Pisgah State Park

Pisgah State Park is the largest State Park, it's over 21 square miles.  I took a 11 mile hike yesterday through Pisgah State Park from the Kilburn Road Trailhead.  It's a prime time of the year with the traditional New England foliage is at is best in this area.  The foliage line will slowly move South as the weeks past.

We first tried the Kilburn Loop.  It's a 5.8 mile loop from the Kilburn
Road Trailhead from Rt 63.  It's a wonderful loop around Kilburn Pond blazed with blue diamonds.  There's a stream from the pond that leads down to the Ashuelot River.  It's great hearing the roar of the water through the trees and rock gardens.  It has a slight incline towards the loop around back.  It shows wonderful foliage and mushrooms along the way.  It's not an old forest so the trees in it aren't centuries old but it's still enchanting, still the same.

Because we were drawn in to the magic of the park after hiking the Kilburn Loop we decided to add on the Pisgah Mt. Loop (which is a 8.5 mile loop from the Kilburn Road Trailhead).  From the Kilburn Loop Trail follow the "To Pisgah Ridge Trail" sign blazed in yellow (pictured on the left) to get to the Pisgah Ridge Trail junction.  There's a short climb to the first Pisgah Mt. Vista after you turn right from the Pisgah Ridge Trail Junction.  The Pisgah Ridge Trail is blazed in orange.  The views from the East and West are phenomenal.  You can see great views of Monadnock Mt. and the terrain of the Keene area on New Hamsphire to the East.  If you get over to the overlook to the West you can see the southern mountain of Vermont, Stratton, Snow and Bromley.  The views are simply humbling.  The view reveals the beautiful country of southern NH and VT.

If you follow the Pisgah Ridge Trail it leads to the peak of Pisgah Mountain where you can see Pisgah Reservoir.  It's a beautiful view from the outlook to the right of the peak.  We follow the ridge trail down the ridge and it loops around in between the mountain and the reservoir and connect up to the Reservoir Trail.  We turned left at this junction and made our way to the Baker Pond Trail which lead up back to the beginning of the Pisgah Ridge Trail, which again is blazed in orange.  This section of the trail leads you by two more wonderful vista upon your way back to the junction of the spur trail that leads back to the Kilburn Loop.  The leaves were showing wonderful colors of red, yellow and green leaves.  We also saw some multicolored leaves - purple and yellow and red with yellow.  Simply breath taking.  Check out this Summer Trails map so you can see the actual trail we took.  If you ride snowmobiles here is the Winter Trails map.

In conclusion this is a wonderful place to explore hiking, mountain biking and kayaking.  I look forward to spending more time exploring the other trails in this park.

See the links below for more information about the park, trails and area of Pisgah State Park.
Pisgah State Park Pisgah Mtn. Loop
Pisgah State Park - Chesterfield Conservation Commission
The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation : Pisgah State Park

Waxy O'Conners 4/24/11 & 4/28/11

I heard there was a "new pub" in town.  I thought I want to try it just like everyone else.  The people at work were giving me great reviews.  And I heard that all the wood was imported from Ireland.  Now I was really excited.  It's GOT to be a dark wood spot then.  The kind of Irish pub I love.

My sister, Karen, and her husband, Dave came up to visit me for Easter from Massachusetts.  I love went my family visits.  PLUS, I can go to the new pub!

Waxy O'Connors Pub and Restaurant is located on Route 12 (AKA: Winchester St.)  at the Best Western Hotel & Suites, heading South from Keene.  The pub entrance is to the right of the main hotel entrance.

As first glance it was a big rooms with LOTS of dark wood.  The bar is very inviting and I saw right down with my back to the door.  I didn't travel too far.  The Bruins playoff game was on.  I noticed  lots of flat screen TVs and huge TVs in the chubbys on each side of the pub.  The seating was ample, it can accommodate lots of people and I'm thinking you won't wait long for a table there.

The beer selection is numerous.  They had local and pub staples.  I was just happy to hear Long Trail and Killian's.  The bar service was fast and the staff was very nice. 

Four days later I couldn't get the place out of my head.  I had to go back and eat and see if the food is as good as I've been hearing.  The menu is a typical Irish pub menu, but not just pub food.  I decided on the steak tips.  The food arrive as I ordered, with mashed potatoes and house vegetable (summer squash and zucchini).  I got the house/pub steak sauce and it tasted just like A-1 sauce.  The food wasn't anything spectacular but I have no negative comments.  Our waitress was very friends and personable which helps so much the ambiance of a place.  It seems they are hiring people and not just people with Irish accents.

I can't wait to go back for more.  Waxy O"Connors is a chain restaurant but don't let that fool you it's as original as your mom's apple pie.  I noticed from their web site that each location is unique in it's layout and design.  All and All, I can't wait to go back for more.

Here's their website if you check out the other locations and more information on this location.

If there are any places you'd like to find out more about SEND ME and I'll tell you EXACTLY what I think. OK, on to the blogging and thanks for moving with me.

Spofford Lake Bike Ride 4/19/11

I live near Spofford Lake.  People have told me it a REALLY nice lake and there are a bunch of expensive houses on it.  I rose around it.  My route was Rt 9A up North Shore Road to Rt 63, Route 9 to the back entryway to Rt 9A.  I did it on my hard tail mountain bike because it was raining and I was afraid to slip with my road bike.  It was a little over 6 miles and very hilly.  I wish I brought my road bike, next time I will.

What was in usual about this ride was I thought I saw a moose.  Then realized it was a really big estate called "Moose Hollow" and I believe the moose it fake.  I haven't been back to see...but I have to see to make sure it was fake.  WEIRD!!!

Overall it's a beautiful lake and I can't wait to get out on it with my kayak on a "less traveled" day by the weekenders and powerboats
 
If there are any places you'd like to find out more about SEND ME and I'll tell you EXACTLY what I think. OK, on to the blogging and thanks for moving with me.

Rt 9A across from Camp Spofford

Sunset near the boat launch

Hello Keene!

I moved to the area March 13, 2011. I feel a little over whelmed. Keene is a college town with lots of activities happening for everyone. There's shopping, woods, bike paths, rivers, pond and town spirit. Brattleboro is only a stones throw in the other direction for me and I like having a choice. It's a lot quieter than I'm used to but it feels comfortable. I like being closer to my family and skiing.

If there are any places you'd like to find out more about SEND ME and I'll tell you EXACTLY what I think. OK, on to the blogging and thanks for moving with me.