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:

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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!

Trail Thursday: Tips For Staying Warm Backpacking In The Fall & Wednesday Recap!

Happy Friday-eve! I’ve been brainstorming what to write about today since I’ve kinda run out of trails to recap (or at least I THINK I have for the moment…), but then I got to thinking on my run this morning how fun backpacking in the Fall is (but staying warm is always a HUGE factor in whether or not you enjoy the experience)! So that’s what I’m sharing today- some things that I’ve learned to stay warm out there and still enjoy the crisp air.

Speaking of crisp air….it was COLD this morning 28* to start my run and unfortunately it’s going to get COLDER before it gets warmer (i.e. 9* is the LOW for Sunday night?!?). 7.25 miles plus some strides for a total of 7.65 to kick off Thursday. I’m getting more and more excited for our trip to Lake Powell NEXT weekend - the high there right now is looking to be around 60 and low in the upper 40s…amazing.

Yesterday I tried out a new look at the salon…kidding. I just got some highlights since we’re planning on getting our engagement photos done tomorrow!

Also Brady is continually fascinated by the Fridge. I am slightly concerned that one morning we’re going to shut him in there and forget (and he’ll be stuck in the fridge the entire day). Hopefully this will NEVER happen.

So I’m pretty much always cold (my fingers and toes are just freezing at all times…sometimes even on the warmest Summer days!), so staying warm (especially when backpacking) is kinda my speciality.

One thing that I always bring with me whether camping, backpacking, or anytime of the year really (sometimes I wish I could snuggle up in it at home too…) - I love my Big Agnes Ethel 0*

A warm cup of coffee. I love to carry along a mason jar (normally fill it with water, but ya know…sometimes it’s wine instead) with a koozie for those warmer drinks. Also hot cocoa for dessert (especially when you can’t have a campfire) - Ah-maz-ing.

Warmer socks x 2. I have a tendency to somehow always get my feet wet when hiking in, so 2 pairs of socks (regardless of weather) is always necessary. When it’s expected to be really cold out, I wear 2 pairs of socks to sleep and also tuck in a pair of the Hand (or toe) warmers in between my sock layers. Also a water bottle filled with hot water also feels amazing.

A warm tent. We have the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV Ultra Light Mtn Glow (which isn’t the best for super chilly temperatures, but we made due with extra layers).

Leggings. I love leggings and probably would wear them everyday if I could. Skirts + leggings = a cute, comfy look that I rock way too often in the winter/ late Fall. I sleep in them and then pop them on with my skort in the morning hours before we leave our campsite (super easy to take them off too when it warms up later in the morning).

A warm coat that can fold up into itself. My Big Agnes Shovelhead jacket folds into its interior pocket and feels like I’m wearing a sleeping bag every time I slip it on. If it’s really cold out, I also will keep it inside my sleeping for extra warmth.

I will definitely disclose that my boyfriend, Alex, works at Big Agnes so we did get killer deals on all of their products (which is why we literally have so many coats/ tents/ sleeping bags etc.), BUT all of the items are my absolute favorites to use when backpacking regardless.

How do you stay warm when camping outdoors in the Fall?

What’s the weather like where you are?

Sleeping bags- love ‘em or hate ‘em?

Trail Thursday: Diana's Baths

Friday eve! We’re almost there! This week has equally gone by so fast and dragged along (yes that is definitely possible..). I got up at 4:30 this morning to get in my strength and run before I headed into work by 7:15. I did my strength, meditated, made coffee, and drove down to the lake where I was planning to run at 5:30 and saw AT LEAST 10 strikes of lightning! Sooo I turned around and got ready for work by 6:30. So here we are 6:41am, breakfast has been eaten, and I’m here writing to you! Oh well, I’m grateful that my schedule is flexible and I’ll get in my run tonight at 6pm (I’ve got 6 easy progressively fast miles on the schedule then 6 x :45 second fast sprints). What do you have going on for your Thursday?

Today I’m sharing with you one of the BEST tourist spots in the White Mountains of New Hampshire (where I grew up), Diana’s Baths. It is a great place to visit with your entire family because the walk is maybe 1/2 mile (?), relatively flat, and great nature walk to the baths themselves. The parking lot does get extremely busy, so I’d recommend visiting either during the week (if you’re going in the Summer try either early in the morning or later in the afternoon) - especially in the Fall. It’s ideal to soak in the nature-made baths in the Summer, but the foliage come late September/ early October is so beautiful too. Definitely be careful if you do walk around the falls because the rocks are very slippery and I have known many who have seriously injured themselves there.

Ever visited the White Mountains? Your favorite spot to visit?

Foliage right now- how is it where you are?!?

What did you have for breakfast? —> I had coffee & cereal this morning!

Trail Thursday Has Gone Missing & My Legs Feel Like Lead.

Trail Thursday has gone missing this week (or well in reality —> I need to take some new adventures to share with you guys). BUT I will definitely have a new Trail Thursday next week because on Saturday we’re heading to Rocky Mountain National Park to go backpacking!!! This will be my first wilderness backpacking experience where we get a permit and had to reserve a site ahead of time. We reserved the site here and will pick up our permit on Saturday at the Vistors Center.

TBT to visiting RMNP last year with Stella. She won’t be joining us for this trip (too much wildlife out there!), but she’ll be happy that she’s staying with Uncle Jeremy and her cousin Waylon (dog) ;)

We’ll be staying at Timber Lake at one of the two Snowbird Sites and will be around 11, 010 feet where we camp! It’s been pretty warm here, so it shouldn’t be as chilly as we were originally thinking when we booked it which is GOOD! We’ll bring lots of layers still and our warmest camping gear. Campfires aren’t allowed at the site which is a bit of bummer, but at least we know there is less of a risk of a wildfire!

I’m hoping my legs feel better than they have earlier this week because they have felt like LEAD. I’m sure it’s got something to do with my crazy hormones and all-nighter last Friday and crazy intense Pilates Jumpboard class on Monday, but I’m really trying to stay optimistic. I’m getting my long run in tomorrow morning before our trip (still trying to decide whether I’m going to do it on the treadmill (to hit my 5 x HMP miles) or do it outside) and undecided whether I’ll get in any miles before or after our trip. It will be around 5 miles of hiking on Saturday and 5 miles of hiking on Sunday (which is quite a bit) so I may just do an easy 3 each day to shake out my legs.

Felt like I was running an 8:00 min/mile. ha.

Also on an unrelated note- I booked my annual Dentist cleaning ON HALLOWEEN. This is the second year in a row that I’ve had my cleaning scheduled on October 31st…I’m thinking this is a very unpopular date for visiting the dentist!

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Ever gone backpacking in a National Park?

Dentist —> do you enjoy going or meh not so much?

Help me decide… should I do ANY runs this weekend or do a few short easy miles or take it off?!?!

Trail Thursday: Stagecoach State Park

Happy Thursday! I was brainstorming last night what I should write about today and realized that I’ve yet to do a review of the Colorado State Park that’s in our backyard- Stagecoach! Also I’ve had to re-type this same thing four different times because Maple is extra lovey right now and continues to delete my typing! Ha. Good thing she’s so cute. I’ve got 7 miles on the schedule this morning with 8 x 30 second strides at the end. Then it’s all about carbo-loading and getting a lot of sleep to prep for my Run Rabbit Run pacing tomorrow night!

I may be a bit biased, but Stagecoach is definitely one of my favorite State Parks. It has 10 MILES of runnable (and bikeable!) trails around the entire lake, ample spots to fish, a beach to relax, and three different campgrounds!

I’m not entirely sure when exactly the campgrounds close, but it will be relatively soon (thinking October?). The park still remains open in the winter and they do a GREAT job of grooming a bunch of trails around the lake for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

We’ve lived within 5 minutes of the park for the past year and a half and I still haven’t gotten tired of all that it offers. You can boat on the lake and ice fish in the winter - so there really is something for everyone!

Visiting the Dam is also another fun activity to do if you are visiting from out of town and you can access the trail around the lake very easily from that parking lot.

Ever been to Stagecoach State Park?

What is YOUR favorite State Park? What’s so special about it?

What do you have on the workout front today?