Tay's Summit Challenge Hike 7 - Mount Roberts with George, Take 2.

We had this aptly named mountain to ourselves today! The weather wasn't pleasant, and we spent most of the time in the clouds, but the colors of the leaves are popping! It was one of those days when I was glad to have all the things in my backpack. I kept shedding clothes, and then putting them back on again!

The Nor'easter knocked down lots of branches, and a few trees. We moved some of them off the trail, and got our feet wet going around others that were too big to move. Oh well. I always have flip flops in my car, so I was able to dry mine quickly with the heat on during the drive home. George didn't mind at all, and he had plenty of fresh water to drink!

We timed our hike between the bands of heavy rain, and only got dripped on a few times. It was quiet in the woods, but wicked windy on the ledges. George didn't care for that. It was strong enough to push us over! We just kept moving through to the top. It could intimidate us, but it couldn't stop us. Not today!

Please consider making a donation to theTaylor James Steeves Foundation. You can click here: https://runsignup.com/crittoria/DonateWe would really appreciate it. Thank you!

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Today we celebrated my sister-in-law's 50th birthday! It was such a fun afternoon spent with my family. As she was cutting the cakes, we realized that we've been debating the best way to cut a cake for 31 years now! Ayiyi..

Last night Amy asked me to adjust my start time a bit today. I immediately started plotting. "Could I squeeze in a hike before work?" After doing some quick calculations of time and effort, the answer was, "Yes!" So this morning Ed, George, and I made our way up Blue Job to the towers, and then over to Little Blue Job to an incredible view.

Under those bluebird shoes we could see from the ocean to Mount Washington. Wow. We'll call it, 'The Calm before The Storm'. 

Just before the final turn on the trail to the top of the mountain, we met a kind older gentleman with a black lab who was happy to meet George. Her name was Ruby. I was right where I was meant to be.

Hike 6 for Tay's Summit Challenge 

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Mom's oxalis so enjoys her summers on the porch that I hate having to bring her inside in the fall. 

Ed joined me for hike 5 for Tay's Summit Challenge. I'm fundraising for the Taylor James Steeves Foundation and would really appreciate your help! The donation link is here: https://runsignup.com/crittoria  

Thank you so much! I hope you're enjoying following along. I'm having fun spending even more time in the woods than usual. My house is a mess, but my heart is happy!

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This sign always makes me laugh. It's really kinda self-explanatory!

My plans fell through, so on a whim this morning I texted Cait to see if she wanted to go for a hike. She was getting ready to go to Portsmouth. Perfect! I suggested we have a picnic on Agamenticus, which would be on her way.

I hadn't been there since I was a kid, when Dad took us there to see the defunct ski resort. (And probably to blow off some steam before a family event. I do remember my brother, sister, and I running around like crazy! 🤣) It had closed shortly after I was born, but at that point you could still see the trails and lifts. Now it has grown up into woodland, and looks nothing like it did back then. There is quite the trail system, and it's been beautifully redone as a park. It was a gorgeous day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's always so good to catch up with Cait. Thanks for joining me!

Hike 4 for Tay's Summit Challenge 

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George & I had a day! First, we discovered some waterfalls, 

and then we climbed South Mountain and ran back to the car from the trailhead.

 We'll sleep well tonight!

10 years ago today we met at a canicross race at Smiling Hill Farm. Who knew that chance meeting would lead to so much adventure and laughter? We've sure had some fun together. I can't wait to see where we'll go next! ❤️

Yup! They're fly fishing lores!

It's been a long time since I finished a cross stitch project!

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Happy belated birthday to Ike! We celebrated a day late with bagels, burgers, a hike up Kearsarge North, and an Oreo cream pie. When I suggested the hike, he said, "Okay." Once we got there he told me that he's hiked it before, and it was really, really hard. 

That might've been useful information back when I was planning which mountain to climb today! 🤣 Ayiyi. It was really, really hard. But, we got it done! And it was so gorgeous; just an incredible view up there! Plus, we got to meet Ella Fitzgerald, the dog. She was a cutie! 

Hike 2 - Kearsarge North, 6.44 miles with an elevation gain of 2,579 feet 

#staystronghikeon 

Please consider donating to my fundraiser for Tay's Summit Challenge to support the Taylor James Steeves Foundation: https://runsignup.com/crittoria

Thank you!

Happy birthday Ike! 

I've started putting tinsel in my hair. Why not? Y'all know how I love bling! Best of all, it surprises people. I like to keep 'em guessing!

George & I started this gorgeous day off right! We climbed North Mountain and had the whole place to ourselves!

I've signed up for Tay's Summit Challenge & we're off to a good start! From 9/11 to 10/11 I will be hiking as much as possible and raising funds for the Taylor James Steeves Foundation, a nonprofit that works to support patients and families affected by genetic forms of lung cancer. I'll put the link in my bio. Please consider making a donation, whether it's based on my elevation gains, mileage, or whatever you can spare. (I know that in itself is a challenge these days!) I really appreciate your help! Personally, I'm looking forward to this because I actually have all my hikes planned out on the calendar. I generally hike on a whim, so sometimes it doesn't end up happening at all. Knowing that they will ( barring extreme weather, of course) feels good. Please lemme know if you'd like to join me!

9/11/26 - Hike #1 - North Mountain, elevation gain = 610 ft, mileage = 3.20 mi

#staystrongclimbon

Suddenly this road seems small...

I grew a purple sunflower!

The friends we call family. ❤️

We had so much support from my family this weekend. It was awesome to see all of them!