09/17 - 09/21 Ames Brook Campground

AMES BROOK CAMPGROUND

189 miles - 3½ hours

90 sites. Celebrating 34 years. My site #64

Today's drive was a pleasant one, though a long one with two stops for diesel. And, yes, up here, the leaves have felt Nature's chill and are beginning their fall exhibition. Unbeknownst to me, because of Covid-19, my last campground, Moorings in Belfast, closed both their laundry and shower facilities and don't pump propane into RVs, all of which I needed. Alas, not meant to be. Imagine this Happy Camper when all three were accomplished within the first hour of my arrival here at Ames Brook. Diesel fuel, $2.33/gal. a mile away, propane, $2.95/gal., and shower? Hot and comfy in a spotless facility! The downside of my first day here ended dismal and dreary. The forecasted overnight drizzle began around midnight and kept things dark until about noon when the sun finally brightened up things.

This campground is an old one that has recently changed hands and has undergone many changes. Sites are level, graveled and set deep within thick canopies of old trees. Very scenic.

MY BACKYARD

Mabel attentively awaits Dan's (owner) arrival at the camp office/store.

Ashland, NH is on the southern edge of the White Mountains National Forest, home to about 2,200 people whose median age is 39 and is located at about the geographic center of New Hampshire. Among the tribes of Native Americans that inhabited New Hampshire were the Penacook, Winnipesaukee, Pigwacket, Sokoki, Cowasuck and Ossipee. All spoke related dialects of the Abenaki language. To the east is Little Squam Lake and flows into Squam Lake, the original location of the movie, "On Golden Pond." Little Squam was "first called Keeseenunknipee (meaning “the goose lake on the highlands”), which was then shortened to Casumpa, Kusumpy, and/or Kesumpe around 1779. In the 1800s, it was renamed to Asquam (meaning “water”), which was then shortened to Squam. Little Squam is 408 acres, 2 miles long, 1/2 mile wide and 84 feet deep.” For incredible, breathtaking photos of this beautiful scenic area including drone footage, check out the impressive work of Sara's boyfriend, Jason Heid. 

As mentioned, the purpose of my visit was to spend some time with granddaughter, Sara.

 

Sara and Jason on nearby Squam Lake

Sara is a Marine Conservationist with a special interest in mangrove forests and tropical marine ecology. She describes herself as "passionate about contributing to environmental conservation through a plant-based lifestyle. I do what I love every day and hope to continue making a positive impact on our beautiful planet! Every small change makes a difference!"

An unexpected surprise greeted me when Sara arrived at my campsite this morning. She was with her father, John, who was camped a few campsites up the road. On our way out we stopped to pick up her car.

John and Nancy practicing mask wearing 101.

A compact traveling home with many great features. A real beauty.
It's amazing what designers can do with limited space.

John and Nancy keep a very neat and organized outdoor campsite.

Like my last visit with cousins, John and Barbara, this visit will be short...just four nights. Sara and Jason live about 7 minutes from this campground and while Jason was busy with childhood friend, Ben and his girlfriend, Liz hiking the Five Fingers Point trails, Sara took me around to see the sights of Ashland and Holderness where we picked up lunch and enjoyed it back at the campsite. 

NH covered bridge #65. Photo by Ron Robert

Built in 1990, the Squam River Covered Bridge on River Street
leads directly to the cozy cottage of Sara and Jason
(photo by me)

Their temporary summer home until October when they'll return to Miami.

They've transformed a battered, neglected rowboat into a planter.

Little Squam Lake flows into Squam Lake.

Squam Lake Marketplace is where we picked up our phoned-in lunch

order: Grilled Caprese Paninis.

Fresh mozzarella, tomato, pesto basil, balsamic dressing on a grilled ciabatta roll.

To accompany my panini, we shared pint of a
"sour blonde ale with tart cherries." Quite good.

"Brewed by Throwback Brewery and "proudly crafted
in New Hampshire from New England ingredients." Delicious
in my wine glass beaker, gift from Sara years ago.

Looking forward to trying this. The Loon is
a common addition/logo on many products in local gift shops

Next, we stopped in at The Common Man where I purchased...

 

Apparently labeled specifically for the Common Man chain,
this Chard was grown and cellared in St. Helena, OR

Temperatures have actually been on the 'more than chilly' side. Unless my fire was a 'roaring one' the heat thrown off wasn't sufficient to keep me cozy warm. Last night temps dipped into the high 40's and today it hasn't inched up beyond 57. In NH, there's a fire hazard warning with low humidity, dry tinder and lack of sufficient rains. In NY, there's a freeze warning for tonight.

This little fella, taken through RV window should look like...

...an American Goldfinch. My birdfeeder is up but no takers.
Other than this Goldfinch, I have not seen nor heard any birds.

And so, my last night here, Saturday, Sara, Jason and I got together with Nancy and John up at their campsite for a 'last supper' and fire. Thank you John for hosting out get-together. Huddled around the fire we enjoyed veggie quesadillas, hot dogs, hamburgers, salad and strawberry rhubarb pie (with a scoop of frozen mocha yogurt)

Even under a mask, you can see her beaming, smiling face.
Me? I look better with the mask on.

Chef at work

Some shots of Jason's drone which he uses for his work; it weighs 249 grams....1 gram under the legal limit that doesn't require FAA registration, licensing and certification. However, he must know and obey the height restrictions and presence of "no-fly" zones no matter where he flies. 

The Drone

 

The Remote

Two antennae on the upper side of the remote...

...and two extended arms opposite to hold the iPhone running the app.

Using the iPhone with accompanying app, the user can control the device and see what's being viewed.

In Jason's words:

My thanks to Sara and Jason for taking time during a schedule-packed weekend with friends to visit and spend some time with me and to John and Nancy for 'hosting' their site for a last dinner and fire. And so, with the last night's temperatures dipping down into the 30's, Winnie was cozy warm. Tomorrow, Monday, a five hour trip to Croton's RV Park. See you there.