show me the way

show me the way, originally uploaded by jenlyn.

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We had SNOW!!

The first snow of the season for most of the state. It wasn't much, but it was enough to dust the ground with white.

Sunday Driver Rock

Sunday Driver Rock, originally uploaded by unbreakablecomb.

A (former) New Boston landmark, Sunday Driver Rock was well known in the area for many years. Unfortunetly, sometime after I took this picture (2001) the sign was painted over. No one was sure who originally painted the rock, but the sign was there from at least the early 90's till 2001.

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There are so many things I drive by everyday and say, "I should stop and grab a quick snap" as I drive right past only have it change and disappear forever...

I guess that is a good motto for a photographer too.

"You stop to think, you think to stop."

Horse Hill Nature Preserve Beaver Pond 4

Horse Hill Nature Preserve Beaver Pond 4, originally uploaded by Tim Somero.

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It is amazing to see the damage a beaver can do. New Hampshire is full of beaver ponds and trees chewed off at their trunks. A beaver can change the total course of a river, create a pond, move a pond, make a swamp and more. I have seen the cycle of beavers. They generally cycle their dens around a seven year cycle. Their own construction forces them to have to move on to another location and it take the trees and vegetation that long to replenish the area for them to return to.

Amazing.

Sue's coast to coast famous homemade Baklava!

Sue's coast to coast famous homemade Baklava!, originally uploaded by darla2sam.

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Just think of all the wonderful holiday food many of us had the pleasure to eat in the last few days.

But now it's time to work on a New Year's resolution which may include, like it does for me, a diet change to work off some of those yummy holiday calories.

Two Trees

Two Trees, originally uploaded by Winged Foot.

I saw these trees in a foggy field at sunset on the way home from the AMC workshop near the Alexandria, NH town center.

- Two Trees -

Pals from birth.
Together through all seasons.
Never knowing a song or reason.
Through fog, cold wind, rain and blitzen.
Never counted as citizen'.
Ever present in our souls and our cravin'.
Perhaps with a foal or raven.
Never far from our eye.
Always here beneath our New Hampshire skies.

--- Mike, the Flawed poet, 01/09/2006.

I saw these trees in a foggy field at sunset on the way home from the AMC workshop on
Alexandria, NH.

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Here is a photo and poem about togetherness as we in New Hampshire and elsewhere around the northern hemisphere wait for the daylight hours to grow longer.

Yes Virginia, There is Skiing in New Hampshire

First Ski of the Year, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.

Crotched Mountain, Francestown, NH

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Even though the temperatures are in the *gasp* 50s in the middle of December, there is skiing in New Hampshire. 100% pure man made in variety, but it is totally skiable. It is hard getting your mind around "going" skiing when you can't even bear to put a winter jacket on, let alone snow pants, but I have to say, it was great fun hitting the slopes at Crotched Mountain this weekend.

Come on out and give the slopes a try!

Moon over Hunt's Pond spillway

Moon over Hunt's Pond spillway, originally uploaded by lbick.

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Noble Cairn II

Noble Cairn II, originally uploaded by Winged Foot.

- A Noble Cairn II -

Oh noble Cairn, where from here?
East or West? North or South?
Does this path lead to or fro?
Lead us up or down slope?
Onto Rock or Talus under tread?
Or more foot ballast ahead?

But, Hark! In the distance,
Would that clanging bell or slanging horn be?
In the mirk what do we see?
Through the foggy seas.
Would it be your sisters and brothers,
sitting ahead for me?

You lead us on, and on we go.
Over hill and fill,
Sedge and earth, rock-dust and dirt.
O'vr boulder and shoulder,
and near clover.

Remembering your sense as
we went a-clomping over pure white topping,
Seeing no path, or maybe a graph,
a cipher we could not decipher.
But there you were, giving us advice,
sometimes twice.

Now more than ever, we see you cleary
and deary just as you are.
Our friend, solid, simple and ever present,
in climbs so pleasant.

-- Mike (Winged Foot), 06/24/2006

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Frost on the Holly

Frost on the Holly 1, originally uploaded by Tim Somero.

I woke this morning and saw what seemed like snow out the window. The white color wasn't snow, but a thick frost.

Before I left for work, I took several photos which you see in this series.

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'Tis the season!

So why is it so warm?

The Vanity of New Hampshire

Vanity, originally uploaded by BRP, Inc.

Compared to other states, people in New Hampshire seem to have a higher number of vanity plates on their vehicle. For a $33.00 fee, a NH resident can get an initial vanity plate for their vehicle. For some, this is good value for the dollar.

The state also issues license plates consecutively so the plate number indicates when the plates were issued. Since the plate stays with the person, not the vehicle, the number indicates when someone moved here or bought an additional vehicle.

In a mark of New Hampshire individualism, some vehicle owners proudly drive around with plates that have five numbers or less.

So whether the New Hampshire plate includes a quirky number or a message on a vanity plate, keep an eye out for license plates to ponder on cars that are driving around our fine state.