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The photograph above was taken at a small lake at the base of the mountain containing the rock formation known as "Old Man of the Mountain", just at the northern edge of the Franconia Notch State Park. Unfortunately, the rock formation collapsed several years ago and plans are currently being considered to re-construct the formation. This portion of the lake is in an area that is quite sheltered and therefore makes an excellent reflecting pond. While we were there, a slight breeze was blowing, soothing the heat from the unusually warm October sun but disturbing only ever-so-slightly, the mirror surface. However, reflections were still interesting, especially the brilliant whites of the white birch on the distant shoreline.
Cannon Ski Center is immediately beside the state park and is open to transport visitors to the top of the mountain to explore when skiing is not in season. The aerial tram ride is quite exciting for those that don't go skiing and thus do not experience it on a regular basis. Within just a few minutes, you are on the top of this 4,060 foot mountain, much faster (and easier) than the alternative of hiking to the top. Once there, a short trail navigates around the actual peak and also diverts to a look-out situated right on the peak. From this vantage point, you can see for miles in any direction enjoying the colors that surround you in a carpet of yellows, oranges and reds that seems to go on forever.
Another view from the hiking trail at the top of Cannon Mountain shows the variety of color includes the deep greens where the forest of the area changes from the typical deciduous species to the ever-present evergreens, spruce, hemlock, pines, all with the tell-tale aroma of these woods. The trail itself is an easy hike and by-and-large, the drop-offs over any cliff edges are easily avoided.
The colors at this time of the year are spectacular. Unfortunately, these small online images cannot do justice to the full-size prints, which while themselves are a fine testament to the scenic glory, never seem to carry the full blast of beauty enjoyed by visiting the area in person. The forests present the full range of autumn glory in ways that, unless you've been there, can only be imagined. Mother Nature prepares her trees for their winter rest and we get to enjoy one of the most vibrant, colorful shows that she can muster.
There is a trail from an area known as "The Flume" that follows the one of the many smaller streams that merge to form the Pemigewasset River in New Hampshire. This well maintained trail is half natural (through the forests) and half man-made consisting of walkways bolted to the sides of the canyon walls. As you proceed further up the trail and walkways, bending and twisting around uneven walls and corners, ducking under low-hanging outcrops, you are constantly presented with different vantage points of the "river". In the fall, the volume of water is not heavy, but the current is still fast and the water cold, a real mountain stream fighting its way through the solid rock.
While not huge, the falls are frequent and eye-catching. In fact, you almost get the impression that the stream is one set of falls that lasts for several miles, and this might not be too far from the truth. At every turn, a new mini-falls is presented. The biggest problem, getting a clear view for your photography, away from all the other visitors to the trail. As in much of photography, patience is the key, waiting your turn, taking your time, and waiting again. However, as the adage says, "all good things come to them that wait".
There are few areas along this trail where you can get a vertical shot of the stream. This is not to say that only the landscape orientation is the only choice, just to mean how much the stream twists and turns as it makes its way to flatter terrain. The other problem in a canyon or gorge setting, especially if you are near the bottom of the gorge, is that vertical shots are more difficult because the opposing wall is so close that converging natural lines (closer together at one end than the other) are almost impossible to avoid without specialty shift/tilt lenses, something most of us do not have in our gadget bags.
Sometimes, its the small details that present interesting photographs. Something all photographers must learn to do is see, not just the obvious, but also the discreet. How often do we say that life is all about the small pleasures. Sometimes in the large grandeur of nature, we need to remember the simple things, a single mushroom on the forest floor, a single ray of sunshine breaking through the forest canopy to illuminate one single fern on the floor of the forest, a single leaf caught in a crevice of a stream, somehow defeating the power of the flow of the water to hang on, even if just for that fleeting moment that you are there with your camera.
While driving in the area, you see many lakes and cottages, all of them a little piece of paradise in the eyes of their owners. This particular cottage caught our eye considering the simple pleasure that it must bring. The lawns appeared lovingly manicured, the cottage well kept by hands that obviously care, and the gardens simple but colorful. The scene from its front porch is the epitomy of a cottage in the country, not surrounded by numerous other cottages, not on a lake hijacked by hundreds of power boats, not beside an interstate with the noise and smell of civilization but here, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by peace and quiet. The simple things in life can be the most enjoyable.
You can access the summit of Mount Washington, king of the Presidential Range, by choosing from three alternatives. On the eastern flank is a road some 26 miles long that snakes zig zag up the mountain side, precariously hugging the mountain. The reward for the visitor is the numerous thrill moments as you believe the road not to be wide enough to pass that van coming the other way. For the adventurous and very fit, you can hike up via several trails that involve various degrees of difficulty, but definitely not for those with a weak heart. Finally, on the western flank, there is the Cog Railroad, a train whose engine actually rides a toothed rail to push itself up grades that seem to defy logic and gravity. This is not a high speed train. Travelling at what seems slower than a walking pace, it makes its way to the top thru gullies, ravines, over hill tops and yes, the occasional, but short flat areas. The engines are coal fired steam engines so you're thankful for the breeze that blows the smoke and soot away from the one passenger car that each engine pushes to the summit.
From the top is one of two views, the first being a glorious 360 degree panorama from which you can see forever. The second possibility is, as we unfortunately experienced on this trip, a view no further than your nose, fog so thick you can't see three feet in front of you, sleet, snow, rain, blowing so hard, you're convinced that you made a wrong turn and are actually in the arctic. You were never so grateful as that moment when you made finally crossed the summit area from the train stop to the summit house, a refuge of warm and dry. Either option is worth experiencing. However, only one was conducive to photography. That's why we didn't get any shots from the summit this trip.
We hope you have enjoyed this gallery. We hope you clicked on each photograph to enjoy the larger version with its own caption. We hope you'll visit our other gallery offerings as they become available and, we hope we have provided a bit more insight into the world of scenic and landscape photography.
Mike & Irma
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Text and Photographs © Copyright 2004-2007 Michael J Eva and/or Irma Van Oirschot and/or NANJECA SYSTEMS INC. unless stated otherwise. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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Copyright Notice: All material located on this website is the copyrighted property of Michael J Eva and/or Irma Van Oirschot and/or NANJECA SYSTEMS INC. unless stated otherwise. This includes, but is not limited to, photographs, graphics and text. Material on this site may not be sampled, duplicated, reproduced, redistributed or re-transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Michael J Eva or his agents.
