If you don't recognize this image, you haven't spent much time in New England. Let me introduce you to The Old Man of the Mountain.
The Old Man was a naturally occurring rock formation on Cannan Mountain in New Hampshire's White Mountains. When viewed at the right angle, the rocks formed the profile of a face. Since 1945, The Old Man was the state emblem of New Hampshire.
In the middle of the night on May 3, 2003, the rocky profile slid off the side of the mountain, crashing into the rocks below.
I was still living in New Hampshire when this happened. It caused quite the controversy. Some people were adamant that this symbol of the state must be restored to its original splendor. Others were equally as forceful in their opinion that the Old Man not be replaced.
My favorite interview occurred on the news the following morning. A girl from UNH appeared on the tv screen with a tear-streaked face and spoke with a shaky voice, "The Old Man was a gift from nature. Nature decided to take him back. He's with Mother Earth now."
Mother Earth? What was this girl talking about? She talked about the rocks as if she had lost a dear friend.
Her choice of words was strange. But evidently the people of New Hampshire agreed. The Old Man now rests with his creator, Mother Earth, and has not been replaced.
I'm glad that I can say I saw him before the collapse...and not just in photos.
This week's Theme Thursday theme was "Earth." Check out the other participants here.
18 comments:
It's a beautiful photo.
Very interesting.I didn't know anything about it.Beautiful.
Wonderful...thanks for taking us there!!!
What a cool formation... too bad about that bitch, mother earth. Now I'll never get to see it! Ha. Very nicely written!
I agree with the girl, mother earth giveth and mother earth taketh away. Very nice picture and great story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
God bless.
I remember this very well. Have lived in New England all my life, too.
I agree that it shouldn't be replaced with something man-made. It was a natural thing, and it had it's time.
Thanks for the memory!
What a crazy rock formation.
Thanks for joining us in TT.
Interesting story. I think I read about this in my father-in-law's diary circa 1947.
I have heard of "Old Man" but never seen the pictures. It clearly looked like a man. INTERESTING.
You know, it is easy to develop feelings for something ridiculous, like in the movie "Cast away", tell me that there was not one person that was not upset when the volleyball floated away!
I too have seen the Old Man in the Mountain and was saddened when he fell. I have a T-shirt dedicated to it's demise. In that same area of NH I recall seeing a profile of a Native American as well.
It just wouldn't be the same if it was manmade since it didn't start that way. That was really interesting to hear about.
I gave you an award today. Enjoy!http://fidgetinggidget.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-first-award.html
That is cool!
I never saw it up close and personal only in pictures. Heck I've never been to New Hampshire come to think of it I've only been to Old Hampshire.
hahaha very strange indeed.
Three years in CT and I didn't make it up there! I'll have to make it up there to see it myself.
Well, what do you know. Because I didn't.
Isn't mother nature wonderful? She gives us all these things and we don't appreciate them until they are gone.
Thanks for reminding us that once things are lost we can never get them back...even if we think we can.
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