Day 42--Friday July 29, 2011 On to Dolly Copp Campground

Kindle

Last night, I thought I lost my Kindle!  It's had a tremendous amount of use this summer and is single handily responsible for helping Ed's back--he used to have to lug my large Tupperware pile of books to each campsite (remind me to tell you the story some day of the summer I thought Ed forgot to pack my books!!).

I had gone shopping and left Buddy inside the camper while Ed was hiking yesterday.  When I came in with loaded arms, I thought I tossed onto the seat all the electronic devices I spent a few hours recharging that day....my Kindle included.  But later, when I went looking for it, I couldn't find it!  Ed & I talked about all the possibilities and verbally retraced the steps of where I was that afternoon.  We tore the camper apart because I was SURE I had brought it home with me.

Conway Public Library

After a long time looking with no success, I was resigned to the fact that I must have left it at the Conway Public Library.  I had no cell service to call and the library was already closed anyway.  Who knows whether or not it would still be around!  I was crushed.

I made dinner, cleaned up and then we played our nightly card game of Gin Rummy.  I was still bemoaning the loss of my beloved Kindle and how stupid I was when Ed got up and moved his backpack off the couch in our camper.  I couldn't believe it!  The Kindle was under there!  Both of us looked there twice.  The Kindle has a Monet colored 'skin' on it that blended in with the seat.  Stupid or not, I was thoroughly relieved!  I went to sleep grateful and relieved!

Moving day on Friday morning starts out sunny and comfortable. We are able to have breakfast before we leave for Dolly Copp CG since it is less then 2 hours away again. I can really get use to this slow paced moving days.  I guess we would never travel very far, though, if we only went less then 180 miles each time we moved!

We clean up and take down the camper in pretty good time.  We are beginning to have a rhythm to our packing.

The ride to Dolly Copp is easy.  We take a back road (since we didn't have to travel back to the Conway Library today) and then get on Route 16.  We pass Wildcat mountain where Ed loves to ski.  Then we pass Mt Washington Auto Road and finally get to Dolly Copp.  The campground is six miles before you get to the town of Gorham, NH.

We are there and set up before noon time.  It's much easier to B.I.T.C.H. when you aren't tired and cranky from driving a long distance!  This place is pretty rustic.  No dump station, no showers, no electricity, only poor bathrooms, BUT it has sporadic cell service so it has that going for it.

Our site is great.  It's on the corner of a loop, surrounded by trees but somewhat sunny above.  The town of Gorham is only 5 miles further down Rt 16.  We'll be here five nights.  This could work!

Day 38 to 42 July 25, 2011-July 29, 2011 Comfortable camping!

Do you know how your old slippers feel so good?  That's what camping is like at Passaconaway CG on the Kancamangus Highway in NH (near Conway). The Kancamagus Highway is a 26.5-mile (42.6 km)-long two-lane road that runs east and west overall through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, United States.^[1] Part of New Hampshire Route 112, it is generally considered one of the most scenic drives in the region, and is packed every October with travelers enjoying New England's autumn foliage. It has been designated a National Scenic Byway by the United States Department of Transportation under the name Kancamagus Scenic Byway.

I think this was the first spot Ed ever took me camping--and knowing my sheltered childhood, I am sure it was my first ever camping trip!  And it was in a tent a thousand years ago.  Maybe it's so comfortable to be here now because of happy memories.

I remember being with the kids (one time--I was not the true camper then--I showed up on a weekend!) and being with extended family.  It was fun.  We would have campfires and burnt marshmallows!

The site we choose is shaded but not dark.  There is no water or electricity on site and it's a drive to get to civilization, but it's good.  You know what to expect.  There's not many people here--it doesn't really fill up until Friday as we are leaving.  All sites are first come first served.

Ed has had a good few days of hiking here.  This seems to be his favorite spot.  It's nice to see him happy as he goes off into the 'wilderness' each day for hiking.  It's been a tough couple of years for his body and it's good to know surgeries work!

And besides hunting Internet, I have spent my time reading.  I love my Kindle!  I have read 16 books so far and have many more to go!  For some reason, I have not been motivated to work on my Genealogy this summer.  Since I'm starting a new Genealogy club with the Nauset Newcomers Group  in September, you'd think I'd better get motivated soon!

Day 38 Monday July 25, 2011 Moving Day to Passaconaway CampGround on the Kancamangus Highway in NH

I wish all moving days were like this!  We don't have as much packing up to do since we left the camper attached to our car during our visit at Tom & Shelly's.  We also did not put up the screen house and did not take out all of our 'stuff'.  In addition, we had the treat of being given a full breakfast with coffee to send us on our way.  Thanks Tom & Shelly!

We are heading to the White Mountains.  Ed's 'ole stomping ground' for hiking.  We are off to Passaconaway CG.  It is about 1 1/2 hours drive from East Wakefield, NH.  We take our time doing the food shopping for our provisions and are still able to get there before noon.

All sites at Passaconoway are first come first serve.  It's a Monday morning so we are sure we will find something good.  First we try sites by the river:  sites 21 thru 25.  No. They are all full so we try one of the loops we have not done yet.  We decide on site #7 and set up. The site is quite spacious.  This campground is like the others in that there is no water or electricity, but there are no potties or showers either, only out houses.  Not one of my favorite for sites, but it works.  The Town of Conway with library, laundromat and total civilization is about 35 minutes of a very pretty ride:)

My Kindle is full of books family recommended to me this weekend, our cooler and frig are filled and we are set up!  We will be here until Friday morning!

Life is good!