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Hiking The Trails At Saint Gaudens

Date:	1-31-2026
Location:	Cornish, NH
Distance:	2.34 mi
Elevation Gain:	201′
Total Time:	2 hr 42 min
Parking:	10+ cars

Jack and I were looking for something unique that he had not done yet since he will be moving to Florida shortly.

I suggested that we visit New Hampshire’s only National Park. The home of Agustus Saint Gaudens. One of Americas most famous US sculptors and coin designers. The trails were only a couple of miles so that was good for a short hike.

When we arrived, the skies were sunny and the temps were very cold. Somewhere around zero with a little wind.

We started in the parking lot of the park and walked up the trail to the main entrance. The buildings were all closed but the grounds are open. There is no admission in the winter.

The Shaw Memorial in Boston Common across from the State House

We first toured some of the exterior sculptures, Lincoln, Shaw Memorial, Adams Memorial, and The Temple. We checked out the house and weaved in and out of the shrub corridors.

The snow was well shoved in the gardens and it was not too deep on the trails, so we left our snowshoes in the car and just brought spikes.

The row of Birch Trees looked so cool in the fresh snow

Interesting shrubs in the gardens separating the different art

After a number of photos, we headed down the ravine trail. The section along the brook was very pretty. We came up by the temple sculpture and walked down the Field Trail and down the Blow Me Down Trail. Then eventually to the pond.

Beautiful view of Mount Ascutney from the back of the house

We passed the Return Trail and continued to the Blow Me Down Mill. The waterfall was frozen over but still very pretty. We took more a few more pictures here. We also decided that we would walk back up the road instead of backtracking to the Return Trail.

Views down by the pond on the Blow Me Down Trail

The road walk back seemed to go by quickly. We were both getting hungry and looking forward to grabbing lunch at Harpoon Brewery across the river in Windsor VT.

The Blow Me Down Mill and frozen waterfall

It was still pretty cold when we got back to the car. So we got out of our gear quickly and jumped into the truck. This was a fun little jaunt and I’m looking forward to coming back and maybe doing a little painting during the summer sometime.

Back at the parking lot and a selfie at the Saint-Gaudens Sign

Bolton Valley and Sugarbush

Covered Bridges, Road Trips, Skiing

Date:	1-25-2026
Location:	Bolton Valley, VT and Warren, VT
Pass:	Indy Pass/Icon Pass
Parking:	20+ cars

My buddy Pauly and I set out for a little skiing road trip for a few days. Our first stop would be Bolton Valley in Vermont and then a couple days at Sugarbush, also in VT.

I arrived at Bolton Valley a few hours before Pauly. It was cold. Very cold. In fact when I got on the lift I was questioning my choice. I had several layers on but when I was sitting on the lift the wind pierced through my helmet and freezing my brain.

I had to take a run and then a break inside after each run. When my Pauly arrived and I told him about how cold it was, He thought I was exegeting, until we got on to the lift.

We only did a few more runs. The skiing itself was great but the wind and cold was crazy. It started to snow in the afternoon. So we left a little early.

It was about an hour ride to Sugarbush from Bolton Valley with the snow. It was all back roads. We got to our condo which was mountain side. We were up on the top floor, so it was a hike to bring everything up a few times.

Condo was small and awkward but worked fine for the short time we were there. Living room and kitchen on first floor. Spiral staircase to top floor with two bedrooms and a bath. Nice big deck off the back too.

Location of the condo was great. Right next to the covered bridge in the village and a short walk to the lift. This was perfect because we were about to get a big storm.

Covered bridge at the end of the walk way.

We woke up to about 16” of snow and it was still snowing. The lifts were packed. Every school in the area was canceled and everyone headed to Sugarbush.

Pauly was out the door first. When I got out there, I took the mountain side lift and floated down in some of the best champagne snow I’ve ever skied. Fluffy and soft.

I met up with Pauly and we started down some of the blue trails. It did not take long for moguls to start forming. They were big and fluffy. Great to practice on but my legs were dead after a few runs.

Paul and I split up for a bit. This gave me some time to practice on moguls and go a little slower. He ended up on the other mountain. I was able to ski back to our condo for lunch. Very convenient.

After lunch I headed back out and explored some other trails till I met up with Pauly again.

The next day was a great day too. Yes, we had to check out but there was a still a full day of skiing.

The snow was well groomed and the skiing for me was fantastic. Perfect corduroy. We skied till about 2:30pm then headed back to the cars and headed home.

The ride home was a little sketchy as well. My GPS took me over Bethel Mountain Road. The roads were still snow covered and greasy with little plowing. I made it over safely but there were some white-knuckle moments for sure.

Great trip. Can’t wait to go back to Sugarbush.

Waterville Valley and Tripoli Road

XC Skiing

Saw this sign along the ski trail. They are fun!

Date:	1-18-2026
Location:	Waterville Valley, NH
Distance:	4.54 mi
Elevation Gain:	466′
Total Time:	2 hr 37 min
Parking:	20+ cars

Weather was looking good and I decided to take my xc skis up to Waterville Valley and use my Indy Pass to ski some of their trails.

Sign for Osceola Vista Campground on the right and Tripoli Road to the left. I went left.

After I got my ticket at the town center, I drove up to the hiking lot near Tripoli Road. This was my first time out at Waterville this year. Conditions looked really good.

I decided to make my way up Tripoli Road. I knew this would mostly be an uphill ski but I wanted to see how far I could get. This was my first time on a tracked course this year. I knew coming down the trail would be a challenge.

The climb was steady but not as steep as I thought. I had the trail to myself for the most part. That was nice. A few people passed me, most of them were on skate skies. After a while I got to a steep spot and decided I didn’t want to climb it or go do it. So I turned round.

The way down was a little scary, the tracks were fast and the flat groomed sections were packed and fast. So getting down was much faster than the climb up.

Row of trees inside Osceola Vista Campground

When I got to the bottom of that trail I skied up to the Osceola Campground. I like skiing through campgrounds. It’s fun to take a break on the picnic tables buried in two feet of snow.

After a break and a snack I skied back to the car. It was a great day. Conditions were great too. Can’t wait to go back.

Ragged Mountain Skiing

Skiing

Date:	1-4-2026
Location:	Danbury, NH
Price:	Indy Pass
Elevation:	2286′
Parking:	Multiple Lots

My buddy Pauly and I went to Ragged Mountain to ski for a bit. It was the fist time I’ve been there in over 30 years.

When we got there the temps were cool in the teens and twentys. We were a little late but there was still plenty of parking. We were in the back lot but got a ride up ot the lodge from the shuttle.

Skiing was fun. The whole mountain was not open yet but we made the best of what was open. Most of the trails were loose granular with some ice here and there. The more the day went on the more ice showed up and the less snow to find.

We skied till about 2pm. I really liked the barnyard slopes and the barn you get to see through. Some of the unopened trails looked like they would be fun. I’ll be back when more snow and more trails are open.

Skiing Tenny Mountain

Skiing

Date:	1-1-2026
Location:	Plymouth, NH
Price:	Indy Pass
Elevation:	2349′
Parking:	Standard Lot

This year I bought an Indy Pass which gives me access to a bunch of smaller local mountains in the area.

Today I decided to check out Tenny Mountain in Plymouth, NH. It was new years day and pretty cold outside.

When I pulled up to the parking lot there was a sign for Indy Pass holders to go to the ticket window. The whole process was very easy. I just had to buy a RFD card for the mountain.

I am spoiled by the high speed quads. The lift seemed to move a little slow and it was getting colder.

Only about half the mountain was open. Much of the snow on the green trails was skied off. There as just the crusty frozen tracks from the snow cat in some spots.

The blue trails were not bad on the edges. Mostly loose granular. I only did 5-6 runs before I called it a day. But I would like to revisit when conditions are better.

NYC Christmas Trip 2025

Road Trips

Date:	12-13-2025
Location:	Concord, NH – NYC
Cost:	$100 (Bus Trip)
Parking:	10+ cars

We bought some tickets for a NYC Christmas trip bus trip. The bus picked us up in Concord, NH at 6am and brought dropped us off at Rockefeller Center in NYC. We would meet the bus in Times Square at 8pm. Steph, Kristen, Ayvree, my Mom and Aunt Corey had the whole day to explore.

The bus trip was a bit long. It took 5 hours. There was one break at a rest area on the way down. When we arrived at Rockefeller Center the temps were very cold and the streets were very crowded.

We made our way through Rockefeller Center, and it was shoulder to shoulder with people looking at all the Christmas decorations.

From there we went across the street to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Beautiful church and I usually stop in there when I’m in that area. From here are group split and my sister and Ayvree went on to Time Square to find some Broadway show tickets. We already had tickets to the Rocketts later that afternoon.

The creche inside St. Patricks Cathedral

So, the four of us walked up Fifth Avenue to check out some of the Christmas window displays. There were a lot of amazing displays. Louis Vitton covered their whole building and made it look like luggage. So over the top.

We made it to Central Park and decided to take a pedicab. They were expensive and we needed two of them. But after a bit of haggling over price, we were off.

The ride lasted about an hour. Our drivers were awesome. Showing us all kinds of movie sites, fountains, the Ghost Busters building, the Friends fountain, Strawberry fields and John Lennons apartment and so much more.

Louis Vuitton was over the top with the wrap on the whole building to make it look like luggage.

They were also really good about taking pictures of us as a group near all the attractions.

The ride lasted about an hour then they dropped us off at 5^th Ave where we got on. We had enough time to grab a bite and walk back down to Radio City Music Hall for the Rocketts.

Standing in front of the Friends fountain.

This was my first time in Radio City. It is a beautiful music hall. The show itself was nothing less than amazing. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. It was a total emersion show. I was not expecting that.

Right before we went into the show my aunt lost her wallet. We looked all over but did not see it anywhere. After the show we went to the lost and found and someone had turned it in. Faith in humanity restored.

After the show we met up with my sister and niece again. We walked around and made our way to Times Square. There were even more people out now. It was packed. Lights were flashing and people everywhere. After a bit of sight-seeing we walked to meet our bus. At this point we were all tired and cold and glad to be back at the bus.

The ride home went smooth. It was again 5 hours, but we were able to sleep on the bus so that helped.

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