VOLUME 37, NUMBER 11 AUGUST 16, 2012 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY The Healing On the Links Garden NHPGA Pro’s Where it all began and Surprises Page 4 Page 30 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Summer Family Outing Lost River, a day of discovery and adventure By Darron Laughland light from the surface, leaving If visitors attempting to enough twilight to move “find” Lost River have not through the corridors safely. managed to discover its loca- Occasionally a crack in the tion, it is certainly worth hav- rocks unveils a dark pool of ing another look. Lost River water inches below, and a is in North Woodstock on careful look may reveal fish Route 112. The small river swaying in the current. dives and writhes its way During our visit, the kid’s through a maze of talus lying favorite sections were the in a tight chasm at the base of Lemon Squeezer and the a section of cliffs and steep Dungeon. The entrance to forested ridgeline. the Lemon Squeezer has a Discovered by local anglers in wooden polygon built to the the 1850’s and later purchased dimensions of the hole intrep- to protect the unique gorge id adventurers must pass from logging, it was eventual- through. Narrow on the bot- ly developed as a tourist tom and a bit wider on the attraction in the early 1900’s. top; it requires moving There are several caves, short through it with the body on its crawls, out crops, and beauti- side, while keeping the larger ful waterfalls accessed by a parts of the body several inch- system of wooden steps and es off the ground, to take boardwalks, all within the advantage of the additional wooded narrow gorge. space. Having a practice run Darron Laughland Starting at the visitor center, before climbing down into the Looking out on Paradise Falls from the overlook. guests walk down several rock heap at least gives the dozen wooden stairs and walk- confidence that one’s parts will river below it that then goes den with many native plant cool to see. For more infor- ways descending deep into the all fit through, but the actual up along the other side and species. During our visit, we mation on hours of operation drainage. During the descent, Squeezer itself starts in a nar- the top; provide many places spotted two different warblers. and fees, visit www.findlostriv- the air will grow cooler, with row space and finishes in a for viewing. The other These neotropical migrants, er.com or call 603-745-8031. jumbled moss and lichen-cov- small room, so it can be a little impressive falls is in the ered rocks mingled with fir, more daunting. A Lost River Judgment Hall of Pluto, spruce, and a few hardwoods, Guide was stationed above the where the falls is under- seeming to soak up all sounds cave in the event someone ground. Visitors walk under- except the river, and it feels needed assistance or to be ground along the far side of like entering a primeval place. talked through it. The kids the pool, in the mist of the The journey down ends at a slid through with limited falling waters. clear shallow pool where the effort, and enjoyed the extra When taking little ones; it is water disappears around the challenge, and the accom- important that an adult keep a corner of a boulder; continu- plishment of making it. close eye on them negotiating ing on its trip, eventually The Lemon Squeezer leads the walkways and stairs. Kids meeting the waters of the into the Dungeon, a ducking are rubbery and adventure- Pemigewasset. Visitors then belly crawls under a low hang- some, so moving through turn and trace the river’s path ing rock. It could be done caves and passages are typical- upstream, following the simply by sliding along on the ly easy, but children could slip wooden walkways and stairs belly, except that it involves a into areas that are not on the that ascend amongst craggy shallow muddy puddle, so trail, including holes or adja- granite boulders and bedrock. most guests will find it akin to cent pools of water. Careful The trip may be completed doing half a push-up, then spotting and assessment by without visiting any of the walking forward on their adults on appropriateness of caves or crawls, but exploring hands like an alligator for a each named cave for younger these side journeys gets to the foot or two before they can children, is warranted. The heart of the experience. pull their legs forward to wad- length of the hike may be a Each of the nearly two dle out. Similar to the Lemon concern for some families and dozen separate caves is differ- Squeezer, it is a great chal- although the trip is a nice ent, some easily negotiated, lenge and really fun for kids respite from the heat on a Darron Laughland only requiring a short duck and fit flexible adults. cooler day, bring an extra Looking back at one of the boys coming through the Lemon Squeezer. under an overhang, while a There are several scenic layer. The trip typically takes few give up their goods only waterfalls throughout. The about one and a half to two visit the region for only a few Keep an eye out for Lost River after a tight squeeze or a few two best are near the begin- hours. months to nest, raise their coupons for reduced admis- feet of crawling on wet greasy ning and the end. The first There is a gift shop, food brood, and fatten up for the sion as well! planks and rock. Kerosene one, Paradise Falls, cascades and refreshments, restrooms, return journey south. lanterns provide some illumi- several meters into a pool. An and picnic facilities at the visi- Migratory songbird species Darron Laughland enjoys nation in darker stretches, but observation deck on one side tor center. Adjacent to the populations are generally in writing about family outdoor most of them receive some and a boardwalk crossing the visitor center is a nature gar- decline, so they are always adventures and paddling. On the Cover Inside Index Money Matters Critter Corner..................................................5 Staying On Track Freedom Column...........................................10 Charitable Giving - Page 9 Eric Siefer, of Kearsarge, NH, competes in the 12 hour male Thoughts while Weeding..............................11 solo division, on day 1 of the 17th annual 24 Hours Of Great Out n About On the Rockpile.............................................12 Glen bicycle race, held at Great Glen Trails, in Pinkham Who do you know? - Page 20 Obituaries.......................................................13 Notch, NH, on August 11th & 12th, 2012. The Healing Garden .....................................14 Nooks & Crannies Entertainment................................................27 Photo by Dennis Coughlins Exploring ‘Zealand’ – Page 31 Classifieds .................................................33-35 Page 2 | The Mountain Ear | Thursday, August 16, 2012 News Six properties added to N.H. State Register of Historic Places The New Hampshire Register of Historic Places in town. logical, architectural, engi- resources for the education, Division of Historical are: Three buildings have also neering and cultural resources inspiration, pleasure and Resources is pleased to Built in 1901 to house the been added to the Enfield of New Hampshire are among enrichment of New announce that the State town’s large road-grading Village Historic District, the most important environ- Hampshire’s citizens. For Historical Resources Council equipment, Freedom’s Roller which was recognized by the mental assets of the state. more information, visit us has added six properties to the Shed is an unusual and practi- State Register in April 2011: Historic preservation pro- online at www.nh.gov/nhdhr New Hampshire State cal building. The equipment Woodbury House, J.P. motes the use, understanding or by calling (603) 271-3483. Register of Historic Places. made travel in all seasons Washburn House and the and conservation of such The State Register has more possible for citizens – a North Enfield Universalist helped to promote the signifi- boon in the early days of the Meeting House, all on Main cance of many historic proper- twentieth century – and the Street. Cruise Contest Calling ties across New Hampshire. shed provided year-round Anyone wishing to nomi- Benefits of being listed on the protection of this important nate a property to the New State Register include: investment. Part of a historic Hampshire State Register of New Hampshire Special consideration and core of town buildings in Historic Places must research relief from some building Freedom village, the shed still the history of the nominated codes and regulations; serves as storage for the town. property and document it fully Family Caregivers Designation of a property as The Langdon Town Hall on individual inventory forms historical, which is a pre-qual- and Meeting House was first from the New Hampshire ification for many grant pro- used for town meeting in 1803 Division of Historical Family caregivers under- Instead Senior Care network. grams, including and has hosted all 209 town Resources. Having a property stand all too well the stress of “That’s why we are pleased to Conservation License Plate meetings since then. listed in the Register does not caring for an aging loved one be sponsoring this tropical grants and New Hampshire The Jackson Road Railroad impose restrictions on private – and how great it can be to get-away for a deserving fami- Land and Community Trestle in Mason was part of property owners. For more have a break. That’s why resi- ly caregiver.” Heritage Investment Program the Peterborough and Shirley information, visit dents of New Hampshire are For more information about (LCHIP) grants; and Railroad line, which con- www.nh.gov/nhdhr.