Sep 2008

Another drive to see the local area, this time we head south to LINCOLN where we take a train ride on an 1880's Railroad and have a HOBO Lunch. Even got the stick and kerchief to show for it. After that we have a fun scenic trip following a river which lead us to the home of ROBERT FROST. (Poet, Author). Today's weather was 75 to 80 with clear skies.

1 Sept. Mon. day 92
We head south and East to Attitash a ski area. Since it's summer and no snow, we take the ski lift up and then come down a 1 mile twisted track on a Luge type sled. FUN RIDE-- this area would also be fun for skiing. We stopped in Conway for lunch, then we head back via another route. Along this route again we follow a river which has a HUGE swimming area at a falls. Big Rocks and pools, rapids and a large picnic area. MANY people playing in the water. Even tho the water had to be 56 degrees. Another Beautiful area.
Up the road about 5 miles we hike off the road about 1/2 mi. to view a stream and waterful,which was amazing. We can understand why this is such a popular area for locals and tourists.

2 Sept. tues. day 93
Today is an off day........the mail finally catches up with us, so it's 3 weeks of mail and Laundry and just catching up. HAPPY HOUR and some steaks for dinner. Very much needed down time.

3 Sept. wed. day 94
It's off again to Mt. Washington and the COG RAILWAY. In the late 1800's a local man climbed Mt. Washington (6200 ft.) and then decided everyone should be able to enjoy the view. On a crystal clear day you should be able to see 4 states and the Atlantic Ocean.
So he convinced the legislature that he should be allowed to build a Railroad. That was the easy part. The mountain rises at the rate of 37 degrees at some points. That is 14 inches up for each 36 inches forward. This is too steep for most anything to climb. Sylvester Marsh designes and builds a steam Engine that climbs with a COG WHEEL rather than a smooth wheel. It proved very efficient to the point tha they still run the train today on coal fired steam. WHAT A KICK. The Engine burns 2000 lbs. of coal and uses 1000 gal. of water for one accent. The worst weather on the East coast appears at the top of Mt. Washington. The highest wind ever recorded by man, 231 mph, in April 1934

We drove to Alfred, County seat for YORK County, to look at records of the Blakeman Family from 1946/47 to 1950. We found enought to get us started in the right direction. Next we drove to York where Gayla lived for about 5 years and her brother was born there.With a little snooping and asking questions, we think we found the house (or area) she lived in. We did find some special spots that she vaguely remembered. Landmarks like Short Beach, Long Beach and Nubble Light at cape Neddick. We found the "OLD" Taffy making machine on Short Beach (still there after all this time) and other old memories.
Tonight 6 of us went to the Arundel Barn Playhouse. We experienced the production of "Always Patsy Cline"

29 Aug Fri. day 89
We left Kennebunkport at 9am and took the back roads over to Rochester, New Hampshire. Lots of trees and rolling hills. A Northwest heading takes us up the south shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Beautiful lake about 20mi. long and about 8mi. wide.
Stopped in Weirs Beach, made a lunch and sat in a local park next to the water. Beautiful setting. We arrived Twin Mountain about 2:30 , the last hour and a half from the lake are through New Hampshire's BIG Mountains. 6500 ft.

30 Aug Sat. day 90
We drove into Littleton with a loop around and through the hills. Bethleham, then Franconia. Discovered a 1850's Blast furnace along the way. In Littleton we toured a Grist Mill, that was started in 1797. The buildings and equipment fell into disrepair and were almost torn down in the 1990's. A family decided that this can't happen so in 1997 restoration started. It's still rough, but it is a working mill now. 200 yr. old building and equipment still working ----------IMPRESSIVE.