View Elevation Profile.

    Heading down from Whitetop to Damascus takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on your pace. Add another 2 hours or so to travel from Damascus to the trail head in Abingdon.

    The diverse landscape, the elevation variability and multiple access points all combine to make for a design-your-own Creeper Trail adventure and a chance to individualize your experience according to your time constraints, what portions of the trail you’d like to see, or whether you’re riding with very young children or energetic teens. Most folks opt for a shuttle from Damascus or Abingdon up to Whitetop Station and then journey the entire 34-mile trail to Abingdon or down to Damascus, located halfway between Whitetop and the trail head, though you can also head to Abingdon directly from Damascus or, for a more challenging route, bike up from Abingdon or Damascus to Whitetop Station.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Virginia Creeper Trail...our take

    October 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    We were uncertain about going today, due to forecasted rain. However, we knew if we didn't it would be a while before we got back here and we had been looking forward to this for months. So we packed our rain gear and took our chances.

    We had previously gotten permission from St John's Episcopal Church to park our rig in their parking lot for the day. It was only a block from the shuttle pick up in Abingdon VA.

    We met our shuttle driver, Hughes, who is 75 years young...boy he really knew those curvy, narrow mountain roads. He's been doing this for years. Not easy hauling a trailer loaded with bikes. He was quite talkative, and we enjoyed getting to know him. He dropped us safely at Whitetop , at 3500 feet. It was cool and overcast, and the trailhead was busy.

    We rode all the way down ( and a little back up) to Abingdon. Our odometer said 36.5 miles. We hit the trail at 11:27 am and arrived at the other end at 5:07 pm. In between was a marvelous ride!!

    Once we began riding, the trail was not too busy. Much of the time we were alone. Occasionally, we would pass a group. Or one would pass us. The sun came out and it was beautiful. Much of the ride felt like a magical tree tunnel. Colors are changing. There was one valley that looked every bit as colorful as NH! We followed a river most of the way. We passed over almost 50 tressel bridges! This is, after all, all rail-trail. Some short, some long, some curved.

    The halfway point, Damascus, was a small town that took a bit to get through and was ok...kind of boring. But once back out in the country it was lovely again. It was different than the first half. Coming down the mountain changed to biking through rolling pastures and forests with mountains in the distance.

    Toward the end of our ride...maybe 5 miles from the end, we started to feel misty rain. We really didn't want to have to break out the rain gear, so we put our bikes on assist 4 and raced for the finish line. We did 70% of the ride with no assist. We got the bikes loaded and headed for our last campsite just as the rain started.

    We really loved this ride and would love to do it again.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Hellbender's in Taylor Valley

    October 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    We took our lunch, but when we got to the party at Hellbendersm's, we'll, we just had to have a hot dog and some lemonade! It was really good, everyone is in such a happy mood.

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Committment

    October 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Our Wednesday group is currently doing a Bible study of Ephesians 5 on Biblical marriage. One of the central points is that marriage is a commitment, not a feeling ...though there can be those , too!
    We have taken to saying "I am very committed to you"...it's silly, we laugh, but it's true. I love this man. I am very committed to him.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    The Bikes

    October 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    The bikes took this trip to the next level. They gave the trip a new dimension.

    Last fall, after camping season was over, we bought the camper. Then, very shortly after that, inspired by watching camping videos (trying to decide where we would go), we bought the bikes. Before that, bikes had not been on our radar.

    The bikes are awesome. They allowed us to see things we would not have seen otherwise. Had we gone to Acadia without the bikes, we would have spent another day hiking instead of the bike ride we took. We would have seen some beautiful views, but in the case of Acadia, we saw those views by bike instead. And the bonus is that we saw 10 times more by bike that we would have on foot.

    In the case of the Virginia Creeper Trail, without the bikes, we would not have seen any of it. The VCT was an awesome day and a great adventure that we will do again. The VCT is 34 miles long and most of it georgeous. No bikes, no VCT.

    The bikes will not replace the hikes, but without the bikes, we will see and do less.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    For Ladies Only

    October 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Ok ladies, about a year ago, I quit going to the nail salon. Too expensive and the gel, or maybe it was the removal of the gel polish, had destroyed my nails. It has taken almost a year for my nails to be strong again. I have gone back to "regular polish." This post is to show you my "regular polish" after 2 WEEKS camping! All I have done is add a top coat a couple of times, and on one nail I had a small chip I repaired. I'm shocked it has lasted this long. I use Olive and June polish. This is one of their "long lasting" colors. Super happy 😊Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorNew England Fall 2023Traveler

    Top 5 and a Wrap Up

    October 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Well, this is a Top 5 +1
    15 Days
    8 States + A Night In Canada
    16 Events
    1 Trip to the Emergency Room
    2 Trips Down Memory Lane
    1000s of photos – (Posted 604 photos)
    3590 Miles
    65 Hours Driving
    0 Moose
    And I added a New Song to My Favorites List.

    So what was the best and what was … not so much?

    We had a great trip. Every day was wonderful. Every day was a different adventure, even the drive days. We had great weather. The temperature stayed in the 60’s and 70’s. Not once were we hot, and not once were we cold. We had a little wetness one day but not enough to call it rain. The sun was shining when the smoke from Canada didn’t get in the way.

    So let’s get on with it.

    The lows.

    There were no lows. We had a trip to the ER at the very beginning of the trip. But all was good. No broken bones!

    But we had one thing that did not warrant the time. Polly’s Pancakes. The pancakes were fine, but they were pancakes. I only mention it because we had to wait a bit. Not long. And I am not complaining, but in retrospect, I would have flipped my own and used that time elsewhere.

    Honorable Mention – The Plus one.

    The trip to Jamestown (Amy’s Home Town) did not make the top 5. But it was special. Meeting Aunt Linda was great. Watching Amy hug on her was awesome. We went to Pace’s Pizza (which was great) and Amy showed me around the sites of the small town and the things she did, where she grew up. But it was Sunday and several places we closed, and others were closed for the season, and that was a little bit disappointing and one of the reasons why Jamestown didn’t make the top 5.

    Okay. I can’t count. 5+2 Because I have to mention another.

    I have to mention the Franconia Notch too. Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous. Just go. Do it. You won’t be disappointed.

    Drum Roll Please!!!!

    #5. Dingman Falls – Delaware Water Gap.
    This is all about emotion and feeling. Seeing Amy’s face when she saw that the house (which she thought was gone) that she summered in while working for the National Park Service was still there. Letting her share a piece of her life with me as she walked me to the falls was special.

    #4. Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Ride
    The VCT was great. Awesome views. A full day of fun. Pictures and video galore. Seeing families be families. People walking their dogs. Young and old living life. It made us feel vibrant and blessed. We took in the scenery and we enjoyed a hot dog. We had a full day and we outran the rain.

    #3. Acadia National Park – Carriage Road Bike Ride
    Acadia National Park is one of the highest rated National Parks and with good reason. The ride in Acadia was more serene than the bike ride on the VCT. The trails are wide, and things were easy. The most awesome views were of the lakes, streams, and ponds. But the trees and the leaves were beautiful too. We picnicked next to a still lake and spoke in hushed tones. The water in the lakes is so clear, you can see the bottom at 45-foot depth.

    #2. Cannon Mountain Tram
    This one is again all about emotion. Seeing the joy leap out of Amy when she walked out of the evergreens and onto that rock face was priceless. That one moment paid for all the driving. It captured the entire trip – not the view (which was spectacular) but Amy. When she gasped, I felt it. The tram ride the walk (you can’t call it a hike) up to the top was beautiful. This stop was only a couple of hours but it was packed with WOW!!!

    #1. Togetherness
    We spent 14 nights in a camper and 65 hours driving, and we loved it. Amy and I share a lot together, but most of what we share is work, chores, or responsibilities. In these 2 weeks, we shared togetherness, faith, and love in an environment which for some could be challenging, and for us, the love grew.

    During one of the drives, we listened to our bible study podcast on ‘Marriage as a Commitment’. After that, we commonly substituted the word ‘love’ with the words ‘committed’ or ‘commitment’. It was silly, and it was fun, but it emphasized how much we tell each other and show each other with our actions, how much we love and are committed to each other.

    We had the trip to the ER, and then we headed out to have fun. We had the sunrise that didn't happen. And we had the 'sunrose.'

    We listened to music as we drove. From faith-based music to country, to our beloved 70’s music, to instrumental. Amy would queue up Tim McGraw’s My Best Friend (our song), just to see me smile (I know it wasn’t to hear me sing).

    The new song on my favorites list is also a Tim McGraw song.

    Don’t Take The Girl

    ***Bonus***
    I have to mention this. Amy concurred with this list. But while I was writing, Amy pointed out that Niagara Falls didn’t make the Top 5. I paused and looked at the list again, and that is correct. After re-examining the list, Niagara Falls doesn’t make the list. The falls and the day that we went to the falls were fun. And I am so glad we didn’t miss the Falls. Obviously, if you have a chance to go – go. But this is our list and all the rest was better for us.    Read more

    Trip end
    October 7, 2023
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