New Hampshire has 19 Recreational Rail Trails which offer miles of scenic recreation for a variety of trail users year-round. While each of these trails consist of long, straight, gravel pathways, each has a unique setting and vary in length and scenery. These trails are spectacular recreational resources for residents and visitors alike and yet […]
The History and Science of Autumn
By: Haley Lesmerises, Interpretive Ranger at Franconia Notch State Park “Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns.” — George Eliot Autumn is here! The leaves are losing their chlorophyll, animals are getting fat for winter, and children are […]
The Times They Are a-Changin’
By: Rachel Shoemaker, Interpretive Ranger at White Lake State Park I was ready for fall – in theory at least. Pumpkin spice everything, beautiful assortments of ripe pumpkins, those unbelievable colors, and of course, all of the fun celebrations that await us every year. As much as I anticipated all of these things, I wasn’t […]
Pawtuckaway’s Hidden History
By: Rand Michaels, Interpretive Ranger at Pawtuckaway State Park In early July, while living and working at Pawtuckaway State Park, I received a letter addressed to “Chief Ranger” – making my job sound a bit more grandiose than I feel like it is. This handwritten letter was from Carl Johnson, who now lives in Barnegat […]
Coleman Estates: Family Glamping in the Great North Woods
Traditional campers may thumb their nose at sleeping in anything other than a tent but being able to explore the Great North Woods while keeping all the comforts of home is pretty awesome, especially when traveling with the whole family! At the Coleman Estates, accommodations go a step beyond glamping. The ‘cabins’ here are more […]
Encounters of the Wild Kind
By: Claire Adams, Interpretive Ranger at Greenfield & Monadnock State Parks During my adventures as the Interpretive Ranger at Greenfield State Park, I have spent a lot of time outdoors. And due to that constant exposure to the same patch of nature, I have had the privilege of catching glimpses of the variety of wildlife […]
Come for the Mountains, Stay for the Silence
By: Kate Seader, Interpretive Ranger at Franconia Notch State Park Silence was never something I was particularly fond of. The room goes silent when someone has spoken out of turn. Two friends fighting have a tense silence between them. For me, silence gave my overactive brain a canvas on which to paint everything that could […]
Bear Hill Pond Camp Reopens: A Living Historical Camp!
By: Renee Rosenbaum, SCA New Hampshire Corps, Americorps; Conservation Steward There is nothing quite like the experience of camping. The benefits of living in the outdoors – even if just for a couple days – does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. In some cases, it also provides a historical reference to past times […]
How to Avoid Losing Your Lunch to a Gull
By: Kim Snyder, Interpretive Ranger for Southern Region Parks We’ve all been there: perfect day at the beach, perfect sandwich in hand, taking in the crash of the surf and soaking in the sun. Then… A gull steals your lunch! Just swoops down and plucks it right from your unsuspecting hand. The gulls tear into […]
Hunting in NH: A Conservation Tool
By: Haley Lesmerises, Interpretive Ranger at Franconia Notch State Park It’s that time of year! Well, almost. The leaves on one of the trees outside the Hiker Cabin at Franconia Notch State Park are just beginning to change. Fall is just around the corner, and as a New England local that gets me wicked pumped […]