A Perfect Spring Weekend – by Christine

I’ve decided it’s time that I take my turn in the blogging seat! Doug has encouraged me to blog before but I never felt that inspired. Our hike yesterday gave me plenty of inspiration! With a view like this, who doesn’t feel inspired?

We knew we wanted to hike and had picked out a sedate 5.5mi romp through a watershed area. As we got closer and closer to our exit, Doug decided that it was too beautiful (and clear) of a day to do the Three Ponds Trail. Instead we continued due north to the Welch & Dickey Mountains – 4.5mi loop, but with a 1600’ elevation gain. After a quick start, we were rewarded with stunning panoramas from granite ledges. I’m thinking “Not too bad”, and that’s when the “fun” started! Goodbye nicely graded forest walk, hello scrambling across huge granite slabs!

We arrived at the summit of Welch Mountain a little winded, but in good shape. Then the trail dipped down into a col before climbing to the summit of Dickey Mountain. This time the granite scrambling didn’t seem nearly as steep. Our reward: sandwiches and chips with the Mad River Valley and Sandwich Range as the backdrop!

When we got back to the car we realized that we’d been in the sun a little too long. Silly us forgot sunscreen and now we are paying the price with bright red necks, faces and arms! Thank goodness for Banana Boat’s aloe lotion.

Today we had a lovely Mother’s Day brunch with the family. Lindsey, who was supposed to be in the Florida, surprised Mom. Wish we had the camera out to document that reaction! Doug and I got a little carried away with the food: pancakes, eggs, bacon, a spinach, potato and leek frittata, and fruit salad. The frittata was a new recipe and it didn’t disappoint! What do you do for dinner after a big brunch??? Eat birthday cake, of course! We celebrated Lindsey’s birthday with funfetti cake and ice cream. A perfect ending to a perfect weekend.