mt. willard in the fall.

I’m experiencing something new–like what the young people call FOMO (how many years did I just age myself with that sentence?)–when it comes to certain things. Namely the mountains, and the fall, and the fleeting, all too fleeting, peak foliage. I don’t typically feel this, but since fall only shows itself once a year, and peak foliage is a few days ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ sort of event, it has me scrambling to take it in lest it be gone till the next year. One of these times, I’m just going to rent an Airbnb in the middle of it all, for the whole month of October, and that’ll be that. No missing even a moment.That’s Mount Washington in the distance! With snow on top. We drove up to NH, psyching the kids up for a big hike. Psych up necessary… the drive was nearly three hours (one way). It was a Sunday, and when peak foliage, beautiful weather, and a weekend all align, you gotta just do it. The drive alone was spectacular. We turned onto Route 302 in NH, heading west towards Mt. Willard, and there we were winding through the grandeur of the White Mountains in full fall bloom.  Hard to spot, but that’s a waterfall snaking through the trees.And there’s a cute little boy ready for a hike.Let’s do it. The trail begins right behind the train depot, across the train tracks, and is easy to miss, I think, unless you’ve familiarized yourself with the hiking forums that map it out for you. Those same forums that also include the grumpy, “too many dogs off leash!” and “best views at the top!” and “views were just okay!” all in one. Online forums are funny places.Anders had exactly zero intentions of doing even one bit of this trail on his own two legs when he discovered that we had brought the backpack along. Hm. I decided not to fight it, and was secretly pleased because it was chilly, I didn’t pack a proper jacket, and going slow at his pace would’ve had me shivering. He looks quite content in the backpack, doesn’t he? It was a little over 3 miles round trip, and halfway up, I was finding myself struggling, out of shape, and really over wearing a small child on my back while going uphill. I had to call Steve in for reinforcement. (Note: without a 30+ pound child on your back, the trail is pretty easy; Parker had no trouble doing all of it.) Nevertheless, it was a little dose of humble-pie for me, because I like to fancy myself very, very fit and ready for Everest at any given time.
Steve stepped in and took it over the rest of the way. When we were almost to the top, I noticed Anders’ head bobbing, and sure enough, he’d fallen asleep. It was really, really cute. The views were well worth it and I would do this hike again. There you are looking straight down a golden Crawford Notch, mountains as far as the eye can see. The most soothing view. Here’s where I declare: I am a mountains-girl.
We were definitely not alone on the hike, though my pictures tell a different story. There were many other hikers, and so many dogs (a treat, really; I love seeing dogs and am missing having one more all the time.). Also, a surprising number of foreigners hiking–NEW ENGLAND IS THAT GOOD. PEOPLE COMING FROM ALL OVER. He did great, sometimes needing to be told to slow down at times!Perch the backpack at the top of the mountain, and the little one sleeps on. He woke up!Back down the mountain we go. A glowing carpet of fall leaves.

Anders’ backpack / camo sweatshirt old from American Eagle (similar and on sale!) / leggings