Welch-Dickey Loop

Hiking Welch-Dickey was so rewarding. The views are amazing and it’s just enough work to make me hunger for something a little harder. I have been hiking my entire life, for over 3 decades now, and have just recently started making it a part of my daily routine. I have started camping and rock climbing. I find the biggest challenge is not getting myself out there but finding others to get out there with me (on the big and other trips.)

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this beautiful 4.4 mile loop, it is in the White Mountains with the trailhead located in Thornton, NH. It’s rated moderate to strenuous and I’d agree (sticking more to the moderate side.) Whether or not you take your young kids is up to you. There are parts of it that have you scrambling up and over rocks and one section of Dickey where I wouldn’t let loose a toddler or child that isn’t a great listener or they’ll go straight over the edge.

This hike takes anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours and is pretty well marked throughout most of the trail. There were a few times where we had to really look around as there’s a tiny, very fast switchback section and a few others that leave you guessing once you’re in the “alpine” areas but for the most part it’s really easy to follow.

My favorite parts about this hike were the alpine plants which were able to grow there because the conditions mimicked those of an alpine climate with the absence of trees and thin, loose soil. The summits were small yet mighty, affording wide, sweeping views of the land around them. There were blueberry bushes. There’s no way to pick one favorite because there were so many cool things about this hike!

I hiked this one with my girl Saz, who decided that she wanted to bring her backpacking gear to test drive it before our backpacking trip this weekend. Pretty smart. The tent ended up making it’s way to the bottom.

What are your favorite places to hike?

xo, Ev.

Caught My Eye: Double Feature

Today’s Caught My Eye is a double feature because I couldn’t decide which beautiful image to pick. I have 1000’s of images that I’ve taken, thanks to smartphones and digital cameras. These photos were taken while traveling and while hiking close to home. Enjoy! xo, Ev.

Flume Gorge

The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park is a gorgeous hike. I took my sister and my son there yesterday as neither have been. I was lucky to have grown up in New Hampshire and to spend time hiking the many stunning places this state has to offer! It was a nice change to the conservation lands that I have grown used to out this way- everything flat (for the most part) and lots of wetlands. Not that I am complaining- spring time was so amazing out this way, the wetlands are so beautiful and full of life and I love the little bits of history you can find on most hikes.  Below is a link to help you plan your trip to the Flume Gorge- enjoy and tag your photos on Instagram with #knowloveknowhope if you go! xo, Ev.

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/flume-gorge.aspx

The Abandoned Lagoon House.

My honeymoon was spent in Costa Rica, just outside of Jaco. My husband and I explored the jungle via foot, horseback and ziplines, swimming at all of the beaches we could find in between, including Playa Hermosa. This house was located across from said beach, right on the edge of a lagoon. The graffiti wasn’t very good but it was interesting to see; I’m curious as to why there wasn’t much more than tags.

Before I show you the house… This is the beautiful, gnarly and famed Playa Hermosa, located in Jaco, Costa Rica. This beach is absolutely incredible; we made several trips here to soak it all in. You have to be careful not to get knocked over even just standing there.

This is where the waves converged from 5 different directions. My husband and I would seek out points such as these and then let the waves break against us.

And now back to the point of this piece… This abandoned lagoon house.

Yes, I climbed up the rickety stairs to the roof, much to the concern of my husband, and it was worth it. I saw some interesting wildlife in the lagoon and an interesting view.

I really wish I could see what the house and property looked like before it went to ruin! xo, Ev.

Caught My Eye, Traveling.

This is the road trip edition!

You really and truly can’t go wrong with a beach trip. There’s nothing like the sun, swimming in the salty water, playing in the waves… (Other favorite places include woods and the jungle!) This was taken at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA. (Sensing a favorite spot in the world from all of my posts?)

Niagra Falls… Next time we go we’ll have our kid in tow and we’re going to the Canadian side.

Providence, RI is such a cute city and it goes without saying that it has some cool coffee shops and great places to eat. We stayed at the Biltmore Hotel where it is rumored to have hosted satanic parties, decades ago. It’s dog friendly so of course we brought our dog, Sprocket, with us and needless to say, she was pretty spooked. We had to drop her off at a friend’s house 40 minutes away for the rest of the weekend! I highly recommend staying there just for the freaky factor. Nothing overly strange happened; there wasn’t a ghost sighting but we definitely felt the presence of something, and this was before we found out that the Biltmore is supposedly haunted (whoops.)

This is Sprocket, in all of her glory. She was not in this good of a mood at the hotel.

These 3 were taken in Maine at a friend’s farm. They bought it knowing it was in need of some TLC but we all agreed that the outbuildings had some real charm. I tend towards textures, both in my artwork and in my photographs so this farm was heaven for me.

xo, Ev.