A Blue Kind of Day - Blueberry picking at Blue Job Mountain

Wild Blueberries on Blue Job

Driving home from our morning coffee run Matt said, "I know what we should do today!"  We grabbed some plastic containers, a bottle of water, and headed to Blue Job Mountain.  Horray for spontaneous adventures!


Blue Job Mountain is really more like a large hill (1300 ft) in Farmington, NH - eight miles northwest of Rochester, NH.  It is part of the Blue Job State Forest, and although it's known mostly just to the locals, it has one of the best views of any hikes in Southern New Hampshire.

Berry Picking on the Summit

Hiking and blueberry picking at Blue Job is the perfect family activity (although adults, like me, will love it as well!)  The short, 1 mile loop, takes hikers up through a forest to an open summit.  On clear days, you can see all the way to the White Mountains including Mt. Washington!

We parked in the parking lot (no cost) and took the root-covered Blue Job Mountain Trail up the eastern side to the first open "peak".  Wild blueberries provide a ground cover along the rock slab summit.  Continue on the trail from the first "peak", and you will break through the trees to a magnificent fire tower.  From here, you can head town the steeper, but partially paved, fire road back to the parking lot.

I enjoyed our little stroll up this scenic "mountain" and filled two containers with blueberries to boot!  This trail can be hiked year round and is a great way to escape into nature in Southern New Hampshire.

I'm excited to sprinkle the ripe flavor-filled bites on my cereal this week, mix them with whipped cream for a tasty dessert, and gobble handfuls as a snack.  As you might notice - my photos are not their usual quality.  Since this was an unexpected adventure, I was forced to take photos with my inadequate cell phone instead of my usual Lumix.  A lesson that even the most avid photog can forget her gear. I hope you get out on a spur-of-the-moment berry picking hike sometime soon!

Fire Tower on the Summit of Blue Job Mountain

More info:
Challenge Level:  Easy
Distance: One mile round trip
Location: The trailhead is a well signed, gravel lot on First Crown Point Road.  This is accessed by turning right (north) onto First Crown Point Road.  Drive about 5 miles  and the parking lot is on your right.
Gear: Water, Sun Protection, Layered Clothing, and Containers to gather blueberries!

Our blueberry hall!

Please leave comments and questions below...

The Best Road Trip - 15 nights in Iceland - Cost, Advice, and Itinerary

Godafoss Waterfall, Iceland

Hard to say something is the best, right?  I mean, I've been on some pretty awesome road trips - Newfoundland, California, Colorado, Michigan, Pacific Northwest, Southwest National Parks, Ireland....the list goes on and on.  But I can say - Iceland trumps them all.  The natural beauty is incomparable - it's AMAZING! Combined with the ease of foreign currency (all you need is a credit card), the delicious food, and the tourist-friendly attitude, makes this island THE BEST place to visit.  Yes, it's cold.  Yes, it's rural. No, there are no beaches to lay out in a bikini.  It's not that kind of vacation.  If you are looking for a natural wonderland and long roads where the only traffic is the sheep and horses on the side of road, then go here.  Below you'll get a review of our 15-night itinerary as well as some tips and tricks for your trip.  Happy Travels!

Dynjandi Waterfall, Iceland

THE BEST ROAD TRIP - 15 Nights in Iceland 

Outside of Reykjavik 

This trip wasn't cheap...but it was cheaper than I expected.  With a day job as a middle school science teacher, I don't have a huge slush fund for travel.  However, by saving $100 from each paycheck for three years (money that should have probably gone into some sort of Roth IRA retirement account), I saved $5,000 - my expected cost.  As it turned out, the trip cost - for everything - about $4,000 a person (3 person trip).  This included...

$760 - Round-trip Direct Flight from Boston
$1,936 - Payment to Iceland Unlimited (2 week budget car rental, 15 night budget accommodations, Ferry to Westfjords, Whale Watch Trip, Blue Lagoon Entrance, and Travel Agent Services [24-hour contact, map, meeting, cell phone, gps])
$421 - Expenses - 1/3rd of the gas, snacks, souvenirs, snacks
$569 - Food and Drink (Lunches and Dinners only. Breakfast was always included by guesthouses.  We often only went out for one large meal a day to save money)
$300 - Extra Excursions (Horseback Riding, Silfra Snorkel, Glacial Bay Boat Tour)
$160 - Third of cost for broken windshield (cracked along trip and had to replace)
______
TOTAL: $4,146

And it was worth EVERY PENNY!  I'm starting to save for a return trip (the Roth IRA can wait...)

5 Things I didn't know until I went to Iceland...

Hraunfossar waterfall

1.  There are waterfalls EVERYWHERE. - Yes.  I knew there were waterfalls there.  I had done my photography research on Godafoss, Gullfoss, and all the other "fosses".  What I didn't realize is that you can't throw a puffin in this country without hitting ten waterfalls.  Driving along fjords all day, we'd see literally hundreds of falls coming off the mountains and draining into the fjord.  It was amazing and beautiful.  Perhaps next time I go, I'll try to stop more often for the "little ones" (they aren't little by US standards) and spend less time at tourists favorites.

Lupines Everywhere!

2. In July, the country is covered in lupine flowers, sheep, and horses. - Oh my goodness! The beauty!  It's hard to describe, but we would drive for a full day through what looked like one massive field of purple lupines.  It's memorizing.  Icelanders also have large herds of sheep and horses that roam freely through the island.  Every glance is picture-perfect.


3.  Everyone speaks English. - Well, ok...I DID meet one woman who didn't at a rural gas station in North Iceland, but everyone else in the gas station did.  Since there are so many European tourists, English has become the "tourist language" and most menus, products, and signs were in English - even in rural areas.

Walking on ice - bring a jacket

4. The food is good. - I had expected food choice would be limited due to the remote and isolated location.  We found that restaurants served excellent and diverse menus.  Portion size was fair and so was cost.  Remember, you don't tip your servers in Iceland and tax is included in the cost of the food, so a $30 meal isn't that bad when you consider it includes tax and gratuity.  Oh...we also noticed there are a lot of pizza places.

5.  It's chilly. - I mean, I knew this I guess.  The summer prior, I had kept pretty close tabs on the daily weather in Reykjavik, but it was still surprising to be mid-July with a high of 55 F.  Bring lots of layered clothing and sunscreen.  The harsh northern sun will get you. Don't forget your swimsuit too - Hot tubs everywhere!

And now for the itinerary ... Click on the day and follow the link to the write up about that day.  

15 Nights in Iceland (in July)

Day 1 (July 8) - Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik Introduction - Arrive in Iceland at 6:30 am. Take Flybus to Blue Lagoon for opening at 8:30 am.  From Blue Lagoon, take Flybus to Reykjavik.  Check into Guesthouse Aurora and explore local spots.

Day 2 (July 9) - West Iceland - Lupines, Waterfalls, Hot Springs, and Craters - Get rental car from Enterprise and drive west.  Explore Hvakfjordur fjord and the Glymur waterfall. See other sights along the road. Stay at Hotel Borganes.

Day 3 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Day 3 (July 10) - Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Beaches, Churches, and Mountains -  Explore the Snaefellsnes peninsula and glacier.  Stay at Guesthouse Kast.

Day 4 (July 11) - The Wild Westfjords - Winding Roads, Mountains, Puffins, and a Ferry-  Take 9 am ferry  in Stykkisholmur alon Breidafjordur bay.  See Latrabjarg cliff and puffins!  Stay at Radagerdi hostel in Patreksfjordur.

Day 5 (July 12) - Westfjords Waterfalls and Coastal Villages  - Explore more of the Westfjords including Patreksfjordur, Talknafjordur, and Bildudalur.  Visit the Dynjandi waterfall and Isafjordur.  Stay at Hotel Edda Isafjordur.

Day 6 (July 13) - Westfjords Continued - Hot Tubs, Waterfalls, and Sorcery -  Explore the capital of sorcery and witchcraft while exploring more fjords and beauty.  Stay at Guesthouse Laugarholl.

Day 7 (July 14) - Northwest Iceland - Black Beaches, Driftwood and Icelandic Horses- Drive by fertile farmland and barren mountains roads.  Take an afternoon tour on Icelandic horses.  Stay at Guesthouse Holar. 

Day 8 (July 15) - Akureyri - Shopping, Food, and Drink - Drive to the capital of the north.  Explore the town and stay at Guesthouse Gula Villan.

Day 6 - Drangsnes Hot Tubs

Day 9 (July 16) - North Iceland - Whales, Waterfalls, and Nature Baths - Head for Lake Myvatan.  On the way stop and see Godafoss waterfall.  Go on 3 hour whale watching tour in Husavik.  Stay at Guesthouse Stong.

Day 10 (July 17) - Myvatn - Craters, Sulfur Pots, and Steam Vents - Drive to Eastern Iceland.  Stop to see Dettifoss - Europes most powerful waterfall.  Stay at Icelandair Hotel Herad.

Day 11 (July 18) - East Iceland - Hot Tubs, Lobster, and (more) Waterfalls - Drive through East Fjords and fishing villages.  Stay at Guesthouse Arnanes. 

Day 12 (July 19) - Southeast Iceland - Icebergs and Glaciers - See glacial lagoon through a boat tour.  Explore Vatnajokull National Park, Svartifoss Waterfall, and Vik.  Stay at Hotel Edda in Skogar.

Day 13 (July 20) - The South Coast - Waterfalls, Waterfalls, and Snorkeling - Drive the south coast and stop to see many waterfalls including Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui. Snorkel Silfa in Thingvellir National Park. Spend the night at Guesthouse Lambastadir. 

Day 14 (July 21) - The Golden Circle - þingvellir National Park, Geysers, and Gullfoss - Visit Thingvellir National Park.  See geysers and Gullfoss waterfall.  Return rental car and stay at Reykavik Hostel Village.

Day 15 (July 22) - Reykjavik- Hot Dogs, Happy Hour, and Sunshine City- Enjoy the last day in Iceland by exploring Reykjavik on foot. 

Day 16 (July 23) - Fly home - Morning flight back to Boston.

Day 12 - Glacial Lagoon

In conclusion, this trip might have been a "once in a lifetime adventure", but I can't accept that.  I HAVE to go back!  Who needs a retirement plan anyhow?

Please leave any questions and comments here.  Don't forget to like The Freelance Adventurer on Facebook and on Instagram @FreelanceAdventurer

Westfjords Selfie

Boulder Loop Trail - A Perfect Family Hike in the Whites

Fall View from Overlook on Boulder Loop Trail, White Mountains, NH

Now that I have a little one, I find myself trading out some of my 4000-footer hikes for shorter, less strenuous climbs.  My one-year-old son has been "hiking" since he was a week old, but understandably, after a few hours on the trail, he gets restless. As a result, I've tried hikes that are less than 5 miles with little to no technical climbing involved.  Most of the hikes have already been written about on this blog such as: Mount Major in Alton, White Ledge in Albany, Blue Job in Farmington, and Mount Willard in Crawford Notch.  I was searching my blog to see if there are any I should add and I realized I had not written about one of my favorite family-friendly loop hikes in the Whites - Boulder Loop off the Kancamagus Highway!

This 3 mile easy-to-moderately difficulty hike is perfect for a taste of the Whites.  It provides excellent views, moderate strain, and is easily accessible with a parking lot and bathrooms near the Covered Bridge Campground.  I especially enjoyed it this fall when I took my parents who were visiting from Oregon to see the fall foliage.

Here's how to recreate this adventure:

Trail Sign

Adventure: Boulder Loop Trail in Albany, New Hampshire

Getting there:  The trailhead is easily accessible just off the Kancamagus Highway.  From Conway, New Hampshire, take the Kancamagus Highway (Rt 112) about 6 miles to Dugaway Rd on the right.  You should see signs for Covered Bridge Campground.

There are two parking options.  In the off season (winter and early spring), I park in the parking lot on the right before the bridge.  Then walk across the bridge and follow signs to the trailhead.  In summer and fall, you can cross the covered bridge and park in the Boulder Loop parking area on the right of the road.  The trailhead is across this road from the parking lot.  Since it is National Forest, you need to pay a parking fee (cash or check) at the kiosk or have a WMNF parking permit.

Boulder Loop Trail

Trail: The trail is well signed.  Start by going 0.2 miles to the loop.  You can go either clockwise or counter clockwise (I always go counter but I'm not sure why).  If you go counter-clockwise (to the right), there is 1.3 miles of gradual uphill ascent.  It is continuous but not strenuous.  About half way up the trail veers left and has a steeper ascent (still moderate) until you get to a spur trail (marked) for the outlook.  Take the 0.1 mile spur to a series of viewpoints and ledges.  In fall, these views are spectacular.  Nestled in the hardwood zone, you get a superb view of the foliage.  

I usually enjoy a break or snack at the ledges before heading back to the loop.  Continuing on, the trail descends at a moderate difficulty, weaving a little back and forth for 1.1 miles before reaching the spur trail again.  

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate - By White Mountain standards this trail is on the easier side, however, it does involve some large boulder steps.  To preserve my knees, I always bring trekking poles on White Mountain hikes since it's a guarantee that it will be rocky and in some places steep.  It's shorter length makes it a great option for families or anyone wanting a shorter peak but still great views.  

Distance: About 2.8 - 3.5 miles depending how far you explore the spur trail/overlook.

Beautiful Fall Leaves

Recommendations:

- This is on White Mountain National Forest Land so you need to pay a cash or check fee in the parking lot.  Don't forget your money - exact change ($3 when written).

- There are privey bathroom facilities available near the trailhead.

- This hike is very popular in the summer and can get crowded.  Consider trying it in early spring, winter, or fall!

- Dogs are allowed on leash.

- Careful at the overlook ledges - there are steep dropoffs.  Watch children and pets.  Do not throw rocks or items over the edge as their could be rock climbers below.

I enjoy Boulder Loop Trail with my mom and son

I've enjoyed this hike at least twice this year and will probably visit it again this summer.  It's long enough to be worth the drive, but short enough that my little one won't be too bored in the pack.  Happy hiking!