[at-l] Monadnock

[pmags at yahoo.com (Paul Magnanti)]

Ah Monadnock. A lovely peak. Short drive, wonderful
views, has a literary history and is a major New
England landmark.

It was the second mountain I ever climbed, and one I
climbed fairly requently once I was bit with the
hiking bug. It is always a popular peak, even in
winter! 

Depending who gives the stats, it is the most (or
second most) hiked mountain in the world, and is now a
geological term. 

It really is a "peoples" mountain. Challenging enough
where you feel like something has been accomplished,
but easy enough where a family can do it. 

If you are lucky enough, do Monadnock on a WEEKDAY
during Autumn. See the riot of colors over the New
England landscape. Yellows, greens, reds. Smell the
slight smell of dampness and decaying leaves that is
so much part of a New Enland fall. Feel the crisp air
as you hike up the mountain.  Sit in "Thoreau's
Throne" and see the sights that could have inspired
him to an essay called "Autumnal Tints". 

As you drive away from Monadnock, be sure to pause for
a while and see the setting sun with Monadnock in the
foreground...

Yep..nice mountain.





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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau