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Labor Day Camping in Vermont, Coolidge State Park

Date:	9/4/2026 – 9/8/2026
Location:	Coolidge State Park, VT
Price:	$36 per night
Site Number:	T21
Toilets:	Yes
Max People:	6
Parking:	2 cars
Dogs/Pets:	Yes
Hammock:	Yes

It’s kind of a tradition for us now to camp in a Vermont State Park on Labor Day weekend. This year brought us to Coolidge State Park.

Steph holding the firewood back to the campsite

I’ve wanted to camp here for a while; they have beautiful lean-tos with great views of Killington. But the ones with the views are hard to book. They get reserved at least a year in advance.

We got a tent site on the tent loop. Again, Vermont State Parks are always well set up, sits are level and spacious and they are not usually stacked on top of each other. This site was no different.

On Friday, we arrived a little later than we planned which meant some of the tent set up happened in the dark. It’s a good thing we work well together, and we set it up without any issues.

After we cot camp set up we had a simple dinner and sat by the fire for a while. Before we went to bed we took a walk to the bathroom. That was a little further than we thought it would be but we managed.

The next morning, I got a fire going while Liberty and Steph slept in a bit. Later that day we took a walk around the lean-to section of the campground.

This area is really wonderful. Most of the lean-to sites were arranged nicely and not on top of each other. Most of them had really nice fire pits. They looked ideal for cooking.

We made sure to note some of the sites with the great views so we can try to rent them next year.

After our walk we took a ride outside of the park. Fall was already starting to set in. Upon our return we were told to check out the pavilion at the top of the road. When we got there, we had stunning views of Killington.

That afternoon I cooked corned beef and potatoes in the Dutch Oven. It came out really good. The Dutch Oven is pretty easy to clean when it is still warm. After dinner, another nice evening by the fire.

The next day breakfast was eggs and corned beef hash from the previous dinner. I was looking at the campground map and decided to I was going to hike the CCC Trail that went through the park.

When we went and got wood at the ranger station I hopped on the trail from there. Steph and Liberty drove back to the park.

The trail was well maintained and pretty easy to follow. Going up was gentle and my pace was fairly steady. It was not long before I was back up where the pavilion was. When I got there I walked around a bit more and checked out some side trails.

I continued on the CCC trail. It took me to some old sites with just fireplaces sticking up out of the flora. The trail continues down the large meadow and entered back into the woods.

A short time later I looked at my GPS and saw I was pretty close to the campground and our campsite. I could actually see out tent, but the terrain was a bit rough for me to try and bushwack to it. So I stayed on trial.

About .25 miles down the road there was a junction and a trail that lead back to my campsite, so I followed that to the camp road and up to our site.

We had hotdogs and grilled cheese for dinner that evening and later took a ride back to the pavilion to see the sunset.

We had paid for one extra night so we could have the day at our campsite and take our time breaking down.

This was a great campground and I’m looking forward to camping here again.

Shooting the Milkey Way in Ashland NH

Covered Bridges, Graves, Graveyards and Memorials, Night Sky

Date:	8-15-2026
Location:	Ashland, NH

My buddy Eric and his daughter were going to up north to take some star photos in Ashland NH and invited me to join them.

He had scoped out a few locations up there. We started out in a cemetery. I was surprised at how many graves had lights on them. I have never seen that before.

When we got there we all split up a bit to get some shots. We could see the milky way starting to rise above the surrounding trees.

I got a few shots of it but nothing that really stood out to me. Eric got some great shots with graves in them.

Eric and his daughter under the Milky Way

I set up for a star trail photo that came out ok but I’ve done better. After a while we packed things up and went down to the Blair Bridge. A beautiful, covered bridge that is lit up at night.

I climbed down the embankment to get a few shots looking up at the bridge that ok. We didn’t stay long after that.

This was a fun little excursion. Even though I didn’t get many shots, it is always a good time hanging out with friends.

Camping in Lebanon Maine at the KOA Holiday Campground -Site 113

Camping

Date:	8/21/2026 – 8/23/2026
Location:	Lebenon Maine
Price:	$69 per night plus $12 resort fee.
Site Number:	113
Toilets:	Yes
Max People:	8 per site
Parking:	Yes
Dogs/Pets:	Yes
Hammock:	No

When we were looking for a place to go camping it was pretty warm out. We decided to choose a campground that had a pool.

KOA campgrounds usually have a variety of pools so we thought we would try the Holiday KOA in Lebanon Maine.

Well, when it came time to actually go camping the weather was pretty chilly so no swimming was on our schedule.

When we arrived, the campground was huge. Mini golf, ropes course, pools, golf carts etc. It was not going to be the relaxing quite camping we were used to.

When we got to our site there were several cars parked where our tent was supposed to go. And some campers sprawled out. We talked to them and they politely moved their vehicles so we could put our tent up and use the fire ring.

Morning scary decorations. Spotted while Liberty and I were taking a walk.

We got set up pretty quicky in our little area next to the tube launch into the Salmon River. The weather was mostly overcast with some small rain showers. Nothing to bad. We made the best of it.

There were a lot of kids and party campers here and on the second day the campground had a large Halloween party for everyone. Haunted house, golf cart parade with all the golf carts decked out in lights and some trick or treating for the kids.

It looked fun but was not what we were expecting. Again, we made the best of it but we now know what to expect at KOA’s. On Sunday we were ready to pack up the damp campground and head on home.

We had fun, we made some great meals and enjoyed ourseves but will not be back to this campground. It was just too busy.

The site we had 113 was next to 115 and would have been a great spot if you had reserved both sites. The ground was level and grassy so great for setting up a tent.

Bathroom were very clean and were not real busy when we used them. While there were a lot of people, no one was obnoxious or loud past quiet hours. So not all was bad. Our tenting neighbors were all very nice too. So nothing against the campground or the people, it just wasn’t our scene.

That is the beauty of trying out different campgrounds. Some are right up our ally and some are not.

Short Jaunt on the Wapack

Hiking

Date:	8-15-2026
Location:	New Ipswich, NH
Distance:	3.01 mi
Elevation Gain:	250′
Total Time:	1 hr 39 min
Parking:	5-6 cars

I returned to the parking area on Binney Pond Road to fill in a small section of the Wapack Trail. This section is only about a mile and a half long. So it did not take much time.

The weather was beautiful when I got to the trail head early and started up the rocky road I was on a couple of weeks ago.

All tucked in and deeted up. Ready to go through the thick trail medow

When I got to the junction with the overgrown wild flowers and plants. I knew there would be ticks and bug etc. So I tucked in my pants and sprayed a good amount of deet on my boots and pants.

Entering the meadow. I remembered this from the previous week.

Into the field I go. I did my best to show how overgrown this field was. As creepy as it was it was also very beautiful.

Moving quickly through this part of the trail.

After that the trail levels off a bit and is pretty quick going. Lots of tall grass on the side of the trail.

I got to the junction where I followed the Wapack to the Mass. State border. The trail climbs a bit but at an easy grade. Just before the boarder there is a nice bench to sit on.

At the border there is a junction of stone walls that holds a sign for the boarder and several hiking trails.

The way back was quick. I ran in to a few people now. The way out was pretty quiet. Before I knew it I was back at the field. So I got out my camera out and took some photos of the grass and flowers again. It wasn’t as bad the second time around.

When I got back to the car I packed up and when to check out the parking situation at another trailhead on the other side.

When I found the small private looking road that has a No Trespassing sign on it I decided this was no longer an option. I’ll have to start at Binney Road again to finish the Wapack Trail up.

Evening Hike up North Mountain in Pawtuckaway State Park

Fire Tower, Hiking

Date:	8-13-2026
Location:	Deerfield, NH
Distance:	2.78 mi
Elevation Gain:	525′
Total Time:	2 hr 31 min
Parking:	4-5 cars

I met up with my friend Joy her dog River to go for a quick evening hike in Pawtuckaway State Park. We entered the park on the Deerfield side of the park through reservation road.

We parked at the gate to head up North Mountain. Weather was a little warm but overall it was nice. There is enough room for several cars to park.

When we started out there is a large foundation we checked out. It was constructed with really large blocks of granite. This must have been a big structure. A barn perhaps? I would love to see pics of what it looked like in its heyday.

This is not a long hike. Only about 1.5 miles up and the same back. The first section of trail is relatively easy with only a slight elevation. This led us to a large junction with lots of trail options.

We were headed up North Mountain so that is the trail we took. This is where we start to climb. Most of our elevation happed in the next quarter to half mile.

Some of the granite terrain that makes up the trail

Once on the ridge, we were treated to some great views of Middle and South Mountains. The sun was setting and it gave the leaves a nice glow. We could even see the fire tower from our viewpoint.

Some high grasses we had to walk through.

After a quick break the three of us continued along the ridge. There were some ups and downs along the way. Finally, we arrived at the last little push to the summit of North Mountain.

View of the South Mountain Ridge. You can barely see the fire tower

We took another break here and had a snack. While we were sitting eight dragonflies flew around our heads treating us to a small air show.

Zoomed in view of the South Mountain Fire Tower

Mosquitos were starting to come out, and we were losing light so we did not stay long. After we packed up, we made our way back down the way we came.

We were able to get halfway down before we needed headlamps. Some sections were a little technical at night.

It didn’t take us long before we were at the trail junction. It’s just an easy walk to the car from there.

The way up seemed like it took a long time to go a short distance. But coming down, even in the dark, seemed to go by super quick.

Pawtuckaway has some great little hikes. I’ll have to remember that for after work options.

Elephant Migration – Boston, MA

Roadside Attractions and Oddities, Walking

Date:	8-9-2026
Location:	Boston, MA
Cost:	free
Parking:	Public Parking

There is a free art exhibition on Commonwealth Ave. in Boston called the Elephant Migration. The Elephant Migration is a public art installation of 100 Elephants marching down Commonwealth Ave. meant to spread a story of co-existence.

A red elephant. This is because elephants cover themselves in red clay to cool off.

We had nothing going on so Steph and I took a ride down on a Sunday morning to check them out. We parked in Boston Common and walked through the Public Garden to Commonwealth Ave. It was a warm and humid day and we were starting to feel it.

We started down the Mall for a few blocks to where the Elephants could be seen. Good thing this section is tree lined to help shade the sun. The elephants started at Dartmouth Street and continued for over two blocks.

Each elephant seemed to have it’s own facial expression

The whole Mall was filled with people that came to see the elephants. It was nice to see so many people excited about art.

Elephants walking down Commonwealth Ave in Boston, MA

There were elephants of all sizes and each on had a name. There were older taller elephants, smaller baby elephants and one of them was dyed red. Someone said it represented the elephants cooling off by covering themselves in red clay.

Lots of people excited to see the elephants.

We walked up and down and took many pictures with the elephants. We stayed for about an hour before starting the walk back.

On the way back we took a different path back through the public gardens over the shortest suspension bridge in the world and then over to Make Way For Ducklings.

It was a nice morning to spend in Boston.

Boston Common: View from the shortest suspension bridge in the world

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