Friday, July 22nd, 2022 … Two Lane Adventures Continue!

Today we moved from Hanover Maine to Littleton New Hampshire. Before we departed Stoney Brook Recreation Area I was able to get one last walk in. 

The flowers in this campground are beautiful! The hills were getting easier, by the time we left! We followed Route 2 for most of the drive today.

The first town we came through was Bethel Maine. Originally a logging and farming settlement, the town has become a tourist spot popular for its recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, and skiing. The Sunday River Bridge, also known locally as the Artists Bridge, is a historic covered bridge near Bethel.

The Androscoggin River runs through the heart of Maine, From Gilead, at the New Hampshire border, to Merrymeeting Bay, where it’s waters combine with the Kennebec River. It is the third largest river, 178 miles, in the state and one of the largest in all of New England. The river, long ago was one of the most polluted rivers in the Northeast.

The town of Gilead was incorporated in 1804, and, unlike many small Maine towns, has managed to maintain its small population of several hundred people over the years. The narrow area of the town borders New Hampshire and clings to the Androscoggin River as it flows east, with Route 2 along its banks. It it was named for the large quantity of Balm of Gilead trees in the town center.

We crossed from Maine into New Hampshire. 

The Moose sign reminded me of being in the Canadian Maritimes.

Nestled on the banks of the Androscoggin River, on the northern end of the Mount Washington Valley, sits the quiet, rural town of Shelburne, New Hampshire. Founded in 1769, the town was named for William Petty Fitzmaurice, Earl of Shelburne. Shelburne is located on the scenic byway known as the Presidential Range Trail.

Jefferson is home to parts of the White Mountain National Forest in the south and northeast, the remarkably beautiful Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, the oldest 18-hole golf course in the state, one of New England’s oldest and best loved amusement parks, Santa's Village, endless miles of trails, and panoramic views of the Presidential Mountains.

Near Jefferson, we saw a bear crossing the road. But I was not fast enough to capture a picture of it.

We turned onto NH 116. It is a scenic rural highway stretching from Jefferson, in the White Mountains Region to Haverhill, which lies along the Connecticut River.

We passed through Whitefield New Hampshire and I found a purple house. For those of you that really know me, know that I love everything purple!

NH 116 brings right into Littleton New Hampshire. 

We arrived at Larry & Gail’s our home for the next few days! We enjoyed a fire with these great friends!