NH to Maine

 After leaving VT, I stayed at another HH in North Conway, NH, called Cathedral Ledge Distillery.  Nice level parking spot!  I really like and appreciate Harvest Hosts, but I think I need to vet out the locations a bit better and maybe not stay at so many alcohol related places.  I suppose I don't have to drink, but I do tend to want to try what they are offering.  So, I might try to do more farms via HH and Boondockers Welcome in the future.  

From Newport, I passed through Franconia Notch (didn't know I would go there) and then the Kancamangus Highway to North Conway.  I would like to spend more time in both places and do some more hiking.  Beautiful drives.  There isn't much for color yet.  I wonder if it will be a good year or not.  Some say yes, but many places I've seen look like the leaves are just turning brown.  

Sabbaday Falls.  This was a short trek and quite spectacular!

Parking at Cathedral Ledges Distillery

I'm very happy with most aspects in the van, but some of the workmanship is questionable.  I'm a bit surprised and bummed about this.  I had a hinge that came out of a cabinet door in the van, so we went to Lowe's to get some glue and some other miscellaneous items.  Unfortunately, this isn't the first issue, but nothing too severe yet...  😕  Some drawer slides were way too wimpy and not fastened properly, but Bruce looked at it and put some shims in between the rails and the walls and screwed the rails to that.  Thank you, Bruce!!!  It is surprising to me that the builder didn't do that, especially since one of the drawers is really large and thus one would expect it would be quite heavy.  Another latch has broken and I think a screw hole is stripped on another hinge.  All fixable and I guess that's life in a van.  My stainless steel (?) sink is rusting already in two corners, but I certainly can't blame the builder for this as I selected the sink.  

After Lowe's, Zoe and I did a hike at a great spot in North Conway.  It's for hiking w/ dogs, biking, x-c skiing in the winter.  I would be there all the time in the snow.  I really liked North Conway and it's proximity to the mountains and the Maine coast. 

After the walk and shopping, we went onto Maine to visit with my cousin Polly and husband Charlie and dog Penny.  This has been really enjoyable hanging out with them at their beautiful home.  It's not often that I get to spend quality time with one of my cousins, so this was special.  Charlie is a great cook, so he's been feeding us well.  

Fresh local lobster and muscles.  YUM!

Hike on Mt Cutler

Sunning herself at a rest stop on the trail.

Polly did some more tour guiding and took me and Zoe into Portland for some sight seeing.  We walked around the East end, enjoyed the views and some Gelato.  We also stopped at Meowy Jane, which was a first for me.

Zoe enjoying Gelato!

Polly enjoying Gelato!  😀

Wow, that's one big cruise ship!  In spite of this, the town didn't seem to overcrowded.

Look at these private yachts.  All three and the smallest one in the right foreground has a decent sized sailboat and motor boat on the top deck!  The other two yachts are just outrageous!

Just too cute the way she lays down in the brush (and sun of course!)

My last evening here.  😞 We hoped for an evening boat ride, but the battery said Nope!  Zoe appeared disappointed too!  

Tomorrow I am heading up the coast and will be visiting some old neighbors from Hastings.  Fun!