Day 42, Gorham, NH

Depart Unity after an early start.  Not by choice but by rooster.  The down side of sleeping in farm country.  It brought back memories of the summer of ‘76 on Runaway Farm in Edneyville, NC.  Kirk took care of the roosters back then and I wish he’d take care of a few more.  Onward to the White Mountains area of NH.  Checked into the House of Walmart in Gorham about 1:00.  After lunch, we head to the White Mountain National Forest.  First stop in Pinkham Notch to see the Cascade Falls.  Easy hike and lovely falls.  On way back to the parking lot, I had to use my arm to stop Rosemary or else she would have walked right into a wild moose (see photos).  The rangers warn folks to keep a distance or they may charge you which can be somewhat unpleasant or so they said.  Next, I can hardly believe I talked Rosemary into the auto drive up to the summit of Mount Washington, especially after her white knuckling the drive from Maine into NH.  The drive is eight miles of winding, sometimes unpaved, no railings, steep graded, narrow path in which you are required to use low gear both up and down.  At the entrance the ranger asked if my car had first gear which of course I did not reveal that it had no way of shifting into first manually, meaning the trip down would be in second gear.  Ranger said a/c off so as not to put any additional heat on the car’s engine.  Temps at the entrance in the mid 70's and we were quite comfortable in our shorts and tee shirts.  Off we go with windows open, first 2 miles not too bad and all forested which mostly shaded the road.  A little higher and I have to admit the white knuckles were on my hands.  After much concern, including stopping many times to make sure our car and the cars coming down had enough room to both fit on the road (just barely most times) we finally reached the summit.  By this time windows were barely open.  Get out of the car and temp was 50 with probably 20 mile plus wind.  Walked around the summit and enjoyed the views, took photos offered to buy other folks jackets unsuccessfully and the quickly headed into the summit house for hot chocolate.  Although the color returned to my knuckles, there was still getting down without a first gear restriction.  It did not help that on a wall inside the summit house was a list of names and dates of those who have died on the mountain.  We stopped at least 5 or 6 times in the pull offs and waited to cool the breaks down.  Fortunately, we had lots of material about the area that we had picked up at the visitor center in Gorham to read while we were stopped.  Now we have a certificate evidencing we made it to the summit and back and a bumper sticker “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington” for the car.  FYI, this is the highest mountain in the eastern US.  Next stop was the Glen Ellis Falls.  An easy .3 mile hike.  Falls are beautiful with a drop of 64'.  A great day.  Can’t wait til tomorrow.

Day 41, Unity, ME

Depart Bar Harbor after a late start and arrive Bangor about noon.  Take obligatory picture of 31' statute of Paul Bunyan.  Drive around town, not much happening and not very attractive.  Visit the Cole Land Transportation Museum which was a nice hour and a half.  Then head to Unity and another Harvest Hosts host, the Younity Winery, operated by a real welcoming couple, Clem and Geri, for a wine tasting and overnight.  The place is out in the country among beautiful rolling hills which made for a nice sunset.  The wine is mostly fruit wine which included “Tickled Pink” (cranberry), “Rhuby Slippers” (rhubarb) and “Pie Eyed” (pumpkin) among others.  High alcohol content of 15% made Rosemary loopy after only 3 sips.  I can honestly say I have never tasted anything quite like these wines.