UP NIMBLE HILL

June 20, 2015December 5, 2014 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

Nimble Hill Road is quite a contrast to the congestion around the mall and big-box stores on the other side of the turnpike.

The town of Newington, just over the bridge on our way to Portsmouth, is easily misunderstood.

With a 2010 population of a mere 753, it often appears to be little more than the Spaulding Turnpike exits to the mall and big-box stores plus a few apartment complexes and a section of the Pease International Tradeport industrial park.

It also has a major electrical generation plant contributing heavily to the property tax base – a major, major factor for any municipality in New Hampshire as it addresses public finances.

The town is also surrounded on three sides by tidewater, including ocean docking on its eastern edge.

But the place was also severely impacted during the Cold War when the U.S. Air Force used eminent domain to acquire 4,255 acres to construct an air base (now turned into the industrial zone) mostly in Newington. The noise of bomber-sized jet planes taking off and landing did little to enhance the neighborhood as a place to live peacefully in those days – the frequent interruptions even forced the grade school to find a quieter setting. After all, its runway, now used by commercial, private, and National Guard flights, is among the longest in New England.

Given those factors, few people would have much incentive to take the Nimble Hill Road exit from the turnpike.

As it turns it, the road presents some classic New England just before culminating in a dead end near the runway. The historic district is a treasure.

Here’s a taste of what you’d see.

The 1725 parsonage includes a salt-box addition as an early renovation.

A cannon is part of the town monuments near the center of the Parade where the militia practiced. More Newington men served in the Siege of Louisburg (13) and War of 1812 (12) than in World War I. The background includes the well-funded library and 1712 meeting house, said to be the oldest in New Hampshire. (Hope they mean oldest in continuous use, since I know of two Quaker meetinghouses that are now private residences.)

The elementary school fell victim to loud noise from Air Force bombers.

The 1872 Old Town Hall once also housed the school.

CIVIC PRIDE

June 16, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 1 Comment

As municipalities emerged in the 19th century, the populace often took pride in the local identity – and this was reflected in the craftsmanship and details adorning their public buildings.

Dover's old waterworks. — Dover’s old waterworks.

Stained glass windows in what was the high school's chemistry lab. It's now a community center. — Stained glass windows in what was the high school’s chemistry lab. It’s now a community center.

Don't forget the central firehouse. — Don’t forget the central firehouse.

A TYPICAL TRAILHEAD

June 13, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 6 Comments

Starting off on a mountain hike in New Hampshire often looks like this. The trails are often marked by color blazes, in this case, blue.

HIGH STREET STYLE

June 11, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 1 Comment

Situated at the mouth of the Merrimack River, Newburyport, Massachusetts, has a historic harbor and charming brick downtown – one that echoes many others in New England, for that matter. Its residential neighborhoods are likewise filled with a range of fascinating details from many historic styles. But for me, the real glory is High Street, built at the height of the lucrative whale oil business. Interspersed among the dominant federal-style houses are some other fine examples. Here’s a sampling.

Lingering Georgian, without many of the distinctive details.

Greek Revival Temple, here a former church converted to private residence. It has an attached matching garage.

Georgian "Colonial" Revival — Georgian “Colonial” Revival

FEDERAL ROW

June 10, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 1 Comment

The federal style of architecture flourished from the 1780s into the 1820s, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a finer sampling of it than in Newburyport, Massachusetts – especially along High Street. Here are a few examples.

PUTTING OUR FIRST GARDEN IN

June 6, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

SWINGING A SCYTHE

June 2, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 5 Comments

This is what happens when the lawn gets out of control. It's harder work than it looks – and reason enough to invent a weed-whacker. — This is what happens when the lawn gets out of control. It’s harder work than it looks – and reason enough to invent a weed-whacker.

CASCADES MEMORIES

May 30, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 1 Comment

The Cascade Range in Washington state holds a special place in my heart.

It’s reflected in several of my novels and many of the poems.

In the high country, the range seems to extend forever.

Few photos, though, do the mountains justice. But they do help keep the memories vibrant.

North Cascades where Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen, Jack Kerouac, and other writers worked the remote fire lookout posts.

AND YOU THOUGHT TURTLES WERE SLOW?

May 28, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 2 Comments

Somehow I avoided most of the usual traffic tie-ups and wound up with some extra time to kill in the Boston area on what turned out to be the first afternoon with real spring in the air. Given the time to kill, I headed off, camera in hand, for a walk along the Charles River.

At one point, I looked down along the riverbank and saw a limb draped out into the water. Five turtles were sunning on it in a wonderful composition. The camera was in focus and I needed one more step before I aimed and clicked. Just as I did, they slipped one by one into the water.

Maybe next time.

On the way back, I came up on a couple, hand in hand, as they strolled along the pathway. Another great shot, this time of street fashion. They were in matching all black, except for his shorts, which were black with great swirls of yellow and orange. I should have taken a shot but wanted to respect their privacy.

Now I’m wishing I’d gone ahead anyway.

Two nights before, as I was heading off to a committee meeting, I saw the perfect shot of the tower on City Hall, its gold-leaf dome and golden weathervane brightly lighted by the setting sun against a slate-gray background. Unfortunately, I wasn’t carrying my camera.

That has me thinking how many great photos turn out to be like those turtles, just slipping out of sight.

Maybe it provides all the more respect for the good photos we have.

WHALE WATCH

May 26, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 4 Comments

Often, several whale watch tours will circle in the same vacinity. — Often, several whale watch tours will circle in the same vicinity.

One of the traditions I established after moving to New England meant venturing out for a whale watch each year. You never know what you’ll encounter. Sometimes it’s only a minke whale or two – the smallest of the ones we have. Or, at times, it becomes more than you can count.

The whales have the most beautiful light blue underbellies, visible if you get close enough.

In the past dozen years, though, the custom’s fallen by the wayside. Just too much else to do – and the ticket price has gone up. But as a way of getting out to sea, it’s still a cheap cruise … and it can be very peaceful, if you don’t get seasick on the way.