Trail Thursday: Lake Winnipesaukee & Castle In The Clouds

Happy Friday-eve! It’s finally warmer out in the mornings so dressing for my run isn’t as much of a production as it was at the beginning of this week (i.e. wear a billion layers and compression gear that is so skin-clinging that you almost knock yourself out putting it on). Also this:

SOURCE

We’re planning to leave early tomorrow morning (~6am) to drive to Lake Powell (it’s around a 9 hour drive) with Stella. Hoping to get there by 4pm (which will really be 3pm since AZ —> Pacific time, yay!) and check out the expo before setting up our campsite/ exploring Powell a bit. I put tomorrow as a rest day (and have 8 easy miles on-tap this morning) since we’ll be traveling a lot and hope to get in some miles in Capitol Reef Nat’l Park on Sunday.

Now let’s go back to a great vacation that we had a few years ago visiting Lake Winnipesaukee (we did the M/S Mount Washington boat tour around the lake starting in Wolfeboro). The cruise was so great and they provide all sorts of fun trivia (like who owns which home and the famous celebrities that are often seen visiting). We did it during the Fall mid-week, so it was a quiet time and perfect to really soak it all in! It was a bit rainy and windy, so we spent most of the time inside the boat but that didn’t damper the mood at all.

The views seen throughout the cruise (I think it last around 45 minutes?) were spectacular.

We also visited Castle In The Clouds, which I had always wanted to see! I loved the drive up to the top (although it was a bit pricey, $17 per person) and there were several lookout spots (overlooking the lake) along the way for us to stop at.

The history of the castle was incredible and the structure still looked great (both inside and out).

Hi! Younger-looking Alex!

It was a great way to spend the day and we also ate lunch at the Carriage House Restaurant. It was SO tasty and so cool to be actually dining in the original stables.

We also hiked to the Falls of Song, which was a really easy (and short) hike to the 40 foot Falls.

Despite the pricey admission fee, it was a great day-trip to visit the rich history of the mansion and the hiking trails (along with the scenic overlooks). I certainly wouldn’t pay to visit there again (one time I think was enough), but it is worthwhile if you haven’t visited yet or are in the area looking for more indoor sites to see.

Ever been to Lake Winnipesaukee? What’s your favorite location?

What’s your take on admission fees? What do you think is too much to charge?

Long drives- give me some podcast recommendations to download!

Mountain Monday- Mt. Willard Crawford Notch State Park

Sharing one of my absolute favorite hikes up on the blog today! Mt. Willard is a 3.2 mile hike located in Crawford Notch State Park in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and gains 977 feet. It's a great introductory hike with fantastic views and is pretty heavily used.

You begin this hike by parking at the Crawford Notch Railroad Station and cross the tracks and stay left to follow Mount Willard Trail.

You also cross by Centennial Pool, which offers great photos and a nice cool-off spot if you're hiking this in the summer. I've done this hike a few times and this past summer we brought Stella and she did great this entire hike. It was still a little early in the season (late June), so it was muddy.

At the end of the trail, you come to a fantastic viewpoint of the open ledges and all of the surrounding peaks of Crawford Notch. This is definitely a great hike to do if you're in the White Mountains for just a few days, but want to also feel like you've hiked a "mountain". 

Have you ever hiked in the White Mountains of NH? Favorite trail?

Have a favorite hike? Where is it?!

I hope you had a fantastic long weekend- I was sick most of the weekend, but we had our hands full with our newly adopted kittens! I got out for a few easy-paced runs and began my Runners' World Run Streak for 40 days until New Years Day. Sharing more info on this on Wednesday!