Thu., 10 Oct/13

Same up and out routine as Wednesday. Our first stop was just outside the campground - at the Post Office. The Danforth purchase was addressed and is heading to Mexico for a friends birthday. Waiting to mail it when we got back home would probably mean it would not arrive on time.

Today we headed in the opposite direction on VT-14. This time we turned towards Barre, VT to connect with US-302 which will take us east to NH.

http://www.miniatures.com

If you are into dollhouses, may we recommend Real Good Toys in Barre. This is their factory outlet store. Charlotte has purchased a few items here in the past.

The connection in Barre (right turn) has a myriad of roads and streets meeting - it may take some time before you get your light. Another strange thing about this corner is the Whispering Statue in the square. With a partner, sit on opposite benches in the curved plaza, with the statue "Youth Triumphant" blocking you and whisper! Amazing.

After making the turn onto US-302 we continued on towards Woodsville, NH. Another glorious `top off`day for travelling. A short distance past Woodsville we connected with our prime destination - RT-112 towards Lost River.

http://www.findlostriver.com/

If you don`t mind climbing on rocks (and stairways) and squeezing through between, on and under rocks - this is a fun place.

Just past Lost River RT-112 is also known as The Kancamagus Highway.

http://www.kancamagushighway.com/

The Kancamagus Highway is a 34.5 mile scenic drive along NH's Rt. 112 in Northern New Hampshire that is well known as one of the best Fall Foliage viewing areas in the country. The Kancamagus Highway is now designated an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, aesthetic beauty and culture. Max speed is 50 mph - more often then not - it will be 40 mph or slower.

The correct pronounciation of Kancamagus is "Kank-ah-mah-gus." also known as "The Kanc," Often misspelled and mis-pronounced Kangamangus Highway, Kangumangus Hiway or Kancamangus Highway.

Please, not kangamangus, which is shooting a hole in someone's head and hanging them by that hole from a clothesline (according to the Urban Dictionary).

RT-112 becomes `The Kanc`at Lincoln, NH and ends at Conway, NH.

We stopped at Beaver Dam to have a picnic lunch. Unfortunately, the only picnic table was being used. We took a walk out along the dam. The pond to the left was dead calm - the water on the right tumbled over the dam and into a rocky, fast flowing stream below. A very serene scene.

We stopped again when we reached the picnic grounds - it was packed - so we continued onward. It takes about an hour to do the 35 miles at the speed limit. The lookout areas were packed with cars and tour buses.

Terrific scenery all the way through. Once we reached the end we continued on to North Conway. This is the main outlet shopping area in NH. We pulled into Settler`s Green which is the main outlet.

A shuttle runs from the Outlets to the train station. Scenic train rides are offered through the tourist season and are especially popular this time of year. There are several departures daily.

http://conwayscenic.com/

North Conway Village also has a number of interesting shops including a few old fashioned general stores that are all within a fun, easy walking distance of the train station (which is worth the trip in itself).

There are tables for several food outlets in this huge mall. We finished our lunch and returned the lunch bag to the car - then went shopping. Charlotte found a few items - I got some dish soap (forgot to buy at Shaw`s) and we headed back along the Kanc.

Going in the opposite direction on the way home was just as much a treat as coming. Different direction = different views.

We returned using the same route back - there really aren`t too many options going East-West. When we got back to Randolph Center we decided to not go to the RV. We headed into Randolph for supper at Chadwick`s.

I think this is the only sit-down restaurant open in the evening in Randolph. We have eaten here before. The food was great. I had their Black Diamond steak smothered in mushrooms and wine sauce and a baked potato. Charlotte had a killer slice of Meatloaf with glazed carrots and garlic mashed. We finished by sharing an apple cheesecake torte with vanilla ice cream.

We enjoyed the glowing pumpkins once again as we drove into the campground. Again - TV on timer - and again we were asleep before the TV shut off.