Balch Hill Natural Area

Passing the Torch at Dartmouth Pow Wow

Managed by the Hanover Conservation Council, The Balch Hill Natural Area has varied types of vegetation including open grass, shrub edge, apple trees, pines, hardwoods and hemlocks. The summit has views of Moose Mountain, Mount Ascutney and Gile Mountain. It is reputed to be an excellent spot for bird watching and is in the region of the unique Connecticut River Birding Trail. Six different trails will take you to the summit. Parking is available at the corner of Grasse Rd. and Trescott Road. The night view from the parking area is said to be spectacular as well.

The HCC has developed a management plan for the area to provide guidance for stewardship of this beautiful natural area. Central to its mission is the preservation of the pasture and vistas at the top of Balch Hill; the provision and maintenance of foot trails; the conservation of native plants and animal diversity and the protection of wildlife habitat.

The Management Plan has information on geology, soils, vegetation, wildlife. Management policies regarding viewshed, vegetation, wildlife, trail construction and education are included. A copy of the Management Plan in available at the Council office, Town of Hanover, Dartmouth College Real Estate office, Howe Library and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

The Whisper of Winter Wood (Redux) Haiku

Mixed media image hand-painted monochrome with Haiku. This image is part of a developing series on climate change.

This image can be purchased in the following forms: 

A signed limited edition original with a certificate of authenticity. Edition of 25 prints on fine art rag paper with archival inks $495, Click here.

Open Edition print 12"x14 $20.00 Click here

Open Edition print 12"x14 $20.00 

Open Edition print 20"x23" $48.34 Click here

23" x 26" Poster  $34.34 click here

Reader Responses on Mt Lions

Reader Responses
Eastern Puma Research Network

To the Editor:

As Director of the oldest & most active independent Mountain Lion Study Group in the eastern U.S, I agree wholeheartedly that native big cats continue to roam eastern North America.

Since we began field studies on the mountain lion in 1965, in central Maryland, over 9,000 sightings have been collected.

Of this overall total, approx. 63% are from witnesses with backgrounds in law enforcement, wildlife/game, & foresters. In other words, the witnesses are people who know what animal they are seeing.

75% of all sightings are NOT fleeting glances of the animal, as some state & federal wildlife agenices claim. The majority of incidents range from 2 minutes or more. Some reports are of 5-10 minute time lengths.

Although mountain lions have long been considered nocturnal animals, the most credible reports are between the hours of 7AM & 11AM, where the cat is returning from its nightly hunts. The rest of the time of day/night is about 50-50.

The majority of reports are from states closest to the Appalachian Mountains between eastern Canada & Georgia.

Of the 65 pieces of material submitted for verification in 2004, 12 were verified as "probable" puma. 2 were identified as "exotic cats". the remainder of material were tracks, scat or pictures of various land mammals.

The above evidence was confirmed by the Eatsern Puma Reserach Network's professional Science Team.

EPRN is a "grass-roots" torganization of both volunteer men and women interested in the subject of big cats in eastern North America. The majority of our members have independent wildlife groups of their own in 17 states & 2 Canadian Provinces and became "associates" due to the fact that EPRN is the only group cataloguing & recording each event.

NO state east of the Mississippi River is devoid of reports.

We have a videotape that was sent to us by a New Hampshire resident that was confirmed as a puma, due to size & behavior patterns. Unfortunately, the resident is adamant about NOT making the tape public, due to the fear of someone killing the animal that regularly visits the area.

We (the Eastern Puma Research Network) publish a flyer entitled "All You Need To Know About The Eastern Cougar". It’s FREE to anyone sending a stamped, self-addressed, business size-envelope to us.

Anyone can make copies of this flyer, as EPRN did NOT copyright it, so more people can understand the attitude & characteristics of them.

For anyone wishing to obtain a free copy of our flyer, to obtain more data on the animal or to report a sighting, they are encouraged to contact us at the address listed below.

Please visit our NEW web-site & sign the guestbook. New material is being added & will soon include maps showing approx. locations of credible incidents in each state.
Thank you for your time,

John A. Lutz, Director
Eastern Puma Research Network
epuma@beaconnet.net
Eastern Puma Research Network
HC 30 Box 2233
Maysville, WV 26833
24-Hr Hotline: 304-749-7778
E-mail: epuma@beaconnet.net
Website

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Mountain Lion Facts

Legends & Lore
NH's Mountain Lions
Mountain Lion Facts
Scientific Name: Puma concolor

Life Span: 8-11 years and up to 15-18 years in the wild and 19-20 years in captivity

Size: Males are 6-8 feet long; 110-180 pounds Females 5 to 7 feet long; 80 to 130 pounds

Status: western populations stable; increased sightings in the east, although officially extirpated in NH

Offspring: 1-6 cubs; usually 3 or 4

Description: The species name concolor indicates that the pelt color does not vary over the back, sides, limbs and tail. The color however varies geographically and seasonally from light gray to cinnamon to rust red and light tan or brown. The under parts, inner ear, lower cheeks, chin and lips are white. There are black markings on the side of the muzzle, back of the ears and the tip of the adult tail. Both males and females are colored alike. Young have black or brown spots on buffy fur for up to 18 months which gradually disappear as they mature. Adult size varies greatly and can be anywhere from 5.5 feet to 8.5 feet in length (including the tail). The tail can be up to 1/3 of the animal’s length. Weights also vary, ranging from 60 to 225 pounds. Their feet are broad with 4 digits behind and 5 digits on the front. Estimated life span in the wild is 8 – 11 years (maximum 15-18 years) and over 20 in captivity.

Habitat: The Mountain lion has a wide range of habitats although these are steadily diminishing with the encroachment of human populations. They are found in high temperate and tropical lowland forests, grasslands, swamps and any area with adequate cover and sufficient prey. Mountain lions have been found anywhere from sea-level to 10,000 feet. Habitat has become fragmented and confined in the continental USA to 12 western states and the southern tip of Florida. Mountain lions are also found in parts of Canada, Mexico and South America. Mountain lion numbers are low east of the Mississippi although there is a remnant population (Florida panther subspecies) in Florida. Generally within the geographical range mentioned above, look for them in large wilderness areas. Their environmental preference is a rocky canyon, escarpment, rim rocks or dense brush. Flat brushless deserts, agricultural areas and heavily timbered areas are avoided in favor of cleared areas at the edge of forests or wetlands. Males have a range of anywhere from 25-200 square miles with a possible overlap with another male of up to 3 miles. Females are more stable and confine their permanent home range from 5 to 20 square miles. Living areas can be identified by a scrape or even a small pile of leaves and grasses on which the male urinates or defecates to establish its territory. More likely look for an overhanging ledge, a crevice, a dry cavity, under roots or even a badger burrow or deep thicket.

Predators and Prey: Ungulates are the primary prey. It is estimated that a healthy Mountain Lion will take up to 48 deer, moose, elk or caribou a year consuming from 860 to 1300 kg of meat. In North America if deer are not available they are known to take coyote, bobcat, porcupine, beaver, rabbit, opossum, raccoon, skunk, rodents and even snake and fish. The mountain lion kills by stalking and then leaping on the back of the prey , breaking its neck by biting behind the skull. In the course of a night hunt and stalk, the mountain lion will travel up to six miles in 6 bursts of 1-2 hours each with a rest period in between. They stalk by crouching in a concealed position ready to pounce with its ears upright and tail twitching. When feeding, if it does not consume all the carcass, it will bury the remainder for later consumption. Some mountain lions have been observed eating vegetation, although animal flesh is the favored diet. Mountain lions have also been known to take domestic livestock which has led to their pursuit and killing as an unwanted predator. Sport hunting is legal in 11 western states. The only exception is California. It is estimated that 2500 mountain lion are shot and killed each year by professional and other hunters.

Adaptations and Behavior: Mountain lions are solitary animals. This solitude is broken for the adult only for breeding and parenting. Population densities vary from one animal per 25-50 square miles to one per 8-34 square miles. The animals tend to space themselves to accomodate the food supply. Up to three females with young live within an area used by a resident male. Within that same range, at any one time, will be the resident adults, juveniles, transients, kittens and young adults who have not established home ranges. Movement tends to be nocturnal with occasional crepuscular forays. Communication appears to be through vocalizations of hisses, growls and purrs, but never roars. Males from a litter band together after leaving the mother, but then disperse as adults seeking and establishing their own ranges. Generally a mountain lion will use a winter and summer home area and migrate between them, possibly hundreds of miles apart. Although adept at climbing trees, mountain lions spend most of their time on the ground. The mountain lion’s hind legs are long while the front legs are short and very muscular giving it the ability to jump15-18 feet vertically and 30-45 feet horizontally. It is estimated that they can run at speeds of up to 35 miles an hour covering more than 100 yards in less than 5 seconds. In spite of this great speed, they can only cover a short distance before requiring a rest.

Breeding and Development: Female mountain lions begin breeding at about 3 years of age and then breed once every 2 or 3 years. They mate during any season with the courtship initiated by the female and usually includes mating with a number of males. Typical litters of 1 to 6 kittens are born after a gestation period of 82-98 days. Newborns weigh up to one pound and rapidly gain weight. At birth the kittens are wooly, spotted and have short tails. Their eyes open in about 8 or 9 days. They develop teeth when they are a month old and are weaned when about 2 or 3 months at which time they accompany their mother to kills. Kittens remain with the mother into their second year.

Fun Facts: Also known as cougar, catamount, panther and 35 other names. The SLNSC mountain lions arrived in January 2003 from Montana. They were unfortunately orphaned at a young age and initially raised by the Montana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. There have been many reports of mountain lion sightings in the NH lakes region. As of this writing, there are scat samples submitted for DNA analysis to confirm the presence of these large cats in NH. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department does not recognize the presence of mountain lions in NH due to lack of confirmed sightings.

Photos and facts courtesy of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
P.O. Box 173, Holderness, NH 03245
Phone: 603-968-7194; ext. 34
Fax: 603-968-2229
Web: www.nhnature.org


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Mountain Lion Sightings

Legends & Lore
Mountain Lion Sightings

Some selected stories of mountain lion sightings, collected by John Harrigan, farmer and writer in Colebrook, New Hampshire:

Some time in the early 1980’s, longtime Colebrook farmer Harold Davis was sitting on Norma Wentzell’s porch in East Colebrook, drinking iced tea after finishing haying her field across the road. He and Norma saw a large, tawny mountain lion come out of the woods and begin mousing. They watched it catch, toss and eat mice (and probably voles) for about 10 minutes before it walked across the field and into the woods.

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In the mid-1990’s, former Colebrook selectman and longtime business owner Herc Lemieux and two friends were haying a field just below Danny Beloin’s farm on Stevens Hill when a mountain lion bounded across the hayfield right in front of them, less than 100 yards away. The three stopped their work to watch it go.

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In the late 1980’s, Lancaster resident Dick McGinnis and a car-pooling co-worker were on their way to Littleton at around 8:00 in the morning, Just southwest of Whitefield on Rt. 116, where the road curves up a hill close to the Ammonoosuc River a couple of miles north of Littleton, he and his passenger saw a cougar bound into the road from the river side and into the woods on the other side. It was close enough that Dick had to slow down to avoid hitting it.

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In 1978, the town of Stark’s librarian, an elderly lady of unassailable repute, was on her way to town when an adult cougar and two cubs emerged from the bushes along Rt. 110. She nearly hit them. When she got to the library, she went straight to the reference books to confirm what she was sure she’d seen. She had not one whit of doubt that they were cougars.


Ed's Note: Our thanks to John Harrigan for sharing these with us. Do you have a story of a sighting? email us.


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Mountain Lion Evidence from an Independent Wildlife Biologist

An Interview with Biologist Rick Van de Poll, Ph.D. by Wayne King

Read these brief reports of sightings and see if you don't become a believer yourself.


What was your first encounter with signs that Mt. Lions might exist in NH?

Between September 1999 and December 2003 I conducted natural resource inventories of approximately 8,000 acres in the Ossipee Mountains for the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. In October of 1999 I came across my first positive sign of a mountain lion in the form of an old scat on the top of Larcom Mountain. I sent the sample off to the Wildlife Conservation Society, who had it DNA tested at the National Institute of Health laboratories in Washington, D.C. This sample was too degraded to provided any results, either positive or negative. During that same month, however, I obtained a plaster cast sample of a track, at the base of the mountain, which appeared to be mountain lion.

A year later in December, in the same locale, I obtained a very fresh sample of a scat which had a distinct, cat-like odor and was the standard size for mountain lion (which I recognized immediately having collected several samples from the western United States). This time I contacted the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Federation, who agreed to test the sample along with a sample I took from the Squam Range in Holderness. Both samples were sent to the Wyoming Fish and Game Commission, and both samples were tested along with several Upper Peninsula Michigan cougar scats. Both samples were identified through nuclear satellite DNA testing to contain "no appreciable difference" in their array signature from mountain lion scat arrays that the WFGC had on file from western states. Because there were no existing arrays from New England bobcats, lynxes or mountain lions to compare them with, they did not have any secondary confirmation information with which to certify their findings. The gentleman in Michigan, however, who received the shipment through overnight delivery, stated that this scat was unequivocally mountain lion, and that he would be willing to stand by his opinion, based on several years of scat analysis he has conducted on the (now confirmed) resident population in Michigan.

Did you contact NH Fish and Game about this?

All of the above data has been related to the NH Fish & Game Department. In fact, I contacted them initially to determine if they had any DNA testing facilities in the state. I have forwarded them my own list of 32 sightings in the Lakes Region that I have gathered from area residents since 1999. I also testified at a hearing about the DNA results and had Wyoming Fish & Game Commission forward their letter of results directly to Mike Marchand at NH Fish & Game. In spite of this report, they still consider the finding insufficient to confirm active presence of mountain lion in New Hampshire.

Is there a good reason for being this skeptical on their part?

As a wildlife biologist with 30 years experience, I am inclined to be skeptical of hearsay evidence on wildlife species that are rare. I can respect the opinions of the NH Fish & Game biologists, whose public relations tasks would become more onerous should they admit that we have a federally endangered predator present in this state. However, when the preponderance of evidence points to the active presence of (likely) a few individual mountain lions in this state, it would behoove the state to begin the necessary task of gathering information that informs its population of citizens about mountain lions rather than contributing to the myth that they do not exist.

Dr. Rick Van de Poll is a principle in Ecosystem Management Consultants of Center Sandwich, NH.


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New Hampshire's Mountain Lion Mystery

by Peg Rosen
Images Courtesy Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

Imagine yourself driving a New Hampshire road at night, the winding pavement illuminated by the splay of the headlights. Suddenly, at the outer edges of your vision you glimpse an animal by the roadside, large and light in color with a long tail You stop to try and get a good look, but it’s gone. “I just saw a mountain lion!” you exclaim to yourself. But mountain lions disappeared from the forests and fields of New Hampshire long ago. Or did they? Do you believe your eyes? Or not?

You wouldn’t be alone in wondering. Numerous New Hampshire residents have encountered the mountain lion mystery Like all good mysteries, trying to discover whether mountain lions exist today in New Hampshire opens the door to a myriad of additional unanswered questions, intriguing clues and divided debate.

The Eastern Cougar (mountain lion), one of 15 subspecies of cougar living in North America, was native to our area at the time of settlement. Also called puma, cougar, catamount and panther, the eastern cougar roamed the landscape preying primarily on deer for food. Elusive and not often seen even in colonial times, its existence was threatened by land clearing for agriculture and logging. The deforestation resulted in habitat changes affecting the availability of prey and cover for protection. In addition, fearful pioneers hunted mountain lions relentlessly, adding to their decline. By the late 1800‚s, the cougar population had been hunted and displaced out of existence east of the Mississippi.

However, throughout the many years since the large, tawny cat was officially declared extirpated from the region, reports continued to trickle in from individuals claiming to have seen one. Today, apparent sightings occur regularly.. According to Mark Ellingwood, a wildlife biologist for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, several dozen sightings are reported each year in New Hampshire. In efforts to validate what may be credible reports, Fish and Game Department biologists ask observers the Who, Where, When and What of the incident and look for patterns of sightings, such as flurries or clusters of reports in a particular area. In order to confirm any sighting, the Department’s “greatest focus is on the existence of hard evidence, such as photos or videos, tracks, scat, hair samples”. On the official record to date, there has not been any piece of hard evidence available that can positively confirm a single sighting. But those who claim to have seen one of the big cats are often quite passionate about their belief in what they saw or found. For those who believe that the cougars have returned, each new sighting and testimony is a validation of that belief.

John Harrigan, a farmer and writer in Colebrook, has been keeping track of “sighting stories” since approximately 1978 and states that “the table is set” for these animals, with deer in abundance and the cougar’s willingness to feed on everything from mice to deer to young moose. With plenty of prey and still adequate forest cover, “there is no reason why there couldn”t be a viable cougar population in New Hampshire.” He applies his own version of questioning to the reports, designed to winnow out the least reliable: How far away was the viewer? What were the lighting weather, and forest cover conditions? How long was the animal in view? Mr. Harrigan declares that “although I am inherently skeptical, there is no doubt we have 2 or 3 cats, even denning females.” His conviction about the presence of reproducing cougars comes partly from several significant sighting reports that occurred in 1988-89 in broad daylight during summer months. He feels these indicate a denning female was taking chances, desperate to feed her young. Although Mr. Harrigan is one of the more vocal advocates of the mountain lion’s presence, there appear to be plenty of other proponents of the idea, as evidenced by the steady stream of reported sightings..

The opposing argument, however, can be quite persuasive when based on the premise that sightings are suspect unless validated by hard physical evidence. Dave Erler, Senior Naturalist at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire, acknowledges that, although he would very much like to see the mountain lion return to this part of the country where it was an inhabitant before any of us, there is a decided lack of confirming evidence, especially tracks. “An animal that big and heavy couldn’t possibly travel through the snow in New Hampshire and not leave tracks.” Mr. Ellingwood also says that if they were here, we would have something more definitive by now to solve the mystery. “In talking with other biologists in Florida where they have confirmed the presence of the Florida Panther, we‚ve learned that wherever there are cougars, there is no lack of evidence.”

Mr. Harrigan refutes the lack of evidence theory with reasons for the missing elements of proof, explaining that scat, tracks, bits of hair and even deer carcass from a kill will not last long unless an effort is made by the finder to preserve them effectively. Some who hold the view that the cougar is extinct here argue that a cat and car collision would otherwise have occurred by now. But could a case for their presence be made on the idea that such a small number of cats might be able to avoid that type of human contact? What about the compelling stories of sightings told by, according to Harrigan, “keen individuals who have no reason to make something like that up”? Mark Ellingwood concedes that “the people registering reports are reasonable individuals who, even though we (Fish and Game) try to remain objective and respectful of their claim, seem perplexed when we tell them their evidence is not definitive enough for confirmation”.

If the reported sightings haven’t been substantiated by physical evidence and cougars aren’t here, what are people seeing that looks like a mountain lion? Some sightings have been determined to be a matter of mistaken identity, the creature later identified as a bobcat, housecat, or other animal. But in circumstances with good viewing conditions, it would seem difficult to not recognize the distinctive size, shape, color and cat-like movements of a mountain lion

And if the great cats are indeed back, where did they come from? Are they holdouts from the original natives who have remained in Maine or the Canadian Maritime Provinces and have migrated back to our state? Although a mountain lion’s territory range can be vast and migration of some western cougars seem to have occurred in the Midwest based on confirmed sightings there, Ellingwood states that “even though it’s not impossible, the dispersal distances seem too great„ to make migration a likely scenario”, while Harrigan observes that “animals don’t pay attention to borders” and seemingly credible sightings in eastern Canada put the mountain lion in range of our state. Or perhaps the sightings are of escaped or released exotic pets. Could a cougar kept in captivity make it‚s way as a wild creature and manage to survive? Some say “yes”, some say “no”. Cougar strength, agility and power is certainly evident in the physical appearance of the two captive mountain lions at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Brought to the Center from Montana as orphaned two-week-old cubs, they could not have survived without their mother. But, now, as full-grown adults, they seem to possess the physical qualities needed to hunt in our wilderness. But would they know how or be able to learn quickly enough? Who can say if a sighting is of a native Eastern Cougar, an escaped cousin from captivity, or nothing related to a cougar at all?

As long as there are unconfirmed sightings, there will be a mountain lion mystery. “Are there mountain lions in New Hampshire?” Mr. Erler has created categories for the possible responses: Category #1. “Don't know, don't care”, Category #2 “Yep, they’re here”, Category #3. “Nope, they're not here”, and Category #4. “Not sure - wish I could believe they were, but not enough proof to support the notion”.

In what category would you place yourself?


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By Way of the Connecticut River Scenic Byway

By Theresa Ludwick

Geography and Geology made the Connecticut River. History made the villages and towns that grew up along its rolling course. Like the river itself, a drive along the Connecticut River Scenic Byway will put you in a meandering mood as you leave the present (and its hassles) and enter a past filled with the quaintness of pristine farmlands and time-stands-still village

squares.

A River Runs Between Them

Starting near Canada, New England’s longest river forms a natural north-south border between the states of New Hampshire and Vermont for much of its 410 miles, before traveling through Massachusetts and its namesake state on its rendezvous with the Atlantic Ocean. The river’s vibrant life-force began drawing European settlers over 250 years ago to the rich soil that edged its banks, giving rise to an agricultural tradition that many of their descendants carry on to this day.

With the escalating growth of farming and animal husbandry – sheep wool became a major commodity early on – supporting industries sprouted to keep up with growing demands in and beyond the Connecticut River Valley. Textile mills and manufacturing companies ensured an ever-increasing economical stability. These stalwarts of commerce still stand in many of the river communities, though their functions have changed: museums, office buildings, malls, even restaurants, the architecture paying homage to an era in which the Connecticut River was an integral part.

One of the outstanding features of the Connecticut River Byway communities is the historical covered bridges that span the river and its tributaries along its course. From Creamery Bridge in Brattleboro, Vermont, to Mechanic Street Bridge in Lancaster, New Hampshire, the artful combination of function and symmetry reflects the skill and devotion of their original architects.

The Current Of Time

With the advent of the steam engine, Connecticut River Valley technology leaped into the future. Railroad transportation replaced the relatively slower, more arduous river and road conveyance of both goods and people. This allowed for quicker transport of farm produce and raw materials, and the birth of a new industry that has not abated: tourism.
In support of this, the Connecticut River Byway Council was formed in1999 to promote the Connecticut River Valley’s rich historical, agricultural, and recreational resources. Combining a conglomerate of interests in both New Hampshire and Vermont, the Council strives also to maintain wise stewardship of resources and to cultivate support through education and various related initiatives and programs.

As a historical treasure trove, the Byway is indispensable, providing visitors to the valley with an abundance of insight into the culture of early Americana. Landmarks, buildings, architecture, and museums chronicle the fact that history happened here, and in a big way. Agricultural fairs have long been a binding force among the communities, and are still a source of pride and cultural significance where the past blends with the present, demonstrating the best of both.

So, it’s not just about the past! The present is filled with opportunities to sample a natural realm of rugged mountains, waterways, and forests that time and the valley’s unavoidable development could not alter. State parks abound. Camping, biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing: all manner of recreational possibilities invite year-round, and for pilgrims seeking spiritual refuge from the white-heat world, there’s no better sanctuary than the Connecticut Valley’s wilderness, where the Great North Woods enclose you like a mother’s warm and comforting womb. Numerous trails accommodate the quiet seeker and the challenge-seeking adventurer, including the venerable Appalachian Trail, which traverses the two states for a total of 311 miles. As well, the varied character of the river itself provides the opportunity for leisurely canoeing or fast and furious kayaking, and some of the region’s best fishing occurs along its moving mass.

The present also offers the treat of enjoying the bounty of the land as locals vend everything from homegrown maple syrup, honey, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables, to artistically and traditionally crafted wood and wool products. After biting into a crisp, freshly picked Cortland or Macintosh apple (Is your mouth watering yet?), you’ll never want another store bought imitation.

Flowing Toward the Future

The individual municipalities that make up the Connecticut River Byway community – villages like Bellows Falls in Vermont, or New Hampshire’s Colebrook – each contribute to the whole in their own unique ways. Take Bellows Falls: once a leader in the papermaking industry, and home to the country’s first canal, built in 1802. Colebrook, on the other hand, had the distinction of being the “potato capital” of the state, thanks to its fertile farm soil. Tucked into the northern, forested reaches of the state, its section of the river was the site of many a log drive (and jam) in the heyday of the New Hampshire logging industry.

Blessed by a prosperous past, the communities of the Byway press on toward the future, welcoming travelers like old friends. Indeed, some have come to visit, and stayed, captured and liberated at the same time by their small-town, homespun essence, their natural beauty, and their connection to the river. Like an umbilical cord that sustains and nourishes the child, the American Heritage-designated Connecticut River faithfully supported the early New England Byway communities as they grew and thrived. Though the people, the times, and the definition of progress have changed, the river still runs.

(For more information on the Connecticut River Scenic Byway, lodging, activities, and just about anything you want to know, visit www.ctrivertravel.net)