New Hampshire Beckons

Before Runnings, before the old Walmart was the first Walmart, when George's Field was actually a field, and before our children were more than half grown, we walked these woods. Still, there were others who came here first.

The carving reads: J.S. Austin, Aug. 11, 1878

Clouds play with the Autumn light beckoning me to visit the mountain. This isn't the first time I have been called, as it is my daily view; but on this day, I was so moved by the invitation that I asked Zach to take a picture for me. I wonder if others are called? I wonder if these children who play against the mountain's sun splashed canvas will someday go to the mountain? I try to remember how long it has been since I was there -too long.  

Photo by Zach Derosia

Oak leaves had weekends ago blown down and covered yards in a thick brown blanket. The constant grating of leaf blowers that grind at my nerves, had thankfully begun to subside. It was Saturday after dark when the thunder rumbled our foundation with such insistence that I feared our front door would be thrown wide open! Snow had started slipping into conversations, even as the ground was so saturated it felt in spots like we were walking on Jello. It was time.

The trailhead is located off of Mountain Road in Hinsdale, NH. When last here, there wasn't a blue diamond trail, only a well worn path switching back and forth up the mountain. 

According to Sokoki Sorjourn, Wantastiquet is a close interpretation of the Abenaki word Wantastegok which means, "at the place of the lost river."* This mountain is located where the West River and the Connecticut River meet. I encourage my readers to explore Sokiki Sorjourn before hiking the mountain.

Note that on this magnified portion of a 1796 Vermont Map, Vernon, VT is still known as Hinsdale, VT. The West River is shown to the west of the Chesterfield, NH label on this map.

A cascade welcomes hikers near the parking lot. If you aren't ready for a mountain hike, make sure you see this waterfall prior to stretching your legs on Mountain Road which follows the CT River north to Route 9 in Chesterfield.

Old growth trees stand sentry along the trail.

For others, this was their last season.

Wayne pauses to read what's left of a sign just past the trail posts. Were these now rusted and graffitied posts here the last time we were here? 

The day after the storm, hiking the trail was like walking up waterfalls the entire way. Conditions didn't stop others from enjoying the trail however.

Water flows over the side of the trail making its way to the CT River with Brattleboro, VT beyond.

Eastern Mountain Laurel has taken advantage of areas where there is newer oak tree growth and increased sunlight.

Eastern Hemlock adorns a rock outcropping.

I don't remember this trail being so gradual or it being as wide. Perhaps, this is because we no longer have four children to keep watch over. The switchbacks do seem longer however, this affords us opportunities to wonder and reflect upon changes to this place over time.

Water seeps from the rocks,

and wells up from the ground.

Combining forces and shaping pathways,

an ancient force on its way to the long river.

"What's that Abby? You are flying in for Thanksgiving. Yes, we can pick you up in Boston. Mom and I are hiking up Wantastiquet, we can talk more later"

"Hello? Hi Helen...ok you are bringing the green bean casserole...Ethan will make his way down to ride with you?"

Ron was here in 83, that's one year after we graduated from high school.

I can't help but wonder why this person was here and what they were trying to accomplish all of those years ago?

An obelisk sits at the summit.

A bronze plaque from 1906 in memory of Walter H. Childs is on the obelisk. Some have added to this monument in hopes of being remembered too.

Others have a message of their own to share.

Next time we will pick up the trail on the way to Mine Mountain - Norma Manning

Additional Resources:

Sokoki Sojourn

Brattleboro Words Trail, Wantastiquet Mountain 

Vernon in the 802

When Wayne and I moved to the Low Country I decided that I should continue my education at the College of Charleston. Now anyone who has ever attempted to transfer credits from one institution to another soon discovers that each has their own requirements and often credits from one school does not satisfy those of another. For me, it was my history credits that lacked the required pedigree.  I took U.S history at Keene and then UVM required World. Imagine my dismay when I was informed that the history of Charleston would be required. To be very clear, even if I had the history of S.C. under my belt, it wouldn't have satisfied their requirement and I wasn't even a history major. 

As we all have to learn at some point, sometimes you just gotta jump through hoops. Here's the irony however, I've never regretted meeting that history requirement as it has over time gone a long way to helping me to understand and appreciate the people there.  Now there is always a flipside to every album, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I've lived in nine states including Vermont where I have lived in four different municipalities. During that span, I have encountered this level of stringent hometown importance exactly twice. I'm not talking about whether or not someone is a sixth generation native Vermonter here, I'm talking about whether or not someone is a multi generational "Vernon" Vermonter.

My brother likes to joke(?) that if you haven't lived in Vermont for 15 years he won't talk to you. It's nice to be on speaking terms with my brother again. Much to his anguish, Wayne who was born and raised in BF lost his VT drivers license when we moved to Hinsdale after the Navy. When our place grew too small I began searching for a new place. I took a liking to Northfield and looked at a few places with a realtor. When I had finally decided on a piece of land Wayne informed me that he would never move to MA.  With that, we settled in Vernon and slowly began to notice that I weren't from around here.

I used to tell Wayne that there was an iron curtain down the center of the CT River and as it turns out I wasn't really that far off in that judgment; however the curtain actually is located at the low water mark on the western bank of the river.  There is quite an involved history as to how in 1624 King James the sixth established that border and how for hundreds of years that boundary was pushed around and wouldn't be definitively settled until 1934 with Bellows Falls, VT being the center of that decision. As with many good stories in history, the border decision regarding the International Paper Company began with a tax dispute.

So there you have it, in 1779 what was Hinsdale, VT and now Vernon, VT was claimed by four states; NY, MA, NH and VT. I encourage you to read the provided links for in them you will find how three miles (1/2 mile in width) of Fall Town Township MA came to be Vernon's. History can be a dangerous thing and not for all of the obvious cliche's.

To accuse a Vermonter of being a flatlander / being from away is to rile up hundreds of years of fight. Never assume that because you pay property taxes in VT that you are a Vermonter -yet. When a Vermonter tells you he won't live in MA, take him at his word even if the history says otherwise; and when an old Vernon family member casually comments that the Broad Brook is at the border of Vernon take their word for it but check your history book to see why it is so.   I'd like to talk more about all of this in person with you, but I'm only 16 years in this town and I can't risk it. - Norma Manning

 The west bank of the CT river and the Vernon Dam