The notches ---- presidentials
Posted 09-23-2012 at 09:23 AM by TAKINBETZ
9/1/12
This morning was bright and beautiful but the clouds were still hanging low from last night. We decided to drive down past Mt Washington to North Conway over the Kamkamugus Highwy through Franconia Notch, up Route 3 to 302 through Crawford Notch. As we passed Mt Washington the clouds were still hanging low on top of him.
Driving down through the small towns to North Conway we passed Pinkham Notch Visitors Center where thousands of cars were parked, filling up the parking lots and parking along the roadway. We decided to skip that! I know it’s Labor Day Weekend so expected crowds but there are A LOT OF PEOPLE up here this weekend, mostly from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Guess it’s a straight shot up the Interstate out of Boston.
The towns we drove through were crowded and touristy. There’s Story Land, Santa Land, Cog Railroad, Crawford Notch Railroad, water parks … you name it, it’s got it. Reminds me of Gatlinburg!
I know we were in the more popular areas so I don’t want this to be a generalization of New Hampshire. I’m sure there are spots in NH that are remote, prestine and quiet. Just not on Labor Day Weekend.
We also were on some of the most popular drives. I must say I was happy to be heading south from Gorham to North Conway and over because the traffic coming from the south into Conway towards Mt Washington was bumper-to-bumper going the speed of a parking lot in gridlock! We at least were moving.
Kancamagus Highway custs a 34 miles east-west channel through the White Mountain National Forest from Conway to Lincoln.
Plenty of motorcyclists on the road as they twist and turn climbing almost 3,000’ at the peak of Mount Kancamagus and hugging the center line! With cyclists on your right, and motorcycles taking their half out of the middle, it made for some adventurous driving. Dave was snuffing through his nose most of the way!
Trailheads beckoned but the parking lots were overflowing and I figured we’d be waiting in line to scramble the next rock. That might not be a bad thing … more to hang on to!
The views were breathtaking. We stopped in Crawford Notch State Park for a picnic where the Flume was, but didn’t go down (again all parking lots full) because we had Billy. Every campground we passed had FULL as this entire region is occupied with campers.
In Lincoln we took Route 3 north to 302 across Crawford Notch to get us back south of Mt Washington and North of Conway. Again, magnificant views.
Off in the distance, nestled at the foot of Mt Washington was the magnificent MOUNT WASHINGTON HOTEL
In 1902 this was one of the largest and most modern grand hotels in the White Mountains and one of the few built in a single campaign.
Served by 57 trains a day, the Mount Washington Hotel became known as one of the most luxurious summer resorts in the United Stated. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
BRETTON WOODS MONETARY CONFERENCE
July 1944 this location was the site of a meeting convened by allied nations before the end of WWII and attended by representatives of 44 countries. Bretton Woods Conference established regulations for international monetary system following the war. The conference created the International Monetary Fund and future World Bank and linked the exchange rate of world currencies to the value of gold.
Came down through Crawford Notch winding through back to Route 16 up to Mt Washington and Dolly Copp CG.
Spent a pleasant evening at the campsite. There is something very relaxing about dry camping. Not much to do but relax, read a little, walk a little, relax!
This morning was bright and beautiful but the clouds were still hanging low from last night. We decided to drive down past Mt Washington to North Conway over the Kamkamugus Highwy through Franconia Notch, up Route 3 to 302 through Crawford Notch. As we passed Mt Washington the clouds were still hanging low on top of him.
Driving down through the small towns to North Conway we passed Pinkham Notch Visitors Center where thousands of cars were parked, filling up the parking lots and parking along the roadway. We decided to skip that! I know it’s Labor Day Weekend so expected crowds but there are A LOT OF PEOPLE up here this weekend, mostly from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Guess it’s a straight shot up the Interstate out of Boston.
The towns we drove through were crowded and touristy. There’s Story Land, Santa Land, Cog Railroad, Crawford Notch Railroad, water parks … you name it, it’s got it. Reminds me of Gatlinburg!
I know we were in the more popular areas so I don’t want this to be a generalization of New Hampshire. I’m sure there are spots in NH that are remote, prestine and quiet. Just not on Labor Day Weekend.
We also were on some of the most popular drives. I must say I was happy to be heading south from Gorham to North Conway and over because the traffic coming from the south into Conway towards Mt Washington was bumper-to-bumper going the speed of a parking lot in gridlock! We at least were moving.
Kancamagus Highway custs a 34 miles east-west channel through the White Mountain National Forest from Conway to Lincoln.
Plenty of motorcyclists on the road as they twist and turn climbing almost 3,000’ at the peak of Mount Kancamagus and hugging the center line! With cyclists on your right, and motorcycles taking their half out of the middle, it made for some adventurous driving. Dave was snuffing through his nose most of the way!
Trailheads beckoned but the parking lots were overflowing and I figured we’d be waiting in line to scramble the next rock. That might not be a bad thing … more to hang on to!
The views were breathtaking. We stopped in Crawford Notch State Park for a picnic where the Flume was, but didn’t go down (again all parking lots full) because we had Billy. Every campground we passed had FULL as this entire region is occupied with campers.
In Lincoln we took Route 3 north to 302 across Crawford Notch to get us back south of Mt Washington and North of Conway. Again, magnificant views.
Off in the distance, nestled at the foot of Mt Washington was the magnificent MOUNT WASHINGTON HOTEL
In 1902 this was one of the largest and most modern grand hotels in the White Mountains and one of the few built in a single campaign.
Served by 57 trains a day, the Mount Washington Hotel became known as one of the most luxurious summer resorts in the United Stated. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
BRETTON WOODS MONETARY CONFERENCE
July 1944 this location was the site of a meeting convened by allied nations before the end of WWII and attended by representatives of 44 countries. Bretton Woods Conference established regulations for international monetary system following the war. The conference created the International Monetary Fund and future World Bank and linked the exchange rate of world currencies to the value of gold.
Came down through Crawford Notch winding through back to Route 16 up to Mt Washington and Dolly Copp CG.
Spent a pleasant evening at the campsite. There is something very relaxing about dry camping. Not much to do but relax, read a little, walk a little, relax!
IT WAS A GOOD DAY!
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