on top of the world.

June 29, 2012

24. A weekend in NH at the Farmhouse/ Hike Mt. Lafayette in the White Mountains

The first day of our trip up to New Hampshire we planned to hike the Franconia Ridge. We started at the falling waters trail, which brings you by a few beautiful waterfalls, and then we treked up what Zan’s brother likes to call “The Devils Staircase”, up to the first of three mountains, Little Haystack. From there we walked along the mountains edge to Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette. The ridge is known to have crazy weather in the summertime, and this day proved to be no different. We went from sunshine, to clouds and fog, to thunder and rain all in a matter of hours. For the majority of the time we were above tree line we had beautiful puffy-cloud skies, but right as we neared the top of the last mountain, the clouds were so thick you could hardly see a foot in front of you. And just as we began to head down… the rain started to fall.

Nevertheless, the day was a triumph.

Here are the pictures I took (before the weather took a turn for the worst!):

9 hours!

That’s how long the hike took from start to finish!

And truth be told I wanted to give up for approximately 75% of it. Maybe more because some of those uphill climbs were KILLER. But when we finally reached the summit? And I felt like I was on top of the world?

Well in that moment, it was all worth it.

All I could do was stretch my arms and think to myself, This. is. awesome.

And really, it was.

14 Comments · Filed Under: fitness, life, summer, travel ·

scenes from the farmhouse

June 28, 2012

This past weekend Zan and I went up to The Farmhouse in New Hampshire. We went up with one of Zan’s brothers and some of his work friends, too. It was the perfect weekend to go on a hike (intense) and enjoy the amazing views of the mountains (well worth the climb). These pictures were all taken at the place we stayed for the weekend, at the glorious farmhouse on the hill. It belongs to Zan’s father’s cousin, but is basically a stomping ground for anyone in the family to visit when they please. I’ve been up a few times now and besides the bugs (I am still itching mosquito bites!) I think the summer is my favorite time to go.

We spent Saturday on a day-long hike, made a pasta with veggies dinner, had ice cream and s’mores for dessert, and spent a lazy Sunday with pancakes and bacon straight from the old wood stove. I finished my first book of the summer while Zan fished in the nearby stream for some brook trout, and little Rue came along for the fun, too.

I loved it. The quiet and the simplicity. It’s so clear after trips like this that I just need a change of pace sometimes, to go somewhere different, away from the bustle of every day life and just slow down.

I’m so happy we went.

And my favorite part? There is nothing quite as peaceful as sitting on a front porch with the warm June light on your skin while you look out over the mountains. Do you have somewhere you can sit outside in the summertime? If you do I hope you know it’s special. There is just something about time spent on a porch that just makes me so glad to be alive.

22 Comments · Filed Under: life, summer, travel ·

a sad day.

June 26, 2012

My bike got stolen today. My new bike.

I only had it for 12 days.

I am so sad.

I know there are a lot worse things that are happening to people around the world right now, which is why a part of me feels silly even writing this “woe is me” post. First world problems, I can’t help but think. But I still feel horrible right now and the only thing I can seem to do is cry and feel miserable.

And so, I will.

I had it locked on a bike rack today from 11:30-7:00 at the T station at Davis Square. There are tons of bikes left there every day. I have left my bike there already a few times, because there are lots of bikes, and there are cameras, too. And I was only ever leaving it during the day for a couple of hours. During the broad daylight. I always just assumed it was safe and up until now it had been fine.

But when I got off the train today, my bike wasn’t where I left it.

I looked around in a panic, wondering if I locked it somewhere else, hoping for a second that I didn’t ride it into the train station at all today.

But I did and now it’s gone.

I lost a good amount of faith and confidence in this city today and in people in general.

I think the thing that makes me the most sad is that it’s just not fair.

I felt really happy riding that bike. I was so excited to have it and felt this good feeling when I was riding it.

I thought and thought about buying it for so long and spent a lot of money on it.

And mostly, I’m just sad that there are people out there that would do something like that. Take something from someone. STEAL.

I am so sad right now.

I am just so so sad.

 

22 Comments · Filed Under: life ·

heading to the mountains.

June 22, 2012

Tomorrow morning I’ll be off to the mountains of New Hampshire!!

We’re going to stay at “The Farmhouse”, an old white house in the Franconia Notch that’s been in Zan’s family for years. There’s an old wood stove and a bunk room, too. We’re going to hike Mt. Lafayette and give high fives at the summit. We’re going to go tubing down the river to the swimming hole where you can jump into the water from high up on the rocks. And we’re going to spend the morning drinking coffee on the white porch that overlooks a sea of hills and tress.

THIS IS SUMMER.

I am so excited.

So so excited.

Happy Friday, friends! Happy weekend!!

10 Comments · Filed Under: life, travel ·
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