Category Archives: Family and Kids
Refuge in the sands
As all hell broke loose that Friday in Boston, the beach at Morris Island stretched for miles, empty and unpeopled, like the city in lockdown. Instead of fear, the beach inspired tranquility and an almost medically-induced sense of relief at … Continue reading
Posted in Family and Kids, Hiking, Travels
Tagged Cape Cod hikes, Cape Cod seals, Chatham, family hikes, Monomoy Island, Morris Island, Morris Island Trail
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White elephant in a green valley
Here at Evergreen Valley, the outside temperature is 12 degrees, but a full 28 degrees warmer, at 40, inside our “villa.” We lost power yesterday (2/17), late in the afternoon after a day of wild snowless winds. Now, this morning, … Continue reading
Winter dreams of summer days on Mount Washburn
On this cold winter afternoon in Maine, I am dreaming about summer days on Mount Washburn. The temperature is even colder today at Mount Washburn, but this past August, we slathered on sun screen and wore shorts and t-shirts when … Continue reading
Exploring Caves and Climbing Ladders in the New Hampshire Lakes Region
Our only regret is that we have arrived at the cave too late. This roomy cavern, formed by boulders and slabs of rock that fell from the mountain long ago, offers both space to spread out and shelter from … Continue reading
In the Wild River Valley, a November blizzard, deep snow, and a man who perseveres to save his cat
We are hiking along Blue Brook and up the Basin Trail through a golden forest of beech trees, the color made more vibrant by the gray background of an overcast sky. Halfway up Blue Brook, a granite cliff towers over … Continue reading
Rangeley days, now far away
Every summer, the town takes us by surprise. We crest the hill on Route 4, catch our first view of the lake, and descend into an unlikely enclave of commerce: the Pine Tree Frosty, the video store, the Laundromat, the … Continue reading
Posted in Family and Kids, Maine places, Travels, Uncategorized
Tagged hiking, Mount Aziscohos, North Camps, Rangeley, western Maine mountains
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A ghostly perspective on Fort Constitution and Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Motivated by my son’s interest in the paranormal, we joined a “haunted lighthouse tour” at Fort Constitution in Newcastle, N.H. on a recent summer evening. The tour of the Fort and Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was led by ghost hunting expert Ron … Continue reading
Posted in Family and Kids, Seacoast (mostly) History
Tagged ghosts, lighthouses, Seacoast history
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Rock scrambling on Welch-Dickey Loop Trail
After a mile of hiking at a moderate grade, we burst into sky as we reach the open ledges on the side of Welch Mountain. My three 11-year-old hiking companions skip across the flat patches of granite to the ledge … Continue reading
