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Peak Foliage in Northern NH Part 3
The fall foliage drawing contest
by Jeff "Foliage" Folger
Streeter pond and this was one of the few times that I got lucky and the sun popped out at the right moment.
I actually snapped this out my front window of my truck...
a short stone fence beneath the arms of a Maple.
Color running up Cannon Mtn.
Lily pond on Kang.
A shot across the stream highlighting the late afternoon color
Color on the far side of the lake and a bobber hanging in the tree..
Greetings Foliage Peepers!
A note for the kids in your lives
Yankee is sponsoring a Foliage Drawing Contest to celebrate fall and KidsZone, for children ages 13 and under. To enter the contest, submit your original drawing of a fall scene by November 10, 2008.
The final part of the New Hampshire journey
I left Sugar Hill (117) and turned north onto route 116. A short drive up on the left is Streeter pond and Streeter pond rd. As I was driving by the sun picked this moment to pop out and illuminate the far shore and I swung my truck onto the dirt pull off and jumped from my truck like a caped crusader with a camera!
Note: I don't recommend this type of maneuver since this could cause the person behind you to take a dim view of your turning in front of him and they may decide to point this out with their horn! Luckily for me there were no vehicles behind me.
I started walking up and down the shore taking pictures of the entire far shore! There were no strong subjects but the color of the trees was such to just about render me speechless.. Not quite but close... So you know it was a pretty sight.
The sun went behind the clouds and I continued on my way. I soon entered Bethlehem NH and on this date (Tuesday Sept 30) it was as near peak as I had seen with low to medium leaf drop. I then turned south onto 142. It was getting on in the afternoon and I wanted to start heading south and point my truck towards home.
I got onto I-93 south and was soon at Artists Bluff overlooking the valley below and it was a very nice sight but hard to really photograph since you are so far from all the trees. It?s much nicer to just sit there for a minute and take in the tapestry of color.
I again got off the road at Cannon Mountain at one of the numerous pull outs. There is a nice pond there and standing in the parking lot there was another photographer shooting the light on the hills. I had already snapped a few shots myself and we talked for a few.
I pulled off one more time around Little Coolidge Mtn. And walked a short distance on the trail with a view of the river nearby. The sun was slanting in low at this point and lighting up the woods on the far side of the river.
From here I drove down to route 112 and back into Lincoln and I stayed on 112 east. My intent was to drive the often slow Kangamagus hwy into Conway and then follow route 16 south to Chocorua.
I stopped at the Lily pond on 112 and the color was very nice and many cars were pulled off in the dirt pull out. I didn't stay long but noted that the color wasn't quite peak here but 80% of peak is really nice to see. I spotted a woman who was standing on a boulder trying to visualize a shot (as soon as her husband came back with the camera). She said they were in from Wisconsin and wondered if they would see better color. I told them about Sugar Hill and she was frustrated by not finding the peak that was so close but not here.
I pointed out to them that while this wasn't quite peak it was in my book very nice color and if it was the best that they see this trip then they should relax and just enjoy it. Few people get lucky and hit peak during a short vacation. I, who live here, have only been able to get into the midst of "peak" a few times since I moved here. I usually get there too early or too late.
When I pulled out, I looked back at them and they were just standing arm in arm enjoying the view instead of stressing over whether or not they were seeing "peak".
Reader Comments
Comment from Jamie Trowbridge on October 8, 2008
Jeff, I appreciate the photos you post with your blog. They're terrific! Jamie
Comment from Pam Mikel on October 8, 2008
Jeff, Unable to make New Hampshire this year but I am thoroughly enjoying your photos, travel information & blog! Thanks for the routes & information which I plan to put to good use October 2009! Pam in Texas
Comment from Jeff Folger on October 10, 2008
Well Pam log into the forum and stay with us as we brave the coming stick season, snow season and finally the spring thaw... I know down in Texas you don't know alot about snow but I'm sure we'd like to send you some... :-) We have a few members from Texas and Arizona so you'll fit right in.. As soon as Mary Jo gets back she'll give you a right warm Texas How do! Don't tell her I said that... :-( Jeff
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