A Crisp Autumn Day

I have always had this love affair with the fantasy of Maine. I think it started when I was young and read "Sarah Plain and Tall." The images of a rocky coast, with the cool blues and grays of the ocean have always been in my dreams and this lighthouse was the perfect spot to experience them in real life. 

The night before we found some young locals in an all night diner who told us we had to go visit Portland Head Light. This was the most picturesque spot, and a wonderful way to start out the morning, listening to the waves wash up on the rocks and taking in the crisp, cool air. From now on, when I think of Maine, this is the new picture I have in my imagination. 

We left the coast of Maine pretty early, and drove northwest into New Hampshire's White Mountains, where we heard one could experience the most vibrant fall colors anywhere in the United States. Our drive took us by gorgeous lakes and through amazing scenery painted with beautiful colors. While driving through the White Mountains listening to an audio book we simply pulled over whenever we found something interesting to take pictures of, or hike through.  It was a spectacular way to spend a crisp autumn day, we even got to see some snow flurries up on the mountain tops. 

Our road trip took even us by the remains of The Old Man in the Mountain. As is the way of nature, the centuries had taken their toll on the Old Man's face, he started sagging a few years ago - and then all of a sudden he completely lost it. Now, you have to picture him in his former glory. We missed seeing his regular visage by just a couple years. 

And finally, what would a trip through New England be if it didn't involve a covered bridge or two? We found this on serendipitously while we were trying to find our way on some old country roads (trying to find our way sounds so much better than "Had to turn around because we missed our exit, due to not being able to properly read the map.")

We drove across this old covered bridge at the legitimately posted speed of "No faster than a slow walk."