White Mountains

Heading a few hours West, I meet up with a friend from Boston to explore New Hampshire for a weekend. We pick a remote campsite on the Kancamagus Highway and set our tents up by a nearby river. "The Kanc" is designated as a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Department of Transportation.  This back country road offers spectacular mountain views, steep terrain, and plentiful wildlife. New Hampshire holds a lifetime of exploration.

Chilled winter air slowly fades and ice gives way to open water. Brighter greens of the forest begin to return. The only sounds to be heard are birds chirping and the peeping of frogs.

Highland cows are spotted dozing near a pond. One even dares a skinny dip. (I originally thought Bison - thanks Chris)

Pastures of these cows are quite rare here.

A foreground of river ripples and a mountainous backdrop.

My newest camping addition stands as tall as the trees. More to come on this tent later. She surely holds strong against a weekend of wind and rain.

A small patch of dirty late spring snow works as a make-shift cooler. Easy access.

Sausage additives. Warning: Taking a leak in the woods, even 45 minutes after cutting up Habanero will cause a rather uncomfortable burning sensation. A slight beer buzz will not ease this pain.

Dinner nears completion.

An evening rain sets in at midnight. We retreat to our separate tents as temperatures drop to 34 degrees. Luckily my sleeping bag is rated down to 20. The early morning fog holds high over the hills on Sunday.

A curtain holds tight above the treeline, hiding the horizon.

I watch as fog rolls in waves over a mountain above my tent site.

An early morning fire warms the soul. A similar shot now marks as my header image. Let me know your thoughts.