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 […]
hiking
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 […]
Discover the Power of Interpretation
By: Rachel Shoemaker, Interpretive Ranger for Northern Region Parks “What IS that!?” My friend stopped so abruptly that I nearly bumped into her. “What is what?” I asked, looking around frantically, trying to see what she was seeing. I looked down at the trail where she was pointing and gazed upon a creature that would […]
Catharsis at Crawford Notch
By: Kelly Graner, Interpretive Ranger at Crawford Notch State Park 6:00 AM– Beep Beep Beep sounds the alarm as you roll over in your sleeping bag, cramped inside the car. You sit up and immediately your stomach growls. Munching on some trail mix and a few spoonfuls of peanut butter, you try to find the […]
Happy Hiking: A “Peak” into a Ranger’s Weekend Whereabouts
By: Rachel Shoemaker, Interpretive Ranger at White Lake State Park With eyes closed, you feel the sand between your toes and the soft caress of the breeze on your skin. From across the lake, you hear the mysterious sounds of the loons as they call back and forth to one another. Upon opening your eyes, […]
Scooby Dooby Don’t Bring Your Dog to Monandock State Park!
Dogs are a big part of the family. You want them to be involved in the outdoor adventures your family embarks on. Get it, Bark! However some outdoor adventures are not appropriate for dogs or there could be a restriction on dogs all together. Hiking to the summit of Mount Monadnock is one of those […]
Interpreter Exclusive
At exactly 6:30AM the second floor of the Hiker Cabin is filled with the sound of Notre Dame like church bells. It is my phone alarm, and it means that it is officially time to start my day and get out of bed. I get dressed and head downstairs because soon there will be curious […]
Hiker Safety 101: Franconia Notch
There are many amazing ways to discover the outdoors. Today, hiking is perhaps one of the most popular ways to enjoy the natural world. For many people, myself included, hiking is an amazing way to decompress, find spiritual renewal, and reset my mind from the everyday hustle and bustle. However, if not taken seriously, hiking […]
Hiking Mount Pemigewasset
As the Interpretive Ranger stationed at the Hiker’s Cabin in Franconia Notch State Park, I provide hundreds of visitors with information about our trails, attractions and wildlife each week. While talking to a couple of hikers about moderate trails with beautiful views, I realized that Mt. Pemigewasset is often overlooked. This moderate, 3.3 mile out […]
Destination: Chocorua
Blog written by Pete Lampley – Interpreter at White Lake State Park Lounging carelessly on the shores of White Lake, you can take in a stunning view. Loons dive in and out of the lake. Ducks and their ducklings saunter from the picnic tables behind you into the designated swimming area (nice of them to […]