October 17, 2021: Hill History

Beautiful fall color is a strong pull to get out for a walk, hike, or ride in New Hampshire.  This week I rode along the Pemigewasset River from Bristol to Franklin, following the old road that used to lead to the village of Hill, New Hampshire, located just upstream from the Franklin dam.  I knew that when the US Army Corps of Engineers built the dam the village was moved to higher ground to avoid flooding at its location right beside the river; in fact the village often flooded and sometimes was cut off from the rest of the world even before the dam was built.  What I didn't know is that eagle scout Tyler Kulacz, for his eagle scout project, created a fascinating history of the old town all along the road.  There are 15 plaques that describe many of the buildings, their inhabitants, and their history, including where they are presently located up on higher ground.

One of 15 plaques (that I found) on Old Hill Road.

Here's a link to a map of that area  with all the plaques I found on my ride.  I rode in from the State Park at Profile Falls; I've asked the Hill Historical Society for the preferred access point from town and will post it when I receive their response.

Building the Franklin Dam may have further cemented the demise of the fishery in the Pemigewasset River which previously had incredible runs of shad, herring, salmon, and American eel.  (Here are two short articles by NH Fish and Game about the anadromous fish of New Hampshire's rivers:  Anadromous Fish;  Restoration Efforts.)  But at least it had some benefits to other animals by protecting a large area of riparian habitat along the river.  And if the dams are ever removed to restore the aquatic life, the land along side it will be undeveloped and remain highly valuable habitat.  The hunters certainly like the protected habitat - I came across perhaps a dozen hunters out looking for field birds and waterfowl on the ten-mile stretch of road.  And the birds are there!  At one point I came upon a pair of pheasant just standing in the middle of the road.  

As I approached, they didn't fly, but rather started walking down the road in front of me.  I rode along slowly, and as I got closer they walked faster, and then started running - really fast - those birds can move!  Eventually, rather than flying, they ran off the side of the road and simply vanished into the thick pricker bushes.  I didn't see any waterfowl along the river, but I have seen the first migrating ducks back on Lake Wicwas:

My first sighting of migrating ducks this year.

A group of six wood ducks stopped by early Saturday morning, and one male was showing off his stuff.

They're such pretty ducks - I hope they come back when the lighting is better.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood Duck.

The fantastic fall weather continues with temperatures in the mid and even upper 70s with high humidity which tends to bring on morning fog.

But it burns off quickly as the sun warms the atmosphere, making for beautiful days to be out on land or water.  Good friends invited us for a ride on the big lake, and a great hike on Rattlesnake Island.  

Looking south towards Alton Bay from Rattlesnake Island on a perfect October day.

There's some neat geology as well as an unusual forest community on this volcanic island which is the eastern portion of the ring dike that includes the entire Belknap Range.  We saw several turkey vultures soaring on the warm updrafts along the steep hills of the island - but couldn't get any pictures.  We also witnessed a  gorgeous sunset over the hills to the west while heading back to the dock - thank you Dan & Ginny!  

Another day this week found us in Tamworth and Wonalancet at the foot of the White Mountain National Forest - always a beautiful spot, even on an overcast day.

Wonalancet Union Chapel along the Chinook Trail.

I think the warm weather has put us behind the usual foliage schedule, and certainly behind the average first-frost date as we haven't even been close to a frost yet and the average date for Meredith is October 1st to the 10th.  [REF:  PlantMaps]  The temperatures have been warm enough that I haven't yet seen mist forming on the lake in the morning as cold air flows downhill and onto the warm humid water.  But it has provided some stunning sunsets. 

And a highlight of the week:  I saw a bat fluttering around picking off insects under one of those blazing skies.

It's hard to see, but it was definitive - there are still some bats here in the Lakes Region.