So this weekend was the first chance I had  to begin my 4000 ft quest.  The initial plan was to hike Mt. Tecumseh with Conor but unfortunately he was unable to join me due a school project.  With a bit of prodding Grace was excited about a going away White Mountain hike  prior to her departure to the West Coast. The forecast was so nice today we decided to tackle the Lafayette loop allowing me to check off Mt Lincoln (5089') and Mt Lafayette (5249').  Little Haystack (4760') was the first peak reached although not on the list of 4000 footers as it prominence to adjacent mountains is too small. It is not often in a New England July you get clear 70 degree weather for a hike.  The views were amazing but unfortunately my photographic skills do not do it justice - despite using my new selfie stick !

It was a great day...I only slowed Grace down a little... the day ended with Richards wonderful homemade pizza 😍

Please reach out if you are interested in joining me.  I will hike on weekends as I have this thing called work which gets in the way of hiking during the week!

In a little less than seven weeks I will start living my 50th year.  In three weeks we leave to drop Grace, our youngest, off to begin her college career.  Angus, our middle,  is spending his summer working on the shores of Winnepasaukee at Camp Kabeyun.  He will return home for just a few days before leaving to start his second year at Hobart William Smith Colleges.  Conor, our oldest, continues to work toward his college degree while working part time at a veterinary practice.  He has recently purchased his own car and we are seeing less and less of him.

Next year we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.  We are so excited to see all of our children begin their independent adult lives.  I feels like this is a great time for new beginnings.  I have always loved hiking but have not always had the time to climb as much as I would like.   Now I have the time!  I have decided to make a goal of hiking the 4000 footers.  I am beginning with just simply -  climb all the peaks.  I will let other goals such as, when or how quickly naturally develop overtime.  For now I am simply beginning.  The first will be Mt Tecumseh. Climbing the shortest seemed to be a good place to start.