Mt Washington, Fall Colors and the Return of the Pumpkin People

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We camped near Gorham, New Hampshire which is by the White Mountains. They were certainly not white while we were there but were blazing with color. Our plan was to go to the top of Mt Washington. We opted to take the guided tour rather than drive up ourselves, so that we could each spend time looking at the scenery rather than the road. The day we went was a beautiful day and visibility was 90 miles. The days before and after were rainy and foggy, so the tours couldn’t run or were limited to breaks in the weather. We had a half hour at the summit and that was plenty of time to look around, take pictures and get cold. The warmth of the van felt good after the wind and cold temps at the summit.

The Return of the Pumpkin People was a fun thing we just happened upon. It was primarily in Jackson. I liked the fun whimsy and variety of Pumpkin People. It runs for most of October.

We are next heading to Vermont. Will the colors of Vermont be able to match what we saw here in New Hampshire? There was something special about New Hampshire and I could have easily spent more time exploring this area. Now I’m looking forward to Vermont cheddar cheese and maple syrup. Have I made you just a little bit hungry?

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Photos

Along NH road #16
I'm not certain if we were in Berlin or Gorham when I took this photo

Rainbow
A rainbow along with all the colorful fall leaves....what could possibly be better?

Moose sign
I seem to have a thing for signs. I especially like the moose signs. They differ from state to state and can have different illustrations representing a moose and different warnings.

Weather sign for Mt Washington
Note the visibility is 90 miles!

We're at the top of Mt Washington
It was really as cold and windy as it looks in the photo.

This building has chains to help secure it
Actually this new construction doesn't need the chains, but they were kept for historical information. I think that would be rather scary to have winds so strong it could blow your building off the mountain.

Cogwheel train
This is a different way to get to the top of Mt Washington. Note that the engine is pushing the train car up the mountain.

Cogwheel train tracks
There is an extra track in the middle that is for the cogwheel.

Red Barn Museum
The first vehicles that went up the mountain was a coach like in the picture. They actually had one in the museum along with various cars and even a segue.

Old man in the Mountain
Pumpkins are everywhere at this time of year.

Return of the Pumpkin People
We happened upon some of the Pumpkin People and we were able to get a brochure and map. This sign helped identify the location of some of the Pumpkin People. There was approximately 70 displays with the greatest concentration in Jackson.

George and Pumpkin People
They have been doing this for 25 years and it was a lot of fun. We didn't see most of them but were impressed with the ones we did see.

Gallery
Even the art work depicts Pumpkin People.

Comments

[Norm Smith]

New Hampshire
Lovely state New Hampshire. When in the Air Force I spent a year at Grenier AFB, near Manchester. I was fortunate to enjoy two Fall seasons in the White Mountains. Driving thru theses picturesque by-ways in the Fall is unbelievably beautiful. Had an opportunit to climb Mt. Washington via gravel road and foot trails. About 8,000 ft. if my memory is correct. It was late April and we encountered snow at about 1,000 ft. We did make it to the weather station at the peak and bummed a ride back down on an Air Force snow- cat. Spent some time at Lake Winnepesakie (sp) in the Summer. In spite of some language issues we were able to "communicate" with the French Canadian girls that came in from Quebec. We felt this was our partriotic duty since Canada was allied with the U.S. during the Korean conflict. The Lake was nice too I gave some serious thought to relocating to New Hampshire but the job situation was not encouraging. Also I was engaged and Eileen did not wish to move from Detroit. I am sure you are having a wonderfull time . Should you go thru Manchester I would highly recommend the bar in the Graymore Hotel--should it still exist. A tear comes to my eye as I recall the battle-cry of my squadron, which was: "Off to the Graymore". Have fun, Norm