Freedom, New Hampshire

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Danforth Bay RV Resort in Freedom was a great place to spend a few days in October. Our campsite overlooked a peaceful lake surrounded with brilliant fall foliage.

We attempted to drive up Mt. Washington, home of the “World’s Worst Weather,” according to conventional wisdom and L.L. Bean TV commercials. Alas, our first attempt failed; the road was closed halfway up due to 70 mph winds and blowing snow.

We were successful the second day, as we rode the Cog Railroad instead. With steady clicks, the cog engine pushed us slowly up the mountain. Near the top, we spied a few hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The scenery had changed from fall foliage and pines to only rime ice and rocks above the tree line.

Rime ice, we learned, is actually frozen fog. It takes shape from the extreme winds and makes beautiful feather-like patterns on anything it clings to. The summit temperature was 27 degrees of bitter cold with howling winds. We walked quickly around the Weather Observatory and went inside the building where lots of folks had scurried for a warm drink. It was quite a change from the bottom of the mountain!

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Photos

Danforth Bay Campground
View from our campsite -- beautiful!

Coco and Lily
Side by side at the lake

Mt. Washington Auto Road
Closed halfway up due to severe weather

70 mph winds
Do they look cold or what?

Return of the Pumpkin People
A New Hampshire tradition -- from Harry Potter, to fishermen, to brides and grooms--all fashioned with pumpkin heads

Flossie's Country Store
A tourist trap, but way cute!

Covered Bridge
In Jackson, New Hampshire just down the road from Flossie's

Cog Railroad
Before our journey

Going Up the Mountain
One train going up and another way up on the mountain

Appalachian Trail hikers
We saw them out the train window... it was cold up there!

A building at the Weather Observatory
The buildings are covered in rime ice

Freezing at the Summit
A crowded photo spot

Crawford Path
Not a path I'd take, but beautiful nonetheless

Rime Ice
Like snowy white feathers -- clings to everything that doesn't move

Cog Railroad Train
Coming down the mountain