Tag Archives: fall

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White Mountains trip Day 2….. Evans Notch.

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Heading back to the resort after a full day of exploring, we decided to drive through.. and over… Evans Notch.

 

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It’s basically a straight up ride that cuts through a mountain to the other side.

 

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We had it all to ourselves and saw some of the most vibrant color of our trip.

 

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Pictures don’t do it justice, so ride along with us.

Just watch out for chipmunks.

 

 

 

I wish we’d been there a week earlier when the reds and oranges had been popping…

 

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But it was still quite a show.

 

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When we reached the top…

 

 

 

It thinned out a little.

 

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Bare granite on the right…

 

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Full foliage behind the sign.

 

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And a mix on the left…. with the sun setting in the distance.

 

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Heading back down was just as pretty…

 

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And it was nice to see I’m not the only one who  ❤’s  the mountains.

 

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White Mountains trip Day 2…. Upper Jackson Falls

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Yes… we’re still on the second day of our trip.

And yes, we’re still at the Falls.

 

 

Hey, just be glad I’m weeding through the 1704 photos and only giving you the highlights.

 

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Working our way up the falls took some time.

 

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But it really was lovely.

 

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Nothing like hanging out with Mother Nature to lower your blood pressure.

 

 

The closer we got to the top, the more people just plunked themselves down on the rocks and made themselves comfortable…

 

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And why not?

It’s a great place to read, unwind…and enjoy the day.

 

 

At the top you cross a wonderful iron bridge…

 

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Look both ways…

 

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And say thank you Jackson Falls…

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you.

 

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And your rocks.

(Or maybe that was just me.)

Done with the Falls, we headed into town for some sustenance.

 

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And found the cutest pumpkin display ever…

 

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Next to our destination.

 

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It looked promising.

 

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Warm and inviting.

 

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A vintage inn and tavern whose bar was packed to the rafters that late Saturday afternoon.

 

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I wanted to love it.

 

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I mean come on, they had ski lift seating….

 

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And a sign for the Woodchuck Trail. Who doesn’t love that?

But the service was terrible, the beer was warm and the food? When it finally came, over an hour after we ordered, was barely edible.

Sorry Martin, I didn’t even bother with pictures. Dry meatless ribs and a soggy Rachel sandwich do not warrant photographs.

 

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But martian pumpkins and gourds?

Definitely do.

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White Mountains trip Day 2…. Lower Jackson Falls

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When I say Falls, I’m not talking Niagara…

 

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In October, these are dotted with bright foliage…..

 

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And cascade gently down the hill.

 

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No barrel required.

 

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Which is good, because it’s a hard look to pull off.

 

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Selfies you shoot into the sun so you can see your hands holding your phone reflected in your glasses are so much easier.

 

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Did I mention there were rocks?

 

 

 

And tranquil pools…

 

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As well as some pretty nice views?

 

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Well there were.

 

 

 

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Things I like today… Part 9.

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I like…

The Damariscotta Pumpkin Fest. We’ve never been, but someday….

Someday I’m going up there to watch people float down the river in giant pumpkin boats.

 

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I like…

The color coordination of fall leaves and the husband’s tractor.

 

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I like….

The idea of cotton candy cloud coffee.

 

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On second thought, to heck with the coffee…. just let me walk around with a sugar cloud over my head all day.

 

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I like…

People who are really, really devoted to a theme.

 

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Please note the skulls on the front grille.

Doesn’t that just make you want to yell….

 

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Autumn woes.

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Just some deer…

 

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And last month’s backyard fall leaves.

 

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I fear for our resident buck this time of year.

 

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Bow season in October, rifle season in November, black powder season in December.

 

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Three months of abject slaughter I will never understand.

 

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I’m tired of the culling argument. Mother Nature takes care of her own…. and hunters don’t want the small and the weak.

 

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They want the big racks. (Of course they do, they’re men.)

They kill the strongest, largest and healthiest buck they can find…. which means those genes won’t get passed on.

 

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Meanwhile, Momma’s fawns are growing up.

 

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No more spotted Bambis.

 

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And the does enjoy a treat before cold weather sets in….

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White Mountains trip… Day 1.

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It was a little dreary the day we left, with rain threatening in the distance… but we made good time and actually arrived too early to check into our resort.

What to do. What to do…

Who am I kidding?

 

 

It was margarita time.

 

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So we found a chicken themed bar…

 

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And settled in for lunch. Liquid and otherwise…

 

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It was a funky place…

 

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Basically a converted farmhouse with lots of quirky little rooms.

 

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And though they don’t look wonderful….

 

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The homemade chicken croquettes were to die for.

Bellies full, we headed out.

 

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Fall color was intermittent during this trip. Some places gorgeous, others past peak.

 

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We got to Newry, still too early to check in… so we explored.

 

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Found a covered bridge….

 

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Built in 1872…

 

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And enjoyed the views.

 

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It was peaceful…

 

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And smelled like autumn.

 

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For those not familiar…

That means fresh air, apples, a hint of wood smoke, and dry crackling leaves.

 

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Nectar of the Gods.

Down the road a ways, we had a laugh.

 

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We followed the sign, but found neither hole nor Frenchman.

 

 

But we did pass a camp….

 

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With the perfect name.

 

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That says it all.

 

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I love the country!

 

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It’s starting to look pretty in my neck of the woods.

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It’s Fall y’all!

 

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Autumn is my favorite time of year.

Crisp air, apples, pumpkins and fiery trees….

 

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And though I live in New England…

 

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And see Mother Nature’s glorious show every October….

 

 

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I never tire of it.

 

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I’m a certified leaf peeper…

 

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So when I crash my car into one of those pretty colored trees because I’m driving home one handed snapping pictures for my blog?

 

 

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I’m telling the police it’s your fault.

 

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And will expect you lot to start a GoFundMe page for my car repairs and hospital bills.

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Things I like today…. part 8.

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I like….

These!

Have you tried them yet?

 

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Well, what are you waiting for?

Go!

 

I like….

Taking a break on our deck after mowing the lawn a few weeks ago, and having a friend show up.

 

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I thought for sure he’d run when he saw me. But he took a good look, deemed me no immediate threat and happily settled in for a nap.

Until the husband opened the door and scared him off.

 

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I like….

Reading that a lobsterman in Falmouth caught a rare 1 in 100 million cotton candy blue lobster….

 

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Took a picture… and donated him to an aquarium where he never has to worry about being captured or eaten again.

 

I like…

Amazing sunrises in our backyard.

 

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I like….

Driving home along country roads this time of year and seeing the trees bursting with color.

 

Autumn in New England is hard to beat.

 

 

Life is good!

 

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Things I like today… Part 7

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I like…

This tee shirt I picked up at Goodwill the other day.

 

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If my husband would just follow this one simple rule, life would be so much more pleasant.

I like…

The new yellow kiwi fruit.

 

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Have you tried them?

 

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Yum!

I like….

The Annual Damariscotta PumpkinFest Regatta.

(And you thought we only raced zucchini in Maine. Pfft!)

 

 

 

But this year, I really like the pumpkin they’re using to advertise it.

 

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I like…

Finding multiple praying mantises (manti?) on the baby barn we’re remodeling.

Did you know the female praying mantis bites off her partner’s head after sex?

Clearly she’s a woman who doesn’t like to cuddle.

 

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I like…

Apple season.

 

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Our trees are loaded with juicy fruit…

And soon my belly will be full of juicy pie and fritters.

 

actual video of me after eating juicy pie and fritters

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Say it isn’t so…..

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Autumn is closing in.

And it’s my favorite time of the year.

 

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The air is crisp, the trees are full of apples….

 

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And if you’re lucky enough to live in Maine like I do?

 

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Mother Nature puts on a glorious show of turning leaves.

 

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(Yes, those are my photos. And yes, those are my apple trees.)

But this year?

There’s something I’m not looking forward to.

The annual Pumpkin Spice’d   every damn thing but condoms  invasion will be rolling out shortly, and while that’s annoying enough….

This year?

There’s a new kid on the pumpkin spiced block.

 

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It’s true… as well as disgusting.

 

 

Yes.

Pumpkin Spiced Spam.

 

Forget changing leaves and brisk breezes — pumpkin spice is the official harbinger of fall. And, for better or worse, Spam is entering the flavor fray.

Starting September 23, lovers of all things autumn can purchase limited-edition Spam Pumpkin Spice on Walmart and Spam’s online stores, a spokesperson for Hormel Foods told CNN.
There’s no pumpkin in this pork: It’s mixed with cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg, according to the spokesperson.
What could a sweet mystery meat possibly pair well with? Spam recommends topping waffles with it, adding it to a fall vegetable hash or baking it into a cornbread muffin.
Honestly, waking up to a warm stack of Spam-and-waffles on a chilly fall morning sounds kinda nice.
Could this sweet SPAM be the tipping point for pumpkin spice fatigue? It’s not likely–people go crazy for the flavor, and it’s rooted in neurology: Sugar and pumpkin spice are an addictive combination that the brain learns to crave.
And with seasonal marketing from pumpkin spice pushers like Starbucks, brains and bodies begin to associate autumn and comfort with the flavor.
So if you’re into pumpkin spiced Spam, don’t be ashamed.
You’re just wired that way.

 

 

While there’s no amount of money that could convince me try it and report back….

If one of you would, I’d appreciate a first hand account of how truly awful it is.