Time and Time Again

In New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest, past residents still live on--sort of. In numerous graveyards sprinkled throughout the forest, their tombstones mark their passing. You can learn much about their lives after cleaning their granite and stone markers.

For a week in October, DCT worked on a volunteer project with the USDA Forest Service to preserve and maintain graveyards at several locations in White Mountain. Many graveyards have not been maintained except by local volunteers and historians. Sometimes relatives still place flowers, and veterans organizations place flags on markers to honor soldiers from the Civil War, Spanish American War and other conflicts. The graveyards are places to reflect on your own life while discovering facts about those buried as you clean the years of grime off the tombstones. In some cases, the stones had not been cleaned for more than 150 years. Using spray bottles filled with water and soft-bristle brushes, we slowly worked our ways down rows of markers.

It was an opportunity to be learn about the past in a postcard-picture-perfect area of New England and a chance to be outdoors during peak foliage season. After the workday, there was time to hike trails and explore nearby communities.

Covered bridges, each unique, are abundant in central New Hampshire. We stayed near the white one near the town of Campton. There are plenty of area bed-and-breakfast accommodations, but the Days Inn suited us fine because it was literally less than half the price of a BandB, had a fridge and microwave, a pool and hot tub, and was less than five minutes from forest headquarters, where we met each morning before driving to worksites. FS volunteers try to keep their personal expenses to a minimum while on a project. Basic project expenses, such as transportation, meals and lodging, are tax-deductible. Most seem to have a frugal mindset and would not be volunteering in a forest if they needed luxury lodging and fine dining.

To come: graveyard epitaphs,  area eateries, off the beaten path attractions.