Travels with JD & SuB : June 2019

We left home around 12:45pm on Wednesday, May 29th, headed through Canada on our way to New Hampshire. This time we sailed right through Customs at Windsor, Ontario.

We broke the drives into three 6 hour drives, which worked out well. our first night was spent at Rondeau State Provincial Park on Lake Erie. We actually didn't see lake Erie as there were homes along the lake with beach access points. We thought the Lake Erie would be visible from the campground.

Rondeau Bay

The next day we headed East along the 401, running into major traffic around Toronto, Ontario. Our next destination was Presqu'ile State Provincial Park on Lake Ontario. Our campsite was on a five foot bluff above the lake with a view, when the fog lifted. There are two islands off shore, Gull Island and High Bluff Island. Access is prohibited to both and the waters 200 meters from the shorelines between March 10 and September 10. Both islands are the breeding grounds for one of the most diverse waterbird colonies on the Great Lakes. During the breeding season over 40,000 pairs of adult gulls, terns, herons, and cormorants nest in the trees and on every square meter of available ground. We set up our chairs and were treated to a live concert of bird calls. With binoculars we were treated to a show on the islands and low level flights of birds along with diving ducks which would dive a reappear 100 yards from where they dove.

We had a nice dinner and in the morning drove around the peninsula and out to the Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse. They were in the process of completing the lighthouse renovation.

Dinner of Bison Burgers and a great view

We continued on our way East, crossing over tyhe Saint Lawrence River and stopping at Parc National Du Mont-Orford (East of Montreal near Sherbrooke, Quebec), our first Canadian National Park. The setting is in the mountains on several mountain lakes. A stop over didn't do this park justice. There is so much to do from hiking, kayaking, boating, fishing, mountain biking, and so much more (In the winter skiing and snow shoes). Once school gets out campsites are probably at a premium. We drove around the park and visited the visitors center before continuing our trip East.

Sarah is ready for bed

Stukely Lake

We crossed over into the US and had to turn over vegetables that we had purchase the day before in Canada. We didn't take any into Canada and should have waited until we got into Vermont. Lesson learned!! We drove through the Green Mountains of Vermont and through plush pine forests. It didn't take us long to cross into New Hampshire. Again the drive through the White Mountains and White Mountain National Forest was spectacular.

We drove past Mount Washington on our way to Crawford Notch State Park. We set up camp in a great campsite at Dry River campground. We hiked to the Saco River and falls, and drove up to Mount Washington's Cog Railroad. We made reservations for the next day on the steam locomotive. We drove to the Silver Cascade and flume.

Saco River falls

Silver Cascade

Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewery

We arrived for our cog railroad trip up to the peak of Mount Washington. We were suppose to take the steam train, but there were mechanical problems and ended up on the yellow diesel.

Unfortunately we were met with thick fog so our view was limited

Lunch at Sea Dog Brewing Company, North Conway, NH

This is the steam train we were supposed to take. Repairs were made and it was ready for the next trip.

We drove up the other side of Mount Washington to take the auto drive up, but they would not allow us to go up with the camper and they said the truck was too long. Bummer!!

Ripley Falls

Kancamagus Scenic Highway

Swift River

Along the Kanc

We drove down through Conway, NH and took Hwy. 112, "The Kanc" West to Franconia Notch, NH. We got a campsite at Hancock Campground in the White Mountain National Forest.

Franconia Notch Visitors Center

We stopped at the Woodstock Station Inn & Brewery for a late lunch/dinner

Franconia Notch - "The Basin"

Basin

Before the 2"-3" of overnight rain. The river level went up 1-1/2'+/- The pools and holes became non-fishable as the water flow increased. I didn't see a fish nor did I get a hit. The winds also made things hard on the cast. All fun