10,000 Acre Backyard

Never in my life, would I have imagined that I would find myself calling 10,000 acres in New Hampshire “home”. But that’s exactly what Bear Brook State Park has become, my home, at least for a little while. I landed in Manchester’s airport in early January, off of a flight that was many hours late. My first glimpses of NH were at 3 am in the middle of a nasty winter storm. I was coming from Seattle, WA, where I had lived most of my life, to become one of twenty-nine members in the Student Conservation Association’s NH Corps. I’d never seen so much snow and had never been outside when it was below 25 degrees. It only took a moment for me to realize that my jacket wasn’t thick enough. Despite this cold greeting, being in Bear Brook this winter and experiencing how much it changes through the seasons has only made my affection for this place grow stronger.

Wetland area off of Podunk Rd in mid-January
Wetland area off of Podunk Rd in mid-January

Winter was long, cold, and beautiful. Bear Brook had cabins and wood stoves to keep me warm. There were also new friends whose smiles could get me through the chills. We had found ourselves in a winter wonderland and everyone was eager to explore. I layered on everything I had and made my way onto the trails best marked by ski and snowmobile tracks plus a few blazes.

Very muddy Campground Rd in mid-April
Very muddy Campground Rd in mid-April
Ice melting on Beaver Pond in mid-April
Ice melting on Beaver Pond in mid-April

As a long winter turned into a brief spring, Bear Brook changed suddenly and entirely. Green, my favorite color, was emerging from every limb and covering the muddy ground. There were snow flees that sounded like rain on the leaves, a chorus of frogs calling into the night, porcupine sightings became more frequent, and four pink lady slippers greeted me as I left my cabin every morning. Frequently trodden trails seemed new in the leaf filtered light and the urge to explore was pulling me outdoors even more, with the mud pulling my shoes deeper into the trails.

Hobble bush blooming
Hobble bush blooming
Newly sprouted Beech Tree leaves
Newly sprouted Beech Tree leaves
Pink lady slippers outside my cabin in May
Pink lady slippers outside my cabin in May

Now that it’s summer, I find myself taking the green leaves and dry trails for granted, but there is still newness here. Fireflies light up the road and fields, there is the occasional slap of a beaver tail hitting the still waters of Spruce Pond, snowshoe hares to chase from our garden, dragonflies zooming over head, warm but refreshing waters to cool off in, and an entire campground filled with new people that I get to share this place with.

Dragonfly
Dragonfly

Despite having spent five months here before knowing I would be Bear Brook’s Discover the Power of Parks Interpretive Ranger, I’ve found that I still have so much of this park to explore. There are trails that I haven’t walked and things that I have yet to see. If you get a chance to join me for a little while this summer, I hope you’ll take time to explore too. 10,000 acres is a lot to take in, but to the observant eye, it feels like every corner of the park has some hidden treasure or a promise it intends to keep.

Ripening blueberries
Ripening blueberries

By: Claire Delbecq, Interpretive Ranger at Bear Brook State Park

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Discover Power of Parks SCA Interpreters

Discover the Power of Parks is presented by New Hampshire State Parks in collaboration with the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps and made possible by generous financial support from Eversource. The program offers a look into the natural world through hands-on programming. Interpretive programs focus on connecting participants with nature and building appreciation for New Hampshire's unmatched natural heritage. Programs include guided hikes, interpretive tours, and imaginative environmental workshops for children and families. Programs are offered free to guests with paid park admission fee. No pre-registration is required.

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