Arethusa Falls With Guests

Mike's sister, Kristina, and her family came up to NH late Saturday afternoon (just over a week ago now) to have a long weekend with us there.

Once they arrived, we spent some time in the pool, had a great dinner and then, after Dylan went to bed, we started watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The next morning, we started off at the Sugar Shack for a big breakfast. We were going to need it.

Since Kristina's boys, Corwin and Jacob, are now old enough to enjoy some real hiking, I picked out a family friendly hike I thought we would all enjoy. So, we piled everyone up in our car (that optional 3rd row seat came in very handy), and made the hour drive to Crawford Notch State Park to hike our way into see Arethusa Falls, the tallest waterfall in NH!

Our group consisted of 4 adults, 3 kids and a dog. It took us all about an hour and a half to make the hike to the falls. Everyone was in great spirits and had fun hiking together. And, man, was that hike worth it! The falls were absolutely beautiful!

Can You See Us At the Bottom?

Kara (Dylan on back), Corwin, Jacob and Kristina

Admiring the Waterfall

After the long hike in, we were ready to refuel. So, we had a lovely picnic lunch in view of the falls. Dylan got out of the backpack had a great time playing in the dirt and with a log nearby. Corwin and Jacob dipped their feet in the water to cool off.

Wow! Check Out That Waterfall. Cool!

After our break, we were ready to make the trek back. Jacob did have one little fall and skinned his knee, but he was a trooper and bounced back quickly. Other than that and taking Stella, the dog, off the trail away from any other dogs coming our way (she has some little anger issues with other pups), we pretty much booked it back to the car. On the hour drive back to our place, all the kiddos had a good nap. I guess we pooped them out!

Of course, the absolute best thing to do after a long hike is get some ice cream. There's a new ice cream shop close to our place up there that we'd tried once when my parents were with us in July. It passed the trial and was good enough for a trip back. Everyone conveniently woke up the minute we pulled into the parking lot. It's like kids have a 6th sense for ice cream shops or something.

Ice Cream!

Jim, Stella, Kristina, Mike, Dylan, Corwin and Jacob

Chocolate Mustache

After ice cream, we all took a dip in the hot tub (and some in the pool too), had a great dinner and finished watching Harry Potter. We had plans to do another hike on Monday but we woke to rain. So, we called it a weekend, packed up the troops and all headed home. This trip has become an annual tradition (3rd year in a row). I'm really glad too since we always have a great time together.