Blogs from New Hampshire, United States, North America - page 3

BASICS We decided not to go into Chicago and instead explored more local places. Valparaiso ("Valpo") had a spectacular outdoor train layout. We drove on to the lakeside home of friends in Manchester, Michigan, stopping en route in Three Rivers, MI, at the bookstore which Linda remembered as wonderful. It is. After a delightful visit, we forged ahead at our not very fast pace toward home. We stopped in Thompson Ohio, where we encountered one of the nicest campgrounds ever. We stopped twice in New York state, at Chautaqua and Campbell. Then on to New England, which already felt like being home. After a night at a ski area in Bennington Vermont, we drove through the glorious fall leaf colors which entice people from all over to New England. And, finally, to Durham. Our yard has ... read more

Another travel day. And we are now in our old backyard. We left the hotel this morning at 7:40 and 58 degrees and headed east on I-90. And the further we went, the more it looked like New England. Much of our drive was through country roads, where the trees are thick and lush and form a canopy over the byway…maple, birch, oak, sometimes elm, and an occasional white pine…feeling very familiar. The roads got better when the tolls ended…did I say this boggles my mind? We followed the Mohawk River for a while and we skirted the south end of the Adirondack Mountains. We even saw what I will call a bridge to nowhere. This was weird. This bridge was built over the river but there was no way to get up onto it. Each ... read more

Becky and I and her brother Ted from Ohio (who has unexpectedly come for a lovely visit!) climbed Black Mountain in the Sandwich wilderness, about 2700'. Great views, which are the wonderful result of 2 hours hard work. Mountain climbing is one of our yearly "have to do's" at camp. A hot day for here, 90 degrees, but nice breeze at the top. We have also heard from friends that several Democratic Presidential candidates are in NH having rallies. Having never participated in such an event, a Celtic prayer I read yesterday seems to encourage that possibility. "Lord of the excluded, open my ears to those I would prefer not to hear; open my life to those I would prefer not to know; open my heart to those I would prefer not to love; and so ... read more

Enclosed is a wonderful picture of our precious Camp in NH. Ben and I annually put the dock in - a great father/son bonding time. Not usually so cold - 43 degrees this time. Yet another beautiful spot to rest in God's abundant and wondrous creation. Ironically my final view of this visit was ;looking into my phone while we took the selfie! instead of taking the precious moment to just be in that beautiful spot to soak in the sights and smells. Ahhh - technology - great to have, but I pray I become more mindful to simply "be" in these special moments and places, without the ease and distraction of technology getting in the way.... read more

Well here's another blog which must mean another trip. This time, The Cat Herder and his Wife, along with long time friends and travel companions, John and Diane, will be driving through Europe. Our travels will bring us into the Normandy region of France where we will visit the many World War II battle sites, thru Southern France with it's many chateaus, castles and vineyards, then into Switzerland. Our last visit there left us wanting more so this time we will be traveling through the Swiss Alps visiting the lake Geneva area, Zermatt and the Jungfrau region. There we will be taking a train which tunnels straight into the rock of the Eiger, then upward to the Jungfraujoch terminus at 11,333 ft., where the views are said to be jaw-dropping. Since it is the 100th anniversary ... read more