A Day Trip to Gaines Farm

Fall is here, one of my favorite times to explore New England, with the crispness in the air and beautiful colors starting to pop, it is hard to resist a day drink. Even though we had a 1001 chores to do around the house, I did not want to pass up on the beautiful fall day. After soccer we jumped into the the truck and took a ride to Vermont. Our goal was to initially hit the larges corn maze in Vermont, but when we realized it was over two hours away we had to change direction. We started out by grabbing some lunch at Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery. I mean how can you pass up this view.

My husband likes to try a variety of beers and has been wanting to check out this brewery for a while, but it usually has a long wait time. We were initially told that it would be a 35 minute wait, we decided to stay as we could walk around outside. The really cool thing is that you can watch on Yelp to when your seat is ready, you can also reserve your table ahead of time through Yelp. Luckily out wait was only about 15 minutes. They have seeing inside and out, there was no setting outside, but we still had a nice review from the window.

The drinks were refreshing, my husband enjoyed his beer. The food was pretty good, fresh with a variety of Vermont touches like using local ingredients like cheese and beer. My only criticism is that it took a little while to get our food, but it was 2pm and they were packed.

My husband like that they have beer to go as well.

After a delicious meal we drove about five to ten miles south to Gaines Farm. I have been following them on Facebook for a while now as they also raise Golden Retrievers, a breed I’m a little partial too. In the fall they have a pretty fun corn maze and various activities. It was $33 for the three of us (two adults and a child). We started out by doing the corn maze. I like the way they did the maze because there are check points along the way giving you clues to where you are going, That way you do not spend too much time wandering around like I have a tendency to do.

After the corn maze we took a tractor ride. They usually feed the cows, but due to us being their close to closing time the cows had gone to the end of the field, but that was ok we still liked the hay ride. There was a also a smaller tractor ride with individual cars, a cannon to shoot corn out of.

My daughter wanted to explore all the games and toys they had out.

She enjoyed the bouncing mat and the large slide. Along with a Carmel Apple.

There was also various lawn games, pick your own pumpkins, food and animals like pigs, horses, cows, goats, chickens, sheep and turkey’s.

We really enjoyed the couple hours that we spent here and would go back. If you come in the evening they do a haunted corn maze. There is a separate charge for this from the day time maze. If you are looking for something kid friendly come in the day, but if you are looking for a little fright come after 6pm. I would highly recommend putting this on your list of places to check out for fall activities.

All About Me

Being in the outdoors has always come natural to me. When I was just a couple days old I went from the hospital in Aroostook County Maine, into the woods of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway where my parents worked. I lived about 60 miles from the closest town until it was time for me to start school and we loved to Millinocket, Maine.

For 16 summers and a few winters I lived in the Allagash. Here is where I learned to swim, canoe on lakes and white water, primitive camp, hike, read a compass, snowshoe, cross country ski, snowmobile, live in a cabin without electricty or the modern conveniences and overall survive in the wilderness.

Ice Caves on Allagash Lake

Throughout my school years I lived in Millinocket located at the base of Mt. Katahdin and the end of the Appalachian Trail.  Many of my school field trips were based in and around Baxter State Park. During my high school years, summers would find me exploring the lakes and swimming holes around Millinocket. I would drag which ever friend agreed to explore with me. In the winter, I would be cross country skiing, ice fishing or snowmobiling. Fact about me, I hated to hike.  I was fortunate enough to work three summers at Katahdin Air where I could share my love of the region to the area visitors.

The start of a hike into Russell Pond in Baxter State Park.

After graduating high school I wanted something different so I moved to Nashua, NH to attend college. I missed the outdoors. My second year of college I met my now husband, who shared the same love of the outdoors. It was an important criteria to date me. Many weekends were spent in the White Mountains of New Hampshire hiking or kayaking. We also did a couple trips on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Along with a few motorcycle camping trips to Prince Edward Island and Upper New York State.  

On Top of Allagash Mountain, overlooking Allagash Lake.

After we married, we chose to live in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. Living here we could continue to build our careers and also have access to many outdoor activities in our backyard like hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, camping and cross country skiing.

After the birth of our daughter I wanted her to grow up and experience what the great outdoors has to offer. At just two weeks old we brought her hiking for the first time. We got a few weird looks from people, but I am glad we started her young. A few weeks shy of her second birthday, she hiked her first mountain, Kidder Mountain, not huge, but big for an almost two year old.

Throughout the years our outdoor adventures have been sporadic due to the craziness life brings with school events and building my professional career. Off and on we would make getting outside a priority. We would try to spend our summers camping, hiking, canoeing or swimming. In the winter, we would snowshoe, hiking or cross country ski.

The last couple years my family and I have really tried to make it a priority to get outside more. Especially continuing to explore the wonderful Monadnock Region. Frequently I was asked about the trails we hiked, places we camped or day trips taken. That is when I decided to start my facebook page, Getting Lost Together. As my facebook page grew I decided that I needed a place to show case all of our families adventures and a place that people could use as a guide to trails and other outdoor activities in New England. That is when I started Getting Lost Together Website.

Exploring the Ice Castles in Lincoln, NH

In March of 2017 I had completed professional licensure that I needed for my career. I had a little more free time and I found myself lost. I needed a hobby for myself. I had my website and facebook page, but I wanted something more. I had the normal household tasks to take care of and involvement with my daughters activities, but I felt I needed a hobby. I started looking around for a local hiking group and could not find one that suited me. Most of them were in the White Mountains, which I didn’t have time to do. I wanted to start my own, but due to legalities found this difficult. This is when I started doing some research and came across Hike Like a Woman.

They were looking for Ambassadors to help encourage other woman to get out more. I figured I could do that and decided to apply. I did not think I would actually make it, but in July 2017 I got the email that over 200 women applied and I was one of 22 who was chosen. I was more than ecstatic. This opened a lot of doors for me in the outdoor community. The biggest one was I was able to start my own hiking group, Hike Like a Woman Monadnock.

I ran the hiking group successfully for three and a half years. I led women of all ages on over 75 groups hikes, and was one of the most successful hiking groups through Hike Like a Woman.

A year and half ago I was able to reduce my hours at work. I was excited at the thought of all this extra time, but I found myself involved in too much. I was spending several hours a week working on my various ambassadorships and not enjoying time with my daughter or outside. With my daughter heading into her pre-teen years I wanted to make sure I was more available, especially while she still liked me.

I went from not having a hobby to almost having a second job. My very supportive husband and BFF listened to me for days go back and forth on whether to give up my ambassadorships and hiking group. To say it was a difficult decision is an understatement. I decided to give up many commitments to focus time on my family and continuing to build this blog and website. This time has allowed to be build and expand my website.

As my daughter has grown our adventures are now a combination or hiking, water fun, day trips and overnight adventures along with some of my favorites items. My website has turned into a resources for those around New England looking for outdoor activities along with day trip and overnight recommendations. I am thankful for everyone’s support.

If you ever have questions or would like to reach out to me, I can be contacted through the links below.

Fall Hikes in the Monadnock Region

Fall is upon us and it is a perfect time to visit the Monadnock Region. I love fall for many reasons, the crispness in the air, the beautiful colors, the clear days, pumpkin everything and it is my birthday season. It is also my favorite time to hike. The Monadnock Region is host to many wonderful trails that offer some great views in the fall. Below are some my favorite area hikes to enjoy the foliage. Please keep in mind that it is also hunting season and to wear hunters orange. If you hike with a dog it is also best to have them wear orange and a bell. As always hike at your own risk.

Berry Pasture Trail: Located in Sharon this trail provides beautiful views of Mt. Monadnock while walking through some beautiful foliage.

Kidder Mountain Located in New Ipswich, this is a favorite hike of mine for many reasons, but in the fall is a perfect time to hike as the views expand for miles with beautiful colors as the leaves are changing.

Sharon Ledges- On the Wapack Trail in Sharon is the Sharon Ledges. It is a fairly easy short steep hike to get up to the ledges and offer more beautiful views looking towards Kidder Mountain and the south part of the Wapack Trail. There is also an option to go further for more views, if you are feeling ambitious you can hike to Temple Mountain.

White Ledges in Temple is a perfect hike for new hikers, young children or someone who wants a quick hike with a big view. It is also cool that you can stand on a large white rock while looking towards Nashua and Manchester.

Mount Caesar in Swanzey has turned into a new favorite hike with a great view of the southwestern part of the state and of Mt. Monadnock. This hike is surely not to disappoint.

Pitcher Mountain In Stoddard is another great easy hike with a amazing view. If you want a little more adventure climb the fire tower to get anmore panoramic view.

Kulish Ledges located in Nelson this is one of the most beautiful vista’s in the area with sparkling views of Nubanusit Lake and Spoonwood Pond along with rolling hills of beautiful colors, this is a must hike in the fall.

Crotched Mountain in Greenfield provides some stunning views of Mt Monadnock, Pack Monadnock and North Pack. During the fall months the colors pop here, making it a more magical experience. It is also nice there is a picnic table to enjoy lunch on.

Trails at Willard Pond. Located in Antrim, outside of Hancock the trails at Willard pond offer something for all abilities whether it’s an easy hike around a beautiful pond or a hike up Bald Mountain. This is a great place to explore and enjoy the colors of fall.

I hope you are able to enjoy some of my favorite fall hikes. Always use caution when hiking and hike at your own risk.

This post contains affiliate links for which I may receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you.

My Year as a Hike Like a Woman Ambassador

This morning as I was laying in bed scrolling through Facebook, a memory popped up that a year ago today I announced that I was one of 22 women chosen to be an Ambassador for Hike Like a Woman (HLAW). At the time I was chosen I did not know what this meant other than I would get to connect with women who had the same passion I did, the great outdoors.  Well this year has changed me in more ways than I could imagine.  

Being an Ambassador had some pretty cool perks, I got to get my name out there through blogs and various publications which help promote my own website, Getting Lost Together.  I got some pretty awesome gear to review.  I was featured on a pod cast with the creator, Rebecca.   But there were three things that stood out to me this year that I was able to do because of Hike Like a Woman.  

I became more comfortable in front of the camera.  I know this may sound a little silly in this day and age, but I am not 100% comfortable in front of the camera, most of my pictures were of my daughter, husband and or scenery.  Since HLAW wants to see women out there on the trails and doing what they love in nature, it was time for me to get over being uncomfortable and put my face in front of the camera.  The moment that really pushed me out of the comfort zone was when I was teaching an online class on how to dress for the winter.  I figured if women were paying for the class I needed to do my best.  I put myself out there in my base layer for all the class to see, even though this was an uncomfortable moment for me it taught me a lot about not worrying about being the perfect size, as that is not what HLAW is about. Now most of my posts, public and private now show me and not just my family.  

I got to connect with amazing women who share the same passion and love of the outdoors without the drama.  Can you imagine over 25 woman in a private facebook group, working on various projects and ideas without any drama. Well it actually happens, I was surprised myself.  I cannot think of one moment when I was part of this group that anyone was petty, dramatic or I felt uncomfortable because of what was being said.  This group was so uplifting and supportive it made me realize there can be positivity through social media and with a large group of women.  We all shared the same goal of encouraging more woman to get outside and feeling comfortable with being outside. Even though I am unable to attend the HLAW Retreat this year, I will be there in spirit and hope one day I can meet these amazing women in person.  

My biggest accomplishment this year has been my hiking group, Hike Like a Woman Monadnock.  If you have attended any of my hikes or presentations you know that creating a local women's hiking group has been a dream of mine for a while.  I tried to do it through my local recreation department, but due to legalities I was unable to.  When I became an ambassador for HLAW it was what I was most excited about.  To this date I have lead over 25 group hikes, mostly for women, but I have done special hikes involving kids and spouses.  I have also done a group cross country ski where I took women out who had never cross country skied and taught them how to ski.  

This group had opened my eyes to the need of having a local women's hiking groups, especially when you have a lot of trails in the area like we do in the Monadnock Region.  I have found that so many women want to get out and hike, but they do not want to go alone and do not have anyone that will go with them as I talked about in my blog post, What it Means to Hike Like a Woman.  I have had woman from just a few months old to in their 70's.  Women of all shapes, sizes, abilities and backgrounds on these hikes.  I have had women who live locally, who travel to the area  and who are summering or vacationing join a hike.  Every hike has been completely different.  There is usually a lot of laughing, luckily so far no drama and just enjoying the great outdoors with like minded women.  

Even though I am sad that my year is up with Hike Like a Woman, it is not the end of me promoting my love of the outdoors especially towards women and children.  I will continue to be giving presentations about HLAW and leading local hiking groups.  I am fortunate enough to be a mentor for this years 2018-2019 class of ambassadors.  My advice to anyone out there hesitant to follow there dreams and passions, go for it, you never know what amazing things will happen when  you do.  

Top Hikes with Kids in the Monadnock Region

As school and activities are winding down for the summer, it is time to focus on summer plans and bucket lists.  I have had many people tell me that their kids want to hike this summer and have asked me about hikes in the area that are good with kids from babies up to Middle School age. This is very exciting to me. Even thought hiking with kids is not always fun, check out my blog post on that.  It very beneficial, so I have put together my list of favorites hikes for kids in the Monadnock Region.  The hikes are in no particular order and I had input from my eight year old.  Click on the trail name for a full description of each trail.  

Kidder Mountain in New Ipswich: This hike is near and dear to my heart as it is the hike that my husband and I frequently did when we first moved to the area.  It was also the first hike my daughter did right before her second birthday all my herself.  The kids at the local elementary school do this hike every year as a school field trip.  It is great because it is only about a mile and a half to the top with not a lot of elevation gain, but a beautiful view of the southern part of the wapack and on a clear day you can see Boston.  It's a perfect spot to bring a picnic lunch.  

White Ledges in Temple: This is great for the little ones who can't walk far, but you want to get a view.  It is a little less than a half mile up to the top, with a slight incline.  At the top there is white ledge outcropping with views looking towards Milford, Nashua and Manchester.  

Tutor Trail at Willard Pond in Antrim: This is a great trail for a warm summer day because at the end you get to swim in a sandy part of the pond.  The trail is a little rocky along the edge of the pond, but it is flat and provides you with beautiful views. There are two spots that I have swam at.  One is about a half mile down the trail there is  a small bench and a rock outcropping. It's great swimming here. If you continue down the trail, it's a little over a mile to a small sandy beach and sandy swimming area. There is also an open wooded area for exploring and rocks to climb on.  Make sure you bring a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon here.  

Andres Institute of Art in Brookline: Not technically in the Monadnock Region, but close and worth the drive. How fun is it to explore trails scattered with sculptures.  This is a great place for all ages.  Kids minds can wander while exploring the various sculptures and trails.  Just remember the trails are on the side of an old Ski Mountain so they can be steep, but there are options for easier trail.  If you chose to hike to the top there is a beautiful view looking towards Mt Monadnock.

Storybook Trail at Highbridge Hill Elementary School in New Ipswich: Storybook Trails are great for young and old. While walking around the trail you read a story.  The trail is open spring through the summer into the fall and the story is changed each month, even during the summer.  The trail is a little under a mile in the woods around the elementary school.  There is also the school playground if you chose to stop after you complete the trail.  

Crotched Mountain Rehab Trails in Greenfield: There is a great variety of trails here. There are trails that are wheelchair and stroller accessible.  It has been a little bit since I have been there, but the last time I was there, there was a story book along the accessible trails.   The accessible trails goes to an outlook over a marshy area.  From the parking lot there is also trails up to a beautiful outlook on Crotched Mountain, this would be for the older kids. This is one of my favorite views in the area.  

Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard:  Fire towers are also a fun destination for kids.  Always use caution around them as they can be dangerous due to the structures being older and high off the ground.  Pitcher Mountain in an easy short hike up to beautiful view.  During the summer it is usually manned by a Forest Ranger.  The rangers can be a wealth of knowledge in regards to the landmarks you can see from the top.  

Distant Hill Nature Trail in Alstead: This is a fairly new trail system.  Even though it is only about a mile long, there are plans to expand.  The trails are handicap and stroller accessible.  There is a natures playground, a small board walk and plenty to keep the kids entertained for a few hours.  This is a great trail for the young ones in your life. 

Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail Peterborough: An easy two mile round trip hike that takes you over bridges, around streams for splashing, near down trees and large rocks that make good climbing opportunities and ends up at a beautiful pond with an opportunity to stop and have a snack and enjoy the views.  

Gap Mountain In Troy is for the kids that can do a small amount of incline. The trail meanders through the woods, but the last quarter to half mile is fairly steep up to a rock outcropping and beautiful views of Mt. Monadnock. During blueberry season this is a prime spot for berry picking.

Remember to always use cautions with hiking with kids, make sure they have good footwear, bring plenty of water and a snack.  For younger kids a change of clothes is a good idea incase they get wet. Be prepared to make many stops and side trips. Try to encourage this as it keeps kids interested in the great outdoors.  

An Outdoor Mother's Day

Every year my husband gets frustrated with me, as he always asks what I want for Mother's Day and I say nothing.  I am not much of a materialistic person, I prefer experiences over objects.  Of course I always love the homemade gifts and cards my daughter makes me every year, and I would not pass up a trip to the spa, but overall I do not want my husband spending money on items I may only use a couple times, if at all. I think this year, I finally got that I am more happy with experiences then material items.  

This year mother's day was spent just the way I have dreamed with limited planning on my part. Lets face it moms, we are usually the ones doing the planning.  We started the morning by hitting up one of my favorite bagel shops in the area, Bagel Mill, in Peterborough, NH.  Their jalapeño cheddar bagels are delicious.  After a satisfying breakfast we headed on to our first stop.  Mount Caesar in Swanzey, NH for a morning hike.  I have been eying this hike since last year when a friend of mine hiked it and told me about it.  This two mile round trip hike is perfect for beginning hikers and families as it is a gradual hike up to the top with views of the surrounding area and Mt. Monadnock.  

After the hike we wanted to check out a boardwalk that was featured on a Facebook Post I saw, Nine Boardwalks in  New Hampshire to Visit.  Distant Hill Nature Trails in Alstead is an adorable little setting.  I believe it is fairly new trail system, but if you are looking for place to explore with young children, strollers or handicap accessible trails this is a great place to spend a few hours.  

After working up an appetite we headed to the Hungry Diner for lunch.  I have been following them on Instagram for some time now and keep saying I wanted to check them out.  I wish I had not waited so long to check them out. Everything about this place is wonderful from the atmosphere, menu items, drinks and my daughters favorite, the milkshakes.  

After a satisfying lunch, we headed home, but not before checking out one more stop.  While were were visiting Distant Hill Nature Trails we had the opportunity to speak with the owner.  This is always fun for me as I learn about new trails in the area.  If you have been following my social medial accounts or blog, I am sure you have learned of my love of waterfalls.  Porcupine Falls located in Gilsum is a great little spot to check out if you are in the area.  Also a perfect opportunity to dunk your head in a waterfall.   

The best part about the day was my eight year old daughter hit her 100 mile mark for the 365 miles challenge.  I am so proud that she is doing this challenge with me and that she is excited about it. This was one of the best gifts I could have asked for.   

Moms remember, this day is for you, let your family spoil you, by doing what you want. I'm so glad my family spoiled me.   

The Man Behind the Outdoor Woman

There is a saying that goes something like, “behind every good man is a woman helping him along the way”  In my case it is “behind every outdoors woman is a man supporting her crazy ideas.” My husband and I have been together since we were 19 years old.  When we first started dating he knew I loved the outdoors, but I am not sure he realized how much I loved it and what a huge part of my background and life it was.  

The first summer we were together I took him on our first big adventure, I am not sure he really knew what to expect.  We met my parents in Millinocket, Maine and then drove about three hours into the North Maine Woods to Allagash Stream where we paddled five miles down to Allagash Lake to camp for a few days.  It was a lot of work, but we explored the lake, went down in the ice caves and climbed to the fire tower on Allagash Mountain.  Little did I know that he was hesitant about heights, but he climbed right up the fire tower with me.  I was worried it was a little too much for my city boy, originally from Long Island, to handle.  In his defense growing up he would frequently visit the White Mountains to camp, kayak and fish, so there was already some outdoors in his genes. I must not have scared him away with my deep woods exploring because that fall he proposed to me beside a waterfall and we have continued our adventures ever since. 

On top of Allagash Mountain with Allagash Lake in the background.

We have canoed the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a 92 mile canoe route in Northern Maine. We have hiked and camped in and around Baxter State Park also in Maine.  We have motorcycle camped around New England, Upper State New York and Prince Edward Island.  We have hiked and camped around the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  I have gotten him into cross country skiing, hunting and basically any other outdoor adventure I want to go on.  He has never complained especially when I get him up early on the weekends to check out a new trail or new areas around New England.

Motorcycle trip to Prince Edward Island.

He has supported me through my masters degree, getting my Social Work License and anything else I wanted to do.  When I was finally where I needed to be for my professional career I had more time for myself, but struggled with my identity as I was used to always working on my professional career.  Yes, I work full time, am a wife and a mom, but there was something missing.  One night he looked at me and said that I needed to find a hobby. I was getting too cranky and did not have anything that was just for myself that I enjoyed.  He had his hunting and various projects.  Our daughter had her after school programs and sports, but I didn't have anything that was just for me.  We both feel it is important to have something that is just for ourselves.  It does not have to be anything big, just something that makes you feel good.  That is when I decided to start my Getting Lost Together Website/Blog to share our families outdoor adventures. He continued to support me along the way.    

When I decided to apply to become a Hike Like a Woman Ambassador, he was my biggest cheerleader. We even celebrated when I was chosen.  He has put up with my multiple photo's to get the "right shot." The countless, "hold on I got to take a picture."  Ready to help me explore a new trail.  Been my editor and sounding board for my website and blog posts.  Helps me review various products.  Supportive of me starting a Woman's Hiking Group and then making the difficult decision to close it.  Constantly he is helping me brush up on my outdoor skills and teach our daughter skills along the way.

I seriously would not be able to do any of this without him.  He has never complained, at least not to my face.  So behind this outdoor woman is a man who supports and encourages her every step of the way and I would not have it any other way.  He makes me a better outdoor woman.  I hope every outdoor woman has a man like mine behind her.  If you want to follow his own outdoor adventures, follow him on Instagram at kjo9mm    

Our fire building skills.

A Day Back in Time

Recently I checked something off my bucket list I have wanted to do for a while.  Old Sturbridge Village located south of Worcester MA and near the Connecticut border, is a wonderful step back in time.  My husband and I feel that we were born in the wrong era as the early 1800's seemed like a simpler time.  You had to work hard and there was not the luxuries there are now, but you focused more on what mattered like family and building the life you want instead of the constant rush and demands to today's society.  

The admission is a little high, especially in the off season when we visited. It is $28 for Adults and $14 for children.  I wish in the off season they would lower the price. Since I have a monthly subscription to the Entertainment app, We were able to save some money on the entrance fee making it well worth our visit. 

As you step back in time and stroll around the grounds you go in and out of old homes and businesses, some of them had people dressed in period costume and were able to explain what they were doing or what it was like living in that time.  

There are various activities through out the day.  When we were there, they were doing Maple Syrup demonstrations, you could see how they made syrup back in the day and what they used it for.  There is a list of events on their website if you want to know what you are doing before you go or plan your trip.

I highly recommend taking the horse drawn wagon ride.  There are two modes of transportation around the grounds. A horse drawn wagon which fits several people and free. Second there is a stage coach that is a little more intimate that you pay a small fee for. The driver of the wagon ride provided additional information about the grounds during the ride.  

We spend about three hours walking in and out of buildings and exploring the grounds.  My eight year old daughter was entertained during the whole time we were there.  My daughters favorite exhibit was the school, pottery shop and kiln as there was a potter making various pots and cups, she also really enjoyed the horse drawn wagon ride.

This is a great way to get outside, learning something about some New England history and spend a few hours as a family.        

Red Jacket Inn Getaway

Planning a vacation in New England during February vacation is never easy, especially when you want some outdoor activities.  The weather these past few years have made it difficult to plan vacations around winter activities.

The North Conway area is always a great stop for winter activities. Since we have never stayed here, we decided to spend a couple nights at the Red Jacket Mountain Resort. We booked two nights through Groupon.  If you book through Groupon make sure you read the fine print as all the deals do not include waterpark passes.  Also if you book through another site, they do not always include the waterpark passes, so make sure you do your homework.  When reading reviews from various sites about the The Red Jacket Inn and waterpark they were mixed, but we decided to check it out anyway.  

We arrived on a Wednesday evening of New Hamshire's February School Vacation week.  The front staff were friendly and helpful at a check-in. The hotel was neat and clean. There were some reviews that it was outdated, which it was a little, but nothing that turned me off to the hotel. Our room was a standard hotel room with a nice balcony.  Our room did not overlook the mountains, but some of them do, which is a nice bonus.  The feature we liked most about the room was having a dorm size refrigerator allowing us to bring our own drinks and snacks.  

After unpacking we went straight to the waterpark.  We have been to Greatwolf Lodge a couple times and were told we would be disappointed in the size of Red Jacket Inn’s Waterpark.  We were actually pleasantly surprised. They have different colored wrists bands for each day, from 11am to 10am the next morning. The waterpark area closes every day from 10am to 11am. Meaning the day you check out you can only use the waterpark until 10am. Outside the waterpark is a a small gift shop and staff to help with bands or any other questions.  There is water play available for toddlers up to adults from a small toddler slide and pool area, a waterpark climbing and slide structure for older kids, a wave pool, basketball area, four large slides and last but certainly not least a large hot tub for the adults.  There is a small food court serving food, drinks and adult beverages.  My daughter, age 8, had a blast doing the bigger water slides, wave pool, basketball area and smaller play structure.  

On Thursday we got breakfast at our favorite bagel shop, Bagels Plus.  If you are in North Conway and love fresh bagels this place is a must stop.  We headed back to the hotel and spent the next few hours participating in a scavenger hunt and enjoying the water park.  The nice thing about the hotel is if the kids need a break from the water park there is plenty of other things to do.  They have activities throughout the day, a room with board games, a playground outside, hiking trails near by and close to the outlets.

When it was time to get some food my husband wanted to try out Moat Mountain Smoke House and Brew Company, as my husband loves a good beer.  Since we went late in the afternoon it was not too busy.  Our waitress was friendly and prompt. My husband got a flight of 10 beers and enjoyed all of them.  We shared nachos and the Thai Chicken Pizza.  OMG that pizza was amazing.  We had difficulty finishing our meal. This restaurant is going on the list of places to return.  

After our meal we wanted to get out and enjoy the beautiful day.  Well this hiker forgot her hiking boots and sneakers and only had my Sanita Clogs.  We knew that the Diana's Bath Trail was fairly flat, so we decided to do a little walk. 

Diana's Bath is a very special place to my husband and I.  We use to visit this waterfall a lot when we were dating.  In October 2013 my husband proposed to me there.  We like to visit when we can.  The trail was a little icy, but we were able to get up to the falls no problem and enjoy the beautiful scenery, despite my lack of appropriate footwear.   

After the much needed hike, we returned to the hotel for movie night and some more waterpark fun.  

The next day was our departure day.  We were able to enjoy the waterpark until 10am, when our passes expired for the day.  

Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our mini vacation to Red Jacket Inn and the North Conway area.  We actually liked it better than Great Wolf Lodge as all the water activities were in one room and you could see just about everything at once.  Since you cannot stay at the waterpark after your check out time, I feel you need a minimum of two nightss to enjoy the whole experience. We will be returning again and recommend others to stay here.  

Using Hiking to Unwind

One day I was asked by a friend to go for a hike after work.  When she first asked me I hesitated to say yes.  Going for a hike on a week night? How could I do that when I have a hundred other things I have to do after work? Dinner, homework, household chores, preparing lunches for the next day, the list goes on and on. Plus, I am always drained after a busy day at work, how could I find the energy to go for a hike.  The other side of me did want to miss an opportunity to hit the trail so I agreed to meet her after work. 

As usual, it was a busy day without much down time.  As I changed from my work to my hiking clothes, I thought to myself, why did I agree to this, I just want to go home and crash.  I had made a commitment and needed to stick with it.  I met my friend at a local hiking trail. As we hit the trail the first ten minutes felt very difficult, I continued thinking to myself why I am putting myself through this torture.  As we started walking through the forest enjoying the tranquility of the moment, my mood changed, I started feeling more relaxed and started feeing that this was a great way to unwind after a busy day.  I started to feel all the stress of the day come off my shoulders.  We discussed our love for the outdoors and our favorite spots to visit, as well as the importance of having girl time and unwind after work.  We talked about self care and how hiking was a great way to take care of ourselves physically and mentally.

I hear so many women say they love to grab a glass of wine to relax after work, there is nothing wrong with that as I have partaken in an adult beverage from time to time after work, but there was something about being out in the woods that made me feel so much better.  We flushed a partridge, listen to a flowing stream, smelled the freshness of the air and enjoyed each other’s company while sharing our love for the outdoors.  One of the best parts of the hike was on the way back we bumped over a dozen deer, I have never seen that many deer up close before, I have to admit it was pretty cool. 

As I drove home I was surprised with how energized and relaxed that I felt.  We were only on the trail about an hour, but it was a good hour.  I got home with plenty of time to complete my normal tasks.  My husband noticed I was more relaxed than I normally am after work.  Now that it is getting lighter later I plan to do more hikes during the week.  I learned so much about the benefits of doing this, it helped me unwind from a busy day, I was well energized for the nights daily tasks. It felt good to talk to another woman who shared the same love I have for the outdoors. The next morning it was easier to get out of bed and I had more energy throughout the day.  My advice to other women: I know our lives are busy, but make time for yourself whether it is a solo adventure or with a friend get yourself out there to help relieve stress from our busy lives, your mind and body will thank you. 

Olivia's Outdoor Adventures for Kids

My daughter has been asking me for some time to write her own blog post for my website.  I have been encouraging her to share her love of the outdoors.  Tonight she has finished up her blog post below.  I hope you enjoy it and are able to find some encouraging words to get your kids outside more. "Proud Mommy moment."  

Hi, my name Olivia and I am 8 years old and I love the outdoors.  I have been hiking with my parents since I was 2 weeks old and climbed my first mountain when I was 2 years old.

It is important for kids to get outside because they have to get fresh air and they should see the pretty wildlife.  They should experience new thing about wildlife and have fun in the outdoors.

This is how to get kids outside more. You could take your kids to a trail that leads to a swimming hole.  You could point out that there will be cool stuff along the way. You could take your kids to mountain or trail that has a fire tower. 

My favorite activities to do outside are swimming, cross country skiing, hiking, camping and sledding

The trails I’ve been on that is easy and fun for kids are: Mt. Kidder, Hiroshi Hayashi Conservation Land trail, Cranberry Bog, White Ledges, Highbridge Hill Story Book Trail, Pitcher mountain and Andres Art Institute. 

The places I have been to that that are not hiking trails, but have fun outdoor activities are, Mclane Center NH Audubon Society in Concord, NH, Sugar Ridge Campground Danville VT and Windblown Cross Country Ski Area in New Ipswich, NH. 

For the last two in a half years I’ve been going to an outdoor childcare called Ebenezer Farm. Ebenezer Farm is a outdoor childcare center where kids spend all day outside no matter the season or weather. I love Ebenezer Farm because they play outside no matter the season or weather. We get to hike, fish and go sledding.

Those are my recommendations to get your kids outside more!

Challenging myself with the 52 Hike in 2017 Challenge

Last December I was looking for something to challenge myself in 2017.  There are always the same stand by resolutions of I will loose X amount of weight, I will exercise X amount of times a week, I will eat a cleaner diet, I will manage my finances better, or I will spend more time with loved ones, etc.  I'm sure you have heard them all.  Even though there is nothing wrong with these resolutions and they are important, I wanted something different. I was tired of the old stand by's of new years resolutions that I could never quite stick to.  As I was doing some internet surfing I came across the 52 Hikes Challenge.   Now this was something I could get into.  I had to complete 52 hikes in 2017 that were over a mile long.  I thought to myself, "this will be easy, I am hiking all the time, I can get all of these done way before the year is up with no problem." 

I started a 52 Hikes Facebook Group for the area I live in to try to get motivation of others to complete 52 hikes.  I had a good amount of people show interest and many of us started the year off strong spending a lot of time on the trails.  As life goes and the warmer days started you would think i would have spent more time outside, but I was coaching my daughters softball, doing some home improvements, and there was end of school year activities and end of school year vacation.  I had not got in as many hikes as I was hoping by halfway through the year.  I thought, summer is coming and I will have plenty of time to hike.  I'm not sure where the summer went, but I also did not get in as many hikes as I hoped. I observed that my group participation was dwindling.  

During the summer months I received the honor of being picked as an ambassador for Hike Like a Woman. This gave me the motivation to get back out on the trail more by the end of the summer.  In the fall I was fortunate enough to be able to start a local hiking group that focuses on getting woman outside more, called Hike Like a Woman Monadnock.   This group really got me back on the trail and helped me get caught up on my hikes.  

With today being the second week of December I can finally say that I finished the 52 Hike Challenge and logged over 170 miles on the trail this year. I feel extremely proud of myself, which is not easy for me to do.  Over the past year I have done some pretty amazing hikes, explored some new trails, got outside more and saw parts of my community that I did not know existed.  I did the majority of these hikes with my husband and daughter, providing good quality family time, but I also used some of these hikes as opportunities for some alone time and nature's therapy or time to connect with friends or woman in my hiking group.  Within my Facebook Group three of us have completed the 52 hikes and I have two more that will be finishing soon.  I am so proud of the five of us for sticking with it to the end. 

As I am wrapping up this year, I am already thinking about next years challenge.  Which will be to move a little more in the 365 Day Challenge.  This challenge is to hike, walk, snowshoe, cross country ski, run or cycle 365 miles in 2018.  Considering I only hiked about 170 miles this year, this is going to be a challenge.  With the support of my husband, daughter, friends and my hiking group I am determined to do it. I encourage anyone else looking for a "different" new years resolution to sign up for either or both challenges.  

My Top Christmas Gifts

It is the holiday season and we are always looking for that perfect gift for the loved ones in our lives.  I know there are many favorite holiday lists out there, so I thought I would jump on the band wagon and create my top ten favorite things.  These are in no specific order.  

Yeti: All Yeti Products are pretty amazing, but I love the Ramblers with the screw on lids.  They are perfect for all activities, hiking, travel, work or just around the house.  The best part is they hold ice all day and do not sweat when in your backpack on a hot day.  

Darn Tough Socks: I cannot say enough good about these socks.  I have several pairs and use them all year round.  In the summer they are comfortable in my hiking boots and keep my feet from sweating too much in the winter they are comfortable in cross country ski or winter boots and keep my feel warm even when it is below zero.  

Camel Back Mini Mule Backpack: This is the perfect little backpack for that young child in your life.  My daughter has had this back pack since she was five and she is now eight.  She uses it a lot, she can fit a couple snacks and a few personal things.  She can also have access to water when ever she wants without having to take her backpack off.  

Hiking the Monadnock Region: This book and the first addition has been my hiking bible when I first starting hiking the Monadnock Region.  It gave me some great ideas of where to hike with great trail information.  If you are looking to get out more in the Monadnock Region I highly recommend this book. 

The New England Waterfalls: If you live or visit New England and enjoy exploring waterfalls this book is for you.  My family and I have visited some amazing waterfalls recommended in this book.  The trail and waterfall information are spot on and very informative.  

Selfie Stick: Ok I know this sounds funny, and I was one of the people that kept telling myself I do not need one of these.  On my first group hike I realized it was beneficial when my hiking group was making fun of me for the various angels I had when trying to get a group photo of everyone. This has been something that stays in my backpack the majority of the time and helps me get some great shots when hiking. 

Lightweight Backpacking Hammock: These are super fun, I have used mine camping and to take a little break when I summit a mountain.  They are lightweight and compact so they do not take up much room in your backpack, they are very comfortable, I have been known to take a couple naps in mine.  

Hiking Through- I have read many books about outdoor travels and so far this book has been my favorite. Check out my review of the book and then pick it up for the outdoor person in your life who loves a good hiking story.

Gaitors: These are great for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  They prevent snow from getting in your boots and help keep the bottom of your pants dry.  I wear mine almost every time I hit the trail during the snowy months.  

Snowshoes: I love my MSR Snowshoes, they are light weight, easy to get on and perfect for any type of snow shoeing.  I use mine several times a year for packing down the trail or just enjoying some time on a already groomed trail.  They are light enough that I do not feel too tired from having them on my feet.  They fit my hiking boots perfectly.  

This blog post contains affiliate links for which I may receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you.  

Hiroshi Hayashi Conservation Land Trail

Distance: 2 Mile Loop

Difficulty: Easy

The trail is located on Rt 137 in Peterborough, about two miles from Rt 101. On the right is a decent size parking lot with a trail kiosk.  When you start out on the trail you walk down a small hill between stone walls, a typical New England landmark. About a quarter of mile the trail splits.  To the right goes towards Nubanusit Brook .  Heading left takes you to a beautiful lookout.  The trail is a loop so it does not matter which way you go.

We usually bare left which runs along a small stream and comes to a beautiful view point of Thumb and Skatutakee Mountain.

View at Dinsmore Pond 

After the lookout the trail follows Nubanusit Stream. I have been here during the spring time and part of the trail has been flooded, but it appears they have rerouted the trail to plan for this.

The trail loops back around to the the split in the trail. This trail is flat and easy to navigate. This is great for a quick hike through the woods to enjoy some beautiful scenery.

Kulish Ledges

The night before a planned group hike my family and I were driving home from our yearly trip to Storyland I thought to myself, “Why did I schedule a group hike tomorrow morning.  I’m not sure I am going to have the energy for it.”  

I woke up early still feeling tired and like I had a lot to do and again thought to myself, why did I schedule a hike after a long day trip.  When you work five days a week, your time on the weekends is very valuable.  As I got myself out of bed and did the internal struggle about going, I threw on my hiking clothes, grabbed my backpack and headed out.  While my car was warming up my golden retriever sat at the door staring at me with the sad face saying, “Why can’t I go.”  Feeling guilty just led to more of the struggle of going out on a hike. Since I am the group leader I could not cancel.  As I drove to grab my necessary ice tea and to pick up a friend, I noticed the beauty of the colors starting to change the crisp blue skies and beautiful scenery around the Monadnock Region.  My energy for hiking started to kick in or the caffeine was doing its job. I was beginning to look forward to getting out on a new trail on this beautiful morning. 

View from First Lookout 

As my friend and I approached the trailhead I started feeling more like my hiking loving self, excited to be in the woods on this beautiful morning, enjoying the signs and smells of fall and some girl time. 

Today’s hike was just three women.  What I have learned is it does not matter the size of the hiking group, but as long as women are able to connect on the trail.  As we were hiking, conversing and taking in the sights, I felt relaxed and content to be around like minded women.  We observed a small stream flowing from what appeared to be a man made pond with a stone wall and evidence of beavers hard at work adding to the wall.  There was an old stove randomly placed in the woods and an amazing lookout point.  At the top of Kulish Ledges we sat enjoying the views of sparkling lakes, rolling hills, pops of colors as the leaves were starting to change and each other's company and then I remembered why I love being on the trail.  

Nature can bring out the best in people, hiking and exercise induces endorphins which make us happy. How can you say no to this?  The conversations that happen on the trail are the best, from talking about our passions, advice on various situations, how a man must have invented a mammogram machine, sorry guys, solving the worlds problems and the endless laughs. These are all the reasons I wanted to start a women’s hiking group.  To bring these women together who just want to get outside for a few hours. It also pushes me to get out on the trail, when I think I really do not want to. 

When I arrived home with still plenty of time to complete my Sunday chores, I was refreshed, relaxed and feeling content with my morning adventures.  The moral to my morning struggle is that girl time is important. No matter how you do it whether it’s hiking, going to a spa, shopping, a dinner out or just sitting around a campfire with an adult beverage, ladies out there make sure you get time with your friends, it is the best therapy around.  

Kulish Ledges is located in Stoddard, New Hampshire part of the Harris Center’s Trails.  The trail head is located off of Routine 123 on Bailey Brook Road.  The road is dirt.  There are two trailheads marked by pictures of bees.  The second bee picture is the trailhead to get to Kulish Ledges.  The trail is about 1.5 miles of an easy side of moderate up to the ledges.  In my opinion, the first lookout is a better view than from the ledges its self. Trail Information Trail Map

Kulish Ledges View

Why Hiking with Kids is Not Fun.

Over the years I have had people say to me, "your life looks so great by the posts I see on Facebook," or "I can’t believe how much you and your family do.”  Yes, I always post the positives on social media as I feel it should be used for happy events, not for complaining or drama.  I know, this is not reality, but I try to make it my reality, plus no one wants to hear about my drama.  It is also important to my husband and I to raise an outdoor child, as the outdoors was and is a huge part of our lives.  We make it a point to spend as much free time as we can in the outdoors, constantly picking new places to explore and revisiting old favorites. I also enjoy sharing our adventures with others, with the goal of inspiring others to get outside more.  

Our adventures are not always perfect, far from it.  I remember taking my daughter on her first hike at two week old making multiple stops to nurse and change diapers. This continued until my daughter stopped nursing and was potty trained. Then it was teaching her how to squat in the woods.  There are the many times we changed diapers on a log or or used it as a toilet.  There has been screaming and crying that was sometimes uncontrollable and we had to turn around. The endless times I have come up with silly games, songs and scavenger hunts all just trying to keep my daughter going on the trail. I cannot begin to count how many times I have said, “look at this cool ______.” There is also hearing "my legs are tired,” “are we almost there,”  or “I can’t go any further.”  There is always the “I’m thirsty.” This is where the Camelbak Kids backpack came in handy.

The kids backpack with water hose was the best investment to keep my daughter going.

As the years go on we have experienced many tantrums, struggles and frustrations on the trail. There was complaining going up the steep sections and on the way down a lot of whining.  I’m sure you are asking, how is this fun?  Trust me, I have asked myself this question several times.

The moment on the trail when it is not fun and there is pouting going on.

It is the little things that make it so worth it, like the excitement of completing the hike. When my daughter gets close to the top, no matter how difficult the hike has been, she turns into this excited ambitious girl who is almost running to the top to see the view. It is the sense of accomplishment she gets from completing any hike and how proud she for doing it.  

Even though the pictures I post look great, my husband and I sometimes ask ourselves why we go through the stress of hiking with our daughter.  It is because of how good it is for her and us.  It is getting out as a family to exercise, get some fresh air and setting a goal and completing it.  There is the reward of completing a difficult task like a beautiful view or swimming in a waterfall or lake and don't forget a snack. Hiking is also a great self esteem booster for all ages.  When we have not hiked in a couple weeks my daughter will remind me that we need to get out and how can you say no to a child asking to be outside. 

To parents who want to take their kids hiking. Do it, make it fun, turn it into an adventure, make a game out of it, keep it simple and accept difficulties and tears from the kids and yourself. It is ok if you cannot finish the hike and have to turn around, but in the end watch how a child can blossom from being outside.

This post contains affiliate links for which I may receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you.

Sandy Point at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

During the first summer my husband and I were dating he wanted to bring me to one of his favorite places, but we had to get up at 5am.  At 19 is there anything worth getting up at 5am for? Since II was head over heels in love, I agreed to getting up at the crack of dawn for whatever adventure he had planned.. We got up early and gathered our beach gear for an adventure.  After being in the car for about an hour and a half we ended up at Parker River Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Massachusetts. We drove to the end of the road to Sandy Point.  I could see why my now husband wanted to get up early as there are limited parking spots and at 7am they were already half full. Once down on the beach, I understood why he loved this place so much. 

Sandy Point Beach 

Fast forward 15 years later and we are getting up early, not at 5am, but early enough to head to now one of our favorite places, Sandy Point  At least once a year we head to one of our favorite beaches to spend a day.  

Before heading to the beach I wanted to check out one of the trails.  On Sandy point is a walking path that makes a loop around the end of the point.

Walking the path amongst the flowers. 

We walked about half of  it, but unfortunately the other half was closed, it did not say why, but my guess is due to some sort of animal activity.   Luckily, we were able to loop back around by walking on the beach along Ipswich Bay looking towards Crane Beach.  We walked a little under two miles.

This is a great beach for relaxing on the sand, building sand castles, walking the beach, looking for shells, swimming and dodging waves in the cool clean water. Due to limited parking the beach is never crowded and if you want to be away from crowds, this is the perfect beach.  

Horseshoe Crab Shell 

Mountain Coaster's, Zip Lines and Family Fun at Killington

It was our last full day of our time in Vermont and I wanted to do something fun.  We have been wanting to check out an adventure park at a ski resort, but they are expensive.  While scrolling through my phone I looked through Killngton's Summer Programs, and found that on Tuesday's and Wednesday's New Hampshire and Vermont residents were 50% off for the Adventure Center. I could not pass up on a deal like this, especially on something we have wanted to do.  

Our campsite was about 30 minutes from the mountain. There are a lot of shops and restaurants in and around Killington.  Many of them appeared to be closed, I'm not sure if it was due to the off season, or it being earlier in the day.  When we arrived to check into the Adventure Center it was easy to navigate and the staff were friendly.  We chose to get passes for all three of us for all activities. You can pick and chose which activities that you want to do, but since the adventure pass was 50% off today, this was cheaper.   

The mountain coaster was our first stop. If you have no tried a mountain coaster you have to, they are so much fun.  My daughter could have driven herself, but she wanted to ride with myself or my husband.  You are put into a coaster car and rode up part of the mountain.  When you get to the top you control how fast you go down.  You can get going pretty fast.  We rode the coaster about eight times that day. It was my daughters favorite. We lucked our because the lines were short since we arrived early.  

While riding the mountain coaster I kept watching the people zip lining.  I always wanting to try zip line and figure, well now is my chance  So I got suited up and walked up part of the mountain and up to the top of the platform.  I'm not going to lie, when I was at the top of the platform looking down to where I had to go, I was pretty scared, I'll keep it G rated, what I was really thinking. The attendant told me it was time to go and at first I didn't move, so he said it again.  I thought, here goes nothing and I went.  OMG, it was the best experience ever, flying through the air and high above the ground.  As soon as I came to the end I immediately went back for a second run.  

My daughter did the bungie trampoline, summer tubing and maze course.  Her and I tried the adventure course, but it was too high and she was not comfortable doing it.  I did some of it myself. We also took the chair lift up part of the mountain to enjoys the beautiful views around Killington. My husband and daughter did a ride called the Soaring Eagle, where you are sitting and pulled up a cable and let go back down it. Basically zip lining while seated.  My husband liked it, but my daughter did not.  I was proud of her for trying it.  We spent about five hours at the Adventure Park and had a blast.  We would do it again.  

After all the excitement of the adventure course we were hungry and headed back to Rutland to get some food.  I was a little disappointment in Rutland.  When I picture Vermont towns I think of quaint little towns with local shops, parks and farm to table restaurants. This was not the case, it is very commercialized.  Going back to Yelp, I had difficulty finding a restaurant that felt like Vermont. I found a place called Table 24, it was not as good as the other two restaurants we had been too.  It was around 3pm and the place was very quiet.  They did not have the beer my husband wanted and our meals were brought before the appetizer, which I ended up cancelling.  I loved the decor of the place, but our waiter was very slow.  The food was decent, but the most expensive of the places we ate out.  My husband and I agreed that we would no return.

That night we were back to the campground, enjoyed the beach, playground, a bike ride around the park and a campfire all while reminiscing about how wonderful our vacation had been and hating to see it end.  We left feeling there was more to see and do in the area and would love to come back, as there were many hiking trails I wanted to check out, but I did not. All and all a wonderful vacation full of family time, laughs, adventure and lots of fun.   

Mountain Coaster 

View from the chair lift 

Tubing 

Learning Some History at Fort Ticonderoga

Waking up morning of day three presented us with another beautiful day, which has been rare this summer.  We decided to take in another day of being tourists as well as add an educational activity.  We drove back to New York, this time heading for Fort Ticonderoga, to take in a little history.  I love deals and on this vacation I used the app Entertainment, it's $1.99 a month, but so worth it as long as you use it once a month.  There are a lot of buy one get one activities, which we used at Fort Ticonderoga saving us $23.  

I had visited the fort as a child and did not remember much about it.  It was fun to revisit as an adult with my daughter.  The grounds around the fort are beautiful and there is plenty to occupy a family for several hours.  We walked through the fort looking at the various exhibits.  We also took in a couple of their daily programs.  One was drummer and fifers explaining how they were used during war times to communicate during battle and a cannon firing demonstration, which my daughter said was her favorite. There were guided tours and other daily activities as well.  We strolled around the garden and made it through the corn maze. We spent about 3 hours at the fort and felt we got to see everything we wanted to see.

After leaving the fort we drove about 10 minutes to the top of Mount Defiance enjoying more history and beautiful views of the river valley.  

The next part of our day lead us towards the town of Lake George, New York for some fun.  The drive around Lake George was beautiful. The town of Lake George is a big tourist destination, with Main Street lined with souvenir shops and restaurants.  There are plenty of opportunities to check out the beautiful lake either by walking around the shore or taking one of the several boat rides.      

Once again I turned to Yelp to find a place for dinner.  Again my trusty pal did not steer me wrong. We found a small tap house and grill, 163 Tap Room, located right on the main street.  The beer list was extensive. My husband ordered a flight of beer, where he could sample five individual beers.  I ordered an organic raspberry beer, which was delicious and I am not a beer person.  I fell in love with the one, so much I took the bottle home. We ordered a local cheese plater as an appetizer, which was scrumptious.  Dinner was a burger for my husband and a salad with fresh local ingredients for me.  

After dinner we walked around the shops and checked out the lake.  Then we drove about 10 minutes south to Queensbury, past various outlets and shopping centers and two amusement parks, Great Escape  and Magic Forrest which is geared towards younger children.  We stopped at Pirate's Cove for a round of mini golf and next door was a go cart place, which my daughter loves so she did a couple rides there.  

We got back to the campground late, but were pleased with the adventures of the day.  

Fort Ticonderoga 

Fort Ticonderoga 

Gardens at Fort Ticonderoga 

View from the top of Mount Defiance 

Delicious Beer 

Exploring the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks

Waking up the second morning of vacation, I was surprised how quiet the campground was.  All I could hear was the faint sounds of vehicles and birds chirping.  Usually when we are camping we hear other campers early in the morning, but that morning was peaceful  

After getting up and making a breakfast of pancakes and bacon we planned our day.  My tip for breakfast is to buy the Bisquick Shake and Pour pancake mix where you just add water and shake and your pancake batter is ready.  For the bacon I cook it in a large pot so it does not splatter grease all over my cook top.   

Today's adventure took us to New York. After researching activities in the area I came across Ausable Chasm, "The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks."  This is your typical tourist destination.  Near the visitor center is spectacular Rainbow Falls, with a walking path providing views of the falls.  In order to get to any other paths of the canyon you have to pay an entrance fee.  There are various packages, you can hike the trails, with an option of floating down the canyon in a raft or tube or do an adventure course where you are crisscrossing the river, various obstacles and scaling the walls of the canyon .  We chose to hike down into the canyon and finish out the day with a short raft ride through a few rapids and a narrow part of the canyon.  Since this is huge tourist destination it can be very crowded.  We had to wait in line to get tickets for about 20 minutes.  After getting tickets we took our time with walking along the rim of the canyon enjoying the beautiful reviews.  After walking about a mile to where the rafts launch we had to wait about 45 minutes to get on a raft. Since this was my daughters first time on a raft going through white water I was not sure how she would take it especially after waiting in a long line.  The waiting area was well shaded and cool from being close to the water so we did not get hot sanding there. I would recommend wearing some form of water shoes, as your feet do get wet in the raft, no shoes with open backs are allowed. It was our turn to get into the raft. We did not paddle as our guide did all the work.  It was incredible floating through the narrow part of the canyon towards the rapid. The rapids are about a class two so very mild.  My eight year old loved it and told us she was ready to go white water rafting, but I think we are going to wait a couple more years for that.  Personally, I'm glad we did not float down in the tubes because you had to take out at the rapids and it looked boring, the raft was much more fun.  The ride only took about 10 minutes then we walked back up to a bus that took us back to the welcome center. If you are going to check out the chasm I recommended getting there after they open because as the day goes on it gets busier and the wait times are longer.  We felt it was worth the money and the wait time to see something different.  

Since we were about two hours from our campground we decided to take a ferry from Port Kent, New York to Burlington Vermont.  One of the activities I had looked at was a boat ride either on Lake Champlain or Lake George. This way we were able to get a boat ride and cut driving time off our trip back to our campsite.  We had to wait about 30 minutes for the ferry, but there was a beach free for us to use next to the terminal.  It was actually a great beach, soft sand, swings, cool waters and more fantastic views. 

When the ferry arrived my daughter thought there was nothing cooler than daddy driving his truck onto a boat. We were able to roam freely around the ferry either standing in the bow or sitting upstairs inside or out.  We enjoyed the outstanding views going across the water of Burlington and the Green Mountains. The ride took about an hour and was so worth it. We were dropped right in downtown Burlington near Church Street, where there are many cool shops and restaurants. 

Since we were driving by, my husband wanted to stop at Magic Hat Brewery.  We had planned to have dinner there, but there was a limited menu so my husband, disappointed, just picked up some beer. My husband enjoys a good beer and loves trying various varieties.  I knew he as disappointed we did not stay, so I went to my trusty travel partner, Yelp, to find another place to eat.  Once again Yelp did not steer us wrong.  I found a wood fire pizza restaurant, Folino's, with a brewery, Fiddlehead Brewery, next door and winery across the street.  For a Monday night it was fairly busy with eat in and take out patrons, it's a small place and we had to wait about 15 minutes for table, but so worth the wait.  The restaurant was BYOB and what a great set up.  You pick up your beer from the brewery in the same building and bring it into the restaurant, where they supply you with frosty cold glasses.  The fresh salad and pizza were exquisite. My husband said I redeemed myself by finding a place where you can fill a 32oz or 64oz growler with fresh off the tap beer.

On our drive back to the campground were stopped on the side of the road to enjoy the magnificent sunset over the Adirondack Mountains and were pleased with our adventures of the day.   

Rainbow Falls

Ausable Chasm

Getting ready to float down the river.

Looking from the ferry terminal towards Vermont.

Ferry ride and enjoying the view.

Coming into Burlington

32oz growler full of Fiddlehead IPA, fresh from the tap.

Amazing sunset to end and amazing day.