New Hampshire means many things to many people. There is much to admire about The Granite State. The attributes I most admire are both naturally occurring and manmade. The two seem to blend together quite perfectly.
The best place to start is at the very beginning when great sheets of ice sculpted the land, molding the landforms we are most proud of, exploring our woods and meadows to find erratics dotting the landscape. These might be overlooked by some. Some are famous, some are hidden gems. Rough, and exquisite at the time, they’ve stood the test of time.
The stone walls that were built by early residents line our roadways. I include the walls that come together from farm clearing, road construction, all the way to the stone walls masterfully pieced together by stone artisans. They all hold stories of boundaries, early settlement, and pride in aesthetics. Truly, this would be a circumstance when it would be nice if only walls could talk.
Driving through old towns and village districts to appreciate the architecture and grandeur of these stately older homes. Wondering who the previous dwellers were, what their connection to the local prosperity or lore was. The well-preserved properties and lawns and old established gardens.
Factor in the working farmhouses and barns. Feeling thankfulness for the families and preservationists who recognize the cultural importance of these houses and barns.
Working farms handed down through family and still operational deserve another piece of the pride New Hampshire inspires. You cannot help but have the utmost respect for what it takes to stand the test of time. Determination and hard work are not to be underestimated. The requirement is to give your all. The wonder is that generation to generation, some still step up to the plate.
You have the use of logging roads to think and reflect as you walk among the trees. Their presence is another reminder of another early profession. Woodcutting and the milling of felled lumber led the way to future homes being built. Towns and cities grew. Thankfully, though, not so much growth that the remains of the efforts haven’t faded, or been pushed out by overdevelopment.
Lastly, appreciation for her streams, brooks, ponds, lakes and ocean frontage. The wide variety of trees that lend to the feeling of remoteness as they carpet the mountains with their stateliness. No matter how far we stray from our roots, we still crave that peaceful feeling derived from these environs. All these and more contribute to the allure of this fine state.
Susan Decato lives in Canterbury.