CHANGE IN PLANS .... MINI VACATION .... BACK TO VERMONT!!!!
Our original plan was to leave Mt Ascutney August 31st and start our trek home. Back in February we made a two-month commitment which, at the time, seemed long enough. Upon arrival we asked if they had any hosts coming in behind us, and alas, they had a couple coming in from Michigan for the Month of September, so we (me) put a trip together leaving August 31st and heading south.
A couple weeks ago we were asked if we would be willing to stay longer as another state park had a host requirement and the new hosts coming in here could be redirected to the other park. I had firmed up plans in New Hampshire and Maine heading down through Connecticut.
Mark suggested we go ahead with our plans for New Hampshire and Maine and come back in mid-September to finish out the month which was perfect ..... because we wanted to hang around for the changing of the colors!
So, we kept the plans for the first two weeks in September in tact, cancelling the rest, and will be coming back to Mt Ascutney for the last two weeks in September, in time for the car races up the mountain and depart New England the first week in October. All in all, it worked out perfectly for us and Mark and Lucy …. A win win.
Leaving Friday, August 31st,
we will be heading over to Dolly Copp Campground in the White Mountain National
Park up around Crawford Notch and about 15 miles from Mt Washington. There we will spend the weekend …. using our “geezer
pass” so it will be practically free … and do home hiking in the White
Mountains. Since this is Labor Day
weekend, we will probably not attempt Mt Washington as it will be crowded with
tourists and that isn’t our gig!The Presidential Range is the crowning glory of the White Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains themselves. They begin with the Northern Peaks on a high ridge north of Mount Washington. The most notable summits are named for American presidents followed by prominent public figures of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The four main summits of the Northern Peaks covering more area and having more above timberline terrain without roads or railway and….. less crowded than Mount Washington…..are….. Mounts Madison, Adams and Jefferson (5th, 2nd, 3rd highest in NE) form an unbroken area above timberline ridges. Mount Clay (southern sub-peak of Mt Washington) is southernmost Northern Peak.
Mt Washington at 6288’ is the central summit of the Presidential Range and highest in the NE US. Rising over 800 miles from the nearest higher land in North Carolina’s Mt Mitchell which is 6684’ at the highest point.
The range’s most notable summits from southwest to northeast are:
Mt Webster (Daniel that is) Mt Jackson (Charles Thomas, a geologist; not Andrew) Mt Pierce (Franklin Pierce formerly DeWitt Clinton not Bill) Mt Eisenhower (Dwight of course) Mt Franklin (Benny) Mt Monroe (Jimmy) Mt Washington (Georgie-Boy) Mt Clay (Henry…stated changed name to Mt Reagan but USG recognizes Clay) Mt Jefferson (Tommy) Mt Sam Adams (also the Beer) Mt Adams (John) Mt Quincy Adams (John Quincy) Mt Madison (James)
THE COPPS
Hayes and Dolly Copp first settled here in 1827 establishing a farm on the last available virgin level site suitable for farm development at 1250 feet. The home was sometimes used as an Inn for folks traveling through the White Mountains in the summer.
The Copps left their homestead after 1881 parting company after fifty years of marriage.
Dolly declared on her fiftieth wedding anniversary (11/2/1881)
“Hayes is well enough, but fifty years is long enough for a woman to live with any man!”
A book pushed in 1882 entitled, “The Heart of the White Mountains” is a story about the Copps. They apparently still saw each other in their declining years, visiting the other’s home. Apparently all was amicable between them. Dolly went to live with her daughter Sylvia Potter in Auburn Maine.
THE CAMPGROUND
Dolly Copp is one of the largest CG’s
in the entire National Forest System. It
can accommodate over 1,000 people (and I’m sure they will all be there Labor
Day Weekend). It is about 16 miles from Mt Washington and
some of the nicest hikes start at this campground. Dolly Copp started as an “official” campground around 1920. It was always used by folks just pulling over and setting up a campsite, now called road-side camping.
From the Berlin Reporter article dated 6/23/1921:
On the Glen Road, six miles from Gorham, the Forest Service has opened a public camp ground for the automobile tourist, known as the “Copp Spring Camp Ground.” Here the camper will have plenty of room to pitch his temporary home, and he will find a large stone fireplace upon which to cook his meals. Not sure if we'll have internet/cell service while here so pictures may have to wait until we get to our next stop...............
HEADING DOWN EAST.................
We'll be in Bar Harbor for a little more than a week then move on down to ..........
BOOTHBAY HARBOR to another "pay through your nose" full hookup RV park.
Can't wait! Lobsters here we come!!!!! Lighthouses here we come!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment