Bald Mt, overlooking.....everything!!! OMG

Today I ventured over to Willard Pond, in Antrim(I always think of it as Hancock). This area is part of the dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, (NH Audobon Society). I took the Tamposi Trail to the top. Very strenuous, and not for the weak of heart. I was huffing and puffing! There are some steep parts, but the view from the top is well worth the workout. Even at 3 in the afternoon, the sun was so warm on my face. I had this beautiful place all to myself. I took the Bald Mt trail down, then Tudor trail back to the parking lot. A word of caution, the trails are marked with yellow pieces of plastic on the Temposi Trail, and red plastic on the Bald Mt trail. The markers were not always easy to see(partly because of the foliage), but mostly because they were spread out. I had to do some searching around the top to locate the Bald Mt trail back.

The trail map recommends 2-2.5 hrs. for both trails, but I did not come close to that. I brought a walking stick, and found it very useful. There are plenty of large glacial eratics to crawl around and under. Large boulder fields cover the eastern slope toward the pond. There are awesome views of Crotched Mt., and Mt. Monadnock with Silver Lake below. I couldn't have asked for a better time, or place to be today.

It's Fall in New England

These Red Efts and Ladybugs are all over the place this time of year. Red Efts are the adult stage of Notpthalmus viridescens. They can remain in this stage up to seven years. After which they may or may not return to the water to undergo a second metamorphosis. In the winter, they go underground and emerge in the spring. In their larval stage, they are aquatic for nearly the whole summer, as those brownish salamanders you can see swimming around in ponds.

Ladybugs have converged on the side of my house, as well as inside. So my cats are entertained all the time. While riding my mountain bike I am continually aware of the orange salamanders on the trail. Sometimes I see them at the last second and have to try to avoid them without causing myself bodily harm. Needless to say, I've taken a couple of "headers". The balmy weather over the last several days suits me just fine, as does the sunshine. Today is gray and gloomy, but a good day to get household chores out of the way, and start an art project.
If you ever get to Keene, NH. check out the art gallery on Main St. next to Miller Bros. The art inside is extrordinary! Check out Kyle Stuckey. He's a teenager who is homeschooled, with no formal art training. This kid is an artistic genius in my book. His artwork is far more mature than his years. He IS going places. Very Monet-esque.

Whale watch

For some unknown reason, I can't get this picture rotated 90 degrees. But anyway, this is one of many of the "you might be fat if" series. This chubby girl is not looking for whales, she IS the whale. My oh my, that bathingsuit looks alot like mine.
I drew this while sitting on the beach in Maine this summer.

Grape Scott!!!

Today was a gray, dampish sort of day. I decided to go foraging for Chicken of the Woods, a lovely orange polypore I had seen yesterday. I couldn't find it again, so I went looking for the Concord grapes. I did find THEM! I collected a couple pounds worth and made this great grape pie! That's right grape pie, with struedel topping. Yum! It is a labor of love though. Fun to squish the pulp out of the skin. I felt like a kid getting all purpley....is that a word? I bet this pie is gonna be good with some Walpole Creamery sweet cream ice cream.

Who Knew Mt Ascutney Has an Auto Road?

Mt Ascutney does have an auto road by Jove. I happened upon whilst out on my motorcycle last Sunday. It was a bittersweet day. I had sold my grand piano for $500. I put the cash in the pocket of my chaps, and off I went. After the beautiful four mile ride up the mountain, I took off the chaps and stowed them in my saddlebags. Didn't give it another thought. I walked the .7 mile to the summit of Mt. Ascutney. Spent about a half hour up there, and exploring nearby trails. The mountain is a 2000 footer for those keeping track. I could see Mt Monadnock to the east, and the Berkshires to the southwest. The view everywhere was incredible and well worth the trip.

When I got home, I once again took off the chaps. I emptied all my pockets as I usually do at the end of the day. No $500! That's right. Was I upset, and disappointed, and angry. But easy come, easy go right? Hopefully the money wound up in the pockets of someone who needed it more than I do. I still thanked God for the wonderful day of riding, and finding that mountain. I shall go there more often since it's practically in my back yard.