So, last year Trev and I attempted camping and basically failed miserably (see Bettie, Trevor and Olive Conquer the Imp for reference July 2012...). We conquered the Imp, but camping conquered us. Possibly because we are filled with an indomitable spirit, or just as likely we lack the intelligence needed to know when we are beat, we try again. Lucky for us, it was (mostly) a success. Olive may not see it that way.
This time around, we stick closer to home and drive up to Mount Monadnock in NH, and stayed at an odd, sort of cushy RV and tent campground in Jaffrey NH. Sadly we forgot our "I Love USA!" flag banners and our carved-from-a-tree-stump-bear-eating-salmon statues, but we made do.
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| this tent is sold as a two person tent, which really should specify "two people can hypothetically squeeze in here simultaneously, plus or minus a small dog who apparently is still claustraphobic" |
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| obviously our camp chairs match our tent. |
We did well cooking out, making Hot Doug style hot dogs (truffle cheese, anyone?) and Smore's of course. Trev schools me on what is the perfect accompaniment to the usual triad (peanut butter... and it is).
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| almost better than watching Longmire, but not quite as good as Breaking Bad. |
The next day we prepare for our yearly hike. I say yearly because its basically yearly, and probably only Trev and I would repeatedly attempt an 8+ mile hike with no previous training or preparation. PB&J seems to me to be the food of champion hikers (Kim and Jake included) so that is what we shall eat. Little side note- Monadnock does not allow dogs on its trails. Didn't know this until approx 3pm Friday night before we drove up at 5:30. So, improvise- the owners of the campground told us about Mount Pisgah, the largest national park in NH (trivia). They felt sort of certain dogs would be allowed there, so we head out fingers crossed.
Woohooo! tons o' doggies at Pisgah, and we are off. Or, more accurately, Olive is off to lap us probably times ten on her crazy doggie adventure. We pick a loop trail and try desperately to stay on track (wouldn't you think the biggest park in NH would trail mark appropriately?)
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| the view most of the hike |
As is our way being that we are professional mycologists, we appreciate the fungi along the trail.
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| Polypus Maximus |
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| Portabellus Toadstoolus |
Countless gorgeous lakes, boggy swamps, vantage points and cool spots on this trail.
Like I said, desperately tried to stay on track. Got off track for an embarrassing long time, got really really excited when we DID find the right track again. What I can say is that Trev, despite his current very desk-like job, knows his nature stuff and spotted the hemlock-covered hill leading us to our desired trail and saving the day.
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| Bananus Toothpickus |
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| dog prints |
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| omg NATURE! |
Make it up to the ridge, and get a good view of Monadnock as it mocks us, dog free, from about 20 miles in the other direction. whatever.
These stone balancing people are just everywhere. Or was it aliens? Is there a distinct difference?
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| doggie stonehenge! |
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| Umbilicus Outieus |
vantage point two, where we hung out to rest for a bit.
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| we saw maybe 5 other hikers total on this trail, so this was done with a timer. |
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| Olive opines. |
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| Trevor realizes the error of Bettie's ways as she accidentally (?!) dumps water down his backside and makes for a moist trip down the mountain. I said it. moist. |
So much NATURE!!! please tolerate my endless homage to lots of pretty trees and bushes and water and clouds and sky.
Night two was spent enduring the tireless screaming banter and loud cheap remakes of already grating pop songs as it was the campsites "prom" for the summer. We realize this campground is not, in fact, for those people who are hoping to "get away" and "commune with nature". Maybe this place is for people who want to go back to summer camp, as adults? With all of their screaming kids in tow? Still working on the full theory, but it started to flesh out around 10:30pm during likely the second playing of "Cotton eye joe". Despite these challenges, we three hikers are so crazy tired we crash and burn for a solid 10 hours. The next day brought more .... surprises.
Rent a canoe! They said. Relax, enjoy nature! sure, the dog can come- bring your fresh cup of coffee too! I needn't bring up the tragedy of bringing a fresh cup of coffee to go canoeing while you have about ten MILLION other things in your hands and including an already edgy doggie. What was more surprising was that same edgy pup in fact had us fooled for the past 4 years that we have known her. She is a good swimmer, maybe even an excellent swimmer. Olive's surprise? She can't walk on water, nor lily pads.
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| pre-Olive-surprise. |
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| still pre. looking peaceful, huh? |
For those that prefer the straight story to carefully guarded hints, Olive flipped out and dove into the gross, lily pad swampy water. Bettie flipped out and began screaming and erratically paddling in a completely unmanageable way, and may have hinted "one of us will have to go in!!!". Trevor kept his cool, paddled us to the deftly swimming dog, and pulled her back in. She then sat with Bettie and repented the rest of the boat trip.
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| hard to tell, but that is one wet dog. soggy ears. |
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| spoiled rotten, shivering, wet soggy dog. |
perseverance yet again pays off- we make it to a little island and check it out. There was nearly no one on the water, and things really were almost peaceful by this point.
After surviving probably the most terrifying canoe ride ever, we figure we should count our gains and head out. We drive home to hot showers, actual beds with sheets, and food that is not cooked by your own two hands over an open flame. I vote- a success.
