Over 20,000 square feet of home fashion to fit your family’s needs.
COME SEE WHAT’S NEW FOR FALL!
Welcome to Northern New Hampshire’s LARGEST FURNITURE and APPLIANCE showroom! Our nine-level warehouse helps to ensure availability, and we carry many manufacturers in our large showroom. An in-house team of full-time service professionals guarantees we stand behind what we sell.
Visit our online virtual showroom for the best selection of the latest styles in furniture and appliances in the North Country!
PUBLISHER/CREATIVE
Dan Houde dan@wiseguycreative.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Cam Mirisola-Bynum
SALES MANAGER
Chris Pacheco ads@mwvvibe.com
DISTRIBUTION / CIRCULATION
Mt Washington Valley Vibe is published four times annually and is available for pick-up, free of charge, in over 300 locations throughout the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire and into the communities of Western Maine.
MWV Vibe is also available at many New Hampshire Welcome Centers throughout the state.
MWV Vibe can also be found in select retail shops, dining establishments, lodging properties, and grocery stores throughout the same area. If your business, or one you know, would like to make MWV Vibe available to its customers, please contact us.
For advertising, feedback, and subscriptions, call (603) 986-5761 or email info@mwvvibe.com.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Four editions annually - $40 www.mwvvibe.com/subscribe
THOUGHTS FROM THE PUBLISHER
This past summer, Mt Washington Valley Vibe staff attended the annual New Hampshire Press Association Excellence in Journalism Awards Banquet, held June 20, at the Institute of Politics, Saint Anselm College. The New Hampshire Press Association (NHPA) recognizes outstanding achievements by its members, which include various-sized news organizations from northern New England; including larger publishers, such as the Boston Globe and the New Hampshire Union Leader, to smaller ones, such as the Keene Sentinel and local Conway Daily Sun
The event opened with a tribute to long-time Concord Monitor editor, Mike Pride, whose family was present to receive the Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor. Mt Washington Valley Vibe took home five awards—including a third-, second-, and three first-place honors.
The third-place award was given for the Environmental Reporting category to Matt Howe’s (executive director of Green Mountain Conservation Group), article: “ROAD SALT: How Much Is Too Much?” This article was focused on the dangers of road salt use in the region and can be found in Vibe’s 2023/24 winter edition.
Heather Corrigan’s (executive director of Conway Historical Society) article “Yesterday’s Après Ski,” won second place in the Feature Writing category. This article, also from the 2023/24 winter edition, brought readers back to the early ski days in the Valley and was complemented with numerous first-time published photographs from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.
First-place awards were as follows: Dan Houde/Marty Basch won first place in the Best Design category with “Snow Grooming Under Cover,” and John Rondeau won first place in the Photo Essay category with “Soaring Spectacle Above White Mountain Waters.” Once again, John mesmerized readers with his captivating wildlife photos; this time focused specifically on bald eagles in the region. A brilliant capture was featured on the front cover of Vibe’s 2023 summer edition.
The most notable award for us overall was first place in General Excellence. It was indeed an honor to be recognized with such an award, especially in lieu of the many remarkable publications in the region. This award was truly noteworthy, as it exemplifies the work of so many over the years to acknowledge the uniqueness of the Mt. Washington Valley and the people who have made it such a special place.
In eight years, 187 writers, 58 photographers, and countless artists have written, researched, photographed, and painted their way onto thousands of published pages. Each and every one of them has contributed to receiving these awards.
During that time, we’ve been fortunate to have the continued support of managing editor Cam Mirisola-Bynum and sales manager Chris Pacheco. Cam has been on board since Vibe’s very first edition, reviewing content, managing the editorial process, improving readability, and ensuring that each article is accurate and appealing. As Vibe is supported almost entirely by advertising, Chris has ensured customer satisfaction while developing and maintaining positive relationships with current and potential advertisers.
Finally, thank you to all our readers who have supported us and our advertisers during this time. We look forward to many more years ahead!
Mike is a hiker and skier, and a WMNF volunteer, lending some of his time to search and rescue and to trail maintenance. When Mike isn’t busy with those volunteer pursuits, his guide/outfitter company, Redline Guiding, keeps him and his merry band of guides pretty busy, offering guests plenty to do in all seasons.
Bernadette Donohue, Fryeburg, ME
Known as the Dream Home Matchmaker, Bernie’s love of adventure, nature, and people started her real estate career 37 years ago. Bernie’s passion is also to facilitate caring connections and community. She is co-chair of local REALTORS® Community Service Committee, Creator of MWV Photo Contest, Calendars for Charities and Hands of Hope, cancer survivor banner.
Dave Greenslit, Conway, NH
Dave is a retired newspaper reporter and editor who moved to the Mt. Washington Valley to be close to the hiking, skiing, and mountain biking the area has to offer. He has section-hiked the Appalachian, Long, and Cohos trails and completed New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers.
Sarah Davidson, North Conway, NH
Sarah is a teacher, whitewater and outdoor recreation guide, and avid hiker and runner. She is an adventure advocate and educator for everything outdoors. Sarah lives in North Conway with her family.
Rachel Freierman, Bartlett, NH
Rachel is a teacher, ski patroller, and farmer living in Bartlett, NH. When not working, they most enjoy sharing their love for the outdoors with their two young children.
Kimberly Harvey, North Conway, NH
Transplanted to the Mt. Washington Valley from Fairport, NY in 1995, Kimberly craved the mountain life since camping with family at a young age and exploring the outdoors in college. Her original passion for rock climbing and backpacking has shifted to skiing in multiple disciplines and ADV motorcycling, with international travel adventures under her belt. Operating a thriving local food truck in northern New England, Kimberly’s Gluten Free Kitchen, has given her the freedom to balance work and play.
Lea Camille Smith, Fryeburg, ME
Lea is a writer, MFA student, and gardener. She is the executive editor for the Stonecoast Review. Her work can be found in The Tiger Moth Review, Island Ink, MOF&G, Om Yoga Magazine, and elsewhere. In her free time, she can be found frolicking in the White Mountains.
Lindsay Kafka, Eaton, NH
Lindsay grew up in Concord, MA, but relocated to Eaton in 2020 with her husband upon graduating from nursing school and getting a job locally. Lindsay is passionate about conservation and serves as board VP for the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust. She loves to hike, Nordic ski, garden, cook, and snap photos with her camera.
Paul Mayer, Bartlett, NH
Paul studied art while living in Europe. After majoring in business and law, he managed hotels for Marriott and Sonesta, throughout the United States. Paul moved to Bartlett in 1994, as manager of the Eagle Mountain House. In 2001, he founded Black Bear Realty and spent over 20 years selling real estate while raising two sons with his wife Valerie. Paul retired and sold his company in 2022 and opened the White Mountain Museum and Gallery in North Conway.
Matt Maloney, Jackson, NH
Matt is a teacher naturalist at Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, New Hampshire. Formerly the Adirondack Mountain Club’s coordinator for interpretive programs, he has a degree in environmental education from Antioch in Keene, NH.
Anna Mangum, Jackson, NH
Anna is the assistant editor of Decor Maine magazine. Born in Atlanta, she fell in love with New England after studying creative writing and literature at Bates College—and hasn’t left since. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her puppy, running, and soaking up water and sun at various river spots in New Hampshire.
Heather Corrigan, North Conway, NH
Originally from Connecticut, Heather has called the White Mountains home for over a decade. Her passion for preservation and local history have put her in the middle of the rich history of the Valley and a member of the Conway Historic District Commission. When she’s not rooting for the “wrong” baseball team, she’s preserving local history as the executive director of the Conway Historical Society.
Additional contributers
Joe Klementovich, photography
Brett Protasiewicz, writer & photography
Meg Simone, writer & photography
Josh Laskin, writer & photography
Stephanie Canell, additional source
Norman Head, additional source
Bartlett Historical Society, additional source
If you reside locally or have ties to the Mt. Washington Valley region and would like to offer your creative talents, please contact us at info@mwvvibe.com.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
THE RUGGED MILL
The businesses below are members of White Mountain Independents! Learn more at www.whitemountainindependents.com.
The Rugged Mill is the “Quality Outdoor Outfitter,” established by locals Matt and Carissa Fusco in North Conway Village in June of 2010. The Rugged Mill is founded on the premise of providing top-quality outdoor products and the belief in providing the best customer service possible. The Rugged Mill offers some of the topmost recognizable outdoor apparel brands, featuring Patagonia—and including Pendleton, KÜHL, Outback Trading Co., Arborwear, Royal Robbins, and KAVU, to name a few. The Rugged Mill also carries an extensive selection of New Hampshire novelties and souvenirs, Puppie Love, Jeep apparel, funny T-shirts, Boston sports apparel, blankets, throws, and more!
Some of The Rugged Mill’s most popular items include Patagonia trucker hats, Goodr sunglasses, Pendleton wool shirts, quality flannel and chamois shirts, Hydro Flask water bottles, Outback Trading Co. oilskin hats and jackets, Arborwear work pants and double-thick sweatshirts, Douglas stuffed animals, A.T. Storrs LTD abalone jewelry, and Matt’s personal favorite, KÜHL pants.
The Rugged Mill is located at 2633 White Mountain Highway—on Main Street in North Conway Village, across from the train station, next to Badger Peabody & Smith Realty.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Sales with discounts of 20% – 70% off daily
• Quality outdoor clothing
• Funny T-shirts
• NH T-shirts, shot glasses, stickers, and magnets
For more information, call (603) 356-0490, or visit www.theruggedmill.com
THE CHRISTMAS LOFT
The Christmas Loft is a magical family attraction that carries the best in holiday decor with an atmosphere that is enjoyable for all ages. Inside, in room after room, collectibles come to life in beautifully lit vignettes that evoke memories of happy holidays, with the promise of capturing the magic for years to come. Visitors walk through a life-sized animated New England Christmas village as they peek into all the shops, talk to the singing cow Bessie and all of her Christmas friends, see Santa flying above, and take in all the sights and sounds of Christmas.
The Christmas Loft has the largest selection of holiday decorations in New England. From ornaments to all the most popular and unique collectibles and decor, there is something for everyone.
And the fun continues! You can walk next door to the Tricks & Treats building, which is full of Halloween decorations, toys, candy, and delicious ice cream treats, including over-the-top Crazy Shakes. All of this can be enjoyed on a stunning patio with beautiful views of the Moats and plenty of photo opportunities, including a life-size Sasquatch, a huge Christmas bear, Stanley the Alien, and more!
The Christmas Loft is located at 2028-2050 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH.
For more information, call (603) 356-5253, or visit www.christmasloft.com TheRuggedMill
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Animated life-size Christmas Village
• Incredible selection of holiday decor
• Spooky Halloween store
• Ice cream & candy shop with mountain views
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Established in 1971, Carroll County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a 501c3 organization that focuses on addressing societal issues and improving the quality of life for many people in Carroll County without the intention of making a profit. It deploys
Signature service areas include a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program that assists frail and vulnerable older adults, individuals with disabilities, and veterans who need assistance getting to and from medical-related appointments; a Meals on Wheels Volunteer Driver Program that addresses senior hunger and isolation; an Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Program that helps to prevent
With an annual budget close to $200,000, RSVP relies on the growth and success of signature events like The Festival of Trees to help meet the fundraising challenge.
more than 355 volunteers across Carroll County who support the efforts of 42 community-based human service agencies in solving community challenges and making a difference in our community. RSVP volunteers, age 55 and over, choose how, where, and when they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to 40 hours per week.
9th Annual Festival of Trees
November 29 - December 7
Enjoy 125 beautifully-decorated trees, a silent auction, entertainment ... and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause! www.nhfestivaloftrees.com
osteoporosis by putting stress on your bones and making them work harder; as well as cross-generation efforts in food pantries, libraries, hospitals, schools, and community centers.
Funding for the valued volunteer programs is provided in part by Carroll County and the NHDOT-FTA Section 5310 Program. In addition, other sources of income include grants, corporate contributions, individual gifts, local fundraisers, contributions from community organizations, annual appeals, and charity/fundraising events. With an annual budget close to $200,000, RSVP relies on the growth and success of signature events like The Festival of Trees to help meet the fundraising challenge.
For more information about Carroll County RSVP’s programs and volunteer opportunities, call Mary Carey Seavey at (603) 356-9331 or email mary.ccrsvp@gmail.com.
“Under All Is the Land” ... Stewardship in Everyday Life
It was a picturesque, endlessly blue-sky day in September when 50 of us gathered at Marshfield Station to board the Cog Railway to the summit of Mount Washington. Heading to the top of the tallest peak in the Northeast, known for its worst weather conditions, we were incredibly grateful for the clear skies and warm-ish weather as our ascent began. A grade averaging 25 percent (sometimes up to 38 percent) makes this the world’s second steepest mountain climbing railway. Stellar visibility, phenomenal views, an expert engineer, and guide provided us with a historical narrative of the 155 years in operation, along with safe passage to the top. On this day, there was 70-plus miles of visibility, and we were told you could see from Quebec to the Atlantic Ocean as we roamed around the rock pile, soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery.
It’s been a while since I first summitted Mount Washington in the mid-1980s. I remember like it was yesterday: the feeling
abilities to experience the majesty of the tallest peak in the Northeast with its panoramic breathtaking views. In the 40 years since, I’ve been to the summit by car and van with family and friends, who would not have otherwise been able to make it up, and I can now add the Cog to the list of my summit adventures. Getting to the top via Cog was yet another hillclimb I won’t soon forget. What an amazing “classroom” environment we have available to us, right in our own backyard. Fifteen years ago, on an elementary school field trip, my son’s class visited the Tip Top House, and I felt the very same. We are so very fortunate to be able to share in the magnificence of this natural wonder.
Since our office’s merger three years ago, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty’s eight office locations throughout the state, come together for team-building trips, taking advantage of the local beauty and adventure that surrounds us. A fantastic way to take
I’ve always understood and appreciated that beauty and nature aren’t just a backdrop to our everyday life in the Valley and notch communities: they’re the very reasons that people choose to visit, vacation, and/or settle in the lakes and mountain regions of NH, ME, and VT. The land itself is what ties us all together.
of pride and accomplishment; then in my mid-20s and having hiked my way for the first time to the top of this 6,288-foot mountain, to earn the reward of these same jaw-dropping views. I also recall a feeling of disappointment as I experienced a rather busy hub on the summit, crowded with people who came by vehicles that filled the lookout points with tourists, cars, vans, and, of course, the Cog. Over time, however, I have developed a different appreciation for this welcoming summit—an inspiring place that allows people of all ages and
a break from routine, appreciate camaraderie, and add some new experiences to our firsthand knowledge of the amenities in the areas we serve. The first year, we went ATVing in the hills of Berlin. Something I never thought I would do, but found myself loving the off-road experience, excitement, and a new perspective of views. The second year was an educational and equally inspiring (albeit, more relaxing), afternoon boat ride on “Golden Pond” through the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. This year’s trip to the top of Mount Washington, via the
Cog Railway, reminded me that the right to experience nature at its best also comes with a responsibility. Afforded to us by ingenuity and forward-thinking leaders who fought (and continue to fight) to preserve our national resources, across this country. Similarly, across the world, with this right comes the responsibility for us all to care for our resources as we continue to widen the opportunity for others to enjoy.
I’ve always understood and appreciated that beauty and nature aren’t just a backdrop to our everyday life in the Valley and notch communities: they’re the very reasons that people choose to visit, vacation, and/or settle in the lakes and mountain regions of NH, ME, and VT. The land itself is what ties us all together. While breathing in the vast terrain and sweeping views, I was reminded of the preamble to the REALTORS® Code of Ethics, which starts; “Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization…”
Many might not realize that REALTORS® adhere to an eight-page code of ethics that guide agents who are members of the National Association of REALTORS®, on principles of honesty, integrity, fairness, and responsibility. Established in 1913 as the first codification of ethical duties adopted by any business group, our code of ethics is a living and breathing document that continues to be enhanced to ensure consumers are well served by business practices aimed at furthering the client’s best interests, through cooperation and integrity. All real estate agents are not REALTORS® but those who are, take a pledge—an oath created in 1954—to act in the spirit of the Golden Rule, to abide by its code of ethics and to protect and widen the opportunities of real estate ownership and enjoyment. Similar to the 2024 changes in Federal rules governing real estate practices, there are also recent changes to our code to clarify our profession’s best practice obligations to both clients and customers.
Looking out over the mountain ranges from atop Mount Washington was a poignant reminder to me of the magnificence of our earth, its vast beauty, its rugged terrain, its apparent stability, and yet, its ever-changing fragility. Ethics, integrity, and responsibility are tasked to us all as contemporary demands increase the opportunities for more people to enjoy our local lakes, rivers, mountains, and forests with a delicate balance of progress versus preservation. Like the evolution to our laws governing land, it is our collective responsibility to make certain that we, the people, continue to thrive along with the earth’s inevitable changes, in a respectful and sustainable manner. Just like the millions of years it has taken to create the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Mother Earth will adapt and survive. It is the earth’s inhabitants that we must mindfully nurture, educate, protect, and preserve so that generations to come will be here and able to experience the extraordinary surroundings and pleasures that we get to enjoy today.
Bernadette Donohue, REALTOR & Certified Residential Specialist, CRS. Serving the real estate needs of NH and ME since 1985. Contact Bernie at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty, BernieD@BadgerPeabodySmith.com, (603) 356-5757 x 310 or mobile (207) 542-9967
NURTURING NATURE
Putting Fall Gardens to Bed
Lea Camille Smith
As autumn moves into the Valley, it’s time to set your sights on fall garden tasks. There’s plenty to do before the frost comes and the snow soon follows to set yourself up for success when spring rolls back around. It’s easy to let the gardens go after they’ve stopped producing or flowering, but abandoning the gardening tools too early will only create more work when the frost melts and it’s time to get going again. These four tips will motivate the tired gardener to take just a few extra steps in late October and early November to avoid perennial loss, unhealthy soil, plant disease, and extra work in the spring. You’ll thank yourself in April.
HARVEST AND PRESERVE
The first step for fall gardening is to do a little detective work. Is there any remaining produce such as hearty squash and Brussels sprouts still hiding in the garden that you missed during the harvest? Take a sweep of your gardens and check for any last delights before the animals figure it out.
Fall is a great time to start preserving any squash or veggies that didn’t get eaten. Winter squash keeps well in a cool, dry place for two to six months, depending on variety. Or, cut into cubes and freeze for a mid-winter treat. Brussels sprouts can be quickly blanched and placed in freezer bags or containers for hauling out for holidays. Herbs can be cut and dried by bunching, tying, and hanging in a cool, dry place or in a dehydrator. When dry, crumble into containers for a pop of flavor.
PULL AND CUT
Pull back annuals, stalks, vines, and plants that have died. Focus on cleaning up as much garden debris as you can to keep the soil healthy and to reduce the risk of harboring diseases or harmful bacteria in your garden. However, if you grew peas or beans in your garden, cut down to the ground, haul away, and leave the roots; their nitrogen fixing properties will help with soil health. In the spring, you can remove the remaining plant matter. With the soil free of dead plant matter, take some time to weed the garden before winter, so the beds are clean at the start of the next season.
What about leaves? The jury is still out about those. Some gardeners insist on removing leaves, as they believe the moisture that the leaves bring can encourage rot or introduce bacteria and fungus; other gardeners argue that leaves act as a free mulch and fertilizer that will protect the garden and feed the soil throughout the winter. If you prefer to remove leaves from your garden, a rake or leaf blower is your friend. If you want to keep the leaves, still plan on removing other dead plants, as the spring leaf removal will be easier without additional plant matter in the way.
There are countless Northeast perennials to discuss for cutting back. Next is a list of some of the most popular. Most of these plants can be cut back with a pair of hand pruners, but woody branches and shrubs might require loppers or a small hand saw.
Lea Camille Smith photo
Lea Camille Smith photo
Hostas: After the first frost, the leaves will turn yellow and brown and wilt. Cut the plant back to the ground and clean up any dead leaves or plant matter.
Daylilies: Clip down to a half inch above the ground so as not to damage the crown of the plant, remove stringy leaves and plant matter.
Peonies: Wait until foliage has turned brown from frost before cutting back down to the base of the plant. Remove stalks.
Coneflower: Cut back stems, leaving two inches above the ground to protect the crown of the plant.
Irises: After their midsummer “fan” cut, the remaining dead leaves should be cut down to the ground in the fall after a frost.
Shasta daisy: Cut back to two inches above the ground when the foliage has yellowed.
Many other Northeast perennials follow similar directions. If you’re feeling unsure about how to care for a plant in the fall, local resources such as Designed Gardens and McSherry’s Nursery can offer guidance.
AMEND THE SOIL
After a season of plants drawing nutrients from the soil, it’s a good idea to amend the soil before winter to ensure a productive season the following year. The number one tip is to add nutrient-rich compost to the soil. Think of it as a vitamin infusion for your garden. If you don’t have a home
Photo courtesy of bbbarns.com
Photo courtesy of Eleni Veroutsos
PLANTING BULBS IN THE FALL
Bulbs are a great way to ensure a pop of color in the spring before the rest of your garden gets started.
• Mid to late fall, before the ground freezes, is a great time to plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth.
• In an area that gets lots of sun, turn the soil to reduce compaction and create space for the bulbs, then scoop soil with a trowel.
• Plant tulips and daffodils around 6 inches deep and hyacinths 4 to 6 inches deep with the roots facing down, then cover with soil.
compost pile, ask your local farmer if they have a surplus for purchase, or visit your local garden supplier. A good quality compost should be light, crumbly, and have an earthy aroma. Cover your weeded, pruned, and cleaned out beds with 1 to 3 inches of compost, depending on the garden’s needs, and till in with a metal rake.
COVER YOUR BEDS
Leaving the soil bare to the winter elements can cause erosion and compaction. After you’ve amended the soil, covering your beds is another important step. There are plenty of options for covering your beds:
Mulch: Great for protection, erosion, and weed control. Apply 2 to 4 inches to the top of the soil and spread with a rake.
Leaves: You can use all the leaves raked from your yard as a natural mulch that will infuse your soil with added nutrients. To access more of these nutrients and speed up the decomposition process, run over your leaf pile with a lawnmower to chop the leaves into smaller pieces before spreading on your garden.
Straw, wood chips, and pine needles are other good options for natural mulch. Make sure to get straw, as opposed to hay, as there is less seed in it, and choose organic straw (as it should be free of pesticides).
GARDENER’S NOTE:
After you’ve cleaned out your garden and amended and protected the soil, make sure to put your tools away, drain and wrap up any hoses, and remove sprinklers from the gardens. This will preserve them from the elements and help them last longer. Clean out any planters or pots and organize your shed or storage space for next year. By taking some extra time in the fall, you can enjoy the winter months knowing that springtime will bring healthy soil and an easier start to the season.
PLANNING A DISPLAY?
Take note of the plant height and color when planting your bulbs. For example, tulips in the back, as they are the tallest, then daffodils in the middle, and hyacinth in the front, which will create a sloping effect while showcasing all blooms.
You can buy a mixed-color pack of some bulbs, or single colors, which you can use to plant either in clumps or spread out as you desire. Just make sure to give your bulbs 1 to 3 inches of space in between plantings.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Rose/Garden Therapy
Photo courtesy of www.farmprogress.com
Photo courtesy of www.longfield-gardens.com
After a summer of sun, now is the perfect time to focus on improving skin quality with medical grade products, IPL (light treatments), radiofrequency, microneedling, hydrafacials, and more!
Fresh Face Studio
is a comprehensive Medical Spa with two locations; North Conway & Gorham, NH.
Dr. Edwin Giron and Caitlin Behr, RN offer state- of-the-art therapeutic and esthetic treatments using a broad range of products, procedures, and technologies including injectables, energy based cleansing and resurfacing treatments, and offering medical-grade skin care products.
Our relationship with our clients begin with a comprehensive evaluation where we listen to your concerns and then work with you to achieve an authentic, fresh, and rejuvenated look.
Visit our website, or call to schedule a consultation; you’ll see why so many people have chosen to work with us for their skin care needs!
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Edwin Giron DDS, DAAFE
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A aboutLoveCheesyStory My Community
By Anna Mangum
Back in 2020, in the height of the pandemic, I worked at Pinkham Notch while my best friend had a job at a little-known restaurant that specialized in grilled cheese on the Kancamagus Highway. Though our occupations were about an hour apart—it’s quite the haul beating summer traffic from Conway to Pinkham—I made it out to this “Cheese Louise” one day in August.
“Artisanal grilled cheese?” I remember asking her. All she said was: “You have to try to the ‘No Porkin’ way.’” Who comes up with these names? I wondered.
My friend, Zoë Eisenberg, explained that she had grown up with the three owners, and that this business started as a fun summer job (later turned full-blown restaurant) during college. All I had done in my college years was start and delete a series of novels that would never see the light of day; so needless to say, I was impressed.
That was the first time I heard of Cheese Louise. Post-college, months later, I made my way back to the Valley. Little did I know at the time how relevant Cheese Louise would soon become in my life.
Whispers of a new Cheese Louise in the center of town started to circulate. Then, a small, red sign emerged in one of the windows bearing the name. My first thought was that this new restaurant could be a great space to host the writing workshop I had been running throughout the winter. Something about the energy of this company and space felt compelling.
But, of course, what’s a good story without a little romance? When I was introduced to one of the Cheese Louise owners later that spring … how terribly cheesy is it to say that I experienced love at first sight?
Ever since that meeting and eventual relationship, Cheese Louise became really relevant in my life. As spring turned to summer, the location—once in fledgling stages—opened its doors as a thoughtfully designed restaurant to welcome in hordes of grilled-cheese loving locals and hungry tourists.
One thing I quickly observed since the restaurant’s new opening is that the grilled cheese, while STELLAR, might be the least remarkable thing about it (don’t get me wrong, it’s still the best grilled cheese you will ever eat).
It’s the power of community values baked into the business that sets Cheese Louise apart. I felt this deeply when Bryce Harrison—the co-owner, love-at-first-sight-guy—and I were talking about a run club. I had been wanting to start one for a few weeks and he encouraged me to use the space as a hub. So, Detours Run Club was born (the detours bit being a $5 pint and social hour post-run). Their marketing manager, Ella Chandler, turned around a vibrant logo in less than 24 hours. I announced it to the public, excited and nervous.
Every week, the group meets at 6 p.m. right outside Cheese Louise in North Conway. We head left onto Main Street towards Whittaker Woods for a 3-mile loop on the trails. That first week, I expected no one to show up. I stood outside of the newly opened restaurant twisting my hands, looking to see if anyone would come. To my surprise, three people came. Then the next week, the number doubled, then tripled. People seemed to love having a group that meets regularly, like a ritual or routine. It’s something to count on. I love the workout-style running groups and events in the Valley, but I wanted Detours to feel laid back and accessible. After every run, the group hangs out for discounted pints of beer and grilled cheese, which is my favorite part of the club.
The momentum of the community-oriented Cheese Louise caught on quickly. Soon after Detours, a weekly pickup soccer group was established on Tuesdays. Trivia started after run club on Wednesdays. Thursdays marks live music. Writing club is going to come to Cheese Louise in November. Undoubtedly, there will be much more to come.
Any bias aside, what I have witnessed at the Norcross location speaks for itself. The night before its opening in June, I stood at the restaurant to see a line of 50 people camping out overnight, anticipating its promotional opening. That included people wearing cheese shaped hats and other Cheese Louise merch from over the years. The radio station pulled up in the morning, interviewing those who had braved a night of rain on the patio. Music played, people gathered. There was an undeniable electricity in the air that hasn’t quite evaporated since the opening. Any given evening in the beer garden, mixed in with visitors to the area, I’ll see a group of locals that I know.
So why join run club? Well, just as Cheese Louise is more than simply grilled cheese, Detours Run Club is much more than the miles. It’s finding your cadence in a new community, while creating your place in it with the help of new neighbors, friends, and extended family.
Three years ago, I moved here from the South. My first season in the Valley was a lonely one. Moving up to the “North Country” was akin to embarking on a wild and capricious journey. As I allude to above, one beautiful thing about life in the Valley—that feels completely and utterly overwhelming, in the best way—is this concept: community. In Atlanta, I would never run into people I knew in the grocery store or out and about. I’m sure my neighbors understand what I mean when I say it’s impossible to go anywhere in the Mt. Washington Valley without running into someone you know. I love that Cheese Louise has captured that energy, electricity, and continues to bring people together, with a comforting frequency. The people are running to it with open arms—literally, every Wednesday, sometime around 6:45 p.m.—waiting for our discounted beers and grilled cheese.
Indoor Tasting Room & Outdoor Beer Garden
ART IN THE VALLEY
By Paul Mayer, White Mountain Museum & Gallery
Postcards from the White Mountains
On August 28, 1826, high in the White Mountains, heavy rain beat down on Crawford Notch. Fearing for their lives, the Willey family of seven, along with two farmhands, left the safety of their home for shelter in a nearby cave. The storm raged and the mountainside gave way. Mudslides tore through stands of trees and dragged boulders down into the Valley. In the morning, the Willey house stood, but all nine who had fled were lost. Upon visiting the site, Hudson River School artist Thomas Cole (1801-1848) wrote, “The site of the Willey House, with its little patch of green in the gloomy desolation, very naturally recalled to mind the horrors of the night when the whole family perished beneath an avalanche of rocks and earth.” So begins the story of the White Mountain School of Art.
Thomas Cole’s lithograph: White Mountains. Distant view of
the slides that destroyed the Whilley family, showed city dwellers the harshness and beauty of the magnificent wilderness of the mountains just to the north of them. Painters were drawn to the landscapes of the White Mountains and romanticized them as a natural Eden, contrasting them with the smog-filled cityscapes of the Industrial Revolution. Influenced by European romantic painters, but with a strong American sensibility, The White Mountain School focused on the grandeur of the American landscape. As these dramatic landscapes were exhibited in the major cities around New England, city dwellers, hoping to escape the heat, humidity, and filth of the cities—in the summer—began traveling to the mountains, along with the artists and, thus, tourism joined logging in the economy of the Mt. Washington Valley.
The most famous view of the White Mountains from Conway can be studied in great detail as a print on the stairway of the Conway Public Library. The vista was taken from atop Sunset Hill in North Conway, the former site of the Birchmont Mansion, later Red Jacket Mountain View, and soon to be renamed Birchmont once again. The print was based on the above oil painting by John Frederick Kensett.
Winslow Homer, Artists Sketching in the White Mountains, 1868, oil on panel, 24.1 × 40.3 cm, Portland Museum of Art
Over the years, more than 400 artists painted in the White Mountains, and many of them painted with Benjamin Champney, while in Conway. In his memoir, Sixty Years’ Memories of Art and Artists, he recalls, “Thus every year brought fresh visitors to North Conway as the news of its attractions spread, until in 1853 and 1854 the meadows and the banks of the Saco were dotted all about with white umbrellas in great numbers.” This is the image depicted by Portland artist Winslow Homer in his painting in the Portland Museum of Art, Artists Sketching in the White Mountains
One of the first to make the pilgrimage to the Mt. Washington Valley was Benjamin “Crackbone”* Champney (18171907). Starting in 1838, at the young age of 21, Champney traveled to the Valley from Boston, on foot and by horsedrawn carriage over multiple days. He sketched and painted throughout the Mt. Washington Valley. He was so enchanted by the picturesque summits, falls, and gorges of this region that he devoted the following 60 years to painting its landscape. He is considered the “Dean of the White Mountain School” for aggressively promoting the area to other painters. In 1841, at the age of 24, he left for Paris, where he spent five years studying the old masters. He was accompanied on the trip by lifelong friend and artist John F. Kensett. The two traveled throughout France, Italy, and Germany. It was during
Signed & dated lower center: B. Champney 1857
this trip that Champney was commissioned to paint a copy of the 1600 Paysage près de la ville de Rhenen: vaches au pâturage et berger jouant de la flûte, by Aelbret Cuyp, in the Louvre Museum. The painting was purchased by Boston Lieutenant Colonel William Parsons Winchester and brought back to Boston in July 1844. It was exhibited at the Boston Athenaeum. The painting is now displayed at the White Mountain Museum & Gallery in North Conway.
The summer of 1851 was a defining moment in American art history, for our nation witnessed the birth of one of its earliest artist colonies in North Conway. Inspired by the enthusiasm of Benjamin Champney and John Kensett, artists such as Alfred Ordway, Benjamin Stone, and John Casilear ventured north from Boston and New York to the White Mountains for an introduction to this painters’ haven. For many artists, this summer visit would become an annual expedition, and together, these men would shape the White Mountain School of Art. In 1853, Champney married Mary C. Brooks, and purchased a summer home and studio at the base of Sunset Hill, and it became a mecca for artists from the Hudson River School and other artists from Boston, Portland, and throughout New England.
Over the years, more than 400 artists painted in the White Mountains, and many of them painted with Champney, while in Conway. In his memoir, Sixty Years’ Memories of Art and Artists, he recalls, “Thus every year brought fresh visitors to North Conway as the news of its attractions spread, until in 1853 and 1854 the meadows and the banks of the Saco were dotted all about with
white umbrellas in great numbers.” This is the image depicted by Portland artist Winslow Homer in his painting in the Portland Museum of Art, Artists Sketching in the White Mountains
It was also in 1851 that Champney’s friend, John Frederick Kensett (1816-1872), produced a large canvas, 40 by 60 inches, Mount Washington from the Valley of Conway. The image is painted from Sunset Hill behind Champney’s farmhouse and studio.
Kensett’s image became the single most effective mid-19th-century advertisement for the scenic charms of the White Mountains and of North Conway, in particular. It was made into a print by the engraver James Smillie (1833–1909) for the American ArtUnion, and was distributed to over 13,000 Art-Union subscribers throughout the country. By this time, the White Mountains had firmly established itself as a tourist destination, with the first of the grand hotels, The Crawford House, opening in 1850.
Early paintings that attracted the first tourists were sweeping vistas of the White Mountains. Often, these scenes were romanticized to be more dramatic and wilder, towering mountains with torrents of rushing water and menacing skies, portraying the sublime grandeur of an untouched wilderness, and often omitting the actual roads, farms, and taverns that made the artist’s trips possible. “The most distinctive, and perhaps the most impressive, characteristic of American scenery is its wildness,” wrote Thomas Cole. These American landscapes excited the imagination of the viewer. This early art was very fine and detailed work, drawing on the traditional style of the
Artist Falls and Brook in Autumn, by Benjamin Champney Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches
Glen Ellis Falls, by Charles E. Beckett Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches Signed & dated lower right: C. E. Beckett / 1853
MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY ARTISTS & GALLERIES
ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts
132 White Mountain Highway, Chocorua, NH • (603) 323-8041 www.chocoruaartworks.com
Bill Fein Gallery 106 Fein Lane, Center Conway, NH (603) 356-7943
Cook Memorial Library
93 Main Street, Tamworth, NH (603) 323-8510 www.tamworthlibrary.org
Edge of Maine Art & Framing 182 Main Street, Brownfield, ME (207) 935-2817 www.edgeofmaine.com
Erik Koeppel Fine Art Jackson, NH • (603) 383-7062 www.erikkoeppel.com
Fryeburg Harbor Antiques and Fine Art Gallery 506 Harbor Road, Fryeburg, ME (207) 925-2848 www.fryeburgharbor.com
Gallery 302
112 Main Street, Bridgton, ME (207) 647-2787 www.gallery302.com
Saco River, North Conway 1874, Benjamin Champney, (1817-1907) Oil on Canvas, Dimensions: H-24 W-36 inches.
Property of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
earlier formal portrait and primitive landscape painting. When these paintings were exhibited in the major cities of the East Coast, wealthy, adventurous young men—and later young women—traveled by carriages to view this majestic landscape in person. At first, the only lodgings available were farmhouses. But soon, taverns and small inns were built; by mid-century, came the advent of the grand hotels.
Once the urban tourists became familiar with the White Mountain landscapes, they desired more realistic depictions of the vistas, showcasing, with less drama, their inherent beauty. The artists obliged, transitioning from paintings of dramatic rugged wilderness to the simpler glory of the mountains and streams that the summer tourists were enjoying. This period of American Romanticism in the Hudson River School and the White Mountain branch differed from the European Romantic period by focusing almost exclusively on the wonders of the new American frontier and its majestic landscapes, instead of the Euro-centric focus on castles and Greek temples crumbling on a far hillside. The early tourists wanted paintings they could display in their parlors in the city to show their friends where they had spent their summer, and perhaps, even the mountain they had climbed. These “postcards” from the White Mountains might be a small painting on a board the size of a paperback book bought directly from the artist in the lobby of a grand hotel or inn, or a large canvas commissioned from the artist to be painted back in their Boston or New York studio.
The White Mountain style continued to be popular after the Civil War, but adjusted to the changing taste in art. By 1886, Claude Monet (1840-1926) was establishing the Impressionist movement in France. Members of the White Mountain School were traveling to Europe and bringing back the Barbizon and Impressionist styles and using them in their paintings. At this
This classic example of Benjamin Champney’s work depicts a scene familiar to present-day golfers in North Conway. A bend in the Saco River on the south side of the North Conway Golf Course. Painted at the peak of Champney’s career, this painting highlights some of his classic techniques.
It also depicts a classic theme in the White Mountain School of Art: the beauty of the American landscape and man living in harmony with it. Champney was a master at painting water and is known for warm autumn colors, especially a certain burnt orange. He sought to “arrange a picture with contrasts of light, shade and color” and to avoid excessive detail.
His mountains are solid and foreboding, yet painted with a light purple-grey shadow effect, with minimal detail. This adds to the perception of depth. The sky is also a study in shading. Note the fine foliage in his trees, the use of bright white highlights in the foreground. It is all brought together in perfect balance.
time, a much freer brush stroke can be seen in their works, with more focus on the play of natural light and shadows and the laying down of high-keyed colors on the canvas that sought to capture the fleeting emotion, or “impression” of a scene.
The subjects also changed from the large American landscape to more intimate scenes, a babbling brook, a single cliff face, or a small bend in a river. The style evolved but the locations remained the same, just more intimate. This new second generation of the school was well received and highly collectible. By the turn of the century, we see painters in the White Mountains experimenting with different styles of Luminism, Tonalism, and Impressionism. But, it is the New Hampshire mountain subject matter, not the style, that defines the White Mountain School. Man living in balance with nature where nature takes center stage.
* “Crackbone” was a nickname Champney was never known to use himself on any document or correspondence. It is a family name passed down from his maternal great-grandmother, Abigail Crackbone. The Champney family believes it comes from a Native American ancestor.
In July, 2024, with the mission of bringing the paintings of the White Mountain School of Art back to the Valley, Paul Mayer opened the White Mountain Museum and Gallery, a NH not-forprofit, located in the center of North Conway. Expanding on the collection at the Jackson Historical Society, the new museum exhibits an additional 80 oil paintings of scenes of the local area from the 1800s. An avid collector, Paul is eager to share his love of this art with residents of the Valley as well as with visitors to the area. www.whtmtn.art
Earlier this season, MWV Vibe and the Valley Originals, a group of locally owned and operated restaurants, joined together for the first Essence of the Valley, Call for Art competition!
The call went out to all local artists from the Mt. Washington Valley area to enter art work that represents the Valley and all that the Valley Originals does for our community at large (with thanks to you, our guests, of course)! If you dine at a Valley Original, you are automatically giving back to the MWV community. All VOs donate over a combined $353,000.00 annually back to our valley.
We were thrilled with the responses, and the amazing talent we
have in our valley. The Valley Original board met to review all the entries, and chose the top-three favorites. Winners received cash prizes, while all entries were also given Valley Original gift certificates. Our first-place winner will also be featured on Vibe’s back cover! Thank you to everyone who helped to make this art competition possible—and be on the lookout for another Essence of the Valley, Call for Art early next year!
FIRST-PLACE WINNER - Deidre Blair
THIRD PLACE - Melanie Levitt
SECOND PLACE - Sarah Eastman
Art courtesy of Peter N Vangiesen
PORTAL TO ANOTHER WORLD Chain of Ponds Community Forest Project
By Lindsay Kafka
Upper Saco Valley Land Trust is leading the effort to perpetually conserve 625 acres of glacially molded landscape and surface waters in Madison, NH. Community support is vital for successful completion of this special project—known as Chain of Ponds—which will be managed as a community forest with public access for low-impact exploration and education.
Not far from the local elementary school and just beyond the small public library, Forest Pines Road in Madison, New Hampshire, winds through a compact residential neighborhood and past a dirt road intersected by the rectilinear scars of a transmission line and a railroad corridor. This unremarkable dirt road is much more than it seems, however. More than a logging road, it is a portal to a magical glacial landscape that was formed during the Pleistocene epoch and its repeated cycles of ice ages. That geological history shaped the land in distinctive ways that are both fun to explore and deserving of protection. Now, because of a decades-long effort by committed individuals and sister conservation organizations, the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust (USVLT) is on the cusp of conserving 625 acres of this landscape forever for the benefit of current residents of, and visitors to, the Mt. Washington Valley, not to mention future generations.
Dubbed “Chain of Ponds” for its distinct north-south necklace of ponds and bogs, the property to be conserved consists of seven contiguous tracts that feature unique glacial landforms, such as kettle hole bogs and ponds interwoven with eskers. Conservation of this critical landscape will connect it to existing conserved lands to create a 1,700-acre uninterrupted block in the southern foothills of the Mt. Washington Valley.
Stretching almost imperceptibly across two watersheds in a backwater valley, the property fronts on Davis Pond on its north end, protecting the headwaters of Pequawket Brook, which flows through Conway Village into the Swift River. Also on the north, the property abuts the Madison Boulder Natural Area, home to North America’s largest “glacial erratic” (i.e., a rock from elsewhere dislodged by a glacier), which has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Chain of Ponds’ southern water bodies flow
into Forest Brook, the North Inlet of Silver Lake.
Let’s dig into the myriad reasons that Chain of Ponds is a crucial conservation win.
Biodiversity Bonanza & Wildlife Resilience
Because of its large size, Chain of Ponds encompasses widely diverse habitats, including forested upland, wetlands, riparian zones, and dry sand pitch-pine barrens. Chain of Ponds is also distinctively positioned at the nexus of two so-called “ecoregions,” the White Mountain Ecoregion and the Coastal Plains Ecoregion (an ecoregion is an area where ecosystems are generally similar). As a result, Chain of Ponds contains species from both ecoregions, making it a biodiversity bonanza.
For example, its dry sand pitch-pine barrens are home to critical invertebrate species, such as the Nepytia pellucidaria moth, while the cool northern woods on the property contain
two important and endangered, state-listed orchids, the threebirds orchid and the small whorled pogonia. Invertebrates— which include all kinds of insects and spiders—play a crucial role in the food chain, as they make up the primary food source for birds, fish, and numerous mammals, and they, of course, play a key role in plant pollination.
Chain of Ponds’ location promotes not just biodiversity, but wildlife resilience, by expanding connectivity with neighboring public and privately conserved lands. Such uninterrupted wildlife corridors support the migration of large game. Nesting, feeding, and shelter habitat for small mammals, waterfowl, raptors, and other birds abound on the property, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Beaver, especially, abound and are constantly at work damming up waterways and changing the landscape to their own benefit and that of many other creatures.
Aerial view of the “chain” of ponds at Chain of Ponds in Madison. Photo by Joe Klementovich
Cool & Peaceful Waters
A standout feature of Chain of Ponds is the string of bogs, ponds, and streams that dot the landscape and feed directly into Silver Lake, providing crucial replenishment to that body of water. Because water from Silver Lake provides drinking water to
Unique Topography
While the nearby Ossipee Ring Dike was formed by volcanic forces, the topography of Chain of Ponds was molded by retreating glaciers at the end of the most recent Pleistocene ice age. A series of kettlehole bogs, kettle ponds, and kettle wetlands dot
Healthy watersheds, in turn, are vital for the flood management they provide, acting like a sponge during rainstorms and spring snowmelt. Given the increasing frequency and intensity of rainstorms and extreme floods, conservation projects such as Chain of Ponds are direct investments in our overall regional climate resilience.
many Madison residents and, in turn, flows into Ossipee Lake— another important source of drinking water in the region—conservation of the surface water resources is vital to maintaining a high-quality drinking water supply for thousands of New Hampshire residents.
The untouched surface water resources at Chain of Ponds— Blue Pond, Mack Pond, Cranberry Bog, Tyler Bog, and numerous unnamed streams and ephemeral vernal pools—also play an essential contributing role to the overall health of the Saco River watershed. Healthy watersheds, in turn, are vital for the flood management they provide, acting like a sponge during rainstorms and spring snowmelt. Given the increasing frequency and intensity of rainstorms and extreme floods, conservation projects such as Chain of Ponds are direct investments in our overall regional climate resilience.
the landscape, and are surrounded by the wandering ridges of glacial eskers.
Kettles are depressions in the land formed either by blocks of ice that calve and are left behind by a retreating glacier, or the abrupt melting of a previously ice-dammed lake. In both cases, a hole is left behind that fills with water from the melting ice. Sometimes kettles are fed by surface waters, in which case it is considered a kettle lake; and in other cases, they are fed by groundwater sources and precipitation, in which case they are kettle ponds or kettle bogs, the latter being the term if the kettle is vegetated. Chain of Ponds has all three.
Another notable glacial feature that is easy to see at Chain of Ponds is its long spines of glacial eskers. An esker is a ridge made of sand and gravel that is deposited and shaped by pressurized subglacial meltwater. Eskers are scientifically important
Above: An aerial view of a kettle pond landscape. Photo by Joe Klementovich. Right: Birding at one of the kettle hole ponds. Photo by Carissa Milliman.
because they reveal a lot about how glaciers and ice sheets behave, which is of increasing importance as scientists race to understand how climate warming is affecting the glaciers and ice sheets of the present.
Public Exploration
There’s something special about unbroken green spaces, but often, such spaces are far from municipal and residential areas. Happily, access to the south part of Chain of Ponds is close to the center of Madison, and the north end is planned to be easily accessible by trail from Madison Boulder. A network of logging roads exists on the property already, and improvements to these and the planned building of new trails will allow for low-impact usage such as hiking, birding, fishing, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing. Just a few steps onto the property and the noise and bustle of the built world recedes, with a blanket of peaceful solitude settling on one’s shoulders. Birdsong fills the air; but otherwise, it is quiet.
The existing trail network provides a starting infrastructure for easy public access and exploration of Chain of Ponds, and USVLT is planning and fundraising for construction of an accessible trail on the property, as well as sustainable improvements to the existing trails that will minimize disruption to wildlife habitat and protect against erosion.
Chain of Ponds’ proximity to the local elementary school and easy access for students from across the region, as well as the property’s rich environmental and geologic features, make it an outstanding regional experiential educational resource that will serve generations of students and educators.
Small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides)
The small whorled pogonia is a member of the orchid family and is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Colonies of this plant are typically 20 plants or fewer. It is severely threatened by commercial and residential development according to a species Recovery Plan published by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Three birds orchid (Triphora trianthophora)
In addition to being rare, this orchid is tiny and ephemeral, making it very difficult to spot. It blooms briefly in late summer, sometime between mid-August and mid-September, and lives in beech forests. Its common name is due to its resemblance to three birds in flight. It is so small it sometimes barely pokes through the leaf litter.
Borea pine looper moth (Nepytia pellucidaria)
More commonly known as the false pine looper, this moth has been declining and rare in its range for the last 50-plus years. They depend on a variety of pine trees as their primary food source, and, as an invertebrate, they are a key food source for an array of bird species.
Community
Ultimately, Chain of Ponds will be managed as a community forest. Community forests are protected forest lands funded in part by a national US Forest Service grant program. USVLT applied for, and was awarded, $400,000 in grant funding through the highly competitive Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program. In recognition of its extremely high conservation and community value, Chain of Ponds was just one of 13 projects funded nationwide in 2024.
A central component of all community forests is that they are stewarded by local groups, giving community stakeholders a direct voice in how these lands are managed over time. In the case of Chain of Ponds, USVLT as property owner, and the Town of Madison as conservation easement holder, will collaborate on the management of the property, which will be focused on complying with the requirements of the several grant funders who have invested in the project, and stewarding the property as a community resource that balances responsible conservation with public access.
Project Complexities
Projects such as Chain of Ponds are complex and unfold over years. Even once an agreement for the donation or sale of private land to a conservation organization is reached, there are numerous additional steps that must happen before a project is completed. This includes detailed and time-consuming survey work; title checks and appraisals; fundraising for the acquisition and project costs, including applying for grants; and much more.
There are often many stakeholders, such as those in this project, including federal and state grant funders, municipalities, landowners, and the conservation organization itself. In the case of Chain of Ponds, The Conservation Fund and USVLT—the eventual owner of the property—are jointly coordinating the overall project timeline and the relationships with the various stakeholders.
The staff and board of USVLT work hard every day to consummate this project. Their primary focus this fall is completing the fundraising to make Chain of Ponds Community Forest a reality.
Additional Information
To support the project financially, visit www.usvlt.org/chainofponds or call executive director Eric White at (603) 662-0008. Local photographer Joe Klementovich has also filmed a video about the project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQ3Pb8Deh4.
Upper Saco Valley Land Trust was founded in 2000 as a grassroots, community conservation organization serving 11 towns in the Upper Saco River watershed, in both New Hampshire and Maine. Their mission is to conserve undeveloped or minimally developed land and protect it from development pressures. USVLT’s strategic focus areas are water resources, ecological integrity, farmland protection, and public access.
To learn more, scan the QR code.
Opposite page - Left: USVLT staff and board members study a map of the property. Right: Lichen colonies are important to the health of many ecosystems and provide many benefits to nature, providing food sources, habitat, nesting materials, protection, and nutrient cycling. Photos by Lindsay Kafka.
LOOK for the BLUE FLAGS
By Lea Camille Smith
SUPPORTING LOCAL WITH THE WHITE MOUNTAIN INDEPENDENTS
Take a drive through North Conway village and you will see blue flags waving in front of various local businesses. On your way through the door of those businesses, you’ll read that the flags encourage you to shop locally on behalf of the White Mountain Independents (WMI). WMI is a Mt. Washington Valley nonprofit established in 2016. They work with local businesses in the community. Small businesses are important to the Valley, and WMI is actively fighting for their economic well-being. WMI currently works with 27 local businesses—from flower shops to small grocery stores, jewelers, and more. Member businesses are provided with resources such as networking op-
portunities, small business guidance, and marketing. Their newsletter and social media sites offer product and business highlights as well as upcoming events, deals, and sales for member businesses.
Jordon Hewson, owner of Designed Gardens Flower Studio and WMI member, said, “The support that we give one another is what is most important to me. The intel on how everyone is doing month to month is very good knowledge. The rates for advertising are beyond reasonable. Marketing is instrumental to small business, and this is a way to achieve that.”
The League of NH Craftsmen Gallery opened in North Conway in 1932 during the Great Depression as part of the cot-
tage industries movement, when small businesses were operating directly out of homes. For owner Karissa Masse, being part of WMI is a “perfect fit for our business, directly supporting the local economy and community.” The North Conway League of NH Craftsmen Gallery is an independently owned small business operating as a licensee of the 92-year-old nonprofit League of NH Craftsmen organization and is dedicated to nurturing, supporting, and preserving the art of fine craft making.
White Birch Books owner and WMI member Laura Cummings echoed that being part of WMI is important to her bookshop: “In this group, we are all vastly
different businesses, but at the core of things, we do have a lot in common. Even though I might sell books and someone else might sell candles, Christmas ornaments, or dog food, we can still work together as a group because we are part of the shop-local movement.”
When perusing White Birch Books, shoppers can get a bookmark from a store attendant that states that shopping local is a way to keep dollars in the local economy, embrace what makes the local shops unique, contribute to nurturing the community, and take advantage of local expertise.
“That’s true of all of our stores,” said Laura. “The White Mountain Independent stores are unique and give the area personality. That’s why I support my fel-
low White Mountain Independent stores whenever I can.”
Drive south on Main Street, away from the village and to the aptly named “strip,” and you’ll see the dilution of small businesses for big box stores and chains.
The 1980s marked a transitional period when the White Mountain Airport closed, and the buildings were developed into shopping outlets. The growth of these large businesses continues today as hotels, grocery store chains, and more places to shop pop up on Route 16.
Laura grew up in the Valley and remarked that when the outlets were developed, they were a huge draw for shoppers: “Tax-free shopping, combined with our beautiful setting, has continued to draw people to the area.”
League of NH Craftsmen
Designed Gardens Flower Studio
But North Conway Village still thrives even in the shadow of the strip. “I think we exist in a balance,” said Laura. “The White Mountain Independent stores offer something that is not seen everywhere else, which is why you can have a North Conway Village after driving up the strip.”
It’s not always an easy and perfect balance, though. Kathy Ahearn, co-owner of Four Your Paws Only, a specialty pet store that has been operating in North Conway for 30 years, says that it’s “getting harder and harder to stand out and be seen on the
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Valley. They’re owned by locals, giving them a deeper connection to the community’s needs and they often use a customer-first approach with a deep knowledge and understanding of their products. At Designed Gardens, Jordon creates flower arrangements for “thoughtful and compassionate funeral and life celebrations, wedding floral design and installation, birthdays, newborn celebrations, and all special occasions, seven days a week.” Jordon has lived and worked in the Valley for many years, building rela-
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Valley. They’re owned by locals, giving them a deeper connection to the community’s needs and they often use a customer-first approach with a deep knowledge and understanding of their products.
strip with the overwhelming additions of larger chains and big box stores coming in. We are fortunate to have loyal following and truly appreciate folks that do like to support small businesses.
“In response, Kathy and her husband Brian will continue to uphold their unique charm and offer unmatched customer service, a friendly shopping environment, and affordable prices. She said, “It is often assumed that the chains and big box stores have better pricing, but that is not always the case. We work very closely with our distributors to stay competitive.”
tionships with her clients and community. Jordon and her team provide hands-on workshops and high-end care to customers and visitors. Care, she says, that’s not usually provided by big box stores.
Karissa stocks the gallery with creations from “over 300 New Hampshire artists and craftsmen, who each run their own independent craft-making businesses.” From fine jewelry to cards, cutting boards, pottery, and more, it’s a place to find thoughtful gifts and learn about local artists.
White Birch Books
The Rugged Mill
Cathedral Ledge Distillery
It’s My Girlfriend’sBoutique Consignment
Laura is able to stock her bookstore with books, stickers, cards, games, and puzzles that match customer needs and reflect books that staff and White Birch Book Clubs have picked as favorites. “Books that we can talk about and discuss with our readers because we read them, too.”
Kathy and Brian understand the needs of the community because they live, work, and play in the Valley. “We are the community,” Kathy said.
Personalized product knowledge is only one of the many benefits to shopping locally. Local business owners and workers can build relationships with their clientele, enabling them to adjust their products and offerings accordingly. What other benefits are reaped from shopping at your local Valley stores?
Many local businesses in WMI stock their stores with locally made products, which helps to keep local makers employed. Locally made products also provide distinction for the community. The Valley is visited by thousands of people each year for outdoor recreation, dining, and shopping. Apart from the natural beauty of the area, many people visit the friendly shops in North Conway Village, perusing candy stores, buying t-shirts, and dining at restaurants for the small-town experience.
Shopping locally keeps the local economy running by investing in maintenance and other public services that keep the area beautiful and clean. Increasing the recirculation of money in the Valley increases economic activity, which benefits the entire community.
Because local Valley businesses have strong ties to the community, their efforts reflect a commitment to giving back. In 2022, Jordon started
October 2024
5 - Darrell ScottSinger/Songwriter 11 - Maia Sharp & Willy Porter Two Great Songwriters 13 - Sunday Funday Wine Dinner - Mountain Top Music Benefit
November 2024
17 - Bob Marley - Sold Out 18 - Rickie Lee JonesPremiere Song Stylist And Songwriter 19 - The Lone Bellow 26 - Mike Farris - Award Winning Soulful Singer
1 - Bruce Cockburn - Sold Out 2 - Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection 9 - Ellis Paul - Singer/Songwriter 15 - Susan WernerSinger/Songwriter 16 - Tricky Britches - Some Bluegrass, Country, & Folk 22 - Juston Mckinney Comedian 23 - Amy Helm - Soulful And Reflective 30 - The Martin Sexton Abbey Road ShowBeatles Rendition
DECEMBER 2024
7 - Dana Cunningham & Carol Noonan - Little White Church Holiday 8 - Annual Christmas Craft Fair Sunday 11 - Bob Marley - comedian 13 - Stone Mountain LIVE for Christmas - Holiday 14 - Stone Mountain LIVE for Christmas - Holiday 21 - Adam Ezra GroupRootsy & Folky Rock Band 27 - Dar Williams 31 - NYE - Soggy Po’ Boys with Celia Woodsmith of Della Mae
JANUARY 2025 25 - The Suitcase Junket - One-man Band
FEBRUARY 2025 7 - Harry Manx - Blues 8 - Cécilia - Celtic & Trad Music 14 - On a Winter’s Night on Valentine’s DaySingers/Songwriters
MARCH 2025
- Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy - Celtic
APRIL 2025
- Lonesome Ace Stringband - Bluegrass
- Saturday - AltanTraditional Irish
Veno’s Specialty Foods & Meats
Soyfire Candle Bath & Body
the Designed Gardens Scholarship Fund. Through contributions, Designed Gardens funds a local student’s education in agriculture, art, or design every year. Plus, one percent of their total sales each year go to the fund.
The White Mountain Independents is an important facet of the Valley. “See It Here. Buy It Here. Keep Us Here,” reads their website. The final sentence is ominously true. With the continuation in popularity of online shopping and big box stores, local businesses are tasked with staying afloat. But WMI and all 27 of their member businesses are working hard to support the
Shopping locally keeps the local economy running by investing in maintenance and other public services that keep the area beautiful and clean. Increasing the recirculation of money in the Valley increases economic activity, which benefits the entire community.
White Birch Books works with local nonprofits, libraries and schools, donating books. They also provide a space for two monthly book clubs, open to the public. “We do our best to be a part of the community because we live here.”
Four Your Paws Only is a community-oriented business that gives back by hosting a wide variety of pet-related events and activities for pet owners, and supporting many local nonprofits and community fundraisers throughout the years.
League of NH Craftsmen Gallery hosts on-site pottery classes for all levels, where community members can gather and create together under the guidance of local artists.
White Mountain Independents supports local businesses and community benefits and fundraisers with its Gives Back Program. Member businesses of WMI donate gift certificates to benefit local events.
community and continue to make themselves known as trusted, friendly, and reliable places for Valley locals and shoppers alike to buy products and services that are sure to be worth every penny.
To learn more about White Mountain Independents, find a list of their member businesses, or inquire about their Gives Back Program, visit their website at whitemountainindependents.com.
Also find them on Facebook or Instagram, where they regularly feature new and interesting products and sales from their member stores.
North Conway Olive Oil Co.
Valley Artisans
The Rugged Mill
The Local Grocer
WHITE MOUNTAIN BACKCOUNTRY STEWARDS
PSAR: P reventive Search and Rescue
By Dave Greenslit
Backcountry stewards provide information on routes, trail conditions, weather, Leave No Trace principles, and answer questions. Both the trailhead and backcountry steward programs are what the Forest Service refers to as PSAR: Preventive Search and Rescue. And the programs appear to be doing their jobs.
Two young women arrived at the Old Bridle Path/Falling Waters trailhead, planning to hike the famed Franconia Ridge. They wore white spandex and espadrilles, and one of them carried a white Coach pocketbook, which contained a 4-ounce water bottle for them to share. No pack, no food, no warm clothing.
“Hi, where are you going today?” asked Dan Allegretti, who was volunteering as a steward for the National Forest Service at the trailhead, alongside his wife, Judit Noyes.
“Up there!” the women replied.
Without belittling or shaming, Allegretti and Noyes explained that they needed sturdy footwear, much more water, food, layers of clothing, and more to tackle the strenuous, almost 9-mile Franconia Ridge loop, where the temperature was 30 degrees colder and much windier than in the notch.
Instead, the stewards suggested the women visit Artist’s Bluff, an exponentially shorter, lower, and easier walk at the northern end of Franconia Notch. The walk offers nice views of Echo Lake and the big mountains to the south. “Their eyes lit up,” Noyes said. “That’s exactly what they wanted.”
And that’s precisely what Noyes and Allegretti wanted: to change the plans of people who were not prepared for a challenging hike in the White Mountains.
PRE-HIKE ADVICE & INFORMATION
Noyes and Allegretti, who live in Franconia, are among the more than 100 people who volunteer as Forest Service trailhead or backcountry trail stewards. Their task is to keep people safe and educate them on conserving the environment.
Millions of people come to the White Mountain National Forest each year, and for good reason. Its rugged high peaks, sweeping vistas, diverse plant and animal life, abundant rivers, streams, lakes, and varied recreational opportunities make it a national jewel. But the popularity of the Whites comes at a cost.
“The forest is being loved to death,” said John Marunowski, the volunteer coordinator for the Forest Service, at a training session for stewards earlier this year. More people are hiking than ever.
Seeing the need to protect both people and resources, the Forest Service began its trailhead steward program 10 years
ago. Volunteers set up tables and displays under canopies on weekends from May through October at the most popular trailheads in the White Mountains: Old Bridle Path/Falling Waters; Ammonoosuc; Welch-Dickey; Champney Falls; and Appalachia. (The Forest Service also has stewards at the Moat Mineral trailhead in Conway to explain the rules for people venturing out to dig for quartz crystals and other minerals.)
At trailheads, stewards provide information on weather and trail conditions; clothing and gear; sunset time; and a map for hikers to photograph, if they don’t have one. The weather is a crucial piece of information for people heading up in the Whites. The weather at the trailheads is not what they will experience in the high peaks. Having the right gear could be a matter of life or death.
TAKING IT TO THE TRAILS
After implementing the trailhead steward program, the Forest Service decided to “take it on foot,” as Marunowski put it, onto the trails themselves. Backcountry stewards provide information on routes, trail conditions, weather, Leave No Trace principles, and answer questions. Since many hikers might be reluctant to seek help or advice, stewards often initiate conversations, especially with people who don’t look prepared.
Backcountry stewards can also advise backpackers on where they are allowed to camp, how to store food away from bears and other animals, and how to minimize the impact of their camping. The Forest Service does not want campers to build fires, and stewards in the backcountry dismantle fire rings and pack out trash that has accumulated in them. Light trail maintenance is part of the job. As the Forest Service’s “eyes and ears” on the trail, stewards also report such things as blowdowns and damaged signs.
Both the trailhead and backcountry steward programs are what the Forest Service refers to as PSAR: Preventive Search and Rescue. And the programs appear to be doing their jobs.
New Hampshire Fish and Game coordinates search and rescue in the White Mountains, and Lt. Jim Kneeland has been on the job for more than 30 years. From 2014 to 2023, there were search and rescue calls for 859 hikers and climbers, according to information provided to volunteers at the training session. Kneeland said that the number of incidents spiked during COVID, when stewards were kept off the job, and dropped afterward, when they returned, which proves to him that the programs are working.
MINIMIZING SEARCH AND RESCUE STATISTICS
Steward volunteers were told at the training that most search and rescue calls involve hikers getting hurt, lost, or having medical problems. (Massachusetts edges out New Hampshire for the most callouts, which prompted laughs from the group.) Hikers who are deemed negligent, meaning they were not prepared, are subject to getting billed for their rescue. That happens about 10 times a year. If they don’t pay, they can lose their driver’s license.
Noyes and Allegretti, both avid hikers in their early 60s, work at Old Bridle Path/Falling Waters regularly. They volunteer because they want to give back, and out of a love for the White Mountains, particularly Franconia Notch. “So many visitors come to our ‘neighborhood,’ and we really want them to appreciate and respect this incredible place,” Allegretti said. The couple also know the turf, enabling them to suggest
alternatives to hikers not suited to the rigorous Franconia Ridge loop. And they speak French, which comes in handy when communicating with visitors from the north.
They’ve pretty much seen it all at the trailhead. People who don’t know the names of the trails or how long and difficult they are. (Noyes refers to Falling Waters Trail as Falling People Trail because so many hikers get hurt there.) Hikers with no paper map or many of the other 10 essentials for safe travel. Guys wearing shorts when it’s freezing and windy up on the ridge.
If Noyes and Allegretti can convince hikers to switch to a more suitable route or send them back to their cars for needed extra layers or gear, they figure they’ve done their jobs. And that prevents Allegretti from needing to do his other volunteer gig— going out with the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team.
From May to October last year, stewards had 28,000 contacts with hikers, and 2,500 turned around or changed their plans as a result. Some of those 2,500 hikers, had they stuck with their original plan, might have become search and rescue statistics.
STORIES APLENTY
As Noyes and Allegretti demonstrated when they tactfully persuaded the two young women with the espadrilles and carrying the designer handbag to change their plans, Forest Service stewards at the trailheads and in the backcountry are not out to embarrass hikers for not being prepared or asking what might seem like dumb questions.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t have some good stories to tell. “We have had people ask if the route was paved, if there are handrails for Grandma, and if there are bathrooms on the way up.” Noyes said.
She also recalls talking with a group of nuns from Virginia who listened, asked questions and, as she put it, “… were the perfect audience. Later, people coming down the trail said they were surprised to come across a group of singing nuns! They said it was beautiful listening to them.”
Rich Eichhorn of Hopkinton told fellow volunteers at the training about the time he was working at the Appalachia trailhead and encountered a group of college kids planning to hike the Air Line Trail to Mount Adams. It was early June and pleasant enough at Appalachia, but the group was not prepared
for 30-degree temperatures, 50-mile-per-hour winds and possibly rain above treeline. After conferring with Eichhorn, they left and returned an hour and a half later, outfitted “… like they had just walked out of EMS or REI, head to toe,” Eichhorn said. “They had rain gear, fleece pants, hats, goggles—everything they needed for bad weather.”
The group also took up Eichhorn’s suggestion to hike up the Valley Way trail because it is less exposed, and at its top, there’s an Appalachian Mountain Club hut for shelter.
TIME WELL SPENT
My wife, Paula Brown, and I are backcountry stewards, and generally we find people on the trails to be well prepared. Most look the part, too, but that can be deceiving.
One fit young woman we encountered on Mount Clay, on her way down from Mt. Washington, was unsure which trail she had climbed to reach the Northern Presidentials and not sure how to descend to return to her car. Talking with Paula, the hiker remembered that she began near the Cog Railway, and together they decided that she should go down the Jewell Trail. She headed down Clay, but missed the turn. She realized her mistake, and she was backtracking when we saw her again.
Paula then tactfully suggested that she carry a map. “Point taken,” the hiker acknowledged.
Like Noyes and Allegretti, most trailhead and backcountry stewards volunteer to give back, share their knowledge to keep fellow hikers safe, and to preserve the precious White Mountains, including its fragile alpine flowers. Allegretti also cherishes the feedback from New Hampshire Fish and Game.
“They track statistics on search and rescue missions, and they tell me that the program really has made a difference,” Allegretti said. “Knowing we make a difference in hiking safely really makes it worth the time and effort for me.”
For information on volunteer opportunities in the White Mountain National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/whitemountain/ workingtogether/volunteering, or scan this QR code with your phone’s camera.
Headed Out for a Hike?
FIVE REASONS YOU MAY NEED TO BE RESCUED
By Mike Cherim, Redline Guiding
Hikers are quite a varied bunch, coming from many walks of life and having many personalities, but they do have one thing in common: the reasons they sometimes need to be rescued. Here are five of these reasons.
The mountains are inviting to many people. “They call to me,” many will say. They are beautiful from afar—a majestic backdrop to any scene. And for those able, they’re even more stunning up close. To be on and among them, of course, is the ultimate way to get to know them, and to many, this experience is quite sublime. Or “amazing,” “breathtaking,” even “otherworldly,” some will exclaim. Getting close to these mountains, however, is a doubled-edged sword. To the uninitiated, they can be deadly. Even to the experienced, this statement can hold true. Up close, you get to admire them in the most intimate way possible, but there are risks, especially to those who hike them instead of using the alternative means available on some mountains.
The people who hike them, have one
thing in common: the reasons they sometimes need to be rescued. And the reasons are oft repeated. Five of these reasons—in no particular order—follow.
BEING STUCK AFTER DARK
What happens, exactly?
The title is a literal description in this case. If you think it’s possible to hike in the dark, think again. It’s very dangerous and near impossible, except in certain conditions. When above tree-line in the winter, for example, hiking by the light of the full moon may be perfectly adequate, but the vast majority of the time, forget about it.
How does it happen?
This is a gear issue, or lack thereof. People don’t think they will be out after dark,
so they don’t prepare accordingly, but obviously some are wrong. Some end up trying to use their phone’s flashlight. This is barely adequate, and that’s not even considering the really limited battery life. Packing right is key.
What are the consequences?
Being caught in the woods overnight will probably not be a lethal experience— though it can easily become one—but it will very likely be a crappy, scary experience. If it will be cold, a call for rescue may be required, and if it is, being this is an inadequate gear issue, a fine could result.
How can someone remedy/avoid it?
Carry a headlamp. While a flashlight satisfies the letter of the law, a headlamp that turns with your head and allows
hands-free operation is far superior. In addition to a headlamp, carry another headlamp as backup. Spare batteries are also a good idea, but nothing beats a spare headlamp. After all, changing batteries in the dark has its own issues.
BECOMING LOST OR DISORIENTED
What happens, exactly?
Often times you’re on trail one minute, then the next minute you’re facing down some tight vegetation. Other times a lack of visibility or experience can lead to your becoming disoriented. This is especially true in the late fall and winter when leaves or snow can hide the way.
How does it happen?
As noted a lack of visibility can sometimes be the culprit, or the trail may become obscured (even during the summer on some wilder, less defined trails), but often it is simply a lack of attention. Panic is also a byproduct, and it can make things worse. If lost—stop, take a break, think things through, and do not panic.
What are the consequences?
The consequences are many, ranging from being momentarily inconvenienced or alarmed to literally dying in the woods. And going from one state to the other is certainly possible, depending on weather, duration, your gear, and/or just how far off track you are. A fine could result if you don’t have a map and compass.
How can someone remedy/avoid it?
The number one thing someone can do is to prepare by getting to know the route then paying attention throughout the hike. And to add to that, if a moment of indecision does occur, don’t panic. Also, carry the right tools (and know how to use them): a current topomap of the trail and a proper compass. A wristwatch altimeter is also very helpful.
GETTING AN INJURY OR ILLNESS
What happens, exactly?
A misstep leading to a fall is quite common. Sprains, contusions, and broken bones are typical. Some can be life threatening for myriad reasons. Or anything medically can happen to anyone at any time and cover a wide range of issues from anaphylaxis to heart attack and anything in between.
How does it happen?
Injuries often happen to those descending. They’re tired, elated, and inattention takes over … then, bam. Sometimes, however, falls are gear-related due to a lack of traction, for example. Illness, on the other hand, can commonly be brought about through heat, cold, and hydration issues. Or simply by way of a lack of fitness.
What are the consequences?
If injured or ill, barring intervention, the result may lead to a loss of life. And help can take a while in the mountains, even if alerted right away. A painful or uncomfortable wait is likely. A fine is unlikely as per the spirit of the mountains, unless the injury or illness is caused by a lack of gear (no traction or food/water, for example).
How can someone remedy/avoid it?
Bringing the right gear and layers is a good start; then pay attention and simply be careful. And to avoid illness, ensure you’re prepared for the task at hand on all levels. Also, carry a first aid kit to help with unexpected issues, and understand how to respond. And, do try 9-1-1, even if your phone says, “No Service,” as it may work anyway.
TRAPPED BY THE TERRAIN
What happens, exactly?
Being trapped can happen in myriad ways, some covered already (i.e., benighted, lost). Others might include literally being trapped in a spruce trap or tree well—so wear snowshoes and don’t hike alone. Another way is to become trapped in dangerous conditions, such as in icy terrain or on cliff faces in the vertical realm.
How does it happen?
Being trapped by ice is usually the result of missing, broken, or inadequate traction. And being trapped in the vertical realm is usually the result of unknowingly getting off route where it’s critical to get it right, or simply a matter of overconfidence when a hiker reaches beyond their physical or technical abilities.
What are the consequences?
You can’t go up and you can’t go down. And if you try, you fear becoming injured or dying. So, you’re stuck. Having appropriate layers at this juncture
may save your life since you’re no longer moving. These types of rescues are more dangerous, lengthy, and complex than most, which could certainly result in fines.
How does someone remedy/avoid it?
Like much of this, having proper gear and knowing its use, coupled with experience, will keep you out of trouble. Simple rope tricks like hand-railing can also help a lot. In the spring and fall, some are fooled by warm weather, only to find old man winter still living in the mountains. Fix this deficiency with research.
CANNOT CROSS/RE-CROSS RIVER
What happens, exactly?
River crossings are dangerous if the water is too deep, running too fast, is too cold, and/or there are downstream hazards that make it potentially lethal. Depending on the specific circumstances,
You’re on trail one minute, then bushwacking the next.
Other
times a lack of visibility can lead to your becoming disoriented. This is especially true in the late fall and winter when leaves or snow can hide the way.
such as trend and time of day, this can range from being an inconvenience to being an out-and-out killer.
How does it happen?
It should be obvious that if it is raining, water volume will increase as the rain continues and for a period after it stops while draining occurs. As it continues, the tame babbling brook you crossed on the way in may roar. Worse, this can surprise hikers on a warm, sunny day with no rain at all if there is snowmelt flooding the rivers.
What are the consequences?
The best-case scenario is that you will have to make a challenging and potentially dangerous crossing, but you will make it. And the worst case is dying while you try. Otherwise, the last choice is to wait it out or attempt to make a detour if even possible. Neither is desirable, and neither
may be an option if you didn’t pack well. A fine could ensue.
How does someone remedy/avoid it?
Do research. Choose a trail without crossings if there is rain in the forecast or if it’ll be warm, adding to the snow-melt. This means not only knowing the weather and the trails, but knowing snow-pack conditions high above you to best determine what’s safe and the how-to. Prompting a river crossing skills course can be very helpful.
Hiking in the Mountains and Staying Safe
To avoid trouble for all, consider these bullet points:
• Know the dangers
• Do the research
• Bring the right gear
• Plan the day well
• Know the weather forecast
• Go with experienced others
• Use your head/common sense
• Get experience incrementally
• Take related classes
• Hire a guide for safety
You also have the ability to purchase a Hike Safe Card, www.hikesafe. com, in New Hampshire. This card is similar to carrying rescue insurance, if you will, in that you may avoid being fined, even if somewhat negligent by lacking some the appropriate gear or making some other oversight (though gross negligence isn’t tolerated). That said, please realize that this type of insurance, while certainly recommended, will NOT save your life. It is NOT a getout-of-jail-free card. Be careful out there, because ultimately, it’s on you—you may pay dearly no matter who gets the bill.
Mike Cherim, a North Conway resident, is a trailwork- and SAR-volunteer in the WMNF. His passions are primarily hiking and skiing (plus biking and fishing)—and he also loves to write. He makes his living, however, running a local guiding company: Redline Guiding out of Intervale.
LOCAL PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS Share Their Top Foliage Tips
The North Conway area and the White Mountains of New Hampshire are renowned for their stunning fall foliage. Every autumn, the landscape transforms into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows, attracting visitors from throughout the country and all over the world. Whether you’re hiking the trails, driving the back roads, or simply
enjoying the view from a cozy cabin, the fall foliage in this region is an experience like no other. Capturing that experience is just that, an experience. Whether your camera is a smartphone or an advanced DSLR, we hope that these scene-specific tips from local professionals will help to capture these moments just as you remember them.
FOLIAGE TIP > TIMING
By Brett Protasiewicz
If you’re planning to capture fall foliage this year, understanding the best timing is one way to make your images stand out.
TIME OF DAY
The most important piece to consider is time of day. Shoot during golden hour, either just after sunrise or before sunset. The soft, warm light during these times enhances the vibrant colors of the leaves without casting harsh shadows, making the foliage look more vibrant and natural. The low angle of the sun also creates long shadows that add depth to your composition. Avoid midday light. It can be too harsh and wash out colors, while the golden hour light enriches the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn foliage. Early morning, when fog is rising from the water and burning off from the sun’s warmth, offers
during golden hour. The direction the sun is on a body of water can make or break your image. A key to creating unique images is exploring places others don’t normally go to, which allows you to capture new perspectives. I tend to ride gated roads on my bike to access places less traveled. Use Google Earth and look for bodies of water that are away from roads or on less-traveled trails. Going backpacking on a multi-day trail can offer many opportunities to capture images others aren’t.
FIND THE TIME
Just go shoot. My top tip for anyone trying to create unique images is to just get out there with your camera. The more time spent in the mountains, the better chance you have of capturing something amazing. Get up on top of mountains, explore
Shoot during golden hour, either just after sunrise or before sunset. The soft, warm light during these times enhances the vibrant colors of the leaves without casting harsh shadows, making the foliage look more vibrant and natural.
richness and depth of mood to your image. Usually, once the fog burns off, you’re left with perfectly still water that allows for perfect reflections.
CHOOSE THE LOCATION
Choose your location carefully. Many factors come into play when deciding on a location. If you are searching for reflections on water, you’ll need to scout out a place with a lake or pond. I use the PhotoPills app to determine where the sun will be
the trails you always told yourself you would, and enjoy being out in nature. I find myself going out in weather that people avoid, which has led to some amazing images. Cloudy days, rainy days, windy days—you never know what you may find!
Once the colors come out, be ready to photograph your family and friends with these helpful tips.
WEAR COMPLEMENTARY COLORS
Choose clothing that creates a dramatic and artful contrast with fall colors. You can’t go wrong with a denim top! Blues or purples can look striking against yellow leaves, while white, tan, or gray will make you pop out from dark foliage. Avoid wearing busy prints— plaids play off the coziness of the season, but florals against foliage can be too much for the eyes! If you have a pattern top on, try portrait mode on a smartphone; it will blur the colors in the background while keeping the emphasis on your subject.
INTERACT
WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
Toss leaves while taking a selfie—or have someone else toss leaves while you pose for the photos. Find a few favorite leaves and hold them straight out in front of you so the photographer can focus on the leaves while the subject is slightly blurred in the background or vice versa.
FRAME WITH FOLIAGE
Use overhanging branches or trees to create natural frames around your subjects, like walking down a foliage-covered path. Don’t be afraid to put distance between you and the foliage you’re trying to capture—a great opportunity to get a full tree and your subject in one photo!
Meg Simone www.megsimone.com / NHElopements.com @megsimone.films @nhelopements
FOLIAGE TIP > LONG EXPOSURES
By Josh Laskin
Capturing movement anywhere within the frames of your photographs can lead to some of your best shots of the season.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT GEAR
Using long exposures to blur motion can be a fun way to make creative and unique images, but it all starts with the right gear. A tripod and an SLR camera—which allows the photographer to change the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—are necessary. A neutral density (ND) filter, which allows you to control the amount of light entering the camera, and thus, the length of your exposure, is also helpful. Many neutral density filters come in different “stops,” meaning they let different amounts of light through. Some are variable, which allows the photographer to control the amount of light that passes through by turning it.
FIND A MOVING SUBJECT
Waterfalls and flowing bodies of water are classic subjects when playing around with long-exposure photography. When shooting streams,
experiment with a low perspective. Setting the tripod up in the middle of the stream, just above the water line, gives the viewer a sense that the water is flowing right at them. But don’t be afraid to be creative, either. Shooting a stationary subject with moving clouds can also yield some interesting results.
SHOOT AT THE RIGHT TIME
What often separates a good photo from a great photo is lighting. It’s never a bad time to go out and shoot, but when you can add golden light filtering through the trees or long shadows from a setting (or rising) sun, your photo will be that much better. It also helps accent the changing foliage in the fall. And don’t sleep on late fall either—a shot of a babbling brook with dark red and orange leaves scattered through the foreground can be pretty nice!
FOLIAGE TIP > WEATHER
By Wiseguy Creative Photography
We all love those bluebird autumn days, but when it comes to the money shots, the best fall foliage photos are more likely to be captured when the weather is fair.
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY
But it’s not what you think. When the rain moves out, the magic is just beginning! Be on the lookout for fast-moving storms and be ready to shoot as the clouds begin to clear. Look for the misty remnants left behind by the warming sunshine. As the clouds break apart and lift away from the valleys and riverbeds, lingering clouds and fog will help set the scene. If it stays cloudy and overcast, the conditions will continue to be favorable as the best foliage photographs are likely to happen with less contrast.
LOOK FOR COLD TEMPS
Watch the weather and find some water. Look for cool, even cold mornings, which means the warm waters of rivers, ponds, and lakes will produce fog as they cool. Focus your camera on a unique foreground feature and recompose to let the fog create the rest of the photograph. Another opportunity that cold temps bring, mostly in later October, are the sudden dropping of leaves. The first really
cold snap will shock the leaves and cover the forest floor with color.
SNOW DAY
The only thing better than fog and foliage is snow and foliage. The Mt. Washington Observatory provides a Higher Summits Forecast (www.mountwashington.org) potentially alerting you of opportunities of snow on Washington, or even in the Valley. If you hear that snow may be in the forecast overnight, be ready at daybreak for a show. Capturing a colorful foreground with a snowy background, or vice versa, will leave you with some of the best foliage shots of the season. Bring along a tripod in case low light becomes an issue.
BLUEBIRD?
If you do get a full sunshine day, take a walk in the woods and shoot in the shadows. Photos taken in the sun are more likely to be troublesome, overloaded with contrast and reflections.
Dan Houde • Wiseguy Creative www.WiseguyCreative.com
@wiseguyphotography
withConnecting the Saco
By Sarah Davidson and Rachel Freierman
Photography by Northeast Woodland Chartered School
After
Years of Connecting with the Saco River, Local Students Complete Their Source-to-Sea Journey
The Saco River holds a special place in the hearts of many living and vacationing in the Mt. Washington Valley. It is home to some of the area’s finest swimming holes, and its deeper pools offer favorite places for fishing. In the summer months, the river is well known for its sandy beaches, rope swings, and a flow that is just fast enough to propel throngs of tubers downstream. And of course, particularly in recent years, its mighty surges during storms have impacted countless families and businesses in the Valley.
The students of Northeast Woodland Public Chartered School in Conway are also no strangers to the river. Beginning in
name, they will tell you emphatically that pirates do, indeed, live on the river due to their ship running aground on an upstream journey to find treasure. For them, their relationship to the Saco and its shoreline is one of excitement and curiosity—where small tributaries are dug in the sand, homemade birch-bark boats are launched to float downstream, and the everchanging beaches offer new places to explore after each storm erodes roots and shifts sand. To them, the Saco River is “Sister River.”
As the students move through the grades at Northeast Woodland, this relationship develops and deepens. In the fourth grade, as students study local
During the first week of June 2024, just one week before the class of nine graduated, the students, joined by four of their teachers, spent five days traveling by canoe down the river to reach the ocean.
pre-school, students frequently walk the trails from the school to the water’s edge. They visit “Pirate’s Cove,” named such during the school’s first year in operation due to the pirate flag that neighbors frequently fly on the far shore. If you ask a student in the younger grades about the
geography, they learn about their place in the Saco River Watershed. They test the healthiness of the water, measure the rate of flow, and look for macroinvertebrates. They travel to Crawford Notch to see where the mighty river begins as a small trickle leaving Saco Lake and then venture down
to The Ecology School in Saco, Maine, which also lies on the banks of the river, just before it reaches the ocean. Students begin to consider their role within the watershed and how they are connected to all those living downstream. This connection continues in the oldest grades, as students continue to frequently visit the shores of the Saco near school on walks with their classes.
For Northeast Woodland’s class of 2024, however, their relationship with the Saco River went to a whole new level. During the first week of June 2024, just one week before the class of nine graduated, the students, joined by four of their teachers, spent five days traveling by canoe down the river to reach the ocean.
The Journey
On Monday, June 3, on a bluebird and unseasonably warm day, the class drove the 4 miles to the Smith-Eastman Town Park in Conway, NH. While we had initially hoped to carry canoes straight to the river from school, the logistics and impact of beginning with a 1/2-mile portage, followed almost immediately by whitewater, seemed like an ill-advised way to begin a five-day trip with some novice paddlers, so we opted for the slightly downstream boat launch at mile 38 on the river.
Spirits were high as we headed downstream. Nerves were equally high as we listened for whitewater that would signal the ledge we knew lurked up ahead. Once spotted and scouted, we carefully ran the section, with a staff boat setting safety, and a throw rope at hand if needed. Despite the boniness of the river,
which was on the low side for early June, the students maneuvered their boats with grace—big smiles on their faces—as they paddled through the first real test the river had to offer.
With a parting view of the White Mountains and Chocorua behind us, we headed downstream. We quickly crossed the border into Maine and then weaved our way through swimmers at Weston’s Beach. The sandy river bottom was easily visible through the clear water, sometimes only inches below the bottom of our boats. Grateful not to be fully loaded, we managed to sneak through the shallowest sections, where we may have run aground if our boats were any heavier. Sandy beaches on the shoreline were intermixed with steeper sandy banks where the erosion from recent storms was clearly evident. At one, we paused to watch as swallows flew in and out of their nests in the bank. Just a few minutes later, we caught a glimpse of our first two eagles of the trip. They soared overhead and continued down the river’s corridor as we followed along.
Paddles and Portage and Rapids, Oh My!
Almost 10 miles into our first day, after having paddled for about four hours, we reached our first portage at Swans Falls Dam. Luckily, this was an easy portage: we knew that several longer ones loomed ahead. The remainder of the day was relatively uneventful, with a few more breaks to swim and fish. We arrived at Saco Bound’s Landing, which would serve as our first campsite. We tied off our canoes and easily scampered up
the bank to where we would camp for the night.
Day two began with an early wakeup, for we knew we had many miles ahead of us. We ate a hearty, quick breakfast, and applied our water-themed temporary tattoos—with most of the students electing sharks and waves—hoping to see neither on the journey. We paddled for several easy miles before finding a lovely sandy beach for our first snack break. The weather continued to be unseasonably warm, with many students choosing to cool off in the river. After this break, we noticed the shoreline became denser with less sand. We also noticed the students’ energy shifting as we began discussing Walker’s Rips, which was to be our first major rapid of the trip. We knew we would have the ability to portage this rapid via an old AMC campground, if needed; but much to our surprise, there were no rapids, likely due to the December flooding that shifted the configuration of the river.
Due to the denser shoreline, we had trouble finding a lunch spot that could comfortably fit our fleet of canoes, and with hunger at a high, we elected to pull off on the steep bank and eat while standing—careful not to step in poison ivy. With full stomachs and high spirits, we continued on toward the Brownfield Bog, down river from Lovewell Pond. We heard that the week prior to our launch, this area was nearly impassable due to the storm blockage. We were excited to see this level of debris and enjoyed weaving between blowdowns, spotting remnants of the storm that were swept downstream in the flood, such as docks, coolers, and beach chairs.
Day two was a long day, paddling 21 miles. We arrived at our sandy beach camp for the night, which was on one of our student’s land. We surprised the class with a game of Jeopardy that we prepared on the bottom of a canoe, a cooler of soda, and more mac & cheese than anyone could eat. We tucked the students all in knowing that day three was going to be our longest and most challenging day yet.
The Shifting Saco
As we carried on downstream on the third morning, there was a noticeable shift in the river’s ecology and hydrology. The sandy beaches dissipated, and more tall sandy banks emerged— along with noticeably deeper water levels. This was perfect, as about 9 miles in, while paddling through Hiram, we found a rope swing and a trestle bridge to jump from. Both greatly appealed to the adventure-seeking students and lifted spirits as we headed towards our first major portage, Great Falls Dam. The portage was a challenging 1/2-mile of single-track trail, and while the wheels (which had been recommended we bring for the lengthy portages), certainly helped, they had a tough time maneuvering the single track and a downed tree. One student opted to shoulder the canoe instead.
This portage was perfectly timed for lunch and a thunderstorm, which required us to implement a lightning drill for one-and-a-half hours. Once the weather cleared, the group made the decision to keep pushing on despite the long day. We had several more eagle sightings with a pair following us for multiple miles. We reached Steep Falls just after 6 p.m., which required another substantial portage. After paddling 25 miles, including the two portages, we surprised the students with much-deserved ice cream.
Letters from Home to Capsized Canoes Day four began with a heartfelt morning reading letters from
• Assets Jean Company
• Atlantic Pool & Spa
• Bavarian Chocolate Haus
• Cathedral Ledge Distillery
• The Christmas Loft
• Designed Gardens Flower Studio
• Four Your Paws Only
• Hudson’s Art, Home & Gifts
• It’s My Girlfriend’s Boutique Consignment
• Jewelry by Tim & Friends
• League of NH Craftsmen
• The Local Grocer
• Mystic Sugar Bakery
• North Conway Olive Oil Co.
• North Country Fair Jewelers
• The Penguin Gallery
• Ragged Mountain Equipment
• RavenWood Curio Shoppe
• The Root Cellar: an Aveda Salon & Boutique
• The Rugged Mill
• Sherman Farm Market
• Soyfire Candle Bath & Body
• Spruce Hurricane
• Valley Artisans & Vintage Market
• Veno’s Specialty Foods & Meats
• White Birch Books
• White Mountain Winery
START
THE PLANNING
The vision for this trip grew out of our passion for paddling and aspirations of a source-to-sea trip. A chance to truly see an entire river and help students connect in a new way to our home. The class of 2024 were those people: enthusiastic about the river and fishing, some with tremendous paddling experience, and all up for an adventure.
As the 2023/24 school year commenced, we began to hype up the idea with the students. We invited Freddie Wilkinson and Ryan Ranco Kelley to school to talk with the middle school about their awe-inspiring, multi-month canoe voyage circumnavigating New York and New England. We looked at maps and talked about trip possibilities.
Meanwhile, we sought out all of the beta we could. We met with Mike Morin who had completed a source-to-sea of the Saco on stand-up paddleboards in 2022 with Joe Klementovich. We picked his brain for all he could remember about campsites, rapids, regulations, and portage details. We studied the AMC map and talked to other members of our school community who lived along the river.
Just before April break, we gave the class the choice
between the more rigorous source-to-sea (we called it this, though we missed the section upriver from our school) or a section paddle, which would be a more mellow option. Ultimately, they chose the source-to-sea, though we opted to do it in a supported fashion, with one staff member trailing in a van and meeting us each night to allow us to move with lighter boats and to make the portages and low water more manageable. From there, we solicited further support from the community, borrowing canoes and paddles from Camp Waukeela in Eaton and PFDs, dry bags, and canoe wheels from the AMC. We lined up camping plans, primarily with members of our school community.
As the trip neared, the students practiced shouldering canoes, brushed up on paddling strokes, and refreshed their
throw-rope technique, skills they had learned during outdoor education in 7th grade when we studied the Saco and visited its headwaters in Crawford Notch. With a rough itinerary planned, we worked with the students to figure out mileage, portages, areas of concern, and backup plans. Pulling from their previous trip experience, the students put together menu ideas to keep us nourished and happy while on the river. And when the time finally came to set out, they organized gear, read the map, and loaded the boats, van, and canoe trailer.
SACO RIVER BEGINS
home. Prior to this journey, we asked each student’s family to write their child a personal letter that would allow them to reflect on the culmination of their educational journey and relay their hopes for the future. With the students full of gratitude, we prepared for the largest rapid of the trip, Limington Rips. After putting in below Steep Falls, we paddled a short distance before we heard the roar of the rapid. We sent one canoe ahead with a staff member to scout this rapid. We knew that we would need to run river left of the island as the right side was not passable with our water level. We also knew there was a strainer just before the entrance of the first rapid that we would need to navigate around.
Limington Rips is a long rapid, covering over 1/2 mile. The entrance offered two wide holes at the top of the main rapid, followed by a few surf waves. After scouting and discussing all options, including portaging on river right, the group decided to run the rapid. The entrance into the rapid at our water level was challenging with a drop and technical navigation. Our first boat with a staff member, successfully navigated the rapid and quickly eddied out on the island mid-way through the rapid to offer river safety. Of the six canoes, three boats capsized. All gear, except for a Crazy Creek and a paddle, was recovered. Students swam their first rapid and were brought to safety quickly. The students learned first-hand the river’s power when one of the capsized boats struck a rock and was pinned. Luckily, with the support of the White Mountain Swift Water Rescue Team, we were able to get the wrapped canoe off the rocks and onto the trailer.
After debriefing the rapid experience and eating a much-needed lunch, we shuttled downriver to Skelton Dam to finish out the river miles for day four. We camped at the Ecology School and surprised the class with a night out on the town dining at Otto’s Pizza, with each student wearing a fancy shirt and tie.
Source-to-Sea Satisfaction
The morning of day five brought much excitement. We were less than 14 miles from the ocean. We paddled under power lines, then the I95 bridge, where the students successfully got trucks to honk as we passed under. Just as the train trestles and smokestacks of Saco and Biddeford appeared out of the fog, we reached Diamond Park, which would be
the start of our longest portage of the trip: roughly 1 mile through the town of Saco. We paraded our canoes through town, stopping at traffic lights and using crosswalks. We were quite the sight, with families coming out to cheer us on.
High tide was at 12:30 p.m., which was perfectly timed for our journey, allowing us to ride the tide out to the ocean. After completing the portage, we arrived at Front Street Launch and had lunch as we waited for the timing of the tides. The river was noticeably dirtier at the putin, though as we paddled, the students kept tasting the brackish water for salt, observing that the rising salinity marked our nearing the ocean. We passed through several yacht clubs and our canoes paled in comparison. We taught the students about buoys and safe channel crossings. We paddled at approximately 3 miles per hour (2.6 knots) for the majority of the trip, but with the help of the outgoing tide, we felt like we were flying at times. We arrived at Camp Ellis just before 2 p.m. on June 7, 2024. The students jumped off the dock and into the ocean, marking the end of our five-day journey together.
Ultimately, we paddled nearly 90 miles in our five days on the river. While it is a trip that many could embark on, it was made unique and unforgettable by the people who paddled together. During their time on the water, the students reflected on the closing of a chapter and celebrated their successes throughout the journey on the Saco, along with their successes as a class at Northeast Woodland. The paddle offered opportunities for their leadership, communication, creativity, compassion, bravery, and tenacity to all shine through in remarkable ways.
This fall, Northeast Woodland’s class of 2024 will be beginning their high school journeys, which hold their own challenges and chances for growth. As they do, however, they carry with them a deeper connection to this river and its watershed, and to their classmates and teachers they spent a week with, traveling downstream. We have no doubt these connections will take them to great places and help them triumph whatever they encounter.
Northeast Woodland
Chartered Public School
53 Technology Lane Conway, NH (603) 374-7896
www.northeastwoodland.org
The adventure motorcycle genre is significantly positively impacting rural communities across the country, New England, and the Mt. Washington Valley.
The adventure motorcycle (ADV) genre is one of the fastest growing markets regarding bike and accessory sales, also boosting the availability of off-road training programs and tour company destinations to more remote locations. The ADV segment has been steadily gaining speed since the pandemic and is making a notably positive impact on rural communities across the country. Much of this growth in the U.S. is contributed by the non-profit Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®). This non-profit was established in 2010 and now has more than 13 main routes and four BDR-X routes in the U.S. More importantly,
ADVENTURING ON TWO WHEELS
Through the Mt. Washington Valley
By Kimberly Harvey
there is a BDR that travels right through Mt. Washington Valley.
The mission of the BDR “is to create, preserve, and protect off-highway motorized access to public lands. Through education, safety initiatives, responsible land use ethics, and positive financial impact on rural communities, BDR seeks to preserve backcountry motorcycling opportunities for generations to come.”
Launched in 2020, the 1,300-mile NEBDR (Northeast) route starts in Hancock, New York and travels through the Catskills, skirting around Bash Bish Falls in Massachusetts, dipping into Connecticut, and then back north into the Berkshires of west-
ern Massachusetts. The more difficult sections are in Vermont, as it navigates through Readsboro, Wallingford, and Barnard through the state’s center and crosses into New Hampshire in Woodsville. Continuing through western NH, the NEBDR eventually snakes to Sandwich and Tamworth to Chocorua Lake. From here, the route heads up to the Kancamagus Highway, Bear Notch Road, and through Crawford Notch/Jefferson Notch to Gorham—with an optional side trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. After cruising south through Evans Notch, the route enters Maine via Deer Hill Road. After traveling through Dixfield and
Andover, the Maine sections eventually end just west of Rangeley, and the route heads back into northern NH, the Connecticut Lakes, finishing at the Canadian border at Rhubarb Pond. The NEBDR is the longest BDR route and crosses the most state lines with eight sections, each ranging from 67.2 miles to 229 miles.
BDR does not offer a rating system for each route or section since there are too many factors at play, and the terrain can fluctuate with difficulty quickly. They do help by providing a list of routes ranked by difficulty, starting with the CABDR-South being the hardest: CABDR-South, NEBDR, AZBDR, ORBDR, WYBDR, UTBDR, COBDR, NVBDR, WABDR, NMBDR, IDBDR, MABDR. While on route, there are more difficult options—called “expert sections”—that you can challenge yourself with or stay on the main route for easier terrain.
Being a multi-day adventure, many riders opt for the rustic route by seeking the perfect camping spot and preparing meals via campfire. Realistically though, many desire a lighter bike without camping gear and/or are not the camping type
Continuing through western NH, the NEBDR eventually snakes to Sandwich and Tamworth to Chocorua Lake. From here, the route heads up to the Kancamagus Highway, Bear Notch Road, and through Crawford Notch/Jefferson Notch to Gorham—with an optional side trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road.
and choose cushier accommodations. In 2022, BDR conducted a comprehensive economic impact study (see sidebar) and discovered the substantial positive impact they have on small rural communities. This annual impact was over $60 million across all BDR routes (11 established routes at the time). BDR riders generated $9.6 million in motorcycle sales in 2022. The BDR website is a wealth of information, including route downloads and updates, recommendations on lodging, fuel, food, tour/rental companies, and detailed packing lists. Via Facebook, you can join a group for each BDR route, where riders frequently post updates as they navigate, which is often helpful when Mother Nature gets involved. This is also a great venue to communicate with riders who are looking to team up with others.
For navigation, the tracks can be downloaded for free from their website—and Butler maps for each BDR are available for purchase. Keep in mind that the printed maps are not updated frequently (NEBDR’s most recent is 2020). You have options for navigation: either download the GPX file(s) onto your device or import directly to GAIA GPS app. Many tour compa-
Bear Notch Road
Economic Impact Study
Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®), the non-profit organization dedicated to developing adventure riding opportunities across the U.S., just released its comprehensive Economic Impact Study white paper. The report underscores the role played by BDR riders in bolstering local economies, with BDR-related spending creating an annual economic impact of over $60 million across all BDR routes. One of the standout conclusions from the study is the substantial positive impact BDR has on small rural communities.
“Many states are looking for new outdoor recreation opportunities to help diversity their economies, and bring new tourism dollars to local communities,” says Inna Thorn, BDR executive director. “This economic impact study underscores the substantial positive influence BDR has on the communities we travel through. More than just an advocate for off-highway motorcycling, BDR catalyzes economic growth in rural communities along our routes. As we continue to expand our network of routes, we are committed to making a lasting and positive difference in these communities, while educating our riders about safe and respectful travel on public lands and in local communities.”
As the organization continues to create new BDR routes, it brings a surge of economic activity to these areas through tourism. Additional information can be found at www.tinyurl.com/4u3hacy6.
nies are also guiding BDRs if you do not feel comfortable adventuring out on your own.
I am beyond grateful to be part of this incredible offroad community, as it is a second family to me. Completing both the MABDR and NEBDR, these adventures, challenges, and life-changing experiences will be with me forever. The positive message that the BDR promotes should be shared and embraced by every community it rides through. With over 90 percent of riders saying they plan to ride another BDR in the next two years, this is a growing force supporting our local economies in a positive way. The documentaries are very inspirational and entertaining, whether you are a seasoned rider or thinking of getting a bit more adventurous. The next time you see some dirty ADV bikes parked outside our local businesses, reach out and say, “Hello!” as you could be an incredible resource to a great Mt. Washington Valley experience for them while exploring the NEBDR.
For additional information and studies, visit www.ridebdr.com online or www.facebook.com/groups/ridenebdr on social media.
VOLCANOES
THE VOLCANIC LEGACY OF THE OSSIPEE MOUNTAINS
By Matt Maloney, Tin Mountain Conservation Center
The Ossipee Mountains are one of the world’s premier examples of a ring dike that is preserved within a mountain range. The Moat volcanic rocks found in the Ossipees, Moats, and elsewhere in the White Mountain and Lakes regions tell a remarkable story that geologists are still unravelling.
One of the most unique and remarkable geographic features in all of the Eastern United States is the circular-shaped mountain ridge known as the Ossipee Mountains. A mountain range shaped like a donut conjures up a whole range of questions as to its origins and serves as a wonderful example of the problem-solving involved in interpreting the shape and form of our local landscape. These mountains tell of an era when an ancient supercontinent’s time was ending and the first inklings of a basin that became the Atlantic Ocean started to submerge.
A key to understanding the curious donut shape of the Ossipees is the concept of a volcanic ring dike. Indeed, the Ossipee Mountains are one of the world’s premier examples of a ring dike that
is preserved within a mountain range. The narrow ring-shaped bedrock dike that wraps around the slopes of the Ossipees is made of a rock that is the remnants of magma that seeped up through a collapsed volcanic caldera. The magma crystallized into a rock known as syenite, rich in the mineral feldspar. Preserved within the remnants of this volcanic caldera are deposits of ash and lava flows that once covered much of New Hampshire and are now known as the Moat volcanic rock. Much of the Moat volcanic rock comprises the ridgelines and summits of the Ossipee Mountains.
These Moat volcanic rocks are found sparsely in only a few locations, all within the White Mountain and Lakes regions of New Hampshire. The namesake of this volcanic rock is Moat Mountain in North Conway, which is also a range containing
many large areas of the remnants of ancient volcanoes’ pyroclastics. The Moat volcanic rock has frozen in time those ancient outpourings of lava and ash. Moat Mountain has the thickest known deposits of these rocks.
The Moat volcanic rocks found in the Ossipees, Moats, and elsewhere in the White Mountain and Lakes regions tell a remarkable story that geologists are still unraveling. As a resident of or visitor to the Lakes and White Mountain regions with a casual interest in geology, there is a fascinating history to be discovered in these rocks. This bedrock that composes our mountains serves as a beacon from the deep past, a time that extends before there were mammals and well before humans came along.
Contrary to what many hear, or
IN OUR MIDST
surmise, the Ossipees, and other nearby mountains are not extinct or dormant volcanoes. Volcanic cones tend to erode rather quickly, geologically speaking, and the original volcanoes that covered our area are long gone. Out west, where the rocks are much younger in places, one can still see ancient volcanic cones or the remains of underground “plugs” that fed magma to the surface. The Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is one such famous example.
The ridgeline of the Ossipee Mountains forms a circle with lowlands in the middle, the donut hole of this perfect ring. The circular nature of the range escapes the eyes of most because it can’t be seen from ground level or even from most nearby mountains. But take a look at topographic maps or aerial photos, and there it is—a mountain range in the shape of a ring. A great perspective can also be had from the summit of Bayle Mountain, which sits in the middle of the ring dike and allows the observer to perceive the ring of surrounding mountains.
Ring dikes have volcanic origins. The current theory is that magma from deep within a volcano or magmatic hotspot
wells up through the earth’s crust, creating a dome-like area of bedrock that extends up toward the surface. Magma near the surface in massive amounts causes the bedrock surface to lose density and rise. In present times, the elevated plateau-like surface of Yellowstone National Park is a current example of how magma in the upper parts of the crust can create doming at the surface. Yellowstone is a high-elevation plateau today, with evidence that, in the past, it erupted as the crust collapsed into the voided magma chamber, creating a volcanic basin. Some of this area of Yellowstone is referred to as the geyser basin, full of famous sights such as Old Faithful. Back to ring dikes … at the lower levels of the crust, as more and more rock was melted away and eruptions emptied out magma chambers, the crust above collapsed at the surface into a caldera, creating bedrock fractures or “shear faults” in the process. The magma seeped around giant circular areas of the melting crust through these fractures and eventually solidified into different types of granites, ash flow deposits, and the syenite magmas that form the circular-shaped dikes. The
Many hikes throughout the Lakes Region and White Mountains offer a view of the Ossipee ring dike. This particular view can be seen from the Freedom area, especially with a zoom lens on your camera or binoculars. Photo by WiseguyCreative.com. An additional view from further away can be seen on page 24.
The circular nature of the range escapes the eyes of most because it can’t be seen from ground level or even from most nearby mountains. But take a look at topographic maps or aerial photos, and there it is—a mountain range in the shape of a ring.
A look at a topography map of New Hampshire shows a clear indication of the remnant Ossipee ring dike. The geology of modern mountains can be hard to see because mountains are usually covered in trees, but hikes throughout the Ossipee Mountains provide a glimpse at the geologic landscape. Connor Pond and Dan Hole Pond on the eastern side of the complex are thought to be the remnants of ancient gas vents.
local geologic name for the syenites that comprise the dike itself is the “Albany porphyritic quartz syenite.” Syenite is a feldspar-rich igneous rock. Porphyritic refers to the large, dispersed crystal chunks of syenite and quartz found within this rock.
The collapsed caldera and its fractures sometimes sank to a low enough position in the crust, with subsequent burial by sediments, to preserve it from erosive forces for millions of years until the ring dikes and inner layers of the caldera were later exposed to the earth’s surface and the forces of weathering.
ring dike provide evidence that volcanoes were here, but the Ossipee Mountains are not an extinct volcano, rather the Ossipee Mountains are comprised of what came out of volcanos: crystallized magma, ash, lava flows, and chunks of rock that spewed forth at times from explosive eruptions.
What happened to most of these lava and ash deposits if they used to cover much of New Hampshire? The same force that continues to wear down all of our mountains over eons: erosion. Most of the Moat volcanic rocks have been eroded from the
In addition to the Ossipee Mountains, there are other remnant ring dikes throughout the White Mountains to the north. Thick deposits of volcanic rock are found on Moat Mountain. When the rocks beneath your feet look black or have rusted to a brownish color, you are stepping on the remains of volcanic eruptions that took place right here in New Hampshire.
Although the Albany syenite forms the dike, the most notable sign of past volcanic activity is the presence here and there of the Moat volcanic rock. This rock is the remains of ash and lava that flowed from fractures in the earth’s crust as it stretched out and apart preceding the eventual breakup of the supercontinent Pangea. This rock is around 170 million years old, a bit older than our local granites, which formed as a consequence of the same stretching of the earth’s crust. This was during the geologic era known as the Jurassic, while dinosaurs roamed the landscape. During this era, Moat volcanic rocks were subsequently buried by more lava and ash flows and sediment deposition over millions of years. Thus, the Moat volcanic rock and the Ossipee Mountain’s
surface, despite the fact they were once several miles thick, in the process exposing slightly younger aged granites and much older schist rock beneath. The Presidential Range rocks, for example, are composed of this older schist, the metamorphosed remnants of oceanic clays and shoreline sands that became mica and quartzrich rock, known as the Littleton Schist by geologists.
Moat volcanic rocks outside of the White Mountains and Lakes regions are generally not preserved, possibly because they were not dropped down into ring dikes and were exposed to surface erosion for a much longer period of time as a result. If you stand tall, erosion will get you! These unique volcanic rocks have been wiped off the face of most of New Hampshire forever,
TIN MOUNTAIN EVENTS 2024
Saturday, October 5, 10-11:30 a.m.
Nature in Focus: Images of Flora, Fauna, and Landscapes of New England. Slow-paced, naturalist-led walk.
Saturday, October 19
Virtual Program—Behind the Camera: What Photography Taught Us
Thursday, November 14, 7 p.m.
Join Emilie Talpin and Steve Morello, OM SYSTEM
Ambassadors as they reflect on how their passion for photography turned into a dream job.
Saturday, November 23, 10-12:00 p.m. and 1-3:00 p.m.
Winter Greens and Wreath Making
Tin Mountain Nature Learning Center
Visit www.tinmountain.org or call (603) 447-6991 for updates, additional dates and information.
except where the lava flows were preserved. The calderas collapsed into the crust, burying the crystallized lava flows deep in the earth.
In addition to the Ossipee Mountains, there are other remnant ring dikes throughout the White Mountains to the north. As mentioned, thick deposits of volcanic rock are found on Moat Mountain. When hiking up North or South Moat mountains, you will start to see these Moat volcanic rocks as they outcrop in the thinning soil, until the trails eventually become mostly bedrock surface. When the rocks beneath your feet look black or have rusted to a brownish color, you are stepping on the remains of volcanic eruptions that took place right here in New Hampshire. These volcanic rocks will contrast sharply with the surrounding white and pink speckled granites in nearby rock. If you are up on the Moats and look east across the Valley, there is a patchy continuation of the Moat volcanic rock that crops up on and near the summit of Mount Kearsarge. Check it out the next time you head up to the view platform on Kearsarge.
The vast interior of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, now full of fast-flowing streams, dark evergreen forests, and old rail beds converted to hiking trails, is the bottom of a collapsed volcanic caldera composed of ancient granites. The knife-edged Franconia Ridge on the western boundary of the Pemigewasset Wilderness is part of a ring dike of the Albany syenite. The narrow ring dike that surrounds the Pemigewasset Wilderness can be traced on geologic bedrock maps continuing on to near the summit of Mount Garfield, then contouring on the northern flanks of the Twin Ridge, over the north shoulder of Mount Hale, continuing across the Zealand Valley, and then following the southern flank of the Rosebrook Range,
ABOVE: Polygon columns of volcanic magma on the Bald Knob Cutoff trail. ABOVE RIGHT: The summit of Turtleback Mountain is fractured into the shapes of polygons,which were a result of cooling magma just below the surface. As the magma cooled the rock expanded and cracked. LOWER RIGHT: Moat volcanic rock. The white chunks are feldspar crystals that cooled out of magma near the earth’s surface or flowed as lava. The dark background is lava and ash that quickly cooled into rock.
OSSIPEE RANGE TRAILSIDE GEOLOGY EXAMPLES
Volcanic Columns: Polygons that formed as magma cooled quickly near the surface have survived in a few regional locations. One of the best examples is found alongside the Bald Knob cut-off trail, where a five-sided column of Moat volcanic rock can be seen in a ledge and adjacent talus that has broken from the ledge, a little ways below the Bald Knob cut-off trails intersection with the Bald Knob trail.
The turtle’s back: The summit of Turtleback Mountain offers a nice view of Mount Shaw, the highest summit in the Ossipees. If you look below your feet, you’ll see volcanic bedrock broken by cracks into polygon shapes, similar to the scoots or scales on a turtle’s back.
View from Bald Knob: You can combine a visit to the volcanic columns and polygon bedrock on Turtleback Mountain into a loop hike that incorporates the spectacular view from Bald Knob. The entirety of Lake Winnipesaukee lies below, in a basin eroded out of crumbly Lake Winnipesaukee granite. Views extend from Mount Moosilauke to Mount Monadnock on clear days.
Conner Pond: Conner Pond, access via Pine Hill Road off of Route 16 in West Ossipee, is a deep pond that was a vent hole in a volcano at one point, where pressurized gases escaped from deep inside the earth. It lies in the middle of the ring dike, and you can see the Ossipees arcing around from southeast to northwest. A nice mountain to hike, Bayle Mountain lies directly across the pond from the boat launch. Bayle Mountain has great views of the entire ring dike and has a trailhead further up the road. Dan Hole nearby is another deep pond that is the remnants of a volcanic gas vent.
home of the Bretton Woods ski trails, finally ending above Crawford Notch, lost to erosion south of the notch.
Several slices of remnant Moat volcanic rock in the Pemigewasset Wilderness can be seen and visited within the confines of the ring dike of syenite. One great example can be seen on Mount
pattern in other areas as well, including the Pilot and Pliny ranges to the north. The ridgeline of Cape Horn in Groveton, NH is also a ring dike.
Keep your eyes and mind open as you navigate our area. There is always more than meets the eye at first glance, and deep time is hidden in the rocks. A moun-
The famous Bondcliffs Range, and its dramatic view of the mountains seen from its extensive ledges, is composed of Moat volcanic rock, as is an outcropping on Mount Hale.
Flume, where a small, preserved patch of Moat volcanic rock has jointed, angular or blocky-looking columns that can be seen by the curious hiker. The famous Bondcliffs Range, and its dramatic view of the mountains seen from its extensive ledges, is composed of Moat volcanic rock, as is an outcropping on Mount Hale. Some say the iron within the Moat rock on Mount Hale deflects compasses, but I have yet to test if this is true or not! Geologic bedrock maps of the White Mountain region show bedrock types following a ring-like
tain shows us just how short our lives are in the ongoing creation of our planet.
MOUNTAIN VIEW SERVICE CENTER
Tin Mountain Conservation Center TMCC is a non-profit environmental education and conservation organization, providing programs for children, families, adults, and communities that create greater awareness and understanding of the natural environment.
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An Exceptional History
By Heather Corrigan
North Conway was gaining fame for its picturesque scenery, due to the artists, such as Thomas Cole and Benjamin Champney, who traveled to the area for painting inspiration in the 1800s. The vista and sprawling intervales offered spectacular views of the White Mountains and the Presidential Range. The Intervale Hotel (not to be confused with the Intervale Inn) took full advantage of these views, as one of the
guests at the hotel enjoyed.
The Intervale Hotel, the second grand hotel in the area after the Kearsarge House, was built around 1868 (although some say 1860) as a small summer hotel that was serviced by its very own railroad stop across the road. It was built on a corner lot, just up the road from the Idlewild Inn (now The 1785 Inn). The Idlewild was owned and operated by the Dinsmore Brothers,
The Intervale Hotel, the second grand hotel in the area after the Kearsarge House, was built around 1868 as a small summer hotel that was serviced by its very own railroad stop across the road. It was built on a corner lot, just up the road from the Idlewild Inn (now The 1785 Inn).
first grand hotels in the area was built across from what was described as an “uninterrupted panorama of the entire Presidential Range and adjacent peaks rising dramatically above their foothills and the open unspoiled Saco River intervale.” If you stop at the modern Scenic Vista, you can see the same views
and later owned by Mildred Mudgett Sanborn, daughter of Herbert S. Mudgett, who owned the Intervale Hotel along with his father and brother.
W.H.H. Trickey built the first part of the hotel on the former site of a one-story tavern and homestead of Captain Elijah Dins-
This hotel is situated on a high elevation, overlooking the North Conway Intervales,and commanding one of the finest views of the whole White Mountain range of any place in the whole Saco valley.
Has all modern improvements of a firstclass hotel: is heated by steam and open fires, especially for the comfort and convenience of guests who wish to stay late in October. Post Office and telegraph office in the hotel.
more. According to sources, there is little information on what the original building looked like and how it functioned as a hotel. In 1871, the hotel passed to Frank A. Mudgett and Alfred Eastman, with Mudgett and his family eventually buying Eastman out of his share in 1874. The Mudgetts, Stephen, along with sons Frank and Herbert of neighboring Jackson, also owned other properties and hotels in the area.
With new ownership and the creation of the S. Mudgett & Sons business, the hotel had improvements made to it in 1872, including a drainage system and an expansion, with another possible expansion in 1879-80, but no concrete documents exist. The rest of the hotel’s expansions and existence as a hotel are well documented, as seen in a September 1883 edition of Among the Clouds, the newspaper printed daily from the summit of Mount Washington:
“The proprietors of the Intervale House have completed their plans for the enlargement, which will probably not be ready for another year. The dining-room wing of the
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house is to be removed and an ell, 100 x 60 feet, put on at right angles to the main house, running towards the road. The new part will contain the dining-room and from 30 to 50 new rooms. The hotel and cottages will then have accommodations for about 300 guests. The house will be thoroughly modernized, and its popularity cannot fail to be largely increased.”
The new hotel also featured an expansive, 400-foot piazza, similar to the front façade of the Kearsarge House. The piazza allowed guests to take in the spectacular views of Mount Washington and the intervale across the way. All of these new changes and expansions took mere months to complete, a great feat in that day. However, in November 1883, a great wind blew down the framing for the new edition, forcing construction to start over. The Mudgetts decided to use this as a chance to further enhance the new hotel and added an even more significant addition to the house: three-and-a-half stories high, which doubled the size of the original house.
With the railroad running through town, the mid-1880s saw a boom of tourism in the area, and the need for hotels with “all the modern amenities.” Tourists were looking to spend weeks, or even the entire summer season in the area, and only stayed at the hotels with the best accommodations. Frank Mudgett was the general manager of the property and decided to bring in only the best in the business to help entice guests to the hotel. They “secured the services” of Mr. J.A. Rogers of New York, an assistant manager,
With the railroad running through town, the mid-1880s saw a boom of tourism in the area, and the need for hotels with “all the modern amenities.” Tourists were looking to spend weeks, or even the entire summer season in the area, and only stayed at the hotels with the best accommodations.
who rubbed elbows with the upper crust of society. Along with his wife, they proved to be a great asset to the hotel and helped pad their high-profile guest list. Many of the local publications printed a who’s who section of the paper during the summer season, listing who was staying at which hotel in the area or the White Mountains. Many guests of the Intervale Hotel were repeat customers, many returning summer after summer, staying for several weeks
or the entire season, while some stayed a few days on their way to the Mount Washington Hotel (1901). Former Governor John L. Bates of Massachusetts “considers no summer complete without a visit to the Intervale House,” staying about 10 days with friends and family.
In 1887, the Mudgetts continued to improve the hotel, adding a new office, a lobby, a telegraph room, a billiards room, improved sanitary facilities, and many large fireplaces. The large ballroom hosted its own orchestra, which played for guests during dinner—and for dancing later in the evening. Bell boys in red jackets and maître d’s helped add to the grand and stylish feeling of staying at the house. The final addition to the hotel was attached at a right angle around 1888-89, which provided 20 more rooms for guests. A larger parlor, children’s dining room, and a spacious dining room that could seat 200 guests were also added. The ceilings in these rooms were all beautifully frescoed, and all the other rooms were painted, including the exterior. All the rooms were light and
In 1887, the Mudgetts continued to improve the hotel, adding a new office, a lobby, a telegraph room, a billiards room, improved sanitary facilities, and many large fireplaces. The large ballroom hosted its own orchestra, which played for guests during dinner—and for dancing later in the evening.
airy, finished in hardwood and rich furnishings. The hotel was also self-sustaining, with its own farm and spring water supply, bringing fresh food and water to guests.
Along with its new, large rooms and updated amenities, the Intervale House also had outer cottages that could provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the hotel. There were stables and carriage houses on the property, some of the finest in the area. There were two stagecoaches for the hotel, which many summer guests relied on for transportation around town. There were also grounds dedicated to croquet,
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Eventually named the New Intervale Inn
tennis, a ball court, and a bowling alley on the property, leaving guests with many choices for recreational activities. To enjoy the picturesque views, guests could relax on the piazzas or use the footbridge to take them to the panoramic views across the street.
The hotel retained its grand hotel status for many years, into the 20th century, changing with the times, as needed. It was a contemporary of other famous grand hotels in North Conway, such as the Kearsarge House, Hotel Randall, which became the
morning reverberated with the sound of the fire alarm and the slumbers were aroused to fight fire. It was soon learned the Intervale House was a victim of the flames and the house had been burning so long before discovered, to save any part of it was impossible.”
Many people arrived after the fire alarm sounded at 1:45 a.m. to try and do anything to help, but because the house was older and made of wood, there was nothing to be done. Harold
An excerpt from The Reporter, the local newspaper, from Thursday, May 24, 1923, published an article about the tragedy, stating: “The stillness of the early hours of Tuesday morning reverberated with the sound of the fire alarm and the slumbers were aroused to fight fire. It was soon learned the Intervale House was a victim of the flames and the house had been burning so long before discovered, to save any part of it was impossible.”
Eastern Slope Inn, The Claredon Inn, and the Bellevue House. But like so many other grand hotels in the area, the golden era began to fade, and the hotel succumbed to fire on May 22, 1923. An excerpt from The Reporter, the local newspaper, from Thursday, May 24, 1923, published an article about the tragedy, stating: “The stillness of the early hours of Tuesday
Mudgett was living at the Idlewild down the road and was credited with being the first to discover the house was on fire. He tried to save anything he could, but it had already burned for too long. No cause of the fire was given. Intervale lamented the loss of the house and had high hopes that it would be rebuilt, as it was the highlight for many guests visiting the area. It was
Intervale House
Elmwood Inn (later renamed Intervale Inn)
Idlewild Inn (now The 1785 Inn)
The Clarendon Inn
The Bellevue House
Rail station
WHAT MADE THEM GRAND?
Prior to 1850, New Hampshire was a difficult place to travel to, and its vast wilderness was not highly traveled. Once the railroad was expanded to reach the White Mountains in the 1870s, access to the area greatly improved and New Hampshire became a destination for fresh air, beautiful mountain views, and high-class relaxation. With the influx of travel to the area, many hotels began to be built throughout the area, ushering in the Grand Hotel Era.
Hotels were considered “grand” if they were able to house 200-plus guests, featured an elegantly styled dining room, had a parlor, and a grand lobby space. These hotels also offered several indoor and outdoor recreational events and entertainment, such as tennis courts, horseback riding, in-resident artists teaching painting classes, and an in-house band that performed pieces written specifically for the hotel.
For the mostly upper-class members of society who frequented these hotels, these events and activities were not something they could find close to home. Rooms would be booked for an entire month, or for the entirety of the summer season, allowing guests to enjoy the exclusivity and fresh-aired ambience they sought. It would also allow guests to don their best, most fashionable outfits and be seen and admired by members of the same social class.
Out of the roughly 30 hotels considered part of the Grand Hotel Era, most succumbed to fire over the years. Many were rebuilt several times and survived until the Grand Hotel Era was coming to an end in the 1950s and 60s. With the construction of highways and most families owning an automobile, travelers were no longer reliant on the railroads in the way they previously were. Travel by car provided much more flexibility and car owners felt the freedom that enabled them to explore along the way.
Recreation was very important to guests, especially those who were coming to stay for the entirety of the summer season. Many people who lived in the cities were prescribed “mountain air” by their physicians, and they happily obliged. The hotels offered dedicated courts for the following activities: badmitton, croquet, tennis, a ball court, bowling alleys, and barns for horseback riding.
Pickelball? Probably not. Badminton was a very popular game in the White Mountains during the late 1800s. There were also endless opportunities for outdoor sport, relaxation, and entertainment at the grand hotels, which sought to meet their guests’ every need. Guests enjoyed horseback riding, polo, boating, archery, and badminton, plus promenades, coaching parades, dances, dinners, and musical performances.
The following are found memories written in 1967. VICTORIAN INTERVALE “Can you picture Intervale in the days when there were trains, trains, trains., no cars, no telephones, miles of paths through the Cathedral Woods and the Merriman woods pine trees, and several big hotels! The Intervale House stood where Mr. Cannel’s “Intervale Motel” now is. (You can still see the cement walk that leads from near its NE corner ... that was where the Intervale House porter pushed the guests’ luggage over to and from the station.) The Intervale House Saturday evening “hops” were gay; we cottagers could go and dance. I learned the schottische and the lancers. On certain mornings we’d take our embroidery and sit on the long piazza and listen to the orchestra.” More memories at www.hardenbergh.org.
around this time that the Hotel Randall also suffered a similar fate; but unlike the Hotel Randall, the Intervale House was not rebuilt.
The site of the Intervale House, long-owned by the Cannell family, continued the tradition of building hotels on that site when they sold the land in 1965. The Intervale Motel was built, a 16-room, one-story motel that featured access to the same views that guests at the Intervale House enjoyed for many years. The Scenic Vista land was donated to the state in 1967 by the Cannell family to ensure that the views that once inspired artists and left guests speechless at the local hotels would be protected for generations to come. The Intervale Motel was razed in 2021 to make way for the construction of a new hotel.
Heather Corrigan, Executive Director, Conway Historical Society hcorrigan.conwayhistorical@gmail.com
MIDDLE LEFT: Ray and Lydia Cannell attend to full-service gas duties at the Cannell’s Country Store, next to where the Intervale House once stood. The “New Intervale Inn” can be seen across the street (where the welcome center now is).
ABOVE: The Intervale Motel was built in 1965 and featured access to the same views that guests at the Intervale House enjoyed for many years. The motel was razed in 2021 to make way for the new four-story 0hotel being developed in 2024.
