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My grandfather bought a big old house in Bethlehem N.H. in 1947. He converted it into a hotel/guest house and called it "the white mountain lodge" which he ran mostly alone until his passing away in 1977. Three generations of our family spent our summers there--or at the very least spent his birthday in August with him. Part of the "ritual " of going to New Hampshire every year was an obligatory day spent at Franconia Notch State Park--a visit to the Old Man of the Mountain, splashing around in the lake and buying maple sugar candy.
I have lived in France for the past 14 years. My wife is British. I've told her about New Hampshire, and have promised to take her there someday--not only to see a beautiful part of America, and my grandfather's place, but to see the Old Man's profile. I feel like an elderly relative has passed away, and I didn't get a chance to tell him I loved him, or to say goodbye. My thoughts are with all of you who live and work in the area, who have lost something very special.
Sincerely, Bradleigh Weiss
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It was with great sadness that we read about the collapse of the Old Man. Thirty five years ago I took my new bride on her first visit to Franconia Notch and the park on a fall weekend. She fell in love with the area as I had done as a boy when visiting with my parents. We returned often as a couple and then as a family as our two girls grew up. We were looking forward to bringing our granddaughter in a couple of years to see the attractions of Franconia Notch State Park and its crown jewel, The Old Man of the Mountain. Despite this "act of Nature," New Hampshire, and particularly the Franconia Notch area, will remain our favorite summer and fall vacation spot.
Tony Spino, Waterbury, CT |
Carl Swenson of JB Helicopters, veteran pilot of dozens
of Old Man maintenance trips, flies officials close to the Profile for aerial inspections. |
I am writing to let you know how sorry I am to hear that the old man is gone. I will admit that I am deeply saddened. I live in Massachusetts, but I collect Old Man memorabilia,and I have lots of happy memories of the fallen man. I will never forget the first time I looked up and saw that profile, with awe and happiness. I always have made it a point to see the Great Stone Face when I go to the mountains. I remember as a kid growing up, I would have yearly vacations at different cabins in the Lakes Region. My mom and dad and I would stay at a cabin, but we went to the Mountains region, and I would insist on stopping to view the Old Man, and they always did.
I went two years in a row with my mother, this is more recent, and mom and I would always stop to view the Old Man and stop at the shop to buy collectible and everyday stuff. I will admit that when I first found out, I was in denial, thinking "No, he's still there." Whenever I watch the news and hear about the devastating collapse of the old man, I feel numb all over, and in disbelief that he is actually gone. I watched the news this morning and I was in tears as they showed the empty mountain. I said to myself, "I can't beleive he's gone, and it still hurts, because it's new, and I am in deep pain and sorrow - my mourning the loss of New Hampshire's and New England's biggest landmark. I figured I would share my thoughts with you at this very difficult time; it's hard for all of us, we all are in deep sadness. I must tell you that it insults me when someone says "It's just a landmark." No, not to the people who loved the Old Man, for people who grew up and had traditions of viewing it every year. Lots of people would say that it's cruel to say that. True, it's a stone profile, but to us he became a lifelong friend, and watched over us. It's like losing a friend of many years, and I tell you, the Old Man is not just a landmark - to millions it's history and a wonderful sight created by nature. I want to say I am so very sorry about the devastating loss, it must hurt all of you, and may God bless you and help you get through this sad time. It truly is a sad time for all New England, we all will miss the old man. We love you old man, RIP.
Christine Scullion
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