Mt Chocorua and Middle Sister Loop Hike - White Mountains, NH

As a working parent, business owner, mother to two toddlers and a 1 year old doberman, my schedule is constantly overflowing and I'm rarely alone. I jumped on an opportunity to visit four properties in Maine for work, with one of them being just  over the New Hampshire border and a 20 minute drive from one of New Hampshire's popular peaks. 

It was a quiet Sunday morning, the first weekend of November and I had an extra hour as we moved the clocks back for Daylight Savings. I kissed my sleeping babies goodbye and wished my husband luck as I put my bags in my Atlas by 5am and made the 4.5 hour drive north to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I was going to tackle all of my site visits Monday and planned an epic Sunday to myself. I found a hike close to my first site visit, found a hotel in North Conway on hotel tonight, and headed north with a 10am planned start at the trailhead. 

A quiet car ride with an audiobook is just what many parents need after a long week of working and parenting. As I neared the parking area, I could see the mountain in front of me and was giddy for a long day in the mountains, no kids, no dogs, no headphones, just my pack of snacks and water along with my thoughts. 

Conway Scenic Railroad, New Hampshire

New Hampshire is beautiful any time of the year but there is something about the Granite State when the leaves begin to turn in the fall. While the foliage is beautiful in Connecticut in mid to late October, we love to head to New Hampshire to get an early start on the foliage. After coming to the Whites to hike in the humid buggy summer air, there is something special about the early crisp in the air, the changing colors, and all the fun that can be had in the White Mountains. 

If you want a quiet way to take it all in, the Conway Scenic Railroad is a perfect way to do it and great for any age and recreation level. You can choose from a quick 1 hour ride or a 5-8 hour journey which takes you into Crawford Notch. Our train loving toddler and his little sister were excited to ride the train so we opted for the 1 hour ride, a perfect amount of time for littles. 

Cathedral Ledge from Echo Lake State Park (White Mountains, New Hampshire)

I've been visiting the White Mountains for years. From visiting as a 20 something with friends and quiet backpacking trips, to weekends in the camper with family and kids in tow. Every time I come, I fall in love with this portion of the Granite State a little more. I've been in the winter to ski or hike with a group of girls, in the spring to hike and brewery hop, in the summer to splash in the waterfalls, and the fall to enjoy the foliage. It absolutely never get's old and there is so much to do in every corner of the White Mountain National Forest. 

This trip to the Whites was centered around North Conway where we stayed in an AirBnb with another family. Four adults and four kids, four months to 3.5 years old and time spent at Story Land or the Scenic Railway. Four days is a sweet spot for our family and it was a picture perfect weekend (as picture perfect as it can be with a gaggle of toddlers). Adam and I took turns getting away, him to golf and me to trail run on a new-to-me trail. 

Hopeville Pond State Park - Griswold, Connecticut

Hopeville Pond State Park is quiet little camping haven in Griswold, Connecticut. The Park sits on Hopeville Pond, a dammed section of the Pachaug River. While there aren't really hiking trails (a few wooded trails around the campground), there are paved park roads to walk, a campground, a beach/fishing area, and sports fields. 

If you are new to Katie Wanders, I take my kids on an "Adventure Day" every Friday and one of our goals has been to visit all the Connecticut State Parks. I was solo on this adventure, off to adventure with two kids and a newly adopted dog, so this was the perfect place to bring the stroller and a scooter, to enjoy a walk through the park and time playing at the beach. The sports fields are also a perfect place for dogs to play fetch and burn off some energy before walking around the park. 

Collis P Huntington State Park, Connecticut

Collis P Huntington State Park is a gorgeous state park with a mouthful of a name. It is a state park steeped in history with a truly beautiful story about a famous sculptor. The property is a true western Connecticut dreamscape that I had never even  heard of until I set out on this State Park quest and for that, I am grateful. The park covers 1,017-acres and includes the towns of Bethel, Newtown, and Redding in Western, Connecticut. There are some amazing trail systems through the park, from single track paths to beautiful wide double track trails that traverse the park's lakes and ponds. 

Collis P Huntington State Park Trails

Collis P Huntington State Park

I was in the area for work and decided to set out with Otto to explore the park on a trail run. I saw horseback riders and trail runners, hikers and walkers traversing the park as I made my way through some of the trails. There is a beautiful parking area with a decent amount of parking, a picnic area, pit toilets, and the start of the trail system. There are also beautiful statues adorning the parking lot and you can tell this property was someone's private estate and meant a lot to someone (and now, to a lot of someones). Some of the prettiest parts of the trail passes by Lake Hopewell and there are other ponds and lagoons within the park.