Out of the City, Into the Mountains

 With a new school year, and big changes coming for our family, we've been a little anxious. Especially Mr. Hurst. His plate is going to be full to overflowing for the next 6-8 months. We needed to get out of Portland, away from the heat and sticky air, and into the mountains. Conveniently, we needed to take some furniture to Aunt G, and she lives north near mountains. It did wonders for Ri's anxiety to get up above tree level and breathe cool air. He has a freakish connection to mountains. 

We saw the Presidential Range in New Hampshire and the Green Mountains in Vermont.

 At the top of the mountain, there was the most picturesque cottage, museum, and fire tower. We climbed the fire tower for an even better view.

 Then we walked around the grounds through cute wooded, grassy paths.

 On our way out, Aunt G told us that the Vermont border was just a ten minute drive away. We've never set foot in Vermont, so just for the sake of doing it, we took a little drive to Vermont. I decided I like it. At least the little part we saw. Green and agricultural, just my favorite type of scenery.

 Afterward, we drove to Littleton, NH to the the Chutters Candy Store, famed for having the longest candy counter in the world.

 

 It goes on and on. Hinder loved choosing different strange candies, like gummy tarantulas and sharks, as well as every type of gumball they offered. Vyla just wanted this little butterfly shaped lollipop.

 

 Afterward, we had dinner at a country diner and let the kids play at a park while Gretchin and Riley walked the dogs. If we had to chose anything to do for our last summer weekend, I would chose this again. 

I'm so grateful we have someone to call family on our side of the states.