New Hampshire (Part 1): Covered Bridges, Quaint Towns, and Hiking Heaven
New Hampshire quickly stole our hearts with its quintessential charm: historic covered bridges, classic small towns, and endless miles of mountain trails begging to be explored.
For the first leg of our New Hampshire adventure, we set up home base at Crazy Horse Campground in Littleton. Arriving right after Labor Day was a total win. With the summer crowds dispersed and the pool closed for the season, we had open sites, peaceful surroundings, and that crisp early-autumn quiet that every RV traveler dreams of finding.
Discovering Littleton & The Flume Gorge
The nearby Franconia Mountain Range is a true trail-lover’s paradise. We kicked off our hiking list with a visit to the famous Flume Gorge. While it doesn’t quite match the sheer vertical canyon walls of Watkins Glen in New York, the moss-covered granite walls and rushing water make it a scenic, worthwhile trip.
After working up an appetite on the trail, we headed into downtown Littleton—and what a treat! First stop: Chutters, famous for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest candy counter in the world. Strolling past endless jars of colorful treats was completely mind-boggling! Naturally, we couldn’t leave empty-handed, walking away with a bag of Jelly Bellies and two rich flavors of homemade fudge.
We also wandered through the White Mountain Canning Company, an absolute gem spanning three connected storefronts and filled with local jams, preserves, and gourmet kitchen goods.
To round out a perfect day, we caught an evening movie at the local historic theater. Originally built in the 1950s, the theater sat dark for years until a local family stepped in and lovingly brought it back to life. Sitting in those seats felt like stepping back in time—a wonderful, nostalgic end to an action-packed day.
Wine, Scenic Byways & The “Real” Trail Name
The next morning, we made our way over to Lincoln for a wine tasting at Seven Birches Winery, located inside the grand River Walk Resort. The sprawling architecture immediately brought back memories of the iconic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island—sweeping balconies, elegant white trim, and pure historic charm.
The next day starts with a hike on the Basin-Cascade Trail loop out to Cascade Brook. The trail delivers everything you want in a mountain trek: cascading waterfalls, rugged granite terrain, and a few fun stream crossings. Officially rated as moderate, Mitch and I quickly agreed it deserves a total rename: “The Rocks, Roots, Rocks, and More Roots Trail.” Every single footstep required laser focus—miss your footing by an inch, and you’d find yourself intimately acquainted with the dirt!
We made it out unscathed, inspired, and ready for what’s next.
Part Two brings even more New Hampshire adventures—including higher peaks and stunning views—so stay tuned!
Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com Instagram: movebeyondordinary and YouTube
