New Hampshire Mt Washington Valley _ 30 May - 1 Jun

I really should be more updated with my post but it has been real difficult to find time to blog when the two boys need so much of my attention. This is especially the case with Br who is now more alert and more clingy. Wonder is it the result of direct breastfeeding that he just wants me to be beside him all the time. So, below is again an outdated blog of our trip to New Hampshire.

Last weekend, we drove for 3 hours plus to Mt Washington Valley in New Hampshire. It was by far the longest driving trip that we have ever taken and it was done together with 2 young kids. Fortunately, the two boys were rather well-behaved and fell asleep promptly once the journey started and only woke up near to arrival. Initially, we were still worried that Br may not take well to traveling since he's merely just 3 months old but he was really well-behaved and was as curious and alert as his older brother, Ry when we went sightseeing.

This is our third time to NH but our first time in spring. The first stop we made was to North Conway Scenic Railways where we took a remodelled old-fashioned train for a 55 minutes scenic round trip. This was the greatest disappointment of the whole trip and we felt that it was a complete waste of our time as there was nothing really scenic in the ride and the round trip meant that going forward and backward along the same route. Although, KP and I did not enjoy the ride but Ry was totally esctatic over the train and we got him a similar model toy train later. So, on the whole, I think it is still a worthwhile experience for Ry.

All aboard on the coach class because Ry and Br can ride free!

The vacation home that we stayed at Nordic Village is a comfortable and nicely-decorated one bedroom apartment with a kitchen fully furnished with all the neccessities. So, for both nights, we had simple dinner in the apartment itself, which was a good idea because we can then prepare food that Ry liked. We still have trouble introducing bread to Ry, so there's no way he would take burgers or sandwiches. He is still pretty "cheena" with regard to food, meaning he still wants porridge/rice in his staple diet. Sigh! I really need to get him to eat bread or else I foresee I would have a hard time getting food for him when we go Disneyworld in Sept.

Our nice and comfy vacation home while we rest and relax in the evenings.

The second day, we went to Storyland, a theme park that is suited for young kids and pre-teens. Ry is still a bit young to appreciate all the rides but this is also a chance for us to have an idea how we'll handle when we go Disneyland later. So, KP and I took turns to take the various rides with Ry.

The only ride on the mini ferris wheel that we took it together as a whole family.

Daddy's turn to take a ride with Ry. Ry kept calling this "duck" instead of "swan".

We had been to different parts of NH in fall and winter respectively but this is the first time that we managed to hike - an activity that KP and I have always enjoyed in our younger days. So, the second day, we chose to do a short and easy walk that is about 1 mile long to Diana's Bath. I was carrying Br in my trusted sling and Ry was walking on his own. Definitely, Ry got tired at some points and daddy has to carry him on his shoulders. However, we managed to accomplish the short hike and we really enjoyed the scenery offered at the end. The experience made us feel that we really wish to have more time here in Boston so that we could do more such hikes in future and we are already wondering where could we do such activities back in SG where we won't die of heat and drown in perspiration.

I definitely feel that this is an achievement to make it past the muddy trail to the final destination at Diana's Bath even though that it is a relatively short hike of 1 mile with baby Br in my trusted sling.

The last day of our trip was a scenic drive along the auto road up to the peak of Mt Washington where it is the tallest peak in New England. Unfortunately, we could only do a drive halfways as the road to the summit was closed as it had ice and snow. It did not turn out to be a bad thing as we only need to pay $23 instead of $31 to drive up halfways and also, we were really too thinly clothed and ill-prepared for the cold temperature at the summit, which was around 30 deg F that day. Even when we stopped at the halfway mark, KP and I were already freezing from the low temperature and the strong wind that was gusting at 65 mph. We did not even dare to take the kids out of the car but I must admit that the view is simply breathtaking and it reminded KP and I so much of our Nepal trek in 2000. The last stop we made before having lunch and driving back to Boston was at the Settlers Green Outlet Village and did some shopping at Banana Replubic factory store where KP and I both each gotten our suits that we wanted. Needless to say, we spent a bomb too!

Along the auto road, there are various water points like this for people to cool their car radiators in case they get heated up as they drive up the mountain in low gears.

Initially, we are still worried that our "lao pok" car may not be able to make it up the mountain but it did and with ease too, so it may not be as "bad" as it looks!