New Hampshire

HPIM1044
A covered bridge over the Swift River near our campground

Our New Hampshire visit was a much different experience than Newport, mainly due to BUGS! There were virtually no bugs in the Newport campground so we could spend unlimited time outside unmolested. Not so in the woods of NH. Also, our campground there was about a 35 minute drive from Jeff’s parents’ place, so the running back and forth in our truck got old after a while.

 

 

Vicky enjoying screaming down the broads.
Vicky enjoying screaming down the broads.

Despite that we still had a great time enjoying Wolfeboro, Lake Winnepesaukee and family. The first weekend we were here Vicky came up for a couple of days. We took the boat up to 19 mile bay for ice cream and she sampled our pullout couch in the RV. We ran right out and bought some firewood and were planning to have a roaring fire at our new campsite.  But before we could get it started we were swarmed by mosquitos, so we ran inside and turned on the fireplace instead.

 

 

 

 

Jeff and I went on a few mountain bike rides along shaded back roads and even over a covered bridge nearby. These rides were fine as long as you kept moving. Stopping for any reason involved an immediate attack by deer flies, mosquitos and gnats. The gnats didn’t bite but had a strange desire to fly into every opening on your head (ears, eyes, nose, mouth) yuck!

HPIM1043

 

 

Even our screen house didn’t completely solve the problem. We set it up on the grass and arranged our anti-gravity chairs and cocktails, only to find that all the little gnats which had apparently been in the grass were now on the ceiling desperately trying to fly to the light. They didn’t really come near us, but it was alarming. We opened the screens to try to free the gnats, and 2 bees and a huge moth came in. We went inside.

 

 

IMG_1190On the weekend, we did a gorgeous 10 mile kayak with Jeff’s sister, Nancy, down the Saco River in Maine. The current was perfect given some recent rains and there were lots of people out enjoying the sandy-bottomed river. Sunburned, drunken campers provided entertainment (only one got us with a water canon).

We had some nice family time with Jeff’s parents, sister Nancy, brother Peter and his wife Irene.  We went to the 4th of July Parade and drove the motorboat to Wolfeboro Bay for the 4th of July fireworks. It was a really nice evening and the fireworks were fun, but there was some adventure afterward. As everyone was leaving the bay, the boat would not go into gear. Fortunately we were able to hail another boat and they graciously towed us to a marina not far away. Then we had to wake up Jeff’s parents to come pick us up – parenthood never ends!

IMG_1163
Adirondack chair outside the Nordic Skier
photo-9
Jeff, Nancy, Jim, Aline

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1198
Sunset on Lake Winnepesaukee
IMG_1160
Jeff at the condo

 

 

It was great to see Jeff’s parents, Jim and Aline. They were wonderful hosts and we had many fun visits at their condo playing games, hitting golf balls and eating yummy dinners. Aline even made us her some of her famous goodies such as breakfast crepes, spice cake and lemon cake.

IMG_1186
Aline’s lemon cake….yum!

 

 

IMG_1184
The Beech River

 

On our last full day in NH I kayaked on the Beech River to Ossipee Lake. It was a gorgeous day.   I saw some impressive turtles (dinner plate size) and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. They flew away too quickly for me to snap a picture, but they’re about crow-sized, very colorful, and they mate for life.

 

 

IMG_1190
Ossipee Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were quite a few rain showers and thunderstorms while we were in New Hampshire too. That, in addition to the bugs, prevented us from using that nice stack of firewood we bought the first night of our stay. As our time in NH neared its end, I set up the screen tent next to the fire pit hoping for an unmolested campfire, and things were looking good (gnats and bees apparently asleep). The firestarter was ripping through the nice, dry kindling; I was settled in my comfy chair;  and then I saw lightening. I SWEAR I did not see a thing on the weather radar map that I had checked just before starting the fire, but there it was.  A huge storm came through, so I had to watch the fire (which survived!) from the window of the camper and then run out in the rain to put it out before bed!

Jeff’s brother Peter showed us an awesome option for battling the bugs aptly named    “The Executioner”.  You know how when you go outside there’s always that one deer fly that just persecutes you the entire time? Well, this puppy is the answer. One swat and “POW!” — it’s gone.
IMG_1183
Jeff ready for that one mosquito buzzing around inside Monty….
So far our trip has been better than expected. Admittedly, the campgrounds we’ve been in are not the typical packed-in resort  style we’re likely to be experiencing next. Having so much nice, relaxing time with family has been awesome. Now, we’re off to Bar Harbor!
Hope you’re all enjoying your summer – we miss you New Jerseyites….

6 thoughts on “New Hampshire

  1. This was really fun to read, Sue. It sounds like you’re both having a wonderful time despite the bugs. I bet it was great to spend time in Wolfeboro and on the lake again. I have some really good memories of my visits to that area.

  2. Yes! Aren’t those bug zappers great?! I take one with me every morning when I walk Angel. There are always deerflys out. So are you investing in head nets? I take one of those, too, in case I can’t zap fast enough! Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for the update and the email notification was great. Hugs.

  3. Wolfeboro is beautiful, but yes, the bugs in early summer. You may remember that Mom ended up in the hospital our second summer there due to a reaction to black fly bites. Rich and I took a canoe trip near Ossipee Lake back then and literally jumped out of the canoe to escape the mosquitoes. Keep up the great stories!

  4. David and Karen: I remember both of those things – Rich and I were just talking about the canoe incident! Wolfeboro is as beautiful as ever. Anne: I have one of those head nets but am too embarrassed to wear it outside. I did use it in my backyard and in the woods a few times 🙂

  5. Great post, from all the details to the wonderful photos — especially liked the Beech River shot. My brother lives in Derry NH and I’ve heard him talk about the bugs at certain times of the year. Sounds like part of the learning experience, but I’d probably go for the hazmat suit. Antje and I were in Bar Harbor around the 4th of July and found it painfully touristy, but so many other little harbors to discover, and Acadia of course. Keep on truckin’!

  6. I love living your adventures vicariously through your blogs! Too bad about the nasty bugs, but you conquered them! The biking and kayaking looks stupendous.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *