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Jessica Klemz as a child
and the Old Man of the Mountain |
My dad had a special place in his heart for the Old Man of the Mountain. When he passed away, I found pictures from his childhood visits there & also pictures taken by my grandparents during visits in their lifetimes. Here is a picture of me as a little one. This was a day my dad really enjoyed with me. I went on the website to show my son, Sam, what the Old Man of the Mountain looks like, now and then.
Sincerely,
Jessica Klemz |
Living most of my life now in New Hampshire - when I had company from a state away or half way across the country, I'd always take them to our beautiful White Mountains. Up one side and down the other. I always included The Old Man of the Mountain! So many people in my life have seen this beauty because he was a sight to be seen. I watched the new observation and underground walkway be put in and smiled when I realized that it was much nicer this way (traffic wise). I sent lots of people via e-mail the sad news that had shared this beautiful natural sight with me. EVERY ONE was saddened and could not believe that this happened nor did they want to. My son who was in Iraq at the time was sent newspaper articles. He'd seen it many times from age 7 to adult when we brought his new bride to see him. I have many photos of the profile and many friends with him. (I feel so blessed.) Memories are forever if you want to keep them, and I sure am glad I shared so many with HIM. The Old Man is part of everyone who loves New Hampshire. He will live forever.
Mrs. L. Johnson of Epping, NH
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I grew up in Rhode Island, but we used to drive by the Old Man of the Mountain at least once a year on our visits to my grandparents who lived in Canada. As a kid, riding in the back seat of the car would lull me to sleep, but my parents had to promise to wake me up so I could see the Old Man. A couple of times they didn't and I was very disappointed. I haven't been to New Hampshire in a very long time, but when I do it will be sad to not see him....
Doris Noblet, Alexandria, VA
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I have very fond memories of our family trip to visit "The Old Man of the Mountain!" We visited in the mid to late 70s when I was elementary school age. I remember thinking how AMAZING this sight was! How MUCH it TRULY looked like a face!!! I was planning to bring my kids (now 4& 1/2 & almost 2) this summer to see it; before our usual summer jaunt to Maine. It was only in my online "research" (refreshing my mind of things to see & do in the area) that I found out about the "collapse" of the face! I'm very disappointed! Not that anything could have been done to prevent this (as it seems from the timeline that I read online at the Franconia State Park website). My memories will remain clearly etched in my mind & in my heart!
Denise Gridley Tomlin, Maryland resident (formerly Connecticut resident)
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Old Man of the Mountain
I grew up in the valley
Of the "Old Man" who stood tall
His tale was told by many
And his profile loved by all
Nathaniel Hawthorne's story
Said one day someone would come
Resembling this man's glory
With a wisdom matched by none
His face formed by God's own hand
Was carved in the mountainside
His great stone face blessed our land
He became New Hampshire's pride
Many people came to see
The image that he portrayed
Was it Christ from Galilee
And his brow where thorns had laid
Alas, we may never know
Cause early one morn in May
Slipping off that ledge of snow
He quietly went away.
Wendy 'Doran' Cincotta, originally from Lincoln, NH
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