The next morning we enjoyed a rather simple but good breakfast. Then we set off for Mooselookmeguntic Lake. The drive there took about two hours and led us through places like Belfast, Belgrade, Fryeburg, and Rome. The Americans weren't very imaginative when it came to naming places back then. But the scenery was all the more beautiful for it! It's simply amazing how much the Indian Summer intensifies when you drive inland from the coast. It's really funny that while some trees are already turning a vibrant purple, others are still completely green.
When we stopped briefly at one of the many lakes here to stretch our legs, we noticed a man at the jetty preparing his seaplane for takeoff. So we stayed a while and watched as he drove off, across the lake, and then took off. How we would have loved to just hop in and fly with him! We made a quick stop in Rangeley for a bathroom break, but I have to say, even the smallest village here has a public toilet. German towns could learn a thing or two from that!
Mooselookmeguntic Lake: Bald Mountain Trail
Arriving at Mooselookmeguntic Lake, we parked in the designated trail parking area. We quickly slipped on our hiking boots, packed drinks and a snack, and set off on the 4.2 km long Bald Mountain Trail.
The beginning of the trail was a lovely forest path with gravel and pebbles. Then it gradually transitioned to forest floor and stones, like something from a riverbed. We thought that was still quite alright; after all, the website said it was a "moderate" trail. We passed people coming the other way, wearing simple sneakers and regular tracksuits. We thought we must be nearing the top soon, and the trail couldn't get much harder. We were wrong! The path continued through the forest, always uphill, but at a very leisurely pace... until it suddenly became really rocky.
The second half of the ascent is very steep and leads over rocks, some of which are submerged by water. It's really slippery, so you need good footwear, ideally proper hiking boots. The path also became quite narrow, almost like a gorge. We hadn't expected that, and we're especially wondering how the people we met at the beginning managed to get up there. They certainly couldn't have made it in their sneakers. They probably turned back when it got rocky!
It took us about an hour to climb up. But once you reach the top, the view is unforgettable. A small steel tower takes you even higher above the treetops. From here, you have a 360-degree view of all the surrounding lakes and mountains. Everything was so wonderfully colorful, truly fantastic. Then we ventured back down, which took about 45 minutes. Going down over the rocks was almost more difficult than going up, but you still go a bit faster.
Grafton Notch State Park
Once we got back to the car, we took a short break and then continued driving around the lake with the unpronounceable name (Mooselookmeguntic Lake) to Grafton Notch State Park. We could have gone hiking there; I'd even picked out a nice route, but we didn't have the time. The Bald Mountain Trail had taken up more time than we'd anticipated. Besides, after two days of hiking, we were pretty exhausted. So we simply drove along the edge of the state park and stopped at a magnificent waterfall. It's truly amazing what water can do—first it cascades gently over stone terraces, and then suddenly plunges into a small, carved-out gorge.
Driving along Mooselookmeguntic Lake, we were often struck by how remote we were from civilization. A village might be 5 km long, but it consists of only 3 farms, a church, and 5 houses. Cell phone reception is rare, and gas stations are few and far between. So fill up your tank beforehand! The people have chosen a secluded, but beautiful, place to live.
Sunday River Coverd Bridge
Before arriving in North Conway, our destination for the day, we stopped at the Sunday River Covered Bridge. It's one of those covered bridges typical of this region. This one was built entirely of wood, including the wooden "nails." A few steel reinforcements had been added later, as the bridge is quite old. Here you can really feel that you're entering the ski regions of the USA. There are signs for hotels and ski lifts everywhere.
We will be staying in private accommodation for the next two nights, booked through Airbnb. The friendly landlords gave us a very warm welcome late in the evening. The room is very comfortably furnished. We have to share the bathroom with another couple, but that's not a problem.
