Bar Harbor, ME to North Conway, NH

As I mentioned yesterday, I am having to cross back through New Hampshire to get to Vermont. Initially I was going to stay in Lebanon, NH, but I decided to change my route to stop in the White Mountains as I had not had a chance to visit that area during the week I officially visited NH. Of course, I could easily spend a couple of weeks here. For good reason, It is a popular outdoor adventure and tourist area. Which is exactly why I would not choose summer for a return visit.

One of the main attractions in this area is Mount Washington , at 6,288 feet, the highest peak in the NorthEast. There is a road that goes to the top, and I had planned to drive it. But speaking with the folks at the desk at the Fairfield Inn in North Conway, as well as a couple of guests, made me question that plan. Although I was assured that no car has ever gone over the edge, apparently it is quite steep and narrow, and in some stretches is only one lane wide with a steep drop-off and no guard rails. There is a reason why they offer bumper stickers that say “This car has climbed Mount Washington.” Ben and Alexia suggested an alternative of a cog railway that goes up the other side of the mountain. The sounded like an appealing option and, after researching it, I purchased a ticket for tomorrow.

I’ll report on that trip tomorrow evening. Stay tuned.