Sometimes, I can't believe I live in such and amazingly beautiful place! Growing up in California, all I saw was concrete, graffiti, and worn down buildings. If I wanted a break, it was two hours up into the mountains....or a crowded beach. There was little room for peace and solitude. Very little room. I felt choked and crowded out.
In the summer of 2012, I packed up my things, my kids, and relocated to New Hampshire......I couldn't believe how spaced out everything is here. The woods, the mountains, the beach, were all in reach. People here and in California think I'm totally crazy! New England is still mostly uncharted wilderness. Some roads aren't even paved yet, or they may never be. I don't even care. Less people, more nature. It's perfect for me!
The Kankamagus highway is a road that transversus the White Mountains range from East to West. It is a popular spot for "Sunday Drives" and motorcycle enthusiasts. There are plenty of scenic places to stop along the way. The entire drive takes less than an hour and there are places to stop at each end for breakfast or shopping. This trip we stopped at a fave restaurant Banners in North Conway, before we got started on our drive.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Well, it happens to be our favorite meal out....We are vegetarian and we always get asked the question, "what no bacon," as she judgingly peers at Derrick like he's an alien......"No, he answers with a straight face." They walk off shaking their head.....In any case, breakfast was amazing!
We headed out from the restaurant to Sabbaday Falls for our morning hike. I could tell when we arrived, there was something good in store for us. The smell of the moist woods, and pine were intoxicating. The stream wasn't too far from the entrance, and the trail only had a slight incline. Just a nice walk so we could drink in the sights.
Not too far up, we arrived at the falls. Oh, what a treat!
We found the pool below and the water was crystal clear!!! Like from a movie!!!
This is actually a pretty common New England sight. Many of the lakes, streams, and ponds are clear like this one. Without the damage of city pollution, nature still has a chance to shine, sparkly clean. It's hidden treasure coming from other over-inhabited states like Illinois and California.
Just around the wooden trail, were the actual falls.
The water was flowing gently around a natural fault into a rare curve.....
We paid homage for a few minutes, and felt the energy of the water. Then it was off to the Albany Covered Bridge.....see the next article under "The Magic of Covered Bridges." There is a big surprise there........to be continued!
