The only time I’ve been to New Hampshire was filled with rain. It rained and rained and rained. Not at all fun to hike or camp in, but I tried anywhere. Originally I planned on hiking up Mt. Washington, but due to the rain I didnt think it was worth the effort. So instead I hiked along some creeks that were transformed into small rivers thanks to the rain. I found a small town named Bartlett, NH which I enjoyed very much. The town wasnt big and didnt really have anything that made it special, but the name alone was enough to give me joy.

I love the West Wing (the TV show) and President Bartlett was from New Hampshire in the show. It turns out that Bartlett was an actual person and has quite the resume. He was the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature and later became the governor of New Hampshire. This is all after he signed the Declaration of Independence and was a delegate to the Continental Congress. Oh, and he was a doctor who started his own practice at age 20. What have you done lately? Needless to say, Bartlett was pretty awesome. I know nothing more about him than that stuff, but I’d vote for him.

The other obsession I had with this town was more practical. It was the only place I could find a cell signal. I needed to plan my route for the next day and let my family know I was alive.  I ate dinner at this little family owned spaghetti place.  I’m sure they served more than spaghetti, but it was good, so it shall now be known as a spaghetti place in my head. They introduced me to a beer called Tuckerman which I highly recommend if you in the area. I looked up if they had it anywhere else, but the only place they distribute it Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Disappointing.

The next day (after a rain filled night), the clouds broke and some sun showed up! It was the first time in three days I had seen the sun.  I took advantage and hiked up to some waterfalls.  What I didnt realize until heading back is I accidentally found the Appalachian Trail. This was my first time on the AT and I had no idea I was on it.  That moment capped off a great morning of hiking. I cant wait to make it back to the White Mountains someday. It’s on my list of places I want to return to and spend some actually time.