WINTER HIKE – GUILD HILL

March 8, 2015March 13, 2015 / fragments / Leave a comment

Lake Massasecum overlook on Guild Hill

Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway (elsewhere referred to as SRKG on this blog) hosted another in their series of winter hikes this past weekend on privately conserved land in Bradford. The 89 property includes part of Guild Hill, a prominent overlook to Lake Massasecum. Of historical significance, it was originally part of one of the “Great Lots” granted to John Mason by the King of England in the 17th century. In 2005, the land was placed into conservation under the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust.

A short walk to the trailhead preceded the hike:

Warming up

Getting started at the trailhead:

The old, abandoned stretch of road

A local celebrity was spotted along the way:

Hike leader, George, stops to point out the Merrimack County Big Tree Champion:

A stately White Ash

The ancient giant above is listed in the NH Big Tree Register and also reigns as the NH state co-champion.

Other, less celebrated but still noteworthy trees were observed:

Paper birch – Ernest Thompson Seton’s “White Queen of the Woods”

Red cedar – aka canoe cedar, known chiefly for its durability.

And this embattled warrior

Snowshoe hare tracks dotted the landscape:

A moose bark scraping was not far behind:

A territorial marking. The nutritious cambium layer of the bark also makes for a tasty winter snack.

Friends Laurie and Anna were on the trail, with their dogs Goose and Bella:

Impressive views of Lake Massasecum were a highlight of the day:

Overlooking the lake

Loon Island

Spotting friends’ and neighbors’ houses from afar

Goose and Bella, yukking it up

The trail map was consulted before heading back….

…and the youngest member of the troop decided it was time for a nap

Carry in, carry out

A delicious post-hike lunch was hosted by George & Kim:

Heating up the chili

Cookies, cornbread and other goodies

A happy taste tester

Relaxing after the long day

An altogether glorious, winter afternoon:

Related sites of interest:

Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust – http://ausbonsargent.org

NH Big Tree Register – http://extension.unh.edu/Trees/NH-Big-Tree-Program

WINTER HIKE – EAST ANDOVER BUSHWHACK

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 / fragments / 1 Comment

Hiking across the bog – East Andover

Each year, Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway hosts a series of winter (and summer and fall) hikes. Being new to the group – and having missed the first two this season due to travel and other obligations – we were eager to make up for lost time. This week’s hike was a bushwhack through remote parts of East Andover, led by avid outdoorsman Frank Baker, who broke out a trail in roughly 30″ deep snow the day prior. (Unlike most other SRKG hikes, this was not part of the 75 mile trail system that the group regularly maintains).

With the exception of a few moderately steep but brief inclines, the terrain was fairly flat and easily navigable thanks in large part to Frank’s earlier reconnaissance. Along the way, the group stopped to examine evidence of local wildlife, gather wood for a fire and brush up on s’mores making skills.

A few chance encounters:

Tracks leading to a deer bed

Slides- one of the more obvious signs of otter, commonly found near bodies of water

The source of these tracks were debated by a few but no firm conclusions were drawn.

While much of the hike was through densely wooded areas, a trek into the bog was one of the highlights:

Alongside a stand of phragmites

Also known as the Common Reed. Exotic lineages have displaced much of the native populations. A source for further research: http://nerrs.noaa.gov/Doc/PDF/Research/Phrag_Final_2009.pdf

A frozen stream winds its way across the landscape

Heading off into the clearing…

…and a look back before moving on

Additional sightings were made, including this heron’s nest:

A closer view

Once across the clearing, it was time for a much needed thaw-out:

Scouting the best location for a bonfire

Wood was gathered:

And little time was wasted starting the fire:

A flicker of flames looks promising

Picking up a bit more

Old Man’s Beard, or beard lichen – a type of pale grey-green lichen commonly found on bark or twigs

Roasted marshmallows are always a welcome addition:

Breaking out the s’mores supplies

This first attempt was slightly overdone

But practice makes perfect

A thorough thaw out was had by all.

Then it was back into the woods and other natural wonders:

Black birch (also called cherry or mahogany birch), is known for its fragrant scent. Birch beer is made from the aromatic sap and wintergreen oil is extracted from the leaves.

Panellus stipticus, commonly known as bitter oyster, the astringent panus, the luminescent panellus, or the stiptic fungus

This looked like a boulder, from a distance

Closer inspection revealed an uprooted tree

Here, a modest incline approaching the final leg of the hike:

We headed home posthaste after the three hour excursion, having worked up quite an appetite. The faint scent of woodsmoke lingered on well into the afternoon….

A complete schedule of winter hikes can be found on the Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway website: http://www.srkg.com/calendar-2/.

DARTMOUTH AIRES @ NEWPORT OPERA HOUSE

February 16, 2015February 20, 2015 / fragments / Leave a comment

The Dartmouth Aires, sans facial expressions due to stage light glare and impromptu, low quality iphone photo.

If one must venture out into a blizzard, spending Valentine’s Eve with the Dartmouth Aires is acceptable grounds for doing so. Newport Opera House hosted the always lively, all-male a cappella group for the evening amidst a surprisingly generous turnout given weather and driving conditions. (Starting late yesterday afternoon, well over yet another foot of snow fell across most of southern NH – Newport being no exception).

But the mood inside was spirited and the Aires made all forget (at least for a time) about the raging storm, as they regaled us with their own versions of everything from Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” (“A song you’ve probably all heard and don’t like”, we were cheerfully warned by the group’s leader) to the old classic, “Hanover Winter Song”. The performance opened with Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” and closed fittingly with “Dartmouth Undying”. Peppered in-between were delightfully waggish renditions of pop favorites past and present – Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” a particular standout.

In more colorful garb – post intermission wardrobe change

Even the individual member introductions held halfway through the performance were appropriately self-deprecating: “I’m currently a sophomore at Dartmouth majoring in Rocket Engineering – not exactly ‘rocket science’ “, offered one. “I’m double majoring in Government and ‘Sucking Up’ “, quipped another.

While there, we picked up a copy of “Dartmouth Undying – A Tribute to our Alma Mater”, which sustained us on the blustery, 20 mph drive back home. Let It Snow!

The Aires perform weekly on-campus, in addition to a number of venues, mostly across the Northeast. http://www.dartmouthaires.com is the place to go for up to date information on local events.

THE ENFIELD SHAKER SNOWSHOE FESTIVAL

February 9, 2015February 9, 2015 / fragments / 2 Comments

Last weekend, the Enfield Shaker Museum hosted its fourth annual Snowshoe Festival. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding and of course snowshoeing were all part of the day’s activities. A scavenger hunt for children was held in the Museum and a representative from L.L. Bean offered snowshoe clinics to those who braved the frosty temps and high winds. Clear, blue skies hovered in striking contrast over the wintry landscape.

Some images from the day:

Stopping to pet the sled dogs in between rides

Checking the harnesses…

…and takeoff

Originally, sled dogs were chosen for their size, brute strength and stamina, but modern sled dogs – as the ones above – are generally mixed-breed (‘Alaskan’) huskies who have been bred over generations for their endurance, strength, speed, tough feet, good attitude and appetites, and most importantly their desire to pull in harness and abilities to run well within a team.

Hauling snowshoes and sleds

More adventurous souls took the ‘extended route’ to the top of the hill

A volunteer tends to the fire pit

Horse drawn cart loops around the Mary Keane Chapel and the Great Stone Dwelling.

The Great Stone Dwelling (on right), completed in 1841, was the greatest architectural achievement of the Enfield Shakers and the largest Shaker dwelling ever constructed. It now houses much of the Museum’s Shaker collections.

Standing opposite the Great Stone Dwelling is the Stone Mill – constructed in 1849 after its predecessor burned down on the same site. It once contained three stories of water powered machinery for a variety of trades.

The Stone Mill

Interior

Snowshoes, briefly put aside in favor of respite indoors, line the interior wall.

Inside, homemade lunches, hot cocoa and coffee were available to those coming in from the cold:

Chili, cheese & sour cream – a welcome winter trifecta

Cookies, cornbread, fruits and veggies

A raffle was held for the chance to win home-made mittens, scarves, jams, soaps, baskets, gift cards and other items:

Announcing the winners

We were the lucky recipients of some delicious berry jams

A post lunch, self-guided tour of the museum’s furniture, tools, clothing and other artifacts was in order. It was interesting to contemplate the original use of some items prior to reading the provided information.

Here, a self-acting cheese press

An old knitting machine

The Shakers produced a variety of goods including furniture, flannel, medicines and brooms, to name just a few.

The Shaker Woolen Mill, built in 1841.

Shaker made wash basin and chairs:

They were also skilled gardeners and the first, it is said, to sell seeds in small packets:

Caleb Dyer, the driving force behind the Enfield Shakers’ transition from a subsistence agrarian economy to a surplus manufacturing one:

Caleb Dyer (1800-1863)

The museum’s shop has a host of offerings, many crafted in the traditional Shaker style:

The Shaker Museum Shop

Pin cushions

Shaker style rocking chair

Handwoven goods

Wooden boxes

Shaker mint and other flavored waters

Framed postings featured prominently inside the museum lend salient insight into the Shakers’ creed and way of life:

And a personal favorite – “Rules for Visitors”:

The fifth rule in particular resonates

All in all, it was a brilliant day with many avid snowshoers and winter fun enthusiasts turning out for the event. For those who may have missed the winter Snowshoe Fest, the Museum also holds a Spring Shaker Forum as well as other special events throughout the year. A detailed calendar is available on their website:

http://www.shakermuseum.org/calendarofevents.htm

And of course, there is always next winter!

Rural New Hampshire

A Reflection on Country Life

Local Events

WINTER HIKE – GUILD HILL

WINTER HIKE – EAST ANDOVER BUSHWHACK

DARTMOUTH AIRES @ NEWPORT OPERA HOUSE

THE ENFIELD SHAKER SNOWSHOE FESTIVAL