Northward Again

The title remains appropriate for a life full of moves. I've rediscovered this place to write, and will hopefully find time to do so.
Another winter is beginning, and I've relocated to Gilford, 30 miles north of Concord, in a little house on 1/2 an acre across the street from 100 mostly wooded acres running up the northeast side of a 250' hill (from 560' at the house to around 800' at the top). There are trails for hiking and skiing, including some maintained by the Gunstock Nordic Association. The trails open up to a field near the top with beautiful views to the Sandwich Range and Mount Washington.
Currently we have about 12" of snow on the ground , courtesy of a couple of 3" storms, one 10" storm, and some rain. There are tracks around the yard from Kara and I trying out our cross-country skiis. It's hard to find time to get outside with days so short this close to the solstice (and a busy 18 month old keeping us occupied, indoors or close to home), but I make the occasional foray.
I was up Gunstock Mountain with a friend a week and a half ago, before any snow. We took a trail which starts at the base of the carriage road (closed this time of year) and heads straight up a ridge to the summit. It's a beautiful, direct hike, with a small amount of scrambling on some blocky rocks near the top. From oaks at the bottom to firs near the top, it's a quick trip through different forest types and a lot of elevation for the distance. Looks like 1200' in about a mile.
Somewhere to the north of there, skirting around the west side of the mountain, I should be able to find the Winnipesaukee Trail, cut in the 1930's when it was accessed by the nation's second rope tow. I finally picked up some cross country downhill skiis I'll have to try out in this new playground. Now we just need more snow!