|
|
Of all the things I can remember about my childhood, going up to New Hampshire and seeing the Old Man for the first time sure sticks out vividly. ( I remember my father pointing him out, and looking up in awe of this wise old face set in stone.) And every time since then, going up and seeing his face always made me smile. Every time I close my eyes and remember all the fun I had up in the White Mountains, Clark's Trading Post, the Flume, Basin, all those places would have never meant as much to me as they do now if I didn't get a chance to drive by and see the Old Man. My wife and I are planning a camping trip this June, and you'd better believe I am going to go through the Notch, and pay my respects to an old friend.
Scott McCall
|
In the bottom right of this photo is where the keystone,
or the Old Man's Adams Apple, was located.
Photo taken May 27, 2003
Submitted by Mike Pelchat |
It was with disbelief that I read the article in our Charlotte, NC newspaper a few weeks ago about the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain. I must admit that I was stunned because I believed that he would outlive us all and be there for generations to come so that grandchildren of our grandchildren could see him someday.
One of my first thoughts was about my father, who died five years ago. Growing up in Connecticut, we frequently took trips to Vermont and the White Mountains and my dad always made a point to take us to view the Old Man. It didn't seem like such a big deal as a 5-year old, but when you see his image on road signs, souvenirs, state documents, and other items you realize how much he meant to all of New England.
I showed that newspaper article to my three kids who also expressed sadness that the Old Man became a victim to the same geologic forces that created him years ago. Fortunately, during a trip back to Connecticut to visit relatives last summer I was insistent we take a 3-day side trip up to the beautiful White Mountains so that my children could enjoy the same happy memories that I have of those summers with my family all those years ago. We did stop to see the Old Man while we were up there and, hopefully, my own 5-year old will someday realize what the Old Man meant as a symbol to all of New England.
Respectfully, Frank Cristante
|
My Mother, Mary Dunigan, moved me and my 7 siblings to Plymouth, New Hampshire in 1969. Being a widow with 8 children, money was tight. The White Mountains and particularly the Franconia Notch area has always been a great destination for a family on a budget. It was common to pack lunch and pack the kids in the Country Squire and head north for the day. Just like a family that keeps the memory of a loved one alive through the generations, the character represented by the Old Man of the Mountain too will be kept alive. The Old Man has passed the torch to us and it is now up to us to keep watch over the gift of the White Mountains.
Tom Dunigan
|
|
