mountains – New England's Narrow Road

Blueberry Picking on Pitcher Mountain

blueberry picking sign — Blueberry picking sign and cash box at Pitcher Mountain

We had started a tradition years ago when we first moved to New Hampshire. We found a great little mountain to climb that offered a gorgeous panoramic view and it was loaded with blueberry bushes.

We’d head up to Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard in July and each of the kids would help me fill our little buckets full of blueberries.
This year my son was not too thrilled with the idea. It’s boring. He’s 14 now. But he was hanging around the house without anything to do and I convinced him to go just for the hike. He whined and moaned and couldn’t wait to leave, but I managed to get him to help me pick at least a few berries.

I asked him which trail he wanted to take back down and he said “the fastest one”.

Then I put my dollar into the box when we got to the parking area at the bottom, and he said that I was probably the only person who put any money in. He said it like I was such a moron. Teenagers.

Pitcher Mountain is quite a drive for us now that we have moved, but it’s still one of my favorite places to hike. We had a great time! 😉

The view in the photo below is one of the best from the top. It was clear enough to see Mount Monadnock.

View from top of Pitcher Mountain — View of Mount Monadnock from the summit of Pitcher Mountain.

mountaintop view — Looking northwest from the summit.

This is a Beautiful Week for Enjoying The New Hampshire Outdoors (newenglandsnarrowroad.wordpress.com)
Blueberry Picking On Such A Summer’s Day (cwdetroit.cbslocal.com)
Our Pack Monadnock Hike in June (newenglandsnarrowroad.wordpress.com)

Hike A Little Mountain With a Big View

view of mountains — View From The Top of Pitcher Mountain

I don’t remember how I learned about Pitcher Mountain, but it is one of my favorite places to hike. It’s not a long way to the top from the parking lot, so most everyone would be able to do this hike. It does get a bit steep, with rocks to navigate near the top. Follow the trail to the right, which is a dirt road until you reach the edge of the pasture, then you will be on a steeper trail.

The pasture area is part of the Pitcher Mountain Farm located in Stoddard, New Hampshire. You will pass it on Rt. 123 heading west toward the small parking area for hiking. Blueberry bushes cover the top and it can get quite busy during July and August when berry picking is best. There is a money box in the parking area for donations at that time of year.

fire tower on Pitcher Mountain — Fire Tower at the Top

There is a fire tower on the rocky top and other trails to follow back down through the woods. They won’t have the nice views you’ll see by the pasture, but if you want to extend your hike, follow the trail markers out across the blueberry field toward a pole and then go down that path that leads through the woods. It comes out at a road where you will turn left and walk back to the parking lot. It’s a cool walk down after a hot day of picking (and eating) berries.

Thank You Veterans

Long before I began my online shop, I visited Bristol, New Hampshire and took this photo from “Inspiration Point”.

My husband, son and I were looking for short hikes and headed up to the Newfound Lake area. We found this out of the way trail that took us to the top of “Little Round Top” and found this cross and some rustic wooden benches. It looked like an outdoor church setting. With the small town of Bristol in the background and mountains off in the distance, this cross seemed to be in the perfect spot and luckily the weather was great also.

I’ve used the photo of this wooden cross to create many items, but one of the first I ever made was this one honoring our veterans.

So thank you all – today and everyday- for your service and bravery. I also thank the families who sacrifice as well. These courageous men and women truly do take our place. May God keep you safe as you fight for our freedom and may everyone in this great country know how much they have because of your -and those like you who have gone before -dedication and commitment.