geoff40
Member
We started out Friday evening, with an after-supper ride along backwoods dirt roads looking for critters. It worked, and my girls and a friend visiting from Missouri all had their first experience with a wild black bear. No pics, it all happened too fast, but there was a good, close view, even if it was over quickly. The bear turned and ran away.
Then yesterday...
The Mt. Washington auto road opened yesterday, and we got up there to run around on top of the world. If you're not familiar, the nearest peak as high or higher is in the western Carolinas (not even sure which State). My oldest had been to the top before, but not my youngest, nor 'Missouri. The weather was remarkable for how warm it was on the summit.
From there we drove north to Gorham, where the girls played in a park for a while, swinging, sliding, etc., burning off more energy. A 10 for spring time weather in northern NH. Black flies not bad yet. Then off to a quick supper, then north along 16 toward Errol, 13 mile woods, because it was time to go looking for some moose.
The first sighting wasn't a moose at all, it was a hare, along a logging road, eating dirt. yes thats right, eating the dirt off the road. I've seen this behavior before, even have it on video, but I am in the dark why they eat dirt roads. Maybe all those holes in the road are really caused by snowshoe hares.
Anyway we went to Errol, nothing. Getting a bit antsy, I mean seriously? No moose along 13 mile woods? Please God, tell me this isn't how things are going to turn out tonight... Turned around and headed south and from there things got better quickly. First a smaller cow, maybe a 700 pound moose, doing what they do best, which is standing and posing for those with a camera. 'Missouri is now really excited, as are my girls, because they have never seen a moose, just my pics, tracks, and scats.
We watched her for a short time, maybe 10 minutes or so, in the fading light. Then I proceeded south again, while we could still see. Another mile or so down, and suddenly there he is, right beside the road, making it ridiculously easy. In this stretch they are used to cars and tourists and camera flashes, and generally they are pretty cooperative if you're trying to show your kids, and folks from Missouri, their first moose. Especially if you're careful about not insulting their intelligence.
Now, we're talking right beside the car here. 20 feet, 18 feet, then 15. Thought my daughters and 'Missouri were all going to wet their pants! It's a TON of fun (haha) watching people have their first experiences with moose like this, literally almost close enough to touch.
Those 2 girls slept like rocks last night!
Then yesterday...
The Mt. Washington auto road opened yesterday, and we got up there to run around on top of the world. If you're not familiar, the nearest peak as high or higher is in the western Carolinas (not even sure which State). My oldest had been to the top before, but not my youngest, nor 'Missouri. The weather was remarkable for how warm it was on the summit.
From there we drove north to Gorham, where the girls played in a park for a while, swinging, sliding, etc., burning off more energy. A 10 for spring time weather in northern NH. Black flies not bad yet. Then off to a quick supper, then north along 16 toward Errol, 13 mile woods, because it was time to go looking for some moose.
The first sighting wasn't a moose at all, it was a hare, along a logging road, eating dirt. yes thats right, eating the dirt off the road. I've seen this behavior before, even have it on video, but I am in the dark why they eat dirt roads. Maybe all those holes in the road are really caused by snowshoe hares.
Anyway we went to Errol, nothing. Getting a bit antsy, I mean seriously? No moose along 13 mile woods? Please God, tell me this isn't how things are going to turn out tonight... Turned around and headed south and from there things got better quickly. First a smaller cow, maybe a 700 pound moose, doing what they do best, which is standing and posing for those with a camera. 'Missouri is now really excited, as are my girls, because they have never seen a moose, just my pics, tracks, and scats.
We watched her for a short time, maybe 10 minutes or so, in the fading light. Then I proceeded south again, while we could still see. Another mile or so down, and suddenly there he is, right beside the road, making it ridiculously easy. In this stretch they are used to cars and tourists and camera flashes, and generally they are pretty cooperative if you're trying to show your kids, and folks from Missouri, their first moose. Especially if you're careful about not insulting their intelligence.
Now, we're talking right beside the car here. 20 feet, 18 feet, then 15. Thought my daughters and 'Missouri were all going to wet their pants! It's a TON of fun (haha) watching people have their first experiences with moose like this, literally almost close enough to touch.
Those 2 girls slept like rocks last night!
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