A Lady Escapes: White Mountain Wonder

In early October, I take to the mountains. It is there, amidst a wilderness of peaks, that I can best appreciate nature's grand display of autumn color. Thus last weekend I drove north to the White Mountains yet again, where near 80% of the trees had turned.  The simple and relatively quick route to the White Mountains encourages my regular returns, but I am repeatedly struck by the beauty I continuously find, safeguarded in the old places and bursting in the new. The Kancamangus Highway was as glorious as ever, but stumbling upon the Silver Cascade waterfall and hiking to Ripley Falls (both in Crawford Notch) afforded such excitement and exhilaration that made me eager for more trips. Is it odd that one of my favorite parts about being a Bostonian is how easy it is to get away? 

A Lady Escapes: Ode to Franconia Notch

My love for nature continues to lead me elsewhere during my weekends. Two weeks ago it led me to the White Mountains, chasing waterfalls and marveling at peaks. I left the city early, reaching the mountains well before 9. I chose the forests of Franconia Notch for my summer's day, focusing on three paths in particular: the Pemi Trail to the Basin; the Basin Cascade Trail to Lonesome Lake and the Lake Trail back to Lafayette Campground, where I had parked the car. I was far from alone during the hikes-families filled the paths with their enthusiasm and laughter. Still, I had a couple moments of solitary tranquility, finding my bliss so far away from Boston in the beautiful land of New Hampshire. The future foliage lets summer enjoy her last evenings-before long, I will be back.