steve's White Mountain Blog

When moving water grinds to a halt you know it's cold outside. Today's walk along the river produced a few photos. I hope you enjoy a walk up the Pemigewasset River from Woodstock to Lincoln New Hampshire.

Slabs of ice two feet thick, heavy enough to break fully grown trees, is some serious power.

 

this chunk was at my camp-site 50 feet from the water's edge, and about the size of a parking space.

Away from the big Ice Jams the river looks normal flowing and quiet.

   Mount Liberty center, and Lafayette is mostly obscured to the left and almost completely white with snow.

Another fresh snow fall tries to close the river up, and hide the water with the white. South Mountain Bridge.

One of our Custom homes

It can be a little dangerous to live along the river but all that do are willing to accept the risks for the rewards of listening to moving water...even when it also means the crash of breaking ice jams.

  These two Pictures were taken from the same spot 3 months apart...the Ladies Bath-tub swimming hole October and January. South Peak Home owners trails and Cross country ski paths lead you to this spot.

Maintenance-man at your service.

One of my Client's is in a Nursing home and the state will be relieving her of the money coming out of her property( when it closes). Those facts don't minimize her concern for a home she has lived in for the last 40 years. Needless to say there is no money available to shovel the roof, but after a big snow and prior to the big rain event like we are currently experiencing ( it had to be done). If your client or customer sees you driving a plow-truck...you must be good at maintenance, right?

The Key to "raking" a roof is to get the edges as clean as you can. That is where the water will start to back-up and get under the asphalt shingle and begin to leak in to the house. You don't have to shovel the whole roof, just get as much of the weight off as you can and clear the bottom couple of feet (so the water can exit the roof). Lastly, while you are raking the roof don't forget to clean the dropped snow away from the doors right away. If that heavy snow is allowed to set up on the ground it will be like concrete the next day, and you'll have it where it fell for the rest of the winter.

I Love owning a plow truck...but somehow it volunteers me for a lot of maintenance jobs...happy to help!!

                                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                        Rake & Shovel your roof to prevent ice dams

                                                                                                You should be safe now...I hope!!

 

Lincoln New Hampshire, The second largest town in the state featuring 95% of its land area within the White Mountain National Forest. We have a very small year round population, mostly second homes and retirement properties,this combines to make our property tax bill one of the lowest in the state. Even though the Graduating class is less than 30 students annually our kids are near the top in S.A.T. scores, and athletically find themselves in the state finals for their leagues in Soccer, baseball, softball and of course skiing.

The Town's big Four Features are: Loon Mt, Pemigewasset River, and the Kancamagus Scenic highway and the lowest tax burden in the state.

 

Loon Mountain Recreation area: The most popular ski resort in the state with gross ticket sale exceeding all other resorts in New Hampshire. Five Lodges to choose from, a great mix of beginner to expert trails , snow boarding terrain parks, Night Tubing and one of the countries best Handicapped adaptive ski schools ranked by the professional ski instructors of America. Summer offer: horse back riding, mountain biking, climbing wall and major state festivals right through the fall (including the Scottish Highland games).

 

Kancamagus Scenic Highway: This highway has been designated by the Federal Government as one of the Most Scenic routes in the Country. From Lincoln New Hampshire to North Conway (shopping Mecca) you travel 35 miles through an unspoiled wilderness area. During your drive you will likely see Moose and bear, or pull over at one of the many scenic vistas created to park and view the mountains. There are several places you can park and swim under waterfalls, but there are no commercial buildings of any kind for gas or food for the entire 35 mile trip.

 

The Pemigewasset River: Flows through the center of Lincoln and was once used to transport timber to the paper mills in town. The Mills are gone now replaced by shopping and conveniences, there are a few remnants of an old dam or trestle crossing that make for swimming and floating in the river fun. Add Fishing, Kayaking, biking and hiking in the summer and Cross country skiing along the river in the winter and the water still offers commerce but of a new kind.

 

Recreation, Attractions, & National Forest stations make the list:

An absolute slew of outdoor activities can’t be left out of the areas best features. Whales Tale Water Park: One of the largest water parks in the state it’s fast, wet and wild fun for the whole family…adult and kiddie pools and after dark music and libations can be found on summer weekends.

Clark’s Trading Post: One of the only places in the country that you can see a live bear show, or ride a steam locomotive, drive the bumper boats, visit the fire truck museum, the Crooked house or be scared by the Wolf-man.

Lost River Caves: Another great place to take the kids pan for gold and explore the many caves and crevasses formed over a million years ago.

The Flume state Park: Hike through the covered bridge, and walk the intricate board walk cut into a series of chasms with falling waters and breathe taking views at every turn. 

Jack O’Lantern Golf course: Fifty years of family tradition along the Pemi River, 18 holes of golf with all the amenities you would expect…pro-shop, restaurant, lounge and a great round of golf.

 

 The View walking down the 18th hole of the "Jack"

  There are many types of properties to choose from as well. Slope side New Construction homes, Condominiums that are river side, ski side and golf side or undeveloped land for your future plans. Lincoln is a great place to live and recreate, retire or start a business give Alpine Lakes a Call for all your White Mountain real estate needs.

 

 

 

One of the most unique features of the South Peak Home sites at Loon Mountain is you can ski home from New Hampshire Most Popular resort.

 

A handful of homes are so close to the owners trails that they designed a bridge to span from their house to the trail…this is exclusive access to the ski area.

 

From the Top of the Gondola lift there is an observation tower looking due north towards the Presidential range, for those not wishing to climb there is an observation Deck (only three steps up) with a view Of Loon Pond. This unique body of water is among the highest in elevation for its size in the Northeast.

 

The Views from the North peak Chair are wonderful and some of the best skiing on the Mountain can be found off the Flume, Walking Boss and Sunset trails…that lead back to North Peaks high speed quad and the 

Mid-lodge. Camp III is the place to socialize in the spring, Reggae Music burgers on the grill and a cold one can all be enjoyed while soaking up the sun…and sitting in a comfortable Adirondack chair aiming south (up hill views).

 

The Governors Lodge is where you find some of the Countries best Handicapped Adaptive trained instructors for special needs athletes. The Governors lodge has a moving carpet lift for first time skiers, and the kids care and Nursery center so Parents can enjoy a little adult ski time to themselves.

 

You can find something for everyone, in the four base lodges, One mid-lodge and one summit lodge, Plus: Condos, homes and Quarter share ownership…all with ski to your door and ski to the lifts accommodations available. Only Two Hours from Boston, and far from Ordinary,

Try Loon Mtn. for your next ski trip or second home ownership. All of the above pictures were taken today January 21, 2010... If you are sitting at your desk you missed a good ski day!! I'm back at mine now.

 

 

Top of the Mountain...June 21....summer Solstice and December 21 winter solstice.

Top of the Big dipper ski trail, they fasten church pews to the slope and install a wooden pulpit.

Fun thought for us avid skiers get married on the slopes we ski later in the year " question do I appear to be dancing the jig in the ski photo...because I don't remember if this was a before or after shot??.

The Gondola is the best way to the top for a Wedding...saying I do secures the ride down as well.

Top of the Gondola almost 10 years later. Remember these thoughts of the day:

          Sports

If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

        Because I'm the man?

Because I'm a man, I think what you're wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without it, looks fine.. It does not make your rear look too big. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now?

      We spend our time and money differently

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need.

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

Why men have two dogs and not two wives

• The later you are, the more excited your dogs are to see you
• Dogs don't notice if you call them by another dog's name
• A dog's parents never visit you
• Dogs like it if you leave things on the floor
• Dogs agree that you have to raise your voice to get your point across
• Dogs like to do their snooping outside, rather than inside your wallet or desk.
• Dogs find you amusing when you're drunk
• A dog will not wake you up at night to ask, 'If I died, would you get another dog?'
• If a dog has babies, you can put an ad in the paper and give them away
• If a dog smells another dog on you, they don't get mad. They just think it's interesting
• Dogs like to go hunting and fishing
• Dogs like to ride in the back of a pickup truck.

• If a dog leaves, it won't take half of your stuff

  If your dogs are yapping at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door who do you let in first?

       The Dogs will probably stop yapping when to let them in.

 

 

 

The Rivers and Mountains in and around the National Forest offer some great subject for Photos. 

 

 

 

It was time to clean up some old tattered boxes under the stairs...save or throw away? I found a box my mother had given to me

a few Christmases ago. Mostly school Photos but a few even earlier so long ago there were some in black and white. Yes kids we didn’t always have color cameras…but I’m glad there are scanners now. I will keep the photos, and put them away for safe keeping. I’ll share a few with my scanned for all to see from Baby to graduation. I’ll link this post to my Facebook account by an outside blog, and hope my old friends (who’ll I’ll see for my 30^th high school reunion in May) will follow suit. I’ll be going back to Sudbury Massachusetts for a curtain call, reminiscing and maybe a round of golf.

 

Activerain Friends, Same goes for all of you, consider this assignment a reason to sort through those old boxes your mother gave to you. Let your children choose a few that you’ll post for us and pick a highchair to high school progression.

 

 

I realize living until I’m 96 is a long shot…so more than half of my time here has past. I have few regrets; one was working for minimum wages during my senior year in High School. I missed much of the social events that build adolescent memories; I haven’t kept in touch with my home town friends. My son is a High School Junior; I wouldn’t try to live vicariously through him. But I wouldn’t encourage him to save for College now by missing the times of his life. There is time enough to work, teach your children well and let them choose their own path.

 

 

Don’t think about our recession remember recess, don’t think about gas prices remember three friends with 6 bucks between you, could get you to the ocean and back on senior skip day.

 

Have fun with this I promise you will have a good time sorting through your old elementary school shots.

 

P.S. I’ll comment on your post I promise.

                                         

Senior Photo, So ready to get on with what lies ahead , so willing to forget the past. You can never really go home again but I look forward to reconnecting with old friends. Share your photos in my comment section I look forward to the big hair, and wide ties...they are making a come-back much like a 30th high school reunion.

 

 

 

 

I decided to take a lot of photos on my daily walks, and I find the views from places I frequent, change dramatically with the seasons. Here are a few then and now pictures to enjoy the change of weather...and scenery in New Hampshire's white mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  The Fall and winter from the Pemigewasset River...3 months ago and three feet of ice...same location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fall Hammock Location strung between these same trees....and the dead of winter no leaves only ice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The Cabin in the Woods is equally enticing under the shade of Oaks, Birch and hemlocks or covered in snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Fall foliage to full on winter...same location for these pictures...colorful peaks fades to white mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Changing Landscape in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the before and afters were taken between 3 and 4 months apart. I liked the fall photos and tried to match the locations for the winter perspective. I'm glad I took the winter photos yesterday, we are expecting a Nor-east-er tonight and the weather man is predicting 8 - 12 inches of snow to start falling late afternoon, in to the next day.

          Woodstock New Hampshire....six mile from Loon mountain Ski Area.

 

The state Park is technically closed this time of year, meaning the New Hampshire state park building is closed at this site. But you can still park and hike from the area, Indian Head is a great (short) winter hike and of course the views a breathtaking no matter the season.

Picture was taken from exit 34 of Interstate 93, and the Flume parking area is a few hundred yards away.

Mount Flume is the back drop the State park, its recognizable by the snow slide (avalanche scar left side).

                       

Personally I like the summer walks better but...if you are an ice climber...have at it!!

 

    The Board walk...with my son a few years ago (O.k. ten years ago)

Welcome to the Flume Gorge and Visitor Center at Franconia Notch State Park, in the heart of the popular White Mountain National Forest.

Discovered in 1808, the Flume is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The walls of Conway granite rise to a height of 70 to 90 feet and are 12 to 20 feet apart. A trip into the Flume begins and ends at the Flume Visitor's Center.  Guests can choose to walk through just the Gorge or do a two mile loop.  The walk includes uphill walking and lots of stairs. 

Framed by a spectacular vista of Mount Liberty and Mount Flume, the Visitor Center houses the Flume ticket office, information center, cafeteria, gift shop, and the state park system's historic Concord Coach. A 20-minute movie showcasing beautiful Franconia Notch State Park is available for viewing.

The Flume Gorge opens for the season May 9, 9:00am - 5:00pm, and closes October 25, 2009, weather permitting. Entrance fee is Adults $13.00; Children (6-12) $9.00 and 5 and under is free with paid adult. Last tickets are sold at 5:00pm.  

For lodging options, call Lincoln/Woodstock Lodging Bureau 800-227-4191.

                The Flume Parking area is right off Exit 34...I93, Lincoln N.H.

Despite all of the State Park web sites…saying Franconia Notch state park…the Flume is Located in Lincoln New Hampshire.

  For more info on line: www.visitnh.gov/flume

 

 

 

 

 

Loon Mountain Ski Resort, and its parent company Boyne Resorts (plus all its affiliated ski resorts) has made a commitment to the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The resorts spread across the U.S. and Canada will donate one dollar for every lift ticket sold Saturday January 16. Individual guest donations are encouraged and will be accepted the entire Martin Luther King Day-weekend from 1-16 through 1-18. Donations can be made at all ticket windows, snow sports desk, and in the Octagon & Governor’s lodges at the main level coffee shops.

 

Torchlight parade & Fireworks will be part of the festivities for Saturday night…come for the skiing, donate to the relief effort and enjoy some outdoor White Mountain fun. For more information about up coming events fund raisers and special offers at New England’s favorite ski Resort check out www.loonmtn.com

 

I hope this event inspires other companies and resorts to follow Loon’s Lead and turn your recreational actives in to a relief effort…you can be in business and give back at the same time.