Welcome to New Hampshire. Now Let’s Go Hiking!!!
Inspired by our adventures along the East Coast in New Jersey, we set out for Amity’s next contract in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Trading sandy beaches for snow-covered peaks, we headed back into the mountains and straight into winter. The skiers in us were buzzing with excitement, while the hikers were eager to explore. Neither of us had been to Peterborough before, so this was an entirely new adventure. With only a five-hour drive from Keansburg to our new home, we didn’t take any extra time off and made the move the day before Amity’s contract began. The quick turnaround made for a hectic first week, but one thing was clear: as soon as we had time, we were hiking Mount Monadnock! As the New Hampshire state slogan goes; Live Free of Die Baby!!
Mile: 52,601
Quote of the Blog: “This wasn’t a strange place. It was a new one.” - Paulo Coeiho
Song of the Blog: “Season of the Sticks” - Noah Kahan
Peterborough is a quaint, quiet town—much smaller than anywhere we’ve lived before. The slower pace is a welcome change, as is the lack of significant commutes. We settled into a cozy basement apartment owned by a kind and welcoming couple. They gave us plenty of tips about hiking and local recreation, including a less-traveled route up Mount Monadnock. We learned that this peak is the third most-climbed mountain in the world, second only to Japan’s Mount Fuji. When we asked why, our landlords explained it’s a historic area and the hike isn’t overly difficult. We couldn’t wait to tackle it on our first free weekend.
The workweek flew by in a blur. Amity’s new role at an outpatient clinic has her working five days a week, a change from her usual 4-10 schedule. While it’s a shift, we think it’ll simplify things and make our weekends feel even more rewarding. During the week, we explored some local spots to get a taste of Peterborough. Post & Beam, a local brewery housed in a Revolutionary War-era building, quickly became a favorite. With historical cannons out front and some of the best beer we’ve had, we know we’ll be back often. Another highlight was Harlow’s Pub, where we stumbled upon a Bluegrass Jam Night—a fun mix of Southern tunes in a quintessential New England setting. The mountain-town vibe was refreshing and made us feel at home.
When the weekend arrived, we were ready to hike. Following our landlords’ advice, we set out on the north side of Mount Monadnock, starting from Dublin Lake. This 4.5-mile trail offered around 1,700 feet of elevation gain and promised fewer crowds. We drove along a beautiful lake and through a peaceful forest to reach the trailhead. It felt like a scene straight out of Montana. Recent rain in the valley had turned to snow at higher elevations, so we knew we’d be hiking into a winter wonderland. Confident we’d make it to the summit, we were eager to get started.
The trail began gently, with a wide-open path and gradual elevation gain. About a mile in, we encountered built-in stairs, signaling the start of steeper terrain. Despite warnings about slippery rocks, we found the trail manageable—until I confidently misstepped on a slanted boulder and landed flat on my back. Fortunately, it wasn’t a bad fall, but it served as a reminder to stay cautious as the trail became more challenging.
As we climbed higher, the landscape transformed. The wind picked up, and the trees shifted from deciduous to coniferous. Snow and ice began to appear, first in small patches, then as a thick blanket covering the trail. Just a week earlier, we’d been on the beach, and now we were immersed in a snowy New England winter. Amity’s comment, “We were on the beach last week,” perfectly captured the dramatic shift. The icy conditions made the hike tricky, but we pressed on, reaching the first of several false summits.
The final push to the top was tough. The wind roared at full force, and the icy trail tested our resolve. At one point, I questioned whether we should continue, but the sight of another hiker wearing Yaktrax fueled a mix of envy and determination. Despite the challenges, we reached the summit of the second most-climbed mountain in the world—a title that made us laugh as we stood in the biting wind. After snapping a few quick photos, Amity wasted no time starting the descent, though not before kindly taking another hiker’s photo in the freezing cold.
The trek down was slow and calculated, with every icy step requiring careful attention. Our fingers were numb despite our gloves, but we were grateful for the trail tip that spared us from heavy crowds. While Mount Monadnock sees around 150,000 hikers a year, we encountered only a handful of people that day. A hike we thought would take three hours stretched to five, and seeing the car felt like the best view of all. The icing on the cake? Warm cookies from the Dublin General Store, a recommendation from one of Amity’s patients.
Just like that, we’re settling into a new state, creating new memories, and finding new favorite spots. It’s amazing how much life can change in a single week when you Live Rad!