Travel New Hampshire
Breathtaking Views of the White Mountains in Autumn 2007
by Patricia Cummings
photos by James Cummings
The White Mountains of New Hampshire are beautiful at any time of the year, yet, in the autumn the trees take on such a spectacular array of color, they attract local visitors, as well as foreign tourists. These mountains have been painted, photographed, and written about for as long as man has found a way to explore them and travel through them.
This article is a travelogue about our day trip through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Seen above are James and Patricia Cummings. Another "tourist" kindly offered to take this photo on October 9, 2007.
"... and purple mountains' majesty ..." A view of some of the White Mountains of NH
photo by James Cummings
Our access point to the gorgeous scenery that we beheld today began in Lincoln, New Hampshire where we accessed the Kancamagus Highway, a two lane road that is a path through the White Mountains National Forest, an area under the jurisdiction of the United States National Forest Service. In spite of seeing yellow warning signs that say, "Moose Crossing," we saw nary a one. Instead, we saw plenty of people, with cameras, just like us!
A Visit to "Passaconaway" - A National Forest Site
"Passaconaway," which is one of the three villages located in Albany, New Hampshire, was named in honor of the tribal chief who succeeded in uniting seventeen nations of Pennacook Indians. The other two villages are Ferncroft and Paugus Mill. The Kancamagus Highway is named for Passaconaway's son. After continual fights with the English settlers, the Native Americans fled to Canada.
Originally named "Burton," the town's name was changed to Albany in 1833 due to an association with railroad land holdings that bordered Albany, New York. Reportedly, the town had been given as a land grant to soldiers who fought the French at Louisburg, Nova Scotia. In 1790, there were 170 residents of the town. The last census in 2005 reveals that the town has grown only a little more than four times, since that time. Current residents number only 719.
Today, the National Forest Site, "Passaconaway," features a formerly-occupied homestead that is open to the public from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, walking trails, and an old cemetery. We have visited it in the past, but today, the homestead was already closed for the season. The homesteaders had tired of farming and sold the logging rights to their land for which they had paid only $5.25, for five hundred acres.
The site's forest trail passes tall White Pines, once marked and cut down to supply tall masts for the British King's sailing ships. To be selected, trees had to be at least 2' in diameter and possess no leaves or branches for 80' upward. photo James Cummings
Our Walk Through the Forest
Sunlight sliced throught the heavy foliage of the second growth forest throught which we hiked. The pleasantly pervasive smell of Balsam Fir was reminiscent of the smell of Christmas trees and wreaths. The silence of the forest was deliciously tintillating as our senses became more aware of the little sounds of quiet bird chirps as they flitted from branch to branch checking on the visitors. Looking up, we noticed one chickadee hanging onto the end of a branch and pecking at a yellow leaf.
"Passaconaway," has a lovely 1/2 mile, easy-walking trail that arrives at this magnificent area along a stream. photo by James Cummings
We came upon a shallow, slow-moving stream that was reflecting autumn's colors on the water's surface. A patch of green, frond-like grass swayed forward with the current. The cathedral silence seemed reverent as we stood amid nature's beauty. We heard, then saw, a ripple in the water and the circle, made by whatever object, leaf, or fish, spun ever outward making larger circles until at last, it disappeared.
Leaves along the trail at "Passaconaway." photo by James Cummings
We tiptoed softly and spoke not, wishing to leave the blessed quiet undisturbed. Alas, the stillness was not destined to last very long, as right behind us trailed a talkative German family with a friendly, little boy who liked to skip along the leaf-lined paths.
Crimson leaves along the trail. photo by James Cummings
The site contains a very small, but interesting, old cemetery which we visited. Three field stones mark the graves of children who died suddenly. In the tiny patch, there are engraved stones that mark the final resting spots of civilians and soldiers alike. We noted a number of American flags flying over the graves of Civil War soldiers and World War II soldiers. Yet another stone simply features the initial "C".
This orange-colored Maple tree caught our attention at the old cemetery site at "Passaconaway" in Albany, NH.. photo James Cummings
One of the "residents" of this area is Orren A. Chase, who served in the GAR and died on July 25, 1864. We wonder if he was killed during the Civil War. There are other veterans buried in this tiny cemetery. photo by James Cummings
Note: Since first writing this photo essay, a cemetery list was located online that lists Orren A. Chase as having been the son of Gilbert and Mehitable Chase. He died at the age of 28 years, 7 months. No other information has been found.
Back on the Kancamagus Highway
Before long, we were back on the highway headed toward Conway, New Hampshire. Along the way, there were numerous places to take photos, but they were all crowded with "leaf-peepers."
This "Naked Birch" caught my eye and I asked Jim to take a photo of it. Somehow, it reminds me of the song, "Urge for Going" and its words about the trees all standing in a "naked" row. I thought the tree was pretty silhouetted against the mountains and the sky.
Rock strewn brook, White Mountains
Quintessentially New Hampshire - A Covered Bridge
Covered Bridge in Conway, NH
photo by James Cummings
We hope that you have enjoyed our photo essay, a brief look at our beloved home state. The colors today were glorious and no doubt, we shall return to the area, again and again. Of course, some of the best "shots" were not to be taken, as they could be seen only from highways, with no places to park. Perhaps you will have to visit New Hampshire some day to see nature's glory for yourself.
"Happy Trails to you!"
~Patricia and James Cummings~
©Copyright 2007. Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. All Rights Reserved. Contact us at: pat@quiltersmuse.com