Hi Miriam,
Wow! Hedges really says a mouthful here. I've spent a good bit of time over
the years in Northern New England. Donna and I love the mountains and the
lakes that afford a wonderful escape from city life. I must say, I feel a
bit guilty for having enjoyed that ride up to the top of mount Washington on
the cog rail. Hedges is exactly right about how the train personnel speak
glowingly about how man has "conquered" the mountain. While this article has
provoked a bit of guilt, I would not want to give up the experience of being
at the top of Mount Washington. They say this place has the world's worst
weather. On the July day I went there, the weather was sunny and around 82
degrees at the base of the mountain. At the top, it was foggy and 48
degrees. I thoroughly enjoyed the majesty of the place, but at what cost?
A few weeks ago, Donna and I rented a car and spent a wonderful day in New
Hampshire in the Lake Sunapee region. WE had a nice lunch on a mountain top
and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on the shore of the lake.
While I certainly agree with much of what folks like hedges have to say, I
also feel like they are chiding those of us who enjoy the wonders of nature
the easy way via car or train. I've hiked to the top of much smaller
mountains in my younger days, but I would have needed a good bit of training
in order to climb a mountain like Washington. And, I don't think Donna would
have enjoyed such a hike one bit.
Bob Hachey
