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My word! I was devastated to hear of the recent collapse of the Old Man of the Mountain. I'm a resident of New Jersey, born and raised here, but as a child my father took my brother and I camping in Franconia Notch. That's when we first made our acquaintance with the great Stone Face. Since that time I have returned several times to enjoy the beauty of the White Mountains... and pay my respects to the Old Man. This past August my brother and I returned for the first time with our families to share this wonder with them. We camped at Lafayette campground as we did when we were young and we revisited many of the same haunts we recalled from our childhood. In a world where so much changes, it was a joy to be able to turn the clock back and revisit some precious childhood memories and create some new memories, for ourselves and our children. How thankful I am now that they were able to experience the wonder the Profile for themselves. Now He's gone... and we all share your loss. Indeed, the news of the collapse was like hearing of the loss of a cherished family member and brought tears to my eyes. Please accept these condolences from the Friedman families of Ocean Grove and Toms River, New Jersey. We grieve with you.
Gene Friedman, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
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Old Rock Man New Hampshire
The old rock man of New Hampshire
has finally succumbed
crumbling under the same erosive forces of nature
that gave him birth
The news bulletins of his demise
were the very first time I
of him, had ever seen or heard
I wonder
through all those years he was here
deftly defying gravity as he did
there staring, aloft on his cliff
always adrift, gazing off
Exactly what it was he saw
Since he wasn't of much at a propensity to talk
I'm afraid the wisdom of his visions is, to us, forever lost.
Art Humbert, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra
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I'll never forget the day I first saw Old Man of the Mountain. I was in awe. I think we often forget the intricate work that God's hands create nor do we appreciate His handiwork the way we should. Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch are the most beautiful places I have ever had the privilege to see in person. It took my breath away the first time I witnessed this beautiful place. I could feel God's presence and His greatness looking up at The Old Man. No human could ever create a face with such majesty and grace. Yes, some say his face was hard, but I say it was noble and genteel just like I imagine God's face to be. So even though his sight is hidden from us once more, his presence lives on. Fern Lehmann, Goochland, Virginia
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To the People of New Hampshire,
I once was a resident of Manchester for 2 years, so I knew what the Old Man meant to NH and its people. I saw the Old Man in July 1993 on a trip to Colebrook. I said to my girlfriend at the time, "What's the big deal, I don't see a thing." That's because I was driving north when we passed the Old Man and I looked behind me to the south - I couldn't believe it. What a sight. I'm from Boston so I don't see anything but smog most days of my life. I am sorry for your loss.
Steve Murphy, Revere, MA
I was shocked and saddened by the news of the collapse. I've been to NH many times, including Franconia Notch. I have taken the same pictures of the Profile each time I visited. The last time I was there, in the summer of 2000, I took my son to see it for the first time. He was 9 at the time. As we walked down the pathway, and the Face came into view, his first words were "Look Dad, it's God on the mountain."
Dave Emery , New Jersey
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