Mt Washington and Ice Cream

Ned and Joe Pick Out the Perfect Camper

Since we slept in the car last night I was up early and headed out to look for a place to have breakfast. North Conway, NH is one of those outlet Mecca’s. Since New Hampshire has no sales tax they are popular but they don’t open until 9:00 am. So after breakfast we drove to the base of Mount Washington to take the Mount Washington Auto Road to summit of Mount Washington.

The Auto Road was opened in 1861 as a carriage route to the 6,288 ft summit. It is 8 miles to the top and some parts are not for the faint of heart. The weather on the summit looked clear from the base of the drive but by the time we reached the top it had changed. Clouds were swirling around us and the wind was picking up. The summit is home to a number of buildings including the Mount Washington Observatory. In 1934 the scientists at the observatory measured the world’s highest surface wind speed record of 231 miles per hour. Fortunately the wind wasn't quite near that for us. Clouds moving in blocked our view so we climbed back in the car for the drive down. As we descended it began to rain. After stopping at some of the outlets we started for Vermont.


A New Hampshire Covered Bridge


The Clouds Swirl Around Mount Washington


Hang On! Joe Summits Mount Washington


While Ned Shelters Behind Some Rocks

We took the Kancamagus Scenic Byway (Rt. 112) from Conway. It is a 28 mile road through the heart of the White Mountains that climbs to nearly 3000 ft. It is designated a National Forest Scenic Byway and may be the most scenic route in New Hampshire. The last time I was on this road was in June and it was snowing, this time it was raining so the scenery was muted. We eventually entered Vermont and drove to Waterbury, VT for our next stop.

Waterbury, VT is the location of the Ben & Jerry’s Factory. They have scheduled tours to view the making of their ice cream. The factory grounds is sort of like a small fair with games for the kids, a flavor graveyard and of course a scoop shop. You do get to sample some ice cream at the end of the tour but we had to wait one and half hours for our tour so what else are you going to do?


Is That an Ice Cream Factory?


Ned and Joe on Ice Cream


Ned Sampling the Wares While Thinking of His Next Flavor

After the tour we took off for Burlington, VT. By this time we were ready to get home so I made Plattsburgh, NY our goal. With it raining and the broken tent pole I decided to stay the night in a hotel. A quick ferry ride across Lake Champlain and we were in Plattsburgh and to bed.


The Ferry Across Lake Champlain to Plattsburgh, NY


Conway, NH to Plattsburgh, NY, 179 miles 7 hrs 17 min

Three Days On Prince Edward Island

Joe and Ned Visiting Anne's House

On July 31 we were up early because we slept in the car the night before. We found a spot to have breakfast and then went to the Cavendish campground for PEI National Park. We got on the waiting list for a campsite and then went to visit the sites.

The main attraction in Cavnedish is the Green Gables Heritage Site. It is the house that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's vision of the home where Anne Shirley lives in Anne of Green Gables. Since we were there so early we were the only ones there and we were able to explore the home and grounds without having to jostle or wait our turn. On the site is a trail through the Haunted Woods and Lovers' Lane both from the story.


Anne's Bedroom


Ned Tries Milking


Down Lovers' Lane


The Red Earth of Prince Edward Island

After visiting Green Gables we went down the road and stopped at the Lucy Maud Montgomery homestead site. The building is gone and only the cellar remains of the home in which she was raised by her grandparents. There are paths that lead from there to the cemetary where she is buried.

We then went into Charlottetown to visit the library and do some shopping. When we got back to the PEI National Park we did get a campsite.

The next two days were laid back ones. We went to the beach which was about 150 yards from the campsite. The beach is lovely wide and long and mostly empty of people. The water seemed cold at first but once in was nice. We spent most of the beach time making large river systems in the sand.


Joe and Ned are Ready for the Beach


One of the Rivers


Prince Edward Island National Park


Walking Back to Camp

We also stopped for ice cream at Cows a PEI ice cream chain that is very good. One night we played mini-golf at a golf course with a giant lobster. It was very relaxing and the weather was great. We were only going to be there two days but it was so nice we stayed an extra day.


Relaxing at the Campsite


Ned Swings by the Potatoes


The Lobster Trap

Cape Cod National Seashore

Mary, Joe and Ned Brave the Fog at the Nauset Light

We spent Wednesday exploring the Outer Cape. We went to the Cape Cod National Seashore to visit some lighthouses and to let the boys get their Junior Ranger Badges.

The weather started fine but as the day wore on it began to rain and fog rolled in. On the way to the park we stopped at the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory and did the tour. We left smelling like potatos.

The park service changed the requirements for the Junior Ranger Badge that made it hard to get them in one day and on a short scehdule. We did get to visit the Nauset Light and take the short hike to see the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Afterwards we drove to Chatham to see the Chatham light and take the tour. Because of the bad weather the tours were cancelled.

Ann and Bill were visiting friends in Chatham and they invited us to stop in. They have an indoor pool and the boys spent the rest of afternoon swimming. On the way back to Osterville we stopped at Four Seas for our daily dose.


Joe and Ned Lounging in Front of One of the Three Sisters Lights



Joe, Mary and Ned (far right) in Front of Four Seas

First Day on the Cape

Ned and Mary Take a Rest at Crab Beach

Saturday, July 14, was our first day on the Cape. We got up early had breakfast and went to crab beach on Uncle Bill's boat. The day was beautiful and the water was very warm. Crab beach is on Cotuit Bay and there is a little pond between it and the ocean. We dug for clams and Uncle Bill did some fishing. We found enough clams to make chowder and steamers and Bill caught a few fish though none keepers.

Mary Pulling Joe Through the Water


Uncle Bill With One of the Fish He Caught

After we returned to the house we headed to Four Seas for our daily dose of their ice cream.

Henry, Ned, Joe, and Bill Out in Front of Four Seas

A Day in the Sun

Joe tubing in the pool

Today was spent poolside at the grandparents pool. Joe and Ned were in the pool a good six hours. Their cousins Michael, Zachary, and Marianna were also there to spend the day poolside along with Aunt Megan. Grandma and Pap-pap arrived back from their trip in time to join us. Even Aunt Miss came by later with cousin Vinnie.


Ned tubing in the pool


The Cousins Love the Water


Pap-pap Keeping an Eye on Things

Later in the evening I headed into town to get some groceries and make a stop at Massey's Frozen Custard always a stop when visiting Carlisle. I did go myself. Nobody else wanted to go.


Massey's Frozen Custard, Carlisle, PA