Last night in Brattleboro, Vermont I suffered major internet/IPad trauma. First, I couldn't get on the internet and then when I finally did--more chaos. I had written the blog and was going to make a couple small corrections before posting. The whole IPad locked up. I had to turn it off and of course, the new post disappeared --somewhere. I went to bed. I will try again.
On Monday morning, we left the hotel and drove for 45 minutes through the foothills of White Mountains National Forest on the way to Mount Washington, the highest mountain on the east coast at an elevation of over 6,200 feet. We could see snow on the top of the mountain. We boarded a cog train powered (pushed) by a biodiesel engine and started up the mountain. The scenery was breathtaking as we watched the trees get smaller, saw more snow, saw a couple hikers, realized how steep a 37% climb really is, and finally stopped about 3/4 way to the top. Because of the snow and ice on the rails, it was not safe to go any further. The brakeman told us how to turn the seats around and we went back down --with the engine in front of us. This area is where the Appalachian Trail goes through.
The bus was waiting for us and took us to lunch in Woodstock, NH (not New York). We explored the town and shopped a little before continuing to Brattleboro. During our afternoon, Gene (a retired teacher) conducted one of his famous quizzes about the sights of the trip and other assorted facts. Many of these people (including many teachers) have traveled together before so they were amazed when Chuck and I (the newcomers) got the highest score. We won two Maine tee shirts and wine with dinner and a little respect! Our farewell dinner was at the Marina. We enjoyed great food and a re-hash of all we had done. Now insert the part about my computer frustration.
On Monday morning, we left the hotel and drove for 45 minutes through the foothills of White Mountains National Forest on the way to Mount Washington, the highest mountain on the east coast at an elevation of over 6,200 feet. We could see snow on the top of the mountain. We boarded a cog train powered (pushed) by a biodiesel engine and started up the mountain. The scenery was breathtaking as we watched the trees get smaller, saw more snow, saw a couple hikers, realized how steep a 37% climb really is, and finally stopped about 3/4 way to the top. Because of the snow and ice on the rails, it was not safe to go any further. The brakeman told us how to turn the seats around and we went back down --with the engine in front of us. This area is where the Appalachian Trail goes through.
The bus was waiting for us and took us to lunch in Woodstock, NH (not New York). We explored the town and shopped a little before continuing to Brattleboro. During our afternoon, Gene (a retired teacher) conducted one of his famous quizzes about the sights of the trip and other assorted facts. Many of these people (including many teachers) have traveled together before so they were amazed when Chuck and I (the newcomers) got the highest score. We won two Maine tee shirts and wine with dinner and a little respect! Our farewell dinner was at the Marina. We enjoyed great food and a re-hash of all we had done. Now insert the part about my computer frustration.
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