Category Archives: New Hampshire

Kancamagus Highway

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A winding mountain road curves through a dense forest of vibrant autumn foliage, with red, orange, yellow, and green treetops stretching across rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.

The Kancamagus Highway — A Fall Ride I’ll Never Forget A vintage maroon-and-white Honda Gold Wing motorcycle with a large Windjammer III fairing and hard saddlebags sits parked indoors on a concrete floor, showing detailed pinstriping and chrome engine components.

There are some roads you don’t just drive — you remember. For me, one of those is the Kancamagus Highway, winding through the White Mountains in full October color. Years ago, I rode it on a motorcycle, the air sharp enough to sting my cheeks and the leaves swirling behind me like confetti. It wasn’t just a scenic drive. It was freedom, pure and simple.

Riding the Kanc in Full Fall Color

A motorcycle with two riders leans into a curve on a forested road, motion blur showing their speed as they pass dense green foliage and a yellow road sign.The Kancamagus is made for motorcycles, especially in the fall. No straining to see the colors from inside a car — it’s all wide open. But dress warmly. Leathers are almost a necessity. October is cold anyway, but the mountains add their own bite, and the Kanc sits deep in northern New Hampshire. It’s 35 miles of highway through the White Mountain National Forest, running from Lincoln to Conway.

At its highest point, you reach an elevation of 2,855 feet. It may not tower like the Rockies, but it’s a good, steady rise. There’s a sign marking the summit, and it’s worth stopping for a picture — one of those “just so you can say you were there” moments.

You can drive straight through. It’ll take you two to three hours depending on traffic, and October is prime leaf‑peeping A narrow waterfall flows between tall moss‑covered rock walls in a shaded gorge, with a wooden footbridge above and green forest vegetation surrounding the scene. season. But it’s even better if you stop along the way. One of my favorite waterfalls is Sabbaday Falls. The trail is clearly marked, there’s parking, and a short hike takes you to a multi‑tiered waterfall. Easy enough for a family walk.

I’ve gone moose‑watching in the area and never seen any along the Kanc, but I’m told to beware — moose, deer, and black bear all use the highway, especially around dawn and dusk. It’s bad enough in a car, but you definitely don’t want to meet one of those animals on a motorcycle.

There’s more to see than just the fall colors: Rocky Gorge, Lower Falls, and all the little pull‑offs where the mountains open up in front of you. All in all, the Kanc is one of my favorite drives — a stretch of road that stays with you long after the ride is over.

Fast‑moving river water cascades over rocks, creating white rapids surrounded by smooth stone formations and a dense forest of evergreen and deciduous trees.

 

WMEO Reports- The Pumpkin Regatta

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Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk reporting on the Goffstown Regatta. The orange tabby cat wearing a black bow tie has a small pumpkin beside his papers, while the black cat sits next to a toy mouse and teddy bear. A microphone stands between them. Behind the desk, a screen shows the Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta with people paddling giant pumpkins down a river surrounded by colorful autumn trees. A banner above reads “Goffstown Regatta,” and the desk displays the WMEO 9 logo along with a sponsor line for Dustyroads Mercantile and a small orange “Party with the Pumpkins” T‑shirt image.

⭐ WMEO 9 — Sunday Regatta Summary

Live from Goffstown — We Meow, You Listen.

Banner: “Good morning! We’re live at the Pumpkin Regatta, where today’s featured pumpkin weighs in at 2,294 pounds — impressive, but still far shy of the 3,156‑pound world record set last week in Warren, Rhode Island.”

Pumpkin Spice, an orange cat dressed in a WMEO reporter hat and “Boogie in the Bog” T‑shirt, sits inside a decorated green pumpkin boat floating on the water. He holds a WMEO microphone while the pumpkin boat’s painted eyes and colorful antenna-like decorations stand out against the shoreline in the background.Pumpkin Spice (already in his pumpkin boat): “I’m conducting maritime testing. This pumpkin is not seaworthy. I repeat: NOT seaworthy.”

Banner: “Crowds are gathering along the Piscataquog River as racers prepare to paddle their hollowed‑out pumpkins downstream. Conditions are ‘partly pumpkin with a chance of tipping.’”

Balboa (stationed at the pie tent): “I’m doing investigative journalism. The pies are excellent. I may need several samples.”

Banner: “The regatta finale begins at 3:00 PM, and WMEO will be monitoring all pumpkin‑related incidents, wobbling, drifting, and Balboa’s escalating pie consumption.”

Pumpkin Spice: “If my boat sinks, I expect hazard pay.”

Balboa: “If I win the pie‑eating contest, I expect a trophy.”

Banner: “Stay tuned for updates as the regatta unfolds. WMEO — bringing you breaking news… and baked goods.”

⭐ A Word From Our Sponsor

WMEO is proudly supported by Dustyroads Mercantile, where tees are up to 40% off this weekend during TeePublic’s sitewide sale. Pumpkin Spice insists you buy the orange ones.

Four cats dressed in costumes pose inside a rustic general‑store scene under a “Dusty Roads Mercantile” sign. A bow‑tie cat sits beside a barrel and a flour sack with a teddy bear on top, a black cat peeks from behind the sack, a cat in a PRESS hat holds a microphone behind a crate labeled “Fragile,” and a chef cat in a white outfit stands with a wooden spoon next to a metal pot

An orange T‑shirt featuring a festive Halloween design with three cartoon jack‑o’‑lanterns wearing green shoes and white gloves dancing under colorful musical notes. Below them, the text reads “Party with the pumpkins,” creating a cheerful, seasonal look perfect for autumn celebrations.

Find T shirt Here

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

WMEO Fall Foliage Update — October 2026

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Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk delivering a “Fall Foliage Update.” Banner, an orange tabby wearing a black bow tie, and Balboa, a sleek black cat, face the camera with a microphone between them. A teddy bear and toy mouse rest on the desk beside their WMEO press badge. Behind them, a large screen shows a vivid autumn landscape of trees with red, orange, and yellow leaves along a riverbank under a blue sky.

🍁 Live From the WMEO 9 Weather Desk, This is your Fall Foliage Update

WMEO 9   We Meow- You Listen

Banner (Weather Desk): “Good morning, New England! Banner here with your official WMEO Fall Foliage Update. Peak color has exploded across New Hampshire and Vermont, and experts say this is the most vibrant season in over a decade. Reds, oranges, yellows — the whole region looks like it’s been set on ‘autumn mode.’”

A calm pond reflects a dense forest of trees in peak autumn color, with bright red, orange, yellow, and green foliage lining the water’s edge under soft natural light.

Balboa (Anchor Desk): “Well, that explains why the humans keep stopping in the middle of the road to stare at trees. Personally, I prefer indoor foliage — specifically the houseplants I’m not supposed to chew. But yes, the mountains are glowing, and leaf‑peepers are already out in full force. Brace yourselves.”

Banner: “Thank you, Balboa. For on‑location coverage, we now go live to our Autumn Correspondent, Pumpkin Spice, reporting from somewhere inside a leaf pile.”

Pumpkin Spice (Leaf Pile Reporter)

Pumpkin Spice, an orange tabby cat dressed as a WMEO field reporter, sits partially buried in a pile of colorful autumn leaves. He wears a black hat with an orange band and small leaves tucked into it, and holds a WMEO microphone in his paw. A WMEO press badge hangs from a blue lanyard around his neck. Behind him, New England mountains covered in peak fall foliage rise under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Pumpkin Spice (Leaf Pile Reporter): “Pumpkin Spice reporting LIVE from Leaf Central! As you can see, I am fully immersed in the situation — literally. Experts say this is the best foliage season in over ten years, and judging by the amount of leaves currently stuck to my hat, I can confirm the data is accurate.

Up north, the White Mountains are glowing. Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is showing off. Northern Maine is basically a postcard. Sunny skies, temps in the low 60s… perfect conditions for leaf‑peepers and terrible conditions for anyone who dislikes raking.

A curving paved road winds through a dense forest of trees in peak autumn color, with bright red, orange, yellow, and green foliage lining both sides under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Peak color will last about a week in the mountains before drifting south. Translation: more leaves for me to sit in, and more tourists for Banner to yell at from the Weather Desk.

…and with peak color expected to drift south over the next week, leaf‑peepers should prepare for maximum crunch conditions. I’ll remain on location — mostly because I’m stuck — but for now, this is Pumpkin Spice reporting LIVE from the leaf pile.

Banner, Balboa… back to you at the desk.”

Banner (Weather Desk): “Thank you, Pumpkin Spice. Please try not to sink any deeper — HR says we’re out of replacement microphones.”

Balboa (Anchor Desk): “And if anyone sees a small orange reporter buried in leaves, please do not attempt to rake him. He is part of the broadcast.”

Banner: “That’s your WMEO Fall Foliage Update for today. Stay safe, enjoy the colors, and remember — if you’re stopping suddenly to admire a tree, maybe use your blinker.”

Balboa: “We’ll be back tomorrow with more WMEO coverage. Until then, keep your paws warm and your leaf piles cat‑free.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

 

A Curious Day Trip to America’s Stonehenge

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🪨 New Hampshire’s Strangest Archaeological Mystery Welcome to America's Stonehenge where you can let your inner Indian Jones wander

Let’s take a little trip over the state line into our neighbor to the north — New Hampshire. The Live Free or Die state has its fair share of quirky attractions, but one of the strangest sits just over the border in Salem.

If you enjoy archaeology, mysterious stone structures, or simply wandering around the woods wondering what on earth happened here, then this place is absolutely for you.

And yes — I’ve been there.
And yes — if you let your imagination run free, it can get a little creepy.

Welcome to America’s Stonehenge.

🌀 Is It Really “Stonehenge”?

Let’s be honest: the name is a bit ambitious. There are no towering bluestones or dramatic circles rising from the earth. But what is here is a sprawling network of stone chambers, walls, and monoliths that spark endless questions.

 

Who built it?
When?
And why?

No one has definitive answers — which is half the fun.

🔊 The Oracle Chamber: A Voice From the Stones

One of the most intriguing structures is the Oracle Chamber, the largest enclosed space on the site. What fascinates me most is the speaking tube that connects the chamber to the outside.

At the exterior end of the tube sits a grooved stone table that some speculate may have been used for offerings. To whom or what? No one knows.

But picture this:

Primitive people gathered around the stone table with chickens or goats as offerings…
A hidden voice suddenly echoing from the rocks…
A disembodied whisper floating through the air…

Tell me that wouldn’t send a shiver down your spine.

🌅 The Summer Solstice Sunrise Stone

My favorite feature is the Summer Solstice Sunrise Monolith — a standing stone placed to mark the sunrise on the longest day of the year.

It’s not as dramatic as the towering monoliths on Salisbury Plain, but it still warms my heart. I can almost “see” the wise women of the tribe gathering at dawn, welcoming the sun and celebrating the birth of a new season.

Sometimes the simplest stones carry the deepest stories.

🐍 Other Mysteries Scattered Through the Woods

The site is full of curious structures, each with its own personality:

  • The Watch House Chamber
  • The S‑Shaped Serpent Wall
  • The East–West Chamber

Archaeologists and enthusiasts are still documenting the site, and new discoveries continue to surface. It’s the kind of place where every stone feels like it has a secret.

🏺 A Museum of Everyday History

Before or after your walk, take time to explore the small museum. The artifacts range from the Stone Age to more recent centuries — ceramics, eyeglasses, keys, and even half a pair of scissors.

It’s a quiet reminder that human history isn’t just grand monuments. It’s the ordinary objects people leave behind.

🧭 If You Go: Practical Tips for Visiting America’s Stonehenge

📍 Location:
105 Haverhill Road, Salem, New Hampshire — just over the Massachusetts border, an easy day trip.

🚗 Parking:
There’s a small on‑site parking lot right at the visitor center. It’s free, and usually there’s plenty of space unless you’re visiting on a peak fall weekend.

💵 Admission:
Prices vary slightly by season, but expect something around:

  • Adults: about $15
  • Seniors: discounted
  • Kids: reduced rate

Check their website before you go for the most current info.

⏰ Hours:
Open year‑round, with hours shifting seasonally. Winter visits can mean snowy or muddy trails.

🥾 Terrain:
The paths are wooded and uneven — not difficult, but definitely “forest floor.” Wear sturdy shoes.

🕒 Time Needed:
Plan for 1–2 hours depending on how deeply you explore.

🏛️ Visitor Center:
The museum is small but worth a look for context and artifacts.

🐕 Pets:
Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds.

🌞 Best Time to Visit:
Late spring through fall offers the most comfortable weather, and the solstice markers are especially fun to see around June.

🧭 Be Your Own Indiana Jones

A visit to America’s Stonehenge is a chance to let your imagination roam. You can be your own Indiana Jones for the day — minus the rolling boulders and snakes, thankfully.

Whether you come for the archaeology, the mystery, or simply the peaceful walk through the woods, this quirky New Hampshire site offers a little something for every curious soul.

 

Scenic Chair Lifts & Sky-High Leaf Peeping

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🎢 Scenic Chair Lifts & Sky-High Leaf Peeping: New England’s Autumn Adventures

Oh hey, Leaf Peepers 🍁—ready to elevate your fall foliage game? If you’re tired of craning your neck through car windows or dodging reflections off the windshield, New Hampshire and Vermont have a better idea: take to the skies.

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🎿 Chair Lifts & Gondolas with a View
Ski resorts across the region open their lifts to non-skiers each autumn, offering a bird’s-eye view of the blazing reds, golds, and oranges below. You’ll be strapped in, feet dangling, soaring over treetops like a migrating hawk. Feeling bold? Snap a few photos mid-air—if your nerves allow. Prefer something enclosed? Opt for a gondola ride, where you can enjoy the same stunning views from the comfort of a cozy cabin.

Photo Credit Deb Neumann

 

🎢 But Wait—There’s More (Thrill Seekers, This One’s for You)

🎢 Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster – Berkshires, MA
If your idea of leaf peeping involves adrenaline and velocity, head to Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster in the Berkshires. This alpine coaster climbs 1,500 feet before plunging down Mount Institute in a blur of hairpin turns and forested speed. You might not catch every leaf, but your heart will definitely skip a beat.

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🚂 A More Sedate Journey

🚂 Conway Scenic Railroad – White Mountains, NH
For a gentler ride through fall’s splendor, hop aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad. Winding through the White Mountains, this vintage train offers panoramic views of Crawford Notch’s cliffs and fiery foliage. Want the ultimate experience? Splurge on a seat in the glass-domed car—360 degrees of autumn magic.

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🌳 Walk Among the Treetops

🌳 Canopy Walk – Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Ever dreamed of strolling through the treetops? Vermont makes it real. The Canopy Walk at VINS invites visitors of all abilities to wander above the forest floor, immersed in golden leaves and birdsong. It’s peaceful, poetic, and perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone craving a gentle thrill.

Murch Canopy Walk » HF&G

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🧗 Zip Lines & Obstacle Courses

🧗 Adventure Park – Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, CT
Zip lines used to be a novelty—now they’re a staple of fall fun. At the Discovery Museum’s Adventure Park, you’ll zip through a kaleidoscope of leaves, suspended in midair like a squirrel on a mission. But that’s just the beginning: 14 treetop trails await, complete with swinging bridges, ladders, and cable runs. Friendly staff are on hand to help you gear up and get climbing.

The Adventure Park at Discovery Museum: Zipline & Rope Course

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🍂 Leaf Peeping, Reimagined

New England’s fall foliage isn’t just for slow drives and scenic overlooks anymore. Whether you’re gliding above the trees, racing through them, or walking among their golden crowns, there’s a thrill for every kind of adventurer. Seniors, families, daredevils—everyone’s invited to move leaf peeping off the ground and into the sky.

Photo Credit Deb Neumann