It had been several years since I had been to Pittsburg, NH, a place I used to visit three times a year or more back in the day.

My visits gradually became more infrequent as I got older, gained work and family responsibilities and grew less inclined to make the long drive. Besides, moose sightings had become increasingly rare up there, while they used to be a sure thing. Moose had always been the main attraction for me and many others who visit there.

Even so, the area has retained a special place in my heart, and I often long to be there. I just wish I could teleport there with my truck, canoe and camping equipment.

Last weekend, I made a quick trip there to try my luck at finding moose again. I struck out in my search for Alces alces, but other wildlife was abundant. Even as the moose sightings dwindled over the years, it was always nice to find northern wildlife such as loons, grouse, Canada jay and other boreal forest birds.

The latest trip started with a bit of disappointment as I turned off the main road onto a dirt road that leads to my favorite canoeing pond. A sign posted on the dirt road alerted drivers that the road was closed prior to the public launch site. I drove up there anyway and, sure enough, a bridge was out just before the parking area. There was a “road” leading to another launch point, but I had my low-clearance car, and I wasn’t about to risk it and get stuck in the middle of nowhere.

I ventured back down the road and eventually launched the canoe on a narrow stretch of the Connecticut River that leads to Second Connecticut Lake. It was just before sunrise, but there wasn’t going to be much sun regardless as it was drizzling and foggy.

The stretch of river is always a pleasant place to paddle with classic boreal forest habitat on either side. Despite the poor weather conditions, I heard a few warbler species and the odd pump-er-lunk callof an American bittern, which I never did locate. A few common mergansers flew overhead.

As I got to the expanse of the lake, the drizzle stopped, and fog thickened. A slight northern breeze pushed a thick blanket of fog across the scene. As it engulfed me, I could see only a few dozen yards ahead of me. When the fog cleared a few minutes later, I noticed a loon pair swimming together in the lake not far from the canoe. I resisted the urge to paddle towards them and waited to see if they would get closer on their own.

While I waited, I watched a bald eagle fly across the lake and land at the top of an evergreen. The fog, mist, eagle, loons and mirror-like water made for a scene that convinced me that I had made the right decision to drive up there.

The loons did eventually get close enough that I could snap a few photos. The results of the photo do not fully reflect the beautiful dreariness of the scene.

It would turn out to be my only canoe ride of the trip, as I discovered that my 27-year-old Radisson was leaking on both ends. Water had filled the bottom of the canoe, so I worked my way back to the car.

For the remainder of the day, I took several walks along the endless dirt roads and saw several warbler species in addition to other birds and wildlife. Canada warbler and magnolia warbler, similar-looking colorful birds, were the dominant species.

The trip may have been void of moose, but it was more than inspiring enough to make me want to return again soon. Just have to get the canoe patched up first.