June 11, 2024, Covered Bridge Campground, Conway, NH
As planned, we moved to Covered Bridge Campground, the next White Mountains NF campground to the north. With a camper height of 10 ft 6 in, we couldn’t cross the covered bridge to get to the campground. Instead we had to travel the alternate, Passaconaway Rd, that parallels the other side of the Swift River. Pretty but narrow and a bit overgrown, we actually brushed the camper’s roof against some overhead branches on the drive.
The campground is maintained by a host couple who have spent their summers here for more than ten years. They are deservedly proud of how clean and orderly they keep the place.
We rode our bikes up to the covered bridge and then up a bit of the Nanamocomuck Ski Trail. (Yeah, let’s hear you pronounce that one!) We’ve skied that trail a couple of times but there were a few washout areas that discouraged us from riding our bikes any further on it.
Returning to our campsite, we read outside until it got chilly. Then, after showers, we made a dinner of pasta with sweet Italian sausage and a salad.
June 12, 2024, Covered Bridge Campground, Conway, NH
We decided to treat ourselves to breakfast out. Sweet Maple Café, with promises of gluten free options, sounded like a good option. The food was tasty but the prices a bit steep at $40 for a pretty basic breakfast for two.
A bike ride was in order and we decided to try the Mount Washington Valley Rec Path. Beginning near the WalMart at the south end of North Conway, it extends three miles to the Mt Cranmore Mountain Ski Resort at the north end of town. The trail is newly paved and begins with tons of wildflowers along both sides as it parallels a little used railroad track. Then it dives into the woods with mildly steep grades and gentle curves. There are plans to extend it, but it’s a very pleasant ride as it stands today.
No more than a few minutes after we finished our ride the skies let loose with a very hard but brief rainstorm. Enough of wet, outside stuff! It was time for Sandy’s favorite sport … thrift shops! We hit two of them in North Conway and, as usual, it was Bill who made the finds. He spent “big bucks” on a genuine Akubra brand Australian felted fur hat in the first shop. Then a Duluth Trading Company backwoods vest beckoned him in the next shop.
Finally, it was back to the campsite after a visit with our campground hosts. Dinner was sautéed salmon with Brussels sprouts and Sandy’s contribution of sliced pear!