Guess what? It snowed again!!!

Well here I am on another wonderful Monday and we are cleaning up from a snowstorm. In my last post I mentioned it was the 3rd Monday in a row with snow. Well on Thursday we had snow, on Friday we had a little more, then on Sunday we had the bigger storm with about 10 inches of snow, and now today we have had light snow all morning.

Needless to say we are going to have a White Christmas. The amazing thing is that Winter does not officially start until Dec 21st. Call in sick and come up to enjoy the beautiful powder that has fallen.

Don't forget that Loon has 3 new trails this season. They opened on Saturday to rave reviews. It was quite an experience to see so many people enjoying the new trails on Saturday.

I have been asked by our Marketing Department to get some pictures of me hanging from the new Ski Lifts. While I am not sure I will o that, I will get some pictures of the new trails and post them.

Happy Skiing!!!

It's Snowing so it must be Monday

There is a saying about Monday's being dreadful. So far this Winter has proven to be a lot of fun if you like snow. I happen to like snow so I am in all my glory. Today was the 3rd Monday in a row in which I had to drive to work with less than ideal conditions. The great thing about living in the White Mountains is that we know how to handle the snow. The roads are always in good shape and if one is not in a super rush you will get there, it may be a few minutes late, but you'll get there.

I would say that so far we have at least a foot of snow on the ground. So come on up and enjoy the winter sports.

Old Man Returns

Yes the Old Man has returned. No not the old Man who once stood proud looking over Franconia Notch, but Old Man Winter. Yes Old Man Winter has returned to his proper New Hampshire home. This Old Man shows up all throughout the White Mountains and even into the Great North Woods.

Stop and take a look around. Children are sledding and they want to help you shovel, Skiers are Skiing, Snowmobiliers are out and about, Cross Country Skiers are propbably the happiest I have seen in a long time, and Snowshoers are shoeing. Everyone is Happy.

The shovelers are shoveling, the snowmakers aren't as panicked, cars are white from salt, and the plow guys are really smiling.

It's almost like we are afraid to pinch ourselves to see if it is real. No one is really talking about it, yet it is confirmed with a smile or a wink. Yes, folks Winter is here to stay. (With over a foot on the ground, it better be.) Check your calendar Winter arrives in 16 Days.

P.S. Don't forget to check your wiper fluid.

More Christmas in the White Mountains

These are some more of the things that are going on in the White Mountains during the holiday period:

Holiday Magic Light Park, Campton, NH
Ticket Prices
Car.......................$10.00
Vans 11+passengers...$25.00
Hours of Operation
Thanksgiving, November 22 - December 30th, 2007............Every Friday, Saturday Sunday, 4:30 - 8:30pm
White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park turns winter's darkest days into a lighted winter wonderland. Drive through a mile of animated light displays. Take a stroll through a dazzling cascade of holiday lights. Thousands of white lights on trees will enchant even Scrooge himself. Simple traditions like a visit with Santa, A family portrait, picking out a Christmas Tree, children's crafts or just a cup of hot cocoa and a sweet treat near the fire will make our LightPark a "must do" on your holiday list.
All guests will receive a coupon book filled with valuable lodging, dining and service offers!!

Call ahead in the case of heavy rains.

Directions
Follow Interstate 93 to Exit 28.
Coming from the North, take a right off of the exit. This will put you on Route 49.
Follow Route 49 for 1 mile. Right after you cross the green bridge you will see the Branch Brook sign. Take the first right on the Branch Brook Rd.

Harvest Your Own Trees

The Rocks Estate, Bethlehem, NH

Hours:
November 17th 2007 - December 24th 2007
Open every day 9am - 5pm
Sunday Afternoons 2-5 pm is Locals Day. Discounts on Trees for Local Residents!

Join us for our Christmas festivities. During the holiday season, the farm has been described by visitors as a "Norman Rockwell Christmas" experience, with four teams of horses and their harnesses jingling set the ambiance for the holiday celebration. Local volunteer groups help with tree sales and a choir set the tone on several of the days.
You can select a freshly cut tree or enjoy the experience of harvesting your own in our scenic fields. We can help you cut the tree or leave it up to you. Once chosen, your tree is transported to the tree baler where we wrap and then tie your tree onto your vehicle free of charge. The local booster club supplies the food and you can warm up around the marshmallow pit while singing Christmas carols. Visit our New Hampshire crafts fair and do your holiday shopping.
We take pride in what we offer:
· A family atmosphere.
· Top quality trees.
· Courteous service—from help cutting and dragging your tree to tying it on your vehicle.
· Free horse-drawn wagon rides, reserved for package customers up until Sunday at 2pm.
· Free tree wrapping.
· Uniquely designed wreaths.
· Scenic turn-of-the-century country estate.
· The knowledge that you are helping to support conservation education in the Granite State.

Bethlehem's Christmas Stamp
A Unique Touch for Your Holiday Cards

Originally named Lloyd's Hills in 1774, the little White Mountain town of Bethlehem NH was incorporated with it's current name on the last Christmas Day of the 18th century. With that in mind, it's rather fitting that today's Bethlehem has a myriad of holiday festivities throughout the winter months. With two cut-your own Christmas tree farms, craft fairs, tree-lighting ceremonies and sleigh rides, the tiny community comes alive during the holiday season.
Perhaps most unique of the holiday traditions offered by Bethlehem is the hand-cancelling of Christmas cards. This rural Post Office estimates it handles over 56,000 Christmas cards from all over the world each year.
If you would like to add more flair to your Christmas greetings, there are two ways to go about it; bring the cards yourself or send them in. Multiple hand cancellation stamps are available for your use in the Post Office's main lobby, shortly after Thanksgiving each year.
If you are unable to bring your cards to Bethlehem yourself, simply address, seal and place postage stamps on the envelopes containing your greetings and place them in a larger envelope. Send this envelope to the attention of "Christmas Re-Mailing", Bethlehem Post Office, Bethlehem, NH 03574. To ensure delivery in time for Christmas, your items should be received no later than December 15th.

Christmas in the White Mountains

Have you seen Santa yet? Santa will be making several appearances in the Lincoln area over the next few weeks so please make sure to pay him a visit.

Here is a list of chances to see Santa:

Breakfast with Santa at the Village Shops, Main St Lincoln, NH

Saturdays December 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2007
9 am to 11 am
Come and experience a delicious, magical breakfast with Santa at the Texas Toast Eatery. Call (603)745-9300 for more information

Take a Train Ride with Santa:


The Hobo Railroad Lincoln, NH

Nov 23, 24 Fri & Sat at 11:00 and 1:00
Dec 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 Train only at 1:00
Reservations taken for groups of 10 or more ONLY

The ticket prices are $13.00 per person with under 3 FREE. Take a Santa Train with Mr Santa Claus himself on board on an hour and twenty minute ride of family fun! Your ride will follow along the Pemigewassett River from Hobo Junction in Lincoln to Woodstock.

Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods, NH

The Santa Train runs twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., each Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tickets are $31 for adults and $26 for children; youngsters age 3 and under ride free on an adult's lap.

The destination is Kroflite Kamp, halfway to the 6,288-foot summit of the highest mountain in the Northeast. At this point, youngsters can depart the train and have their photos taken with Santa Claus and the panorama of Bretton Woods and the White Mountains spread out behind them.

Conway Scenic Railraod, North Conway, NH


Santa Claus is giving the "All Aboard" call to travel with him on a delightful train ride at Conway Scenic Railroad. Ride through the Mt. Washington Valley, aboard heated coaches, powered by one of our powerful diesel locomotives. The "Santa Claus Express" will depart the historic North Conway Station, Saturdays and Sundays, December 1st & 2nd, the 8th & 9th the 15th &16th and the 22nd & 23rd at 11:30 a.m. for a 1 3/4 hour ride to Bartlett and at 1:30 p.m. on a 55 - minute trip to Conway. All train excursions are roundtrip. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RAILWAY HAD THE INCORRECT INFORMATION POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR DATES AND PRICES. I HAVE CORRECTED THE INFORMATION.
Bartlett Fares
Coach First Class
Adult $20.00 $24.50
Child (4 to 12 Yrs) $13.50 $17.50
Under 4 Free* $11.00
Conway Fares
Coach First Class
Adult $12.50 $16.00
Child (4 to 12 Yrs) $9.00 $10.50
Under 4 Free* $7.50
· When accompanied by an adult, child not occupying a seat.

Time for First Tracks

Well the day has finally arrived. After a couple of false starts, mother Nature has decided that perhaps we are due for a normal winter. In conjunction with the great snow makers at Loon, and about 2-3 inches of the natural white stuff Loon Mountain has officially opened for the season. They open today with 5 trails and more terrain is expected to open over the weekend. What a great way to spend Thanksgiving, eating Turkey and Skiing, and oh yeah watching some football.

Today I will be doing my first tour of the White Mountains since we have started to receive snow. I think that it will provide a stark contrast to what I have seen over the last month, but only a visual check will confirm my thoughts. I know some of the roads will probably be closed, but that is what makes it fun. Check back for pictures and look at the slide show in the right hand margin.

The Snow has Arrived

The first significant snow of the season has arrived. I am like a kid waiting for Christmas Morning. This means that it's time to break out the shovels, plows, and yes the snow blower. As I drove up this morning it started out as a few flurries, but as I progressed up I-93 the snow became heavier and heavier. The forecast for Lincoln says 5-10" of the white stuff will fall. A lot of this will have to do with elevation, but snow is snow.

While it was not sticking to the highway, the resort had to hook the plow up and clear the snow from the driveway. The grass was covered with snow and the pine trees were a picture perfect green and white.

The ski areas are getting ready to open. Loon looks to open on Wednesday and Cannon on Friday so sharpen the skis and come for a visit.

A Hike to Sabbaday Falls

On Saturday I took a group of 10 people out to Sabbaday Falls and other various places along the Kancamagus Highway. Sabbadya Falls is a 3 level water fall created by a fault line that runs through that area.

It was almost a picture perfect day with deep blue sky, a crisp autumn chill, and the sound of Sabbaday Brook rushing in the distance. The hike is not a long one as it is only 3/10's of a mile each way. The trail parallels the brook and cuts through some beautiful birch and pine areas. The one thing I noticed was that the ferns, which usually are quick to turn when hit by frost, were still a vibrant green which made them really stand out among the leaves that had already fallen.

The trail here is a nice gravel path that is well maintained. There is only one are on the trail that has any real significant elevation change. Once we arrive at the falls we took the left fork which brings you to the bottom the falls. It was a little icy here as the water oozes out of the rocks here and created a bit of an ice skating rink, but was manageable with proper footwear.

It is always interesting to observe the people I am with to see what their reaction is to the falls as they see it for the first time and this time proved no different. They are amazed at the beauty and intrigued as to why it has a 90 degree turn between the 2nd and 3rd fall. They also notice at how smooth the rocks have been made by the water rushing over the rocks There is a walkway that takes you alongside the falls and that was a little icy, but we made it across without incident.

If anyone wants to take a nice hike this is the place to go for you. Once the snow starts to fly it will be a good idea to have snowshoes when you hike into here.

Winter is Fast Approaching

Earlier this week I was told that there was snow. I looked out the window and it was a fairly nice day so I was a little confused. Well it turns out that 2 ski areas, Bretton Woods and Attitash decided to try out their snow guns. When I drove by those ski areas on Wednesday I saw for myself that they indeed had made some snow, but not enough for one to ski on. It was just enough to make you want it to snow more so everyone can come up and carve some turns in some fresh powder.

This winter will bring some excitement to our friends at Loon Mountain and Cannon Mountain. Loon (http://www.loonmtn.com/) will be opening the first 2 trails of the South Mountain expansion. It has been exciting to see the progress all summer. Over at Cannon (http://www.cannonmt.com/) they have been working on improving their snowmaking capacity. There is nothing quite like driving thru Franconia Notch and seeing a blizzard on Cannon Mountain.

I keep praying for an early snowstorm so I don't have to rake the leaves at home, but Mother Nature isn't answering my prayers just yet, but we will be having a windy weekend, so maybe they will blow into my neighbors yard and I can escape having to bag leaves.

Pretty soon it will like this:

My Google Map

I will be starting to add places and pictures that we go and information on the local area. I will include addresses, phone numbers where applicable, and information that will give you an understanding of what happens there. Please check it out on the lower right corner of this Blog.

A few pictures from the Fall

The town of Jackson, NH has an invasion every year of the Pumpkin People. Many of the local businesses participate in this fun event which is sponsored by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. We saw these fine people on one of my Wednesday Trips to Nowhere and Everywhere.


As part of my Everywhere & Nowhere Tour I have a habit of taking dirt roads which I have no idea where they go. This picture is from Cherry Mountain Road in Bretton Woods. It is a little pond at the base of Mount Deception. The pond is located about 2-3 miles from Route 302 just past campsite #7. The road is closed in Winter to cars. I took this picture on October 7, 2007.

This picture is also from Cherry Mountain Road looking back towards Bretton Woods from just about the highest point on the road before you start going downhill into Jefferson. We were heading to the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson. The picture was taken on October 7, 2007.

As we were walking the 1.5 mile flat/easy hike into Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, my kids thought that this was a pretty good picture. I guess the world looks a lot different through the eyes of a 4 and 6 year old. After I got home and downloaded my pictures I couldn't agree more that this was a nice picture to take.

This is the view from the viewing platform looking across Big Cherry Pond inside the wildlife refuge. The pond is about 87 acres in size. The wildlife refuge is 5,000 acres and offers a great chance to see wildlife.

This is the view of Mount Washington as seen from the Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge. The whisps of smoke that you see are from the 2 Cog Trains going up the side of the mountain.

Pictured here is Saco Lake which is the headwaters of the Saco River. Heading East on Route 302 the lake can be found at the entrance to Crawford Notch State Park. Across the street is the AMC Highland Center.

A view looking down at Echo Lake from the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in Franconia Notch State Park. The Rocks at the North end of the lake form Artist's Bluff. This picture was taken on September 4, 2007 as part of our Ultimate Franconia Notch Tour. The furthest mountains that you can see are actually in southern Quebec. The visibility this day was over 100 miles with strong winds blowing at the top of Cannon Mountain. A picture perfect day.

This was our next to last stop that day. We hiked up to Artisit Bluff which offers some amazing views looking South into Franconia Notch and also looking North towards Littleton.

As you can see they trails at Cannon are just waiting to get their first layer of snow and the trails will be ready to go. Will you be the first person to make first tracks. Don't forget that Cannon is looking for your pictures to post on their website. Send them to info@cannonmt.com . Mention in the email that you stayed at Innseason Resorts and you will be entered into a contest to win 2 free lift tickets. There will be 3 winners chosen. Good Luck!!!

A Trip up the Rock Pile

Today I took 28 guests up to the Cog Railway. This is one of my favorite trips that I get to do, as I love going to the top of Mount Washington to experience some of the "World's Worst Weather". When we left the base station the top was in the clear. When we got to the top it was fully in the clouds, which means you couldn't see much. There were still some small piles of snow left from the 4 inches they received this week. It was rather warm up there for October as well and the winds were "calm", though a couple of people managed to have a quick snowball fight.

There is something that is special about the Cog Railway. I don't know if it's the smell of the coal, the sounds of the whistle, but I could spend all day there just watching the train. I liek to watch the guests as they try to get that special picture of the guys working on the train, or as the trains leave the Base Station. Then on the train eveyone gets up and tries to stand upright. but can't because the average grade is 25%. Picture an airplane while it climbs to its cruising altitude.

Since our Van is already out on a trip on Thursday's, we caravan to the Cog as a group. It is always fun to have 10 cars behind you as you drive up there. As usual once we were back down at the bottom everyone went out on thier own to explore some more of the White Mountains as there are still many areas that have beautiful color showing.

This was also one of the last times that we can get to the top, but that depends on Mother Nature. During the Winter they run the train about halfway up the mountain and then let you get out on the side of the Mountain, once again a unique way to experience Mount Washington in all it's splendor.

Foliage + Snow = Sno-liage

I wish I could say I thought of this word, but the fine folks at the White Mountain Attractions beat me to it. On Wednesday I will be doing my almost world famous trip to Nowhere and Everywhere. My vast network of spotters has told me that all the peaks above 4,000 feet now have snow on them. I will be taking pictures of this tomorrow and will post them when I get home.

What's up with the Pith Hat?

Welcome to my new world. Since July 2007 I have been working as the Adventure Concierge for InnSeason Resorts in Lincoln, NH. I have held several different positions since I started working here in March 2003, but this by far is the most fun someone should allowed to have while they get paid.

On my first day in the position I was asked to take a picture that would help promote the position. So now I have this picture on literally thousands of Rack Cards that I send out to guests prior to their arrival. These cards are also given to the guests when they arrive at the Resorts. Needless to say I don't need to wear a name tag ( shhh don't tell the owners)as most people seem to know who I am before I even say "Hi." Of course they also ask where my Pith Hat is and I have to say that it is really old and would fall apart if I wore it all the time.

I will keep updating on things that are going on and things that I do in future postings. Please send me feedback so I know what you like and don't like.