The week of the fourth of July we traveled west to New Hampshire. We had reserved a two bedroom condo in the White Mountains, near Plymouth. Our son, Brian and his wife, Laura, opted to join us. Our drive was about 240 miles while they had a longer drive of over 1,000 miles.
Portland, Maine
Our first full day in New Hampshire was a rainy one, so we drove straight east to the coast of Maine to visit some lighthouses and enjoy seafood on the fourth of July.
The Kancamagus Scenic Highway
Portland Head Lighthouse
Cape Elizabeth Head Lighthouse
Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves
The weather the next day looked better, so we decided to take a hike. The Lost River Gorge is located in the Kinsman Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We followed a one mile long boardwalk trail, containing over a thousand stairs, through the gorge as it wound its way along the Lost River, named so because parts of it are underground. There were many boulder caves, which were fun to climb into. One, called the Lemon Squeeze, only Laura could squeeze through.
This extensive boardwalk allowed hiking through this rocky gorge.
The White Mountains from the top of the Gorge
Peaking out of one of the boulder caves.
This highway through the White Mountains National Forest had many trails and hikes to waterfalls and overlooks.
New Hampshire Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Summit Turnout/Overlook
Concord, New Hampshire State Capital
This State House was constructed in 1819. The lobby of the State House contained a Memorial Hall of Flags flown in the Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI and WWII along with the Viet Nam War. While walking through the halls, we passed a friendly gentleman, whom we found out later was the Governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu.
New Hampshire State House
While in Concord we visited the Audubon Sanctuary and their birds of prey exhibit. 
Mount Washington Drive to the top
This Bald Eagle lost his wing when he was very young. He is now a permanent resident.
This Barred Owl was hit by a car and broke both of her wings. She now greats everyone who enters the Birds of Prey exhibit.
USS Albacore
Leaving Concord, we continued our drive to the coast of New Hampshire. The experimental submarine, AGSS-569, is permanently dry-docked in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We decided to take the self-guided tour of the submarine and museum. This 205 foot submarine had a crew of 55 men. We marveled at the limited living space. Our RV seems spacious by comparison.
Taking a test drive.
We drove the entire 18 mile sea coast of New Hampshire along Highway 1A with stops for scenic overlooks and excellent seafood.
Mt. Washington, in the White Mountains, is 6,688 feet. This is the highest peak in the Northeast. The weather at the summit rivals that of Antarctica. The average annual temperature is below freezing. The 7.6 mile road to the top is a private toll road. At times we were right on the edge with no guard rails. At the summit was an interesting museum that provided a welcome shelter out of the wind.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, Cornish, NH
The Cog Railroad arrived as we approached the summit.
World Record Winds of 231 mph, this is an amazing fact.
The wind was blowing a steady 59 mph with gusts to 70 mph while we were there. The clouds went whipping past us as we struggled to stand.
Diana's Baths
Within the White Mountain National Forest is Diana's Baths. We hiked about half a mile to a scenic group of small waterfalls, rock ledges and pools along Lucy Brook.
This is the only National Park in New Hampshire, it comprises the home, studios, grounds and artworks of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). He is one of America's greatest sculptors. He sculpted many Civil War monuments as well as designs for US ten and twenty dollar gold coins.
He named the main house, built in 1817, Aspet.
The Studio
Inside the studio. Casting of the horse used in the General Sherman Memorial which stands in Central Park, New York, placed in 1903.
Shaw Memorial exhibited in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This is a memorial for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of African American Volunteers.
Atrium and Pool
Final Resting Place
The Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH
We had a rainy day, courtesy of Hurricane Elsa. This small museum had an interesting collection of European and American paintings and sculptures. After a late lunch in Manchester, the sun came out for our last day in New Hampshire.
Woman Seated in a Chair by Picasso
Capital Building, Augusta, Maine
Returning to Ellsworth on Saturday, we stopped in Augusta to tour the State House. We could only walk around it, since the building is closed on weekends.
