THE CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD

Fall is the season of nature's beauty and one way to appreciate nature's spectacular scenery is to take a train ride. This is the Conway Scenic Railroad train located in North Conway, New Hampshire. This train leaves North Conway and heads to Crawford Notch via Intervale, Glen and Bartlett, New Hampshire. This line was established in 1875 and will climb more than 1300 hundred feet to the "Gateway to the Notch." Sunday was a perfect day for such a train ride, the sun was shining and the air crisp and cool. We had packed a picnic and soon boarded the coach car. The fee for our trip was $56.00 dollars per person. We certainly felt we got our money's worth.

This railroad follows the Saco River Valley Northwestward to the headwaters at the top of Crawford Notch. This train winds through the Presidential Mountain range, with a starting elevation of 535 feet. This particular train run was the last of the season- it's destination, Fabyan a 5 1/2 hour round trip ride with an elevation of 1575 feet. The views were spectacular and behold off in the distance the mighty Mt. Washington- home to the world's worst weather. Do you notice in the far off distance the distinct white?

why yes that would be SNOW....It was such a clear and vibrant day you could visibly make out the Mt. Washington Observatory and it's adjacent buildings.

Here in New England it appears the foliage has reached it's peak. Friday a rain storm is predicted with heavy winds, winds that will most likely remove the color from the trees. So, If you haven't had the opportunity to enjoy nature's spectacular offering, get out and do so before it's to late!

SIMPLE DELIGHTS

If I were being honest I would tell you that I am a home body.... plain and simple. I enjoy being at home.... I take delight in everyday tasks.... in hanging sheets in the cool fall air.... I cannot sleep on sheets that have been dried in the dryer....line fresh for me.... regardless of the season. I confess I have a special relationship with my vacuum....Instead of beginning my day with a cup of coffee.... I vacuum. I find watching my chickens far more interesting than anything I can locate on television....well.... unless I can find an old rerun of "Little House On The Prairie." I usually read two books at a time.... one upstairs.... one down.... For me there is a simple satisfaction in retiring the garden for winter.... or finding one last bloom for the canning jar I use for a vase.... then there are my projects....I love projects....do you recall the little side table I found at "Goodwill" for $5.00? I gave it a good sanding....a coat of paint....choice of color .... Colonial Mustard....

a second application of paint.... then the Briwax....ta da....I love the end result of my new "to me" side table....

my smiling "Jack".... well.... he gives the table a festive flare.... my favorite colors....orange and black....favorite outfit....apron- muck boots-jeans.... favorite indulgence....Vera Bradly Bags....Keene Shoes....Drakes Devil Dogs....Books....I love the smell and feel of a book....to me a book is like an old friend....one that I can take from my bookshelf and read over again....Okay.... so I have come clean....these are some of my simple delights....how about sharing some of yours?

THE GAZEBO

There is nothing like Fall in New England. The once green foliage has now begun to show signs of yellow, red and orange. Orchards everywhere are abundant with apples, cider, gourds and pumpkins. If you are lucky your visit to an apple orchard may coincide with the on site making of fresh cider donuts and hot spiced apple cider, a simple Fall delight. Fall in Maine also means "buttoning up" the family camp for the season.

The raft is pulled in to the beach and secured. Inside, the refrigerator is emptied, mouse traps laid, pipes drained and wood stacked. This all takes place before the middle of October, cold weather comes quickly to the hills of Denmark Maine.

If you happen to stand on the beach in front of the camp and look southerly, high in the hills is a gazebo. A gazebo which has remained hidden in our failed attempts to find it. On this most glorious October day DH and I decide to make another grand attempt. In the above photo these is a little bit of ledge in the center, the allusive gazebo proudly stands anticipating our arrival.

Up into the hills we go, traversing on winding dirt roads- finally we come upon our first clue "hikers welcomed." It appears as though we are trespassing, however, we have been informed hikers are welcomed. After a few moments we spy the gazebo standing alone in the clearing. Such a welcoming sight to behold.

High in the hills it rests.

Standing guard over Hancock Pond. We sit and marvel at the breathtaking views while enjoying our lunch. Someone spent a tremendous amount of money not only building the gazebo which as you can see is located in a remote area, but also had electricity brought to it as well. If you notice in the below photo, a sandbar on the left hand side- there sits our family camp.

It truly is a breathtaking view....

one I hope to come back and enjoy again and again....

ah, the simple joys in life- I do believe are those which make us the happiest....

FRYEBURG FAIR PART 2

Before I begin let me just state it was very difficult to obtain a clear view while taking photos of any sort. Tuesday, the day I attended the Fryeburg Fair also happened to be senior citizen day. Needless to say it was extremely crowded. Now, believe me when I say I have nothing against senior citizens- good for them to be out and about enjoying the beautiful day, but let me say I have never seen so many motorized scooters in my life. Why, scooters were zipping around every which way. Keeping that in mind, here are the photos to part 2 of my day at the Fryeburg Fair. This beautiful quilt captured the winning Blue Ribbon....and there were preserves....pickles, relish, jams, jellies, if you could dream it up, it was there. How nicely they were presented....

The fowl.....I did bring a cage with me....yes I did....The first chicken I noticed....A naked neck also known as a Turken. Poor thing I felt sorry for her, but not sorry enough to take her home. Remember I have feather peckers, I don't need the girls getting any ideas, like sporting a naked neck. Well, she was not for sale. Does this girl remind you of a vulture, or is it just me?
Now due to the crowds, I was not able to read all the information offered on the breeds.

This fella was quite handsome. A feathered footed Lemon something or other....

and this fellow....

and this fellow, why is it the smaller the bird the louder the voice....but both quite stunning

The Frizzle....

in white....

now you see me now you don't....

I could have snatched up this little lady in a heartbeat. Alas, not for sale....dang....

another handsome boy, I swear he posed just for me....my girls just don't want or need any testosterone in their coop....he is a looker....

another possibility....again not for sale....her feather's were just beautiful.... and just look at the feather pattern on this girl....beautiful....nope, not for sale.... this little lady. oh right excuse me gentleman.... well she would have been perfect....If she had not been a he.... and there she was....a petite little thing....the apple of me eye....and also an egg....just for me....I looked for her information....and what did I see....SOLD....DANG!

Yup, it's sad but true.... my cage came home empty....no banty hen for me....not yet anyway.

The Fryeburg Fair

Yesterday we awoke to a pretty Fall morning, a perfect morning in fact to attend the Fryeburg Fair. Also known as Maine's Blue Ribbon Classic the Fryeburg Fair was first held on these fairgrounds in October 1885. During the next hundred years plus the fair includes 100 permanent buildings, with over 3,000 camping sites. Currently 300,000 attend the fair annually. The Fryeburg Fair is the last fair of the season, an oldie but goodie. You are greeted by the sights and sounds of the midway.... the familiar aroma of fair food.... fried dough, cotton candy, roasting peanuts, popcorn, blooming onions....Now I don't know about you but I am not very brave when it comes to eating fair food, we tend to bring a picnic and maybe purchase a snack or two. What can I say, I'm a stickler when it comes to hand washing and hey.... you just never know....

There are games which attract young and old alike....demonstrations of wood stove cooking, maple sap boiling, bee keeping, arts and crafts demonstration such as quilting, rug hooking, spinning, basket making, there is something for everyone. You will see animals...

llamas....this llama appeared all aglow with the afternoon sun shining in on her. Teeth such as these usually mean he or she is an older llama. Stunning nonetheless....beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... and sheep....

lots of sheep....trying to be kept clean.... just waiting to enter the showing ring....

a handsome boy....

draft horses....the gentle giants....a personal favorite.... draft ponies.... some with the most beautiful well kept tails I have ever seen...If only my hair could look that good....

a farmer accompanied by his little boy.... eager and willing to help out his dad with afternoon chores....you learn early when you live on a farm....

stalls are meticulous....
this lady appears to be day dreaming the afternoon away....just watching the world go by....something I tend to do way too much of....

.... a pretty girl....with dark dewy eyes....

be still my heart.... a miniature donkey....I do believe I could fit him in my Subaru....I did bring a cage with me....just in case...unfortunately for me he was not for sale, psst...don't tell my DH I did write down the phone number to the farm....just in case.... I mean, you never know.... right?....Thanks for a lovely time girls, I look forward to seeing you next Fall....tomorrow my post will be on fowl....oh, the fowl....remember I mentioned I bought a cage with me....

till tomorrow....