Fall 2005 New England
In early October of 2005, we embarked on a week-long trip to New England. Ostensibly, we were looking for "fall foliage" on this trip; unfortunately, however, this year foliage peaked later than usual, and we were only at the beginning of the leave-changing season. Nevertheless, we had some good time.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
On the first day (September 30, 2015), we drove all day and all the way to Vermont (more than 550 miles). The next day, we explored the state. This is one of the first New England covered bridge we saw on this trip (Woodstock Middle Bridge).
Covered Bridge
We made a brief stop at Moss Glen Falls.
Moss Glen Falls
We drove all the way to Lake Champlain near the border to Canada, but as you can see, the leaves were only beginning to change color.
Lake Champlain
Next day (October 2, 2005), we took the Kancamagus Highway. and entered New Hampshire. We made a stop at Sabbaday Falls, a waterfall squeezing through a narrow rocky gorge.
Sabbaday Falls
We would reach White Mountains on this day. I had heard about it, mainly because the Appalachian Trail crosses it. After a scary ride -- the road up is a narrow dirt road privately owned -- we reached the summit of Mount Washington (6,288 feet or 1,917 m). Although not that high in elevation, because of the higher latitude, the scene is almost Arctic.
White Mountains
White Mountains
White Mountains
After the visit to the White Mountains, we stopped by Pinkham Notch and did a short hike to Crystal Cascades before the sun set.
Crystal Cascades
Crystal Cascades
The next day (Oct. 3, 2015), we would leave New Hampshire and ended up in Bar Harbor, Maine. We drove around the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and stopped at Castle in the Clouds, a century-old mansion overlooking the lake.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Castle in the Clouds
We spent the next 2 days (October 4 and 5) in and around Acadia National Park. This was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip, especially the first day, when we had perfect weather. We stopped at various places along the coast.
We were lucky indeed, 7 years later we made a return trip, and it was cloudy that time. You can see the second picture below, taken at almost the same spot, for comparison.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, circa 2012
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
The following picture was taken at the shore of an inland pond or lake, I believe it is Jordan Pond.
Jordan Pond
We ended the day with watching sunset at the top of Cadillac Mountain. It was magical to watch the sea fog trailing each islet and sunset tinge everything rosy.
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain
The next day would not be so nice -- dense fog rolled in from the Atlantic. We spent most of the day going to the "other" side of Acadia National Park, toward Bass Harbor, stopping at various points along the way.
Otter Cove
We reached Bass Harbor Lighthouse, the fog made everything gray, but it created an eerie mood.
Bass Harbor Lighthouse
We took a whale watching tour from Bar Harbor, but we did not see any whale. The fog made seeing things difficult at any rate, but we did spot some Harbor Seals resting on rocks.
Harbor Seals
Harbor Seals
Harbor Seals
The next day (October 6, 2005), we drove further inland in Maine. We eventually reached Moosehead Lake. But to our disappointment, we never saw a single moose there or on this entire trip.
Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake
On the last of the trip (October 7, 2005), we returned home through Massachusetts. We stopped at the village of Concord, and visited the cemetery. We found the tomb of Henry David Thoreau. It is a very diminutive headstone.
Tomb of Henry David Thoreau
We strolled around Concord.
Concord
Of course, we would pay a visit to Walden Pond, but today no solitude can be found there.
Walden Pond