franconia notch

This is the road you have to drive if you visit the White Mountains.

The Notch was famous for The Old Man in the Mountain, a natural stone outcropping that resembled a face. Sadly, it crumbled years ago but there’s a museum devoted to it at the Canon Mountain gondola sight where you can grab a glimpse.

Peak foliage was long past when we drove through and everything looked very grey.

But it’s still an impressive sight.

And a huge tourist destination.

This was the road the day we drove it. Below was the road two weeks before…

There’s something to be said for traveling off season. No traffic jams for us.

Not as colorful, but definitely smoother sailing.

Never a dull moment…

We woke up on the morning of our third day to a bit of chilly weather.

456

And a whole lotta windshield frost.

457

You can tell by the husband’s face he was not pleased with the little girlie scraper I keep in my car. But heck, he shouldn’t grumble. It beat his credit card.

043

There were more trees, and more fall foliage.

123

And of course, skulls.

122

And skeletal ATV passengers.

121

Which we saw at a local gas station.

Off roading is a huge industry in the mountains and these things are everywhere. Some towns even allow them to run the main roads. Rental places are abundant, with guides plotting out trips and trails for novices.

We even drove past an ATV Halloween parade. Bizarre doesn’t begin to describe it…. but no matter how loudly I squealed for the husband to stop so I could photograph it…. he flew right past.

461