Saturday - September 29

What an exciting COLD morning.....we left the campground at 8:25 and drove 11 miles to the cog railway station.    Mount Washington is our destination, the highest peak in New England at 6,288 feet.   There were 3 separate train cars (72 passengers per car) each pushed by diesel engines (locomotive).    Mark had on 4 layers; 5 for me (not enough)!!!   It was about a 45-minute ride with Dakota, our narrator and brakeman.     The views were spectacular but eventually we were totally in the clouds.   

Running brook and fall leaves outside our window as the trip was underway

Upon arriving, we were met with very COLD and WINDY conditions and almost zero visibility.    We went inside the visitors center for some lunch and warmed up before we ventured out again - the temp was 15 degrees with wind chill and 40-50 mph winds gusting to 80.    There was so much mist in the air it was difficult to see much of anything, but just knowing we were on top of Mount Washington and all that unseen beauty around us....well, best we could do.     There are only about 63 days in a year they have good visibility.....and we also heard that the later in the day you take the train, chances are better for good viewing.

Just a little break in the clouds to see the railing

Cold and Windy - oh so COLD and WINDY

We were on the mountain for 1 hour and then the trek back down....this time we were in a steam locomotive which was quite interesting and Eli was our brakeman - no narration going down....too busy keeping the brakes on!!! 

Coming down 

We've yet to see a moose since we've been in New England....and then today, along the way...

he wasn't real, but close enough!

Stopped for lunch at Munroe's Family Restaurant in Twin Mountain and enjoyed some good soup/sandwiches (#1 on Trip Advisor out of 5).    Back to Flo to hibernate; I took a nap, read and we thawed out!   

Drove to Whitefield, NH for 4:00 Mass at Gate of Heaven Parish.    St. Matthew is the church in Whitefield.    The parish consists of 5 churches all served by 1 priest (Father Matthew Schultz) and each church has 1 weekend mass.    We've heard of priests serving 2 or 3 churches, but 5?   

St. Matthew's

Back to Flo for a hot toddy and worked on the blog.   Leftovers for supper.

Congratulations to the Corpus Christi Saints who came in 3rd in the State Class 2A of the IESA.    They lost 9-8 and then won 4-1 for 3rd place!!!    This is 2nd consecutive year the Saints have taken 3rd place in state!!!

Way to go Saints and a great season for Liam and Connor!

Proud Mama with her boys!

Have thought of Missy so many times today and wishing I could be with her as she grieves for Butch.     Missy and I met in 1966 at Midstate College of Commerce in Peoria.    After we graduated, she and her family moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ which was just getting settled.    Her dad was in construction and helped "build" Lake Havasu.    At the same time, Missy met Butch who was very instrumental in getting Havasu on the map and considered a true Pioneer.    He has been frequently referred to as "Mr. Havasu." and was "a great docent and historian - a walking, talking encyclopedia of Havasu"  (quoted from a tribute on Facebook)

This brings back special memories.....Missy and Butch with their grandsons, Tim and Anthony enjoying the Blue Angels in El Centro, CA on March 14, 2015

A fun day....