Looking Back at My Childhood in New Hampshire: How This Moose Adventure Became an Unforgettable Experience

Childhood memories are a fascinating thing. As we age, timelines tend to become fuzzy and details fade, but the memories are always there, tucked somewhere in our hearts and minds, just waiting to be reawakened. Maybe it is a taste, a smell, or the lyrics of a forgotten song that suddenly bring back thoughts of an experience that took place long ago. Or perhaps it is something as simple as a bumper sticker or a ridiculous accessory that makes us remember a favorite vacation. In the case of my childhood trip to Pittsburg, New Hampshire, it happens to be both of these things.

Anyone who grew up or spent a significant amount of time in New Hampshire has probably driven by the bright yellow roadside warnings that read “Brake For Moose. It Could Save Your Life.” As a teen, I was weirdly intrigued by these signs. I even had one taped to my bedroom wall, proudly displayed between my poster of Charlie Sheen and Seventeen magazine clippings.

Luckily, I have never had to brake for moose (knock on wood), but until my childhood trip to Pittsburg, I had also never seen one out in the wild. And although my father spent almost his entire life in New Hampshire, he also had not crossed a moose sighting off his bucket list. An impromptu getaway up north would soon change all that.

I imagine my love of travel and interest in roadside oddities come from my father, who also adored unusual attractions and unique experiences. While he was very much a planner by nature, he often set out on road trips without securing accommodations or making reservations. These “adventures,” as he liked to call them, always left us with great memories. Our trip to Pittsburg was no exception.

Before this getaway, I had never even heard of Pittsburg. It turns out that it is a tiny little town at the tip of the state, only miles from the Canadian border. The region includes a lovely lake, scenic Magalloway Mountain, and fewer than 1000 residents.

Pittsburg’s claim to fame is an area fondly named “Moose Alley.” This 12-mile stretch of land surrounding Route 3 is one of the state’s best places to catch sight of moose.

So on a sunny Labor Day weekend, my parents and I piled in the car and made the three-hour trek up north for the sole purpose of spotting a moose. After settling in at a cozy lakeside cabin and grabbing a bite to eat, we grabbed our binoculars and excitedly set out for Moose Alley. Unfortunately, our first attempt proved unsuccessful. 

According to moose experts, the best time of day to spot a moose is at dawn or dusk when they are most active, so luckily, we had another chance. The next morning, my dad and I arose before the sun and headed back out for attempt number two. I expected us to be the only crazy people out at that ungodly hour of the morning, but surprisingly, the side of the road was lined up with cars packed with fellow moose enthusiasts.

It wasn’t long before our early-morning adventure paid off, and a gigantic moose came wandering by. The sheer size of this stunning creature was unforgettable, and he was quite handsome as well.

We excitedly returned to the cabin to tell my mother (who chose to sleep in) all about our sighting. We spent the rest of the day relaxing by the lake and shopping at local stores for a moose-themed souvenir. My dad finally found the perfect take-away: a red baseball hat adorned with a soft moose head.

Over the years, this quirky accessory proved to be quite the conversation piece. My father loved to show it to friends as he relayed the story of our Pittsburg moose hunting adventure.

In 2019, my dad passed away. Weeks later, as we were cleaning out my family home, my husband and I stumbled across the famous moose hat, and I instantly thought about our family trip all those years ago. I wasn’t sure what we would do with the hat, but I knew we had to keep it. My husband has actually used it several times as a costume for local running races. Whenever he wears it, he always receives lots of compliments and, more importantly, I am forever reminded of my dad. I know he is looking down and laughing at the ridiculous hat still in use all these years later.

What types of things remind you of your childhood trips or adventures? If you are interested in visiting Pittsburg, New Hampshire, there are some great places to stay, including this exceptional lakeside cabin.