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Top ten outdoor places that I've been in New England
Dove in the coves at Beavertail in RI - The rocky shores of Jamestown always make me think that a pirate ship is about to come over the horizon at any second and Beavertail is the best example of that type of place. One minute you're in a crowded parking lot, but walk towards the water and you'll likely be all alone climbing down the rocks to the water below.
Paddled across Squam Lake in NH - With mountains in the background and countless islands to explore, Lake Squam was great even if the place was a wee bit too big for our kayaks. We paddled for hours and still barely saw a fraction of this place.
Climbed to the top of Mt Washington in NH - Near the top we walked into the clouds and by the time we reached the summit there was no view, but it's pretty cool knowing that when I was posing for a picture at the peak, no one in New England was at a higher point that I was.
Drove up route 100 in VT - Normally I wouldn't consider a drive to be an outdoor adventure, but it all depends on where you stop. We could've spent the entire day making pit stops at trailheads along that route. We only hiked a few miles because we were trying to cram everywhere into the one drive, but we saw some great waterfalls and it's worth a return trip during the warmer months to be able to play in the water a little more.
Explored Smuggler's Notch in VT - I've never seen a place quite like this before. Cliffs shoot up on both sides of you as you drive through and if you're lucky enough to snag a parking spot you can hike up the side of one of the cliffs to Sterling Pond and the North Trail.
Biked Wendell State Forest in MA - There are likely better places to mountain bike, but this was one of my favorites. The uphills never seemed too steep, but the downhills were fast. We climbed up a hill to a scenic overlook before making our way back down and the terrain was perfectly suited for our skill level.
Rafted down the Kenebec River in ME - My memory of this weekend isn't exactly sharp since it was over ten years ago, but I do remember that it was a lot of fun and something that I want to do again. Our guide was great and we only one person from our party went overboard. No, it wasn't me, and yes, we did get her back.
Kayaked the Wood River in RI - I was tempted to go with the Swift River in MA here because I think I liked that place better. But I'm going with the Wood River because it has more potential. With two cars you could make an entire day of this, starting in Exeter and take the Wood River through most of South County.
Swam in East Pond in NH - You take a long dirt road through the woods to get to the trailhead and then hike a short, steep trail. There were a couple of other groups around at the same time, but it still had a very secluded feel to it. The pond that we eventually made it to was something right out of a movie with the crystal clear water and mountainous backdrop.
Spelunked through the caves of Purgatory Chasm in MA - This still is, and probably always will be, one of my favorite places to go. Age has zapped some of my spider-monkey ability and a little extra thickness has made some of the caves impossible, but it's a great place for a climb.
5 more places I want to go to
Camel Hump Mountain in VT - It's Vermont's third highest peak and the highest undeveloped one with no ski lifts or mountainside gift shops. On a clear day you can see the highest points in MA, VT, NH, and NY
Mt Greylock in MA - Mass's highest peak is just a bump compared to the mountains running through NH, but it's something I want to see. It should be a relatively easy hike and if we do it in the spring there are waterfalls and scenic brooks on every side
White Mountain National Forest in ME - The White Mountains in NH get all the attention, but the park actually extends quite a bit into Maine. Less than an hour away from North Conway there is plenty to explore
Arcadia in ME - Bar Harbor is supposed to be the most beautiful town in all of New England. Cliffs and sunrises, mountains and beaches it combines the best of both worlds.
Anywhere in CT - I've always hated CT. It is, by far, my least favorite state in New England. Most of the time they just think they're a suburb of New York. But there's gotta be some nice stuff here to visit. I hear the Litchfield Hills are great. The northeast corner is apparently nice and secluded. There's probably some good coastline and I know there are plenty of lakes and rivers to put a kayak in. I just have to find them.
Dove in the coves at Beavertail in RI - The rocky shores of Jamestown always make me think that a pirate ship is about to come over the horizon at any second and Beavertail is the best example of that type of place. One minute you're in a crowded parking lot, but walk towards the water and you'll likely be all alone climbing down the rocks to the water below.
Paddled across Squam Lake in NH - With mountains in the background and countless islands to explore, Lake Squam was great even if the place was a wee bit too big for our kayaks. We paddled for hours and still barely saw a fraction of this place.
Climbed to the top of Mt Washington in NH - Near the top we walked into the clouds and by the time we reached the summit there was no view, but it's pretty cool knowing that when I was posing for a picture at the peak, no one in New England was at a higher point that I was.
Drove up route 100 in VT - Normally I wouldn't consider a drive to be an outdoor adventure, but it all depends on where you stop. We could've spent the entire day making pit stops at trailheads along that route. We only hiked a few miles because we were trying to cram everywhere into the one drive, but we saw some great waterfalls and it's worth a return trip during the warmer months to be able to play in the water a little more.
Explored Smuggler's Notch in VT - I've never seen a place quite like this before. Cliffs shoot up on both sides of you as you drive through and if you're lucky enough to snag a parking spot you can hike up the side of one of the cliffs to Sterling Pond and the North Trail.
Biked Wendell State Forest in MA - There are likely better places to mountain bike, but this was one of my favorites. The uphills never seemed too steep, but the downhills were fast. We climbed up a hill to a scenic overlook before making our way back down and the terrain was perfectly suited for our skill level.
Rafted down the Kenebec River in ME - My memory of this weekend isn't exactly sharp since it was over ten years ago, but I do remember that it was a lot of fun and something that I want to do again. Our guide was great and we only one person from our party went overboard. No, it wasn't me, and yes, we did get her back.
Kayaked the Wood River in RI - I was tempted to go with the Swift River in MA here because I think I liked that place better. But I'm going with the Wood River because it has more potential. With two cars you could make an entire day of this, starting in Exeter and take the Wood River through most of South County.
Swam in East Pond in NH - You take a long dirt road through the woods to get to the trailhead and then hike a short, steep trail. There were a couple of other groups around at the same time, but it still had a very secluded feel to it. The pond that we eventually made it to was something right out of a movie with the crystal clear water and mountainous backdrop.
Spelunked through the caves of Purgatory Chasm in MA - This still is, and probably always will be, one of my favorite places to go. Age has zapped some of my spider-monkey ability and a little extra thickness has made some of the caves impossible, but it's a great place for a climb.
5 more places I want to go to
Camel Hump Mountain in VT - It's Vermont's third highest peak and the highest undeveloped one with no ski lifts or mountainside gift shops. On a clear day you can see the highest points in MA, VT, NH, and NY
Mt Greylock in MA - Mass's highest peak is just a bump compared to the mountains running through NH, but it's something I want to see. It should be a relatively easy hike and if we do it in the spring there are waterfalls and scenic brooks on every side
White Mountain National Forest in ME - The White Mountains in NH get all the attention, but the park actually extends quite a bit into Maine. Less than an hour away from North Conway there is plenty to explore
Arcadia in ME - Bar Harbor is supposed to be the most beautiful town in all of New England. Cliffs and sunrises, mountains and beaches it combines the best of both worlds.
Anywhere in CT - I've always hated CT. It is, by far, my least favorite state in New England. Most of the time they just think they're a suburb of New York. But there's gotta be some nice stuff here to visit. I hear the Litchfield Hills are great. The northeast corner is apparently nice and secluded. There's probably some good coastline and I know there are plenty of lakes and rivers to put a kayak in. I just have to find them.