Tue, Aug 21

Conway, NH: Cold again this morning, but not as cold as yesterday. Going to do the laundry this morning and then go on a hike this afternoon. After the laundry we walked across the street and had lunch at Chinook Café. Clouding up a little. I had started “Husband” by Dean Koontz this morning and it’s hard to put down. After we finished all our chores we didn’t really feel like going on a big hike, so we checked out the CCC Interpretive Trail at the Blackberry Crossing Campground. It used to be a huge CCC camp before they turned in into a campground. Some of the fireplaces and foundations are still there. Came back to our campsite and continued with my book. We leave here tomorrow for a campground about 30 miles north of here. It’s supposed to warm up though.

Mon, Aug 20

Conway, NH: COLD this morning—upper 30s! Had a fire all morning. Then we drove up north some to Berlin, NH. Had lunch in a dumpy diner there, but they had good pizza. There were signs around that Berlin is the gateway to the north woods. I thought we were already in the north woods! We passed the auto road to Mount Washington. I suggested maybe we should drive up there today since it is so clear. But Mike wants to take the cog railway up there. Jeeze, I don’t know. Came back through No. Conway and bought some groceries. Back to our campsite and ran the generator for a little while. Then decided to go back to that cute little movie theatre in Conway. “Once” was playing. Hadn’t a clue what it was about—just wanted to go again. I had my usual popcorn but Mike ordered a small dinner and they brought it out on a little tray that fit into the cup holder. So different! The movie was okay. I thought the music was beautiful. At least Mike didn’t fall asleep.

Sun, Aug 19

Conway, NH: This morning it was just plain cold. Probably went down into the low 40s. It’s August for God’s sake! I am so ready to leave New England. We had a fire all morning and sat in front of it reading our books. When we ran out of wood we went inside and I curled up on the couch with the throw Michele gave us and continued reading. Mike had to go get more wood and fill one of the propane tanks. I begged off—I was so comfortable and cozy all curled up with my book. Mike left and I continued reading for a while. The sun came out in earnest so I threw on a jacket and walked the beautiful little trail down to the Swift River. Felt good to get out and get some fresh air among the huge pines. Interestingly, in the Colonial days the British were always looking for “mast pines”—used as masts in their war ships. These “mast pines” had to be at least 24 inches in circumference chest high be free of branches for at least 80 feet. The British would go around marking these desirable trees with a large, broad arrow and the Colonists were forbidden to cut them. In direct defiance of this order, they would cut them anyway and trim them to 23 inches. Ya gotta love it! They then cut them into planks for wide plank flooring. The historic homestead has wide pine flooring. Anyway, after the “mast trees” are very carefully felled, they were strapped to huge wheels and hauled to Portsmouth, NH, on “mast roads” using 88 oxen. Wow! This road must have been pretty straight since it would be impossible to make a turn hauling a 100 foot tree. Mike pulled in just as I was finishing my walk. He wanted to walk down there too so I went back with him. Had leftovers for dinner which is a bit tricky without a microwave (the only thing I miss when not on electric). I just put everything in a frying pan with a little water, cover it and let it steam slowly for a few minutes. Works, but not as good as a microwave.

Sat, Aug 18

Conway, NH: The wind was really soughing through the trees last night. Great sleeping! In fact, I didn’t even get up until 9:30. Had a fire most of the morning and filled the water tank. Then went inside and played Trivial Pursuit for a while. Trying to decide if we want to go see another movie at that cute little theater in Conway. Looks to be an iffy day—sprinkling off and on. Decided to stay, so I put a pork roast in the oven and we continued playing Trivial Pursuit. Mike won (barely). Had dinner of roast pork, stuffing (ala Stove Top) and snap peas. Really good. Then played Backgammon (I won 2 out of 3) and then rummy (I won both games). Really getting chilly now. Had the heat on for a while. Tomorrow is supposed to be mostly sunny but really cool. Mike wants to go to the top of Mount Washington before we leave the area. I have no desire to go up there. It’s a big mound of granite up there anyway. Today it was foggy up there, 34 degrees and winds gusting to 75 miles an hour. Oh yeah, sounds like fun to me.

Wed, Aug 15

Conway, NH: Awoke this morning feeling much better than I thought I would. Not too sore at all. Didn’t sleep much last night though. Although we are still in the Conway, NH, area, we moved today to another national forest campground—Jigger Johnson—which is just off “The Kanc” (which is short for Kancamagus byway—as the locals call it). It’s another beautiful campground, but this one has flush toilets and showers (coin operated, but nice). Had to go to one of the state parks to dump first and then we drove to Jigger Johnson and got set up. Sat outside and read for a while. Finished my book—Recessional by Michener. Great book. Starting “My First Five Husbands and The Ones That Got Away” by Rue McClanahan (Blanche of the Golden Girls). Should be pretty good. Went for a short walk to check out the campground but it started raining. Had an early dinner. Weather iffy for the next couple of days. No cell signal.