Backpacking in Sandwich Range

Getting away from hot humid Boston for weekend is good. One weekend in June, we went backpacking in the Sandwich range in New Hampshire. 

First picture was Lady's slipper. I learned the flower's name after I got home. It looks like a lady's slipper....may... be. We saw pink ones and white ones. White one is interesting, because their vessels were seen in pink. It looked like blood streams. Both look pretty and vulnerable. Seeing something time-sensitive stuff is grateful. 

Somehow it was hard to focus on Lady's slipper. It took some time to get nice focus on the flowers. We behaved like Mr.B3. He is a photographer, and loves taking wild flowers, especially in Montana. Mr.N said that he might text these pictures to make Mr.B3 jealous. 

viewpoint

sunset is approaching

sunset

After a couple of hours, we reached the planned camping area. Hiking book indicated that there might be some some camping spots near Mount Paugus. The west side of summit there was a party already set up a camp, although we didn't see it because the site was in the trees. We noticed that some human voices and smell of campfire. We searched a potential flat space that is big enough for one tent. We found it in the east side of summit. It was just 10 seconds for a great open view point, but our site is protected by trees. It was perfect! Now in June, daytime is long is sunset is late. That means that there is enough time to see sunset, even though sunset is earlier in the mountains. We went to the viewpoint and waited for the sunset. The right picture is again from the same viewpoint, but due to the light direction, it looked like a totally different place. It was beautiful scenery in the warm orange sunlight. 

viewpoint in the morning

Then we observed sun setting. It was nice to see sun go down to the ridge line. Somehow clouds formed one straight line and sun set could be seen between the cloud line and ridge line. After the sunset we enjoyed campfire, dinner, cookies, tea, then slept. In the morning, again we enjoyed campfire. After breakfast, we took down the tent. I took several pictures at viewpoint for the final look before going down. It was nice to stay near the viewpoint, because i enjoyed many different beauty at the same place. 

Kayaking @ Quaboag River

blue sky blue river

We went kayaking on Quaboag river two weekend in a row. There are many animals including birds, beavers, and muskrats. 

heron

First weekend we went east side of the river, then the following weekend we kayaked into the west side.  The river was blue with reflecting blue sky. It was really lovely than I had expected.

As this area is a designated as wildlife refuge, we saw many birds. First bird we saw was a heron. They like to be along the river. We saw them sometimes fishing. Ummm. River fish sashimi....

It is interesting that herons are always being alone. In contrast, ducks are always being as a couple. 

heron

One time we saw a heron flying from rive side and flying over to the hills and the big heron was chased by small red-winged blackbird. Red-winged blackbirds are only 10% of bodysize of herons, but they are so aggressive! The heron chased by a red-winged blackbird had to fly to escape from it. 

ducks

Next cute ones were duck mother and babies! 4 babies! Babies' fur is fluffy is so cute. I wanted to pet them but limited myself from trying so (they are wild). 

Other babies we saw was beavers. It was on the top of other side from our kayaking side. Wow. 

This is a good kayaking area with full of lives.