Rumford/Mexico from above...

The Brick Park

We have a Facebook group in town titled, "You know your (sic) from Rumford if..." Yes, the administrator-founder of the page made a mistake and there's no way to correct the typo without deleting the group's years of posts. We live with it. Former students and friends regularly post pictures; I hope you can view them on a full-size screen. One local fellow named Craig Shaw takes drone shots of the area. Here are a few--remember to click on photos to enlarge. 

Looking toward the Virginia section of town 

Memorial Bridge

GRCC

Rumford

The Island

Taken from Glassface

Memorial Bridge

Take from Whitecap looking at The White Mountains. 

The Island and the mill

Taken from Falls Hill

Looking south toward Smith Crossing & Peru

Mexico

Red Hill #111

Red Hill is one of many mountains surrounding Rumford with hiking trails, backroads, and snow mobile trails. Whitecap, Mt Zircon, Black Mountain, Glassface, Bald & Speckled, Joe Pond Trails, the Mexico Ledge, the Black/White Trail, and more. It's interesting that I never thought of these trails when I was a kid. Hiking was Tumbledown in Weld not the hills and mountains lining my hometown. We never thought about the true summit of Black Mountain and the views of Whitecap, Sunday River, and The Presidential Range. I suppose it's a lot like living in New York City and never thinking about visiting the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. They're like neighbors who we think will always be there.     

Whitecap from Red hill

The access road on the lower part of Red Hill. 

Upta Camp with three pregnant nieces

 

Anne enjoying the sunset on the family's final evening in Weld. 

You'd think 3 pregnant women all in one place might be an issue. Nope. They're 21st century women who live healthy lives. Andrea (Tyler), Kristin (Ryan), and Victoria (Josh) will be Mrs. August, Mrs. September, and Mrs. November. They came to Weld with the Kent Clan to eat great food and enjoy the sunsets provided by Aunt Barbie.  We celebrated Josh's 30th birthday and enjoyed watching the kids water ski, tube, and swim. Southern California kids do love to the water. Remember, click on photos to enlarge. 

Old guy and dog... 

Yes, we're due. 

Allen, Pam, and Fred

Grandpa Rob and Hudson

Anne, Tyler, and Andrea with Hudson steering

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Josh and Victoria. 

Tyler and Hudson 

Byron Notch from the Little House

Mother and son. 

Sand Castles and Hot Weather

"I eat sand and climb mountains."

We've fallen behind on our hikes due to hot weather and ... 

While visiting camp over the 4th of July holiday, Bailey decided to snack on sand. I have no idea why he'd eat sand other that to think he's got early onset. Later that night at 1am, panting heavily, he runs into my room with wide, urgent eyes. After 11 years, I knew the deal: "I have to throw up or ..." 

He threw up through the late night hours as I took him for walks up and down the streets. I didn't know his illness had to do with sand. Naturally, a crazy dog parent, I figured one of two things: he ate something rotten or he's got every kind of cancer known in the dog kingdom and he's not long for the world. 

Eighteen hours later, he pooped a series of sand castles on our neighbors' lawns. Then, back to normal. Crazy dog. 

We're back to hiking and up to Hike #109. We're off pace for 210 hikes this year, but at this point, who cares. We're doing what my license plate says: HYOH (hike your own hike). We did the full trail on Whitecap on a pleasant summer's day with light winds and then Red Hill the next. 

Mount Washington in the distance
Click on photos to enlarge.

Slopes of Sunday River on the right

Old Speck on the Appalachian Trail

Rumford

Old Speck 

Bailey: "I'm sorry about the sand castle adventure."

                                             Rich: "You're dead to me." 

  

Near Misses on Whitecap, June 19

 

Storm coming through the valley past Sunday River and
moving just south of Whitecap's summit. 

After driving back from Stacey's celebration, I switched clothes and headed up to Whitecap for a quick hike. The radar showed thunderstorms coming in later at night, but that was not the case. I got hit with a light rain, big winds, and dark clouds; however, the storms whisked south just off the summit and I survived to climb another day. 

Storm clouds bubble up and disintegrate after the initial rain. 

Old Speck in the distance

Old Speck in the Mahoosucs. 

Bailey's Carin on Whitecap
at the peak of the Yellow Trail

I'm wearing my brown tail moth caterpillar neck wear.  

Sweltering Heat on Glassface..... #98

Looking toward Mt Zircon & the Androscoggin

At 4pm, I zipped up Glassface Mountain to get some exercise.  Round trip is less than an hour, but such a hike is great for my mental wellbeing on a sweltering summer's day.     

Brent and Peter's pups checking me out
as I drive to my hike.