Weekending

The day began at 3:30 am, we'd planned on hiking a nearby 14er. As we drove up the road to Mt. Evans it was sprinkling a bit despite the weather report. Above treeline the rain turned to snow. Very light snow, but definitely snow. On June 28th. The sun was rising behind us as we came drove out of the trees, and the colors lit up the blowing snow and the fast-moving clouds.

sunrise.

blowing snow.

Needless to say, we did not even attempt the climb that day. However, we decided we'd use up some gas instead of wasting the day and we drove up to Grand Lake and picked a hike on a whim. It ended up being spectacular.

Very pretty hike to be sure.

It was mostly cloudy in the morning and made the hiking up rather pleasant and not so sweaty. We hiked along a raging creek most of the way.

some raging.

I came face to face with a young buck around one of the switchbacks. I simply froze and watched him as he stared at me from about 10 feet away. Then he bounded off ahead. I wasn't quick enough to get a photo. I did, however get a photo of a much slower moose (and much further away.)

up and up.

more raging

Lone Pine Lake.

The hike ended at a small lake called Lone Pine Lake after crossing a recent avalanche area. We ate, rested and sunbathed before heading back. It was about 11 miles all told and definitely a hike I'd like to do again, perhaps as an overnighter.

I am sad to have missed the wedding reception for an old friend of mine. We were gone much longer than we anticipated.

relax time

Picking my way back down the slide area. 

Mr. Moose.

(I can never come up with any good titles)

I'm back.

I didn't really write on my trip, but I took note of topics to write about when I returned. So there will be a few posts this week regarding my trip. Today will be a general overview.

We took the red eye on Tuesday night, arriving in Boston just before 5 am. It was rough. I slept a total of 15 minutes or so. We took the train for quite a ways and then were picked up by Liam's brother to sleep more at his place.

Then, on to the Museum of Science and wandering around downtown Boston. It was grand. Perhaps I'm bias, but I think I like Denver's Museum of Nature and Science better, but Boston's was quite fun. I got to see the old State House (as recognized from Assassin's Creed 3), Frog Pond, The Commons, and Quincy Market. We ate a lot of fried seafood.

Old State House, Boston

Day two, we rented a car and headed north to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire where Liam spent a great deal of his childhood. It was cool to finally see all the places he talks about. Also, it was my first time ever at a beach. I've flown over the Atlantic about four times. I've been to the Persian Gulf and also to a beach on Lake Superior, but that was my first time at a legitimate ocean beach. I loved it. But more on that in another post. For dinner we had grilled swordfish and steamers. I had never eaten clams except in chowder before. It was odd, but good.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Day three (Friday). We went back to Hampton Beach and further up the coast to York Maine. Saw a light house. Watched the surf. Waded into the Atlantic in January. Took heaps of photos. We also went inland to visit the University of New Hampshire where Liam spent part of his undergrad. It's a very pretty campus.

Nubble Lighthouse, York, Maine

Day four was another long drive, but it culminated in a summit hike. We drove to the White Mountains in New Hampshire and met up with a friend to hike a four thousand foot peak (how puny!) It was beautiful. Very foggy and snowy and the woods were dripping. It was novel to be able to breathe on a hike. It did get hard at the end, not just a walk-up as I might have assumed at that altitude. The summit was the only place we could see out of the woods and it was an amazing view. We slid back down the mountain on our butts. I guess it's called glissade.

Atop Mt. Jackson with a view of Mt. Washington, New Hampshire

Our last day was spent recovering and packing and eating amazing Lebanese food. It was nice to have a change from all the seafood. I like seafood, but I also like variety.

I have absolutely no complaints about my trip to the East Coast. It was amazing in all respects.