The Making of an Adventure

After steady rainfall this morning, I was pretty discouraged that we'd have a sunny day.  So, I decided to find some sun. I checked the weather via internet, and saw that there was a break in the soggy weather, to the east.  I got the dogs squared away, and off I went.  I didn't take a straight path either, I took a roundabout route.  I stopped at Carr Store in Dublin, for a soda. I noticed there were several large moths on the outside wall of the store.  Someone had put up a sign asking that people not touch the moths.  I took the opportunity to take a picture of the Luna moth.  I have seen several this summer so far.

Onward....I took Rte 111 over toward Salem.  I saw a sign for "America's Stonehenge" and decided to check it out.  I have been to Stonehenge in England, so I was really curious to see how America's stonehenge stacked up.  I'm alittle skeptical after walking the grounds.  Supposedly there are large monoliths configured in a vast circle on top of "Mystery Hill".  The stones are arranged to indicate the seasonal direction of the equinoxes, and solstices, plus sunsets and sunrises.  The monoliths are nowhere near the size of those in England.   What I saw were many stone walls that were in a circle.  Brush and trees had been cleared in each navigational direction, NSEW with a large boulder at the end what I thought of as a shooting lane.  In the center of all this were piles of rocks seemingly arranged randomly.  But the story goes that the "chambers" face south.

There are many chambers barely big enough for a person to sit inside.  Then there is a tunnel that you can walk through, and it's kind of creepy and dark.  I looked for those bats, but didn't find them.

After exploring the America's Stonehenge I concluded that this was just an eccentric's way of making cool little caves out of piles of rocks.  They say that the underground railroad ran through the property, moving slaves to freedom.  

After leaving the stone fiasco, I headed to the coast and popped out at Salisbury Beach.  The sun was shining!  and it was HOT, believe it or not.  I was psyched, and inhaled deeply the wonderful salt air.  I drove up Rte 1 through Seabrook where I found the little harbor.   The Seabrook power plant was in the background, but I left that out.  I noticed that off in the distance the sky was a horrible greenish dark gray color....more thunder and rain.   No matter, I cruised along at a leisurely pace.  I stopped to look down the beach which was nearly void of people.  But there were some hardy folks in the water...brrrr   The lifeguards were all huddled up on their stands wrapped in red fleece blankets.  Discouraged surfers had been in and out of the waves.  I couldn't image it being much fun, nothing like Hawaii.  Who knows?  I drove up past the tacky backdrop of the arcades, and fried dough stands of Hampton.  Lots of "vacancy" signs on seaside motels and cabins.  I stopped at the Beach Plum for a decadent Lobster roll, and was tempted by the ice cream, but I resisted.   I think it was around 3 by then so I decided to head back, because the dogs would need feeding and their evening walk.  I turned back toward the west, and that eerie sky.  Thankfully, I went through only one downpour, and it lasted only a few minutes.  By the time I got home, the sun was out there with a thunderstorm looming to the west.  I fed the dogs, and took them out for a 2 mile walk up Derry Hill.  The thunder rolled but never did the storm make it to Christian Hollow.  Perfect.

Birds of a Feather

I have Ringo, my sister's dog for the weekend.  He's probably over 100 pounds, with long black fur.  Like Evvy, he is a rescue dog from the Monadnock Humane Society.   I have been making sure he gets plenty of exercise along with Evvy, because they are both VERY energetic.  Yesterday we did a four mile walk over hill and dale.  They discovered this deep puddle, and made the most of their good fortune.  Not too sure it was my good fortune though.  It's actually not that bad, they enjoy the water.  I take them for a morning swim, and an evening swim in brooks near my house.

So what's the white stuff in the other photo?  Well I have this theory that this fungus might be the same stuff that is killing all the bats around here.  I have seen this fungi all over the place, on the ground, on dead trees, everywhere, so why not on the nose's of bats?  I wonder if this fungus attaches to the bats while they hibernate, so they can't clean it off before it gets into their pores? Maybe a biologist could come up with a special "fungus bomb" kind of like a flea bomb, to put in known bat colony hibernation spots.   Or maybe create and environment where the bats could live, but the fungus could not.  Fungi love moist dark places, so do bats. But what about a dry dark place?  I used to live in a big old Victorian house in Keene.  That house was full of bats in the winter.  One winter I caught ten of them.  They slide down the partitions, and through the casement of sliding doors in the parlor.   Anyway, I'm pretty sure the attic where they "hung out" ha, ha, ha,   was very nice and dry.   So I don't know, food for thought I guess.  I am worried about those little guys though.  I haven't seen any for some time.

Remember This One?

This reconstruction is one I did back in 2006!  Some exiting news about her.  Melinde Sanborn who teaches Genealogical Anthropology at Boston University, found out about my work via linkedin.com and my sister, who is a Forensic Scientist with New Hampshire State Police.

Ms. Sanborn and her students are using photos of my reconstruction, along with investigative reports, with names removed, to try and determine who she is.  If you recall, this Jane Doe was found in Bedford, NH back in 1971.  The case has been reopened since I completed the reconstruction. Hopefully between research done by Boston University students, and NHSP, we will finally know who this woman is.  How exciting is that?!

Melinde Sanborn is also affiliated with the National Genealogical Society in Washington, D.C.

Sticky Saturday

Man, our walk this morning was very humid.  Thick fog had settled over night, but is burning off nicely as of 9:00 a.m.  But well before that, I took Evvy over to Mt. Gilboa Rd. for her morning romp.  I had taken a mountain bike ride yesterday, which took me over that way.  I call rides like that one, "discovery" rides.  I call them that because quite often I wind up bushwhacking my way off the trail.  I believe that is the only way you find the natural treasures you might never see otherwise.  Yesterday was no different.  After carrying my bike through a hideously tangled old logging site, I ended up at the Faulkner Forest cellar hole.  The area is marked by a stone with a plaque on it.  The plaque dedicates the beautiful spot to Phillip H. Faulkner, Jr., by his sons.   

There is a gate at the entrance to the property, then a well worn road that eventually connects to Mt. Gilboa Rd.  I have been there many, many times.  Yesterday I decided to check out an area that appears to have been a mill.  There are many stone walls there, and a couple cellar holes.  As I went closer, I heard the loud roar of water rushing and knew there had to be a sizable waterfall. I love finding waterfalls, and this one, new to me, was by far the tallest.  I made my way to the edge of a point of granite overlooking a spectular cascade.  I think it had to be over 100' from top to bottom.  The rock here is different than that at Fay Falls, more jagged with slabs of granite instead of worn bowls and slides.  I'm going to assume this cascade becomes a trickle when there is less rain.  There is a nice pool at the bottom, and Evvy of course got right in.

I didn't have my camera with me yesterday so I drove there this morning early.  You just take Rte 12 in Westmoreland, past the gas station(if you're headed south toward Keene).  Mt. Gilboa Rd. is on the left.  Drive well past the last house, and bear right.  You should see a 4x4 trail on the left, and a more driven road leading to the right.  You can walk in from there or drive up a little closer.  The falls are on the right, you can't miss the sound.  

NIce day to Just Curl Up

Merle has the right idea I think. Today and the next several days, are forecasted to be drizzly, and gray. So Merle, and my other furry creatures have found their respective nests to curl up in. I think I may find mine too.

Despite the creepy weather, Evvy and I did get out for our hike very early this morning before the hard rain started. Up over Sheep Hill, through the woods recently logged with new skidder paths. We made our way to the Rapids Rd. which is also the NH Snowmobile trail #5 I think. This trail can take you to the Wentworth Rd. to the NW, or what is called "Wind Gate" to the South, or you can take a side trip along the Hooper Hill Hopper trail toward the north, and eventually to Derry Hill Rd.
We chose to take the Rapids Rd. back toward Wind Gate which is also known as the Faulkner Forest Conservation area. Evvy located a nest of sparrows on the ground, but thankfully let them be. I located the Turkey nest I had spoken of in a previous post. There were several broken eggs in the nest. No sign of a Turkey anywhere. I'm going to guess that the eggs did not hatch. Surely if they had, the hen would have removed the eggshells. So perhaps the eggs were eaten, or just died. When I first found the nest, there were 14 eggs inside. Today there were about 8 broken eggs.

One good thing about hiking in the rain; the mosquitos are much less of an annoyance. Evvy doesn't care what the weather is, she loves romping around the woods looking for chipmunks, and deep mud puddles.

Watch Your Step!

Evvy and I went to the lower Fay Falls this morning. I knew she would love the great pools at the bottom of the falls, and she did.  The cold water invigorates her so much, she runs willy-nilly up and down the banks.  It matters not how slippery the rocks are, and they are very slick.  Evvy falls into the water, and jumps right back up.  The unfortunate part is that she wants to include me in her frolicking.  She bounds toward me, and then jumps straight up my side.  I get soaked to the skin, and wonder if coming to the falls was such a great idea after all.  But I do enjoy watching her friskiness.  I should be so energetic.  Here she is taking a break from her swim.

Is it me? Or are there zillions of Red Efts under foot?  It seems like there are more around this year for some reason.  Especially after alot of rain, I find myself doing a dance of sorts when walking through the woods.  I don't want to step on these fragile salamanders, so I sometimes have to jump at the last second to avoid squishing them.

The third photo is a piece of very wet wood, that has turned a bluish-green in the decomp process.  The neat thing about it is, if you let is dry out and throw a chunk into your fireplace, you will see some cool colors burn forth.  Just a little tidbit for your cocktail dairy.

There are gobs of Partridge Berries out now for you crafters.  If you put a bunch of berries and the leaves into a clear glass globe jar, they make a nice centerpiece.  Be sure to keep some water in there, and put a tightly sealed top on.  Oh, and another tidbit....if you chew on the leaves, they taste like the Teaberry gum you can get at the Vermont General Store.  

Who knew?!

Outstanding in her Field

Despite all the "damp-ish" weather, Evvy and I walk the woods every day.  This morning was no different really.  I decided to walk up back behind my house.  It's beautiful up there, and at the top there is a nice view toward Fall Mountain.   Last night I heard a caucophony of coyote sounds. It sounded like they were right in the back yard.  I figured if I took Evvy up there this morning, she would find out what all the hub-bub was all about.  No such luck.  What ever the coyotes were doing, remains a secret.  There were heavy rains last night, up to an inch in some locations.  So I wouldn't find a blood trail if there was one.  I did see places where ferns had been trampled, but it could of been me from previous walks.  We walked up to a deer stand that I use in Fall, and Evvy found an old deer leg bone.  She had to lug that thing every where we walked.  Occasionally, she'd drop to the ground and gnaw on it for a while.    I let her carry it back to the house, but no deer bones in the house.....eeeeewwww.   Reluctantly Evvy gave up her prize, and I set it on the porch railing.

Yesterday morning, Evvy chased Chipmunks as she is always wont to do.  This time however, Evvy successfully caught one!  Much to my dismay, I never thought she would.  But I watched the whole thing play out.  The Chipmunk made a fateful error by attempting to climb up a tree where the bark was just falling away.  The bark did fall away along with Chippy, and Evvy was right there to catch him.  Unfortunately for the Chipmunk, Evvy "the chainsaw" has a strong bite.  I often wonder if she would make a good police patrol dog.  Anyway, the Chipmunk died instantly.  

Evvy didn't eat the Chipmunk, rather she galloped along seemingly proud of herself.  She would drop the little lifeless creature, then pick it back up.  Finally, she dropped and abandoned it.   When we came by that way again later, Evvy picked up her prize once more and carried it all the way home.  Once again.....no dead things in the house.  At the door, I asked Evvy to drop it, and she did.  Later, long after Evvy had forgotten her catch, I retrieved the Chipmunk from the porch and disposed of it.   

Evvy is so child-like, and entertaining except when she does naughty things; chase the cats, jump up on the glass french doors to get at chippy's outside, attempt in vain to chase cars, jump up on people, drive her cousin "Ringo" nuts, beg for people food, bark at chickens, guinea hens, cows, horses, and Old John Stevens who hikes stealthily(so he thinks) through the woods.  All in all Evvy is a good dog, and a great companion who never complains.

Flowers On The Connecticut

What a day to be on the river.  After tending to all the animals I'm watching this weekend, I threw my kayak onto the truck and headed for River Rd. in Westmoreland.  The drive there is by itself picture perfect the whole way.  But once on the river, I saw one wonder after another.  The river seemed perfectly still, and nearly flat.  I hugged the west shore for my paddle upstream.  I passed a muskrat swimming stealthily along.  I was happy to not see alot of garbage, though the silt may cover much of it.  I paddled up for about an hour and a half, then turned around for the return.  Beautiful flowering trees relinquished a sweet smell as an easy breeze picked up.  Cottony seeds rained down from Maples and covered the water like snow(if snow could cover water).  I saw a few Forget-me-nots, and small stands of Yellow Iris.  I looked for Scarlet Flower but didn't see any.

My original plan was to do some fishing, but in my haste to get going, I forget my pole!  Oh well, I did find some spots I'd like to return to for fishing.  I found that the west side of the river tended to be more silty, while my return trip was more rocky.  That is where I hope to do some fishing next time.  I saw fish swimming along, so I'm optimistic there is something to fish for.

I stuck my feet over the sides of my kayak and "cooled my heels".  It was so relaxing to just drift along, soaking up the sun.   After housting the kayak back onto my truck, I made a stop at "Stuart and John's Sugar House" for an ice cream.....my addiction.

Evvy and her mud

Last night at about 9:00 p.m. my friends and me were watching some large bucks grazing in a field.  They had just the start of new antlers showing.  There were three really good sized bucks, and one smaller one.  We figured there would be one for each of us come this fall.   We watched as the deer made their way to the top of the field and back into the woods.   Not fifteen minutes later, a cacophony of coyote sounds broke the silence!  Several coyotes could be heard not far from where the deer had been.  The yipping, and yapping continued for many minutes.  I couldn't help but wonder if they had found a fawn, another small deer.  My friend Josie then announced that two of their cows had been missing at last count.  At that point it was of course too late to go looking for them.  Hopefully, they were just misscounted.

This morning, I took Evvy up to the area where we saw the deer.  I figured if there had been anything killed, she would find what ever morsels were left.   But Evvy didn't locate a thing.

So either nothing was killed, or the coyotes left nothing of their kill.

We made a big loop through woods, and fields until we rejoined a walking path in a Monadnock Conservancy property.   Evvy took the opportunity to first wallow in a mud puddle.  Evvy likes to lay in the puddle, then put her muzzle under the water and fling mud and water up into the air.   Later she rinsed in a brook, by once again laying in it.  It makes my job alot easier because if she doesn't rinse I have to rinse her with the hose.  When I use the hose, we both get soaked.

What Happens when you Lose to a Stanchion

On Monday, I stopped by my neighbor's Holstein dairy farm.   There's always something doin, from fixing the Harrow, to catching cows.  Anyway, on this day they were moving some young cows around inside the barn(s).   I was game for this adventure, and found that it was alot harder than I imagined!  In fact it was a great workout, trying to pull these young lasses into their new location, and into their respective stanchions.  Until...  I was pulling a lively cow's head through a stanchion using a rope that was around her head and neck.   I got her head through the stanchion, then the rest of her came barreling through as well.  It wasn't pretty.  The cow plowed through, and past me.  The stanchion broke apart and cracked me squarely in the nose.   For a moment, everyone just froze and looked at me.   It didn't really hurt all that much at the time, but the bleeding was most dramatic.  Nevertheless, I wanted to continue to move these cows.  After pinching my nose for several minutes, until the bleeding stopped, I rejoined the "cow catching" game.  I had alot of fun, and worked up a good sweat.  As for the farmers, they got a good laugh, and were grateful for the extra hand.  

The bruising around my eyes has progressed over the last days, looking much worse than it really is.  I can't wait for my next impromptu visit to the farm!

Snakes & Hares

Evvy and I took a trip up to the rocky top of Derry Hill Rd. which is part of the Britton Farm in Walpole.  There are some neat granite outcroppings there that probably once had excellent views.  Now though trees and their foliage block any view.  Most of the smaller granite rocks are near perfectly square like bricks.  On one outcrop, someone had painstakingly begun to create small shelter.   Wondering if I might find any snakes, I looked in the dark spaces between these rocks.  Sure enough, I found the shed skin of a snake not too far from a Ringneck Snake.  I borrowed the photo from J.D. Willson, and the following description of the snake from the NH Audobon website.  

Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) 
This small and slender species is, like the Brown and Redbelly, also quite secretive. Usually smaller than two-feet, the Ringneck is black, gray, or brown with a gold collar and a yellow belly. They prefer wooded areas with lots of cover in the form of logs and rocks and their diet consists of anything they can catch including salamanders, frogs, smaller snakes, earthworms and insects. The females lay 1 to 10 eggs in June or July and many females may share the same cavity for egg-laying. Some females keep the eggs in their bodies until they hatch. Otherwise, from egg to hatching takes eight weeks. It takes one year for them to reach sexual maturity. (www.nhaudobon.org/atn_snakes.html)

I found two of these snakes this morning in different places, but both under rocks.  

Evvy was interested in creatures that move faster.  She entertained herself by chasing, very briefly, a Snowshoe Hare.   Evvy was unsuccessful at catching the hare, just I figured.  She is not a good hunter, she just runs and bounds like a clod.  The only bounty that Evvy is successful at catching, is dead things, bones, carcasses, and of course the smelliest excrement she can find.

There was a hard frost last night.  I covered my garden, but some of the plastic blew off and exposed my spinach.  I'm not sure if it's damaged or not.  Looks okay.

It was a great morning for walking, no bugs!   So Evvy and I headed for Merriam Rd which becomes a logging road into Surry from Walpole.   There is a really neat hunting/get-away camp there.  It really IS the perfect spot.  A lovely brook flows right through the area.  The brook flows into what looks like a natural canal(top photo), and it's deep enough that you could sit in it.   You would have to be a pretty hearty individual though, because it's freezing cold.  Evvy loved it.  I followed the brook down slope for quite a distance, and found, cascade after cascade.  Each little falls as impressive as the first.  At one point the rock flattens out and looks like you could almost slide down.

Yesterday I took a Sunday drive over to Jaffrey, where I couldn't resist Kimball's famous ice cream.  Then I drove some backroads around Mt. Monadncok just as a fierce thunderstorm cut loose.  What fun!  The storm passed quickly, and I got this great shot from the north eastern side(I think).  I found great views all around the mountain even in gray weather.

Quintessential Walpole

I got up much earlier than usual today, maybe because the Robins were quite loud at 5:30 a.m.

Nevertheless, after my routine hazelnut coffee, and french toast, Evvy and I headed out once more for our morning constitutional.  I really had no energy to do it, but I'm always glad I do once I get into it.  The morning sun had burned off all the fog except for that over the Connecticut River. From the top of Sheep Hill I could see the line of fog, beneath the Green Mts in the distance.   The air was fresh and damp following three days of pretty steady rain.

After taking in the vista on Sheep Hill I walked north back toward County Rd. where you will find freshly tilled cornfields, recently cut hayfields, and the Jerseys of Crescent Farm.  The cows and bull, all ran along the fence as Evvy and I walked along.  The poor bull has had his horns cut off, still bleeding after at least a week.....eeeewwww.   Last but not least the top picture is my modest garden, which I am most proud.  I haven't attempted gardening for many, many years, but this one is going great guns.  My garden is days, maybe weeks ahead of others in the area.  The trick....I started earlier, and just covered the garden with clear plastic on the frosty nights.

I'll have cabbage, broccoli, tomato, spinach, celery, cukes, summer squash, and strawberries.

Thankfully, no creatures have found this little oasis.

Perfect Spring Day

We just got back from our morning hike. Evvy and I started at the top of what was once called "Pelshue Rd" in Walpole.  Now it's just an access to hay fields.   There is a beautiful view from the large cellar hole to the right of a trail just north of Pelshue Rd.  As I wandered around the cellar hole area, I looked out at Vermont ski areas in the distance.  Most prominent is Stratton Mt.  There is a spot on the front of the mountain, and I wonder if it's snow or rock?   I found these brilliant Wild Columbine flowers.  I don't see this plant often, but what a beauty.  They were growing in a shady spot along the old stone foundation.  They will bloom through July, so there's still time for you to find some.

We made our way down the steep trail to the brook below, where we entered the Faulkner Forest.  The Faulkner Forest is a conservation area with many hundreds of acres of trails to walk.  The old Windgate Rd is badly washed out and even I wouldn't try to ride my mountain bike down, or up the road.  If you follow the Windgate road east, you'll come to an intersection with Mt. Gilboa Rd.  Take a left, and you'll walk past an old chimney on the right.  The chimney is all that remains of a cabin that once stood there.  Continuing up the hill, you'll come to a gate, and just beyond that a beautiful picnic spot marked with a dedication plaque which talks about the Faulkner Forest, and family.  There is a large cellar hole here as well, marked with large stands of lilacs.  Someone manages to keep the grass mown up there, and it's just beautiful.  I like to imagine walking around the grand house, though I have no idea what it looked like.  There is a small statue, in the north corner, like something you might put in a garden.  From this spot there are a couple of trails that wonder into the forest.  One will take you back toward County Rd., the other will take you all the way in to the southern part of Surry.  Plenty of cellar holes along that route, but nearly hidden by overgrowth.

Wild Flowers

Evvy and I drove up to Scovill Rd. which is the south side of Derry Hill, where there is a Forest Society easement.  We've been here a million times, winter and summer.  We never get tired of the  beautiful view from the High Blue vista.   Today was extra special because we found a Grouse nest, in a place I wouldn't have considered.  She had perched herself in a very sandy, rooty, fallen tree.  It's difficult to explain, but she had a well worn furrow in the sandy roots making it nearly impossible to see her.....that is until Evvy disturbed her.  Thankfully, no eggs in the nest.

Next we  came across some excellent Pink Ladyslipper specimens, only two plants.   When we got to the High Blue, we were greeted by two other hikers and their dogs.  I had heard them before we arrived, so I put the leash back on Evvy.  Evvy has no manners, she will dash up to any dog or human, and want to play.  I have yet to figure how to stop this, but I will.  After exchanging pleasantries, we left the vista with barely a pause.  

My mother asks me nearly every day if I've see the Mayflowers yet.  I finally found them by smell.  All along the trail these fragile looking little white flowers lay, with such sweet fragrance(above photo).  Had I not picked one and smelled it, I might never have known.  I did however look it up in my wildflower guide the minute I returned home, just to confirm.

One final thought on this Veteran's Day (observed), I remember as I'm sure you all do, the many, many fallen soldiers who have fought so diligently for our freedom.  "God bless America, my home sweet home".

Amendment: My mother looks at my blog and corrects me if I am mistaken in my identifications.  So, she tells me the flower pictured is "Ground Nut", not the May Flower that she knows.   In my wildflower book, this flower is identified as Canada Mayflower.  

Jane Doe Revisited

I have just about finished my facial reconstruction of the Delaware skull.  I walk past her every day, and wonder just how far the modeling should go.  I will add some eyelashes, and smooth out the surface to make it more realistic.  When it's finished, I'll take a set of photos, then break the whole thing down.  I will send it, and a set of photos back to Delaware.  Hopefully we will learn who this person was, and what happened to her.

In addition to working on my sculpture I  have also continued to spend lots of time in the woods.  The mosquitos have been relentless especially first thing in the morning.  They seem impervious to even repellent.  I have seen Prothonotary Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, and Magnolia Warblers to name a few.   Northern Orioles are abundant as well.  I have seen them in bloom adorned apple trees.   There are two pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at my feeder now.  They are entertaining as they fight for a spot at the nectar.  I also have a Robin  nesting right outside my window.  It has been a treat watching as she feeds her little ones.  The other day she fought off a Catbird.  I watched as the Catbird was stunned, then fallen to the lawn below.  The Catbird was unharmed and soon flew away. But that bird learned quickly not to mess with Mrs. Robin.

This morning bright and early, a small group of cyclists from my church, took such a pleasant, tranquil ride along River Rd. in Walpole.  We past farm and field, time and again.  A very leisurely pace enabled us to carry on conversations, remarking at our motivation so early in the day.  We all decided the beauty of the landscape and the opportunity to get some exercise, was well worth waking up early.

Shinbone Shack

Last Saturday I joined a very large crowd of hikers at the end of Aten Rd., in Stoddard, NH.  So many people gathered there because of the interesting stories surrounding the late residents.   Perley Swett self proclaimed hermit lived on the property.  He lived a solitary life enjoying the hills and woods of Stoddard.  He even painted his own grave marker, and spot to be buried near his house.  Also on this vast property, a small cabin affectionately known as "Shinbone  Shack" (pic #3).  The cabin has fallen into disrepair, but if you go inside you can still see the brick hearth where two shin bones were inlayed.  The bones have long since been removed, and the cabin is unhabitable.  Nearby, a much larger palatial Adirondack style cabin (pic #1) was built in the 1930's.  The Great Depression put a halt to the construction, but it was later completed for one of the Aten women.  She never saw the finished cabin as she had passed away beforehand.  This beautiful home features a large pond with stone grinding wheels adorning the shore line.  Inside the cabin, a great room in the center has an open cathedral ceiling with rough hewn log supports and a beautiful stone fireplace.  There is ample room for many people to stay or visit.  The kitchen has been updated over the years, and the nostalgic lighting is gas lamps on the walls.

On Sunday, I hiked Mt. Kearsarge in Warner, NH.  The roundtrip hike was over 8 miles.  My hips, back, and knees are still feeling the stiffening affects.  Despite an overcast and cool day, there was a beautiful view from the top.  The bonus was to find several patches of Pink Lady Slippers (pic. #2) along the way.  I took a photo of one patch that have begun to blossom.  I always thought Lady Slippers bloomed in June, but what a great surprise to see them in May.

Bobcats Among us!

That's right I saw a Bobcat while out mountain biking on Mt. Gilboa.  Though I didn't take this picture, the cat I saw looked very much like him.  I had been bushwhacking my way down the west side of the mountain after following a lame logging trail.  The trail ended, but I decided to forge ahead through the woods, circling back around to the original trail(NH snowmobile trail 5).  I came out in a swampy area near the railroad bed that parallels Rte. 12 in Westmoreland.

I was running way behind schedule, so I had to really haul.  Lactic acid was building up all over my legs and butt.   But I was determined to make it back to my house in time to get to my class.

I rode back up to the trail #5 which was significantly easier than the bushwhacking excursion I'd just completed.   I was rolling along slowly and silently when I noticed the large cat walking away from me down the trail.  He had no idea I was there.  He looked like he wished it was about 20 degrees cooler, as he ambled along.  When I got to within 15 yds of the cat, he turned back to look at me.  What a sight!  Those black tipped ears, and what big feet!  He froze for a millisecond, then he launched himself into bounding away from me and down the trail.  I had hoped to see a Bear, but seeing this Bobcat was even better.

What a Find!

Evvy and I took a walk down Whipple Hill Rd, toward the old Rapids Rd.  There are a few old cellar holes along the Rapids Rd. The telltale signs are usually Apple trees and large overgrown Lilacs.  This morning though, we found an added surprise in the first cellar hole.  Evvy scared up two hen Turkeys.  The first hen took off right away.  The second waiting until she couldn't stand it any longer.  Evvy growled but didn't charge at the Turkey.  I don't think Evvy was sure what she was dealing with.  Because it took so long for the second hen to fly off, I suspected she might be sitting on a nest.  So I drew closer for a look.   There on the top of a wall, long ago covered with shrubs and grass, a large nest full of eggs.   I had never seen a Turkey nest before, so I was thrilled.  To think I had just gone down to Great Brook Farm the other day for eggs!  These were beauties, and every bit as large as chicken eggs, maybe even alittle bigger.  There were fourteen, cream colored eggs with little brown specks.  I finished looking over the hen's fine work, and continued my walk with Evvy.   I hope the hen wasn't too frightened to return later.    On a funny note, a truck with two camo'ed turkey hunters drove right past me shortly after.   I heard them stop above at the top of the hill......they did a couple quick Turkey calls.  I had to laugh.  Surely they would never find Turkeys sitting in their truck!   Unfortunately, they are not the first bunch of Turkey hunters I've witnessed calling from the warmth, and luxury of their trucks.  Many, many drive past cornfields, and old pastures, stopping to make a call or two, then driving on, totally missing exactly what it was they were looking for.....DUH!

Heads will Roll

They say "variety is the spice of life", and there's variety in my life at the moment.  Not only do I watch for the colors of spring in the birds, and flowers.  I bring some sort of life back to the dead.

I have received an unidentified human skull from Delaware.   Asst. Deputy Medical Examiner Hal Brown and I had a chance to talk a couple weeks ago.  I inquired if he had any skulls laying around that I might reconstruct. It's been a while since I did the reconstruction for the NH State Police, I am eager to create a new face....so to speak.  

This skull arrived full of dirt, vegetative matter, and some red paint on her chin.  I cleaned up the skull, and began the reconstruction.  I guessed at the race of the skull, as there is ambigous info on her background, and I don't know any forensic anthropologists.

My best guess is that she is either Asian, or Southwestern American indian refered to as Mongoloid.  

I know the skull is a female because I can see that the superior aspect/superciliary arch of the orbits are nearly flat.  In males this area protrudes distinctly. Also I looked at the jawline, and mastoid process for remarkable angulation and larger structure.  In addition, the few teeth that are present in the mandible and maxilla, appear quite small.  A male skull of the same age would likely have larger teeth.

The second photo shows the reconstruction at the beginning stages of the actual artistic sculpture.  I had placed the depth tissue markers on the skull to get a general idea of how much "skin" to apply.  As she stands now, this is the "thinnest" representation of the female.  I will begin to add more meat to her face to bring a more realistic feel to it.   Eventually I will add hair, by way of a wig, and perhaps some color to her lips.  

Reconstructions for me are so much fun.  It's like reading a great book that you can't put down. I like to keep working on it straight through from start to finish without stopping.  But of course I do stop, to take Evvy out, and look for more signs of spring.   Then there is the required household chores, and classwork to do.   If I could do reconstructions as my work, it would never be work at all.  I love to see who develops.  Maybe someday we will find out who she is, and what happened to her.