Over the past two decades, we have vacationed in, explored, hiked, cruised, discovered, and perused (along with a myriad of other verbs) the beauty of the United States. To this day it never ceases to amaze me all the natural wonders that lay just outside our doorstep. How blessed are we to live in such a country as the U.S.

Hidden within the hillsides of New Hampshire, is a tucked away gem known as The Flume Gorge. This would rank as my #1 hike of all time, except the ice cave in Alaska has it beat and The Narrows in Zion National Park was also pretty spectacular. (I’ll blog about those adventures soon.) Therefore, I’ll rate it as #2 or #3, but definitely in the Top-5 list, which is still really good.

We discovered this breathtaking gorge thanks to the recommendations of other travel nurses. I will admit I was skeptical, especially when I had to pay for a reservation to hike. Who pays to go on a walk?! However, spoiler alert – It was definitely worth it!

First of all, it’s more like a stroll then a hike. We prefer to call them ”scenic walks,” because the kids always complain anytime I say we are going on a hike. This ”scenic walk” traversed us along wooden boardwalks, dirt paths, up hills and through valleys, beneath waterfalls, and across covered bridges. Dramatic moss-covered, granite cliffs towered 90 feet above us, while rushing waters swirled across rocky beds into bubbling glacier pools. The colors of fall rustled all around, while simultaneously specks of reds, oranges, and golds drifted towards earth with each swirling breeze.

The Flume was like buying tickets to the IMAX where the theater comes alive, as the bass rattles your seat and the characters jump off the screen…except even better. While we journeyed down the 2-mile path (1.5 hours), we marveled at the lush green beauty, as spray from the waterfalls dripped off the clinging moss. We experienced nature in it’s all-encompassing “Dolby Digital™️ Surround Sound” as twigs snapped, birds chirped, and waters cascaded down hillsides. But my favorite part was the smell of the woods. There is nothing quite like the aroma of pine and soil mixed together with fallen leaves and autumn air. If only Bath and Body Works™️ could figure out the formula and bottle it, I’d buy it by the caseloads.

Surprisingly, not one kid complained. Abby was enthralled with the stunning scenery as much as Dave and I were. Anna and I took turns breathing in the earthly smells, trying to savor the scents with each turn along the path. Ben and Sam climbed and explored to their hearts’ content through stony passages, bearing names like Wolf’s Den and Bear Cave. Everyone enjoyed the shady, peaceful stroll. Perhaps that’s why you have to make reservations, because if not, I would have made laps through The Flume again and again and again.

Traveling is like treasure hunting, except instead of gathering riches, you collect handfuls of precious memories.

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The Flume is beautifully dramatic, God’s own artwork on display for us to walk through and admire. Like a treasure found along the roadside, this hike was one of those precious gems I will carry with me.