Billy Goat Trail

Billy Goat Trail is a hiking system located within the C&O Canal National Historic Park near Great Falls in Potomac (Maryland). It is divided into three sections. Section A is a difficult strenuous hike that involves climbing up a rock face. Pets are not allowed. We did not do that one. Section B is a more moderate hike. Ty and I did not do that one either. We opted for Section C, another moderate hike, but one considered more pet and family friendly. 

C forms a circuit around Carderock

Section C

Autumn colors

The Potomac

Rotted logs

After parking, we found the trail head. There was a fork. Left went down some steps and across a stream. We went right. The trail took us above the north banks of the Potomac River. The views were spectacular. Mostly the views were "obstructed" by trees and branches, but there were several open areas that offered sweeping views of the river. Sometimes the water looked blue, sometimes turquoise. It was mostly calm, just a few rapids. The fall colors were a little past peak, but still stunning. 

Ty along the trail     

Turquoise water    

Sandbar

Foot bridge

An assault of colors

The trail had some challenging spots. We crossed a couple of bridges. We passed a rock climbing area where several people were geared up. Eventually the trail intersected with the towpath. We turned right, in the direction of the parking lot. The walk along the towpath was pleasant. There wasn't much water in the canal. In one spot, there were some ducks and turtles.

Rock outcrop

Rock climbing area

Along the trail

Orange leaves

Along the towpath

Ducks in a row

Around the loop

This time we went counterclockwise (north) on the Lakeside Loop at Rocky Gap State Park. The Lakeside Loop trail goes all the way around Lake Habeeb, a 243-acre reservoir. The whole loop is 5.2 miles. Ty and I hiked for about an hour before turning around. According to the map, we went about a third of the way around. That was enough. The temperature was almost 80. We were getting past our comfort level.

Lakeside loop

Wormwood

Ty enjoying the lake

We followed the gold blazes.

Along the lake

Big Boulder

Colorful kayaks

Leaves underwater

Edge of lake

Circle of turkey foot mushrooms

Ty lakeside

Colorful leaves

The fall colors were about a week past prime, but still pretty. The place wasn't very crowded. Of course, it was a week day. Only a few hikers, about half with dogs. On the hike back, we walked with another hiker and his dog. In fact, we chatted with many people along the hike. It was a friendly day for hiking. When we got back to the starting point (the beach), a bunch of Canada Geese had assembled off-shore. They didn't seem fazed by Ty.

Fall colors

Bridge and golf course

Ty and I

Traveler's Joy  |  Wild Teasel

One of several bridges

Canada geese

New Hampshire's White Mountains

For our third annual dog trip, Ty and I went to New Hampshire's White Mountains, with a side trip to Dog Mountain (in Vermont). It took a day of driving to get to New Hampshire. I drove interstates the whole way, but the last leg of the trip (about 40 miles, NH route 9) was hilly and twisty and in the dark. I was glad to get to our motel -- Day's Inn in Keene, New Hampshire -- at about 9 pm. 

750,852 acres of forest, est. 1918

Map of White Mountains

Keene was two hours from Kancamagus (Kank-ah-mah-gus) Highway (NH Route 112). The 34.5 mile National Scenic Byway connects the towns of Lincoln and Conway and goes through the heart of the White Mountains National Forest. We started in Lincoln. Along the route, we stopped at Lincoln Woods, Otter Rocks, and Sabbaday Falls, as well as several scenic overlooks. We got off at Bear Notch Road, drove to Bartlett, then backtracked to rejoin Kancamangus Highway. Stops closer to Conway included Rocky Gorge Scenic Area , Lower Falls, and Albany Covered Bridge. We stayed in a cabin in Conway overnight. Dinner was pizza, kibble for Ty.

Named after Chief Kancamagus 

35.5 mile scenic drive through the White Mountains

The next morning, we made a quick stop at the Saco Creek Covered Bridge, then drove to nearby Echo Lake State Park. I had wanted to get a picture of Cathedral Ledge from below, but the park wouldn't let me in because of Ty. I wasn't allowed to bring a dog, nor leave him in the car for even just a few minutes while I snapped a few pictures. I was disappointed, a bit perturbed. Stupid New Hampshire law. It was 36 degrees! It made no sense. 

Fall leaf

So we drove to the top of Cathedral Ledge. What a view! After driving back down, I drove around the area looking for place to get a good view of Cathedral Ledge. I never found a great place. The next stop was Diana's Baths, then the Mt. Washington Auto Highway (in Gorham). After doing the breathtaking drive up and down the mountain we headed west. We traveled another scenic highway though Crawford Notch State Park, before arriving at our hotel in Sugar Hill (near Franconia). Dinner was take-out fish-n-chips.

New Hampshire 2026

Ty enjoyed the trip.

The next day we visited the Basin in Franconia Notch State Park. We made a quick stop at Boise Rock, before heading north to Dog Mountain in Vermont. After spending a few hours at Dog Mountain, we traveled the interstate to Brattlesboro (Vermont) where I had booked a room at the Colonial Inn. Subway for dinner. The next day we drove home, arriving about 5:30 pm.

Staying in New Hampshire

During our trip to New Hampshire, we stayed at two really neat Airbnbs. I had rented a cabin in North Conway (Beach Camping Area on the GPS). Conway was the eastern starting point (or ending point) for the scenic Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112). We ended the scenic drive there. We had started in Lincoln.

Cabin in Conway

The name of our cabin was "Bear Notch." It was very nice inside. The cabin next to us was occupied; otherwise, there wasn't much activity at the campground. Mostly there were spots for camping. A few cabins and a yurt. Check-in was contact-less. They had taped an envelope (with my name on it) to the outside of the office with instructions (keycode for door). There was also a code to get into the campground. They had texted that to me ahead of time. After checking in and going for a walk, we drove back into town to get dinner. Pizza. Ty waited in the car.

Bear Notch

Inside the cabin

At night

There was a "beach" along the Saco River. I took Ty for walks around the campground and through the woods to the beach. Not the most scenic beach, but it was probably a pretty popular spot in summer.

Path to the beach

Beach on Saco River

Saco River

The next night we stayed at the Hide Away Inn in Sugar Hill, near Franconia. The Hideaway Inn was located atop a mountain at the former location of the historic Sunset Hill House. Check-in was contact-less here, too. I punched in my key to get into my room. The front door was always open. I parked in front of the Inn to unload my stuff. The car park was across the road.

The Hide Away Inn

Checking in 

My room at the Inn

Common area

Colorful picture of the backside of the hotel

It was a boutique hotel with nostalgic décor. It had lots of amenities, too. Our room was on the second floor. There was a lot of area around the hotel to take Ty for long walks. There were panoramic views of the White Mountains, including the presidential range. The fall colors made the scenery especially picturesque. We arrived close to sunset.

Sunset in Sugar Hill

Scenic view of the mountains

Scenic spot

Another view of the mountains

Beautiful flowers

Ski cabins

The first and last nights of the trip we stayed in run-of-the-mill motels: Days Inn in Keane, NH, and Colonial Inn in Brattlesboro, VT. Rooms were so-so. Continental breakfasts weren't much to brag about. They each charged $20 for Ty. Walking areas were so-so.