World class right out our own back door

Tourism consultant Roger Brooks told us on Friday that Coos County was a world-class destination and while I tend to agree with him based on what I know about the county, I decided that I needed to know more about some of these places that we brag about that I've never been to.  So I headed west on Rte 2 yesterday morning from Randolph and went in search of what had wowed Brooks. Of course just driving west on Rte 2 can lead to some amazing views, but I'd already seen those in just about every season.. I stopped in at Emerson Outfitters because you just have to. Other than Calef's country store in Barrington, where I used to buy penny candy when I was 3, Emerson's is my favorite place to shop in New Hampshire. I realized as I was wandering thru the aisles that what they sell there isn't sporting goods, its the fantasy that you can actually be those fit, smiling, winning athletes that you see on the posters and on your TV.  Whether its a white-water kayaker or a catcher of the world's largest trout, there is something about the selection and layout of the place that makes you think anything is possible.
Unfortunately, the one thing I was trying to find -- a good bicycle map and helmet -- they were out of, so I continued my meandering northward.
The last time I'd been in Colebrook was in the Valentine's Day blizzard, so I wasn't at all prepared for how beautiful and lush the views are in summer. I'd been looking forward to something from the famous French bakery, Le Rendez-Vous in Colebrook, but it was closed on Sunday  -- probably just as well for my diet. I headed up route 3 for Pittsburgh and the Connecticut lakes. The scenic views just kept getting better. I no doubt pissed off a whole bunch of people as I kept pulling over to take pictures. My goal was  the tower on Mt.Magalloway but after getting to the base of Coot trail and starting the climb, I realized I had no idea how far up it was to the top, and my stomach was starting to growl. So I turned around and stopped at Lake Frances State Park. Now there's a gem.. gorgeous water, easy access for canoes or  kayaks... so I pulled out my picnic and had a lovely lunch on the shore. From there I turned on to Rte 145 south and stumbled across Beaver Brook Falls another amazing gem of the North Country.  Just about every inch of 145 south between Pittsburgh and Colebrook offers amazing views, but the falls is where you absolutely positively have to stop. You can walk right up to the falls and dip your feet in the crystal clear water.  I took 26 thru Dixville Notch back to Errol, just to completely OD on beautiful views. I'd never seen the Balsams in high summer and it just gets prettier. Then it was back to Rte 16 thru 13 Mile Woods. I discovered the Paul Bofinger Conservation Area in Dummer -- another hidden gem.  Not sure what the paddling is like, but the very notion that I could be in a kayak about 20 minutes after leaving my desk is pretty cool.  I hit  Berlin just a little past 6 and almost stopped in to see the latest Harry Potter movie at the newly reopened Supreme Cinema, but decided that since I started my day with a 6-mile run and had now clocked over 100 miles in my car, even Voldemort couldn't keep me awake, so I returned to Randolph just as the sun was starting to set. 
My conclusions-- Roger Brooks is right. Coos County DOES have world class attractions -- the trick is finding them. You can see them all here.

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[Alberto Teatro]

"Pride is a sin" Berlin NH