woman in charge

We visited Eliza at Lakes of the Clouds, an AMC hut where she and her "croo" cook and serve dinner and breakfast for 90 guests every day. She is the Assistant Hut Master this summer. The hike up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail took us two hours and ten minutes although Eliza and her croo do it in about one hour. It is a beautiful trail with waterfalls and crystal clear pools along the way. The croo pack out trash and bring in supplies twice a week from the summit of Mt. Washington which is about a mile and a half away. It is an exposed trail above tree line and more often than not it is very windy and sometimes raining.
Here is Eliza talking to the guests before serving dinner.



We were so lucky to have Eliza hike up with us. She was returning from her days off, so we got to have her company all the way up the mountain. The time flew as we talked. Note the waterfall behind the happy hikers.



One of the perks of knowing a croo member is being allowed to climb up on the roof and watch the sunset. It was spectacular when we were there and we felt really lucky to see it. A completely clear night is rare. It's not called Lakes in the Clouds for nothing!!


Time to say good bye.



The trail lead us away from Lakes and up Mt. Munroe. I took one last look at Eliza's mountain home before heading out of sight. The hut is on the left and one of the lakes on the right. Behind it is Mt. Washington.



Although I'd heard about the hut system in the White Mountains for years, I'd never been to one. I have always been really intimidated by the challenge of hiking in "the Presidentials". With Eliza up there, we were inspired to climb the mountain to see her. To get myself in a good mindset, I looked to Buddhist teachings. There is a saying, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." That's all you have to do to get up a mountain; just take one step and then another. It's a metaphor for life, too. And boy is the view worth it! I was actually sad to come down off the mountain. When the trail dips below tree line and you smell the familiar evergreens and feel mud underfoot, there's a tinge of sadness. You're leaving the realm of the gods and joining the mortal world once again.

Seeds of Peace International Camp

David and I visited Carrie at Seeds of Peace in Otisfield, Maine.
The state trooper who checked us in, stationed at the gated entrance was a visual reminder that this is not just any summer camp. There is radical work going on under the pines.
To see the pairs of 13 -15 year old teens from conflicting countries and cultures navigate the high ropes course together, each depending on the other to get to the top was very moving.
When they got to the top and everyone below cheered, they sang out, laughing... "I am a seed of peace, yeah!!"
I do believe that the hope for our future is with the youth of the world!


Carrie with dialogue facilitators from Israel and Palestine.


From the web site:
Set in the woods of Maine beside a lake, Seeds of Peace International Camp is worlds away from the daily scenes of bloodshed. The Camp provides an escape from the explosive rage and violence spilling over in the Middle East and South Asia. This neutral, supportive setting makes it possible for hundreds of young leaders from both sides of major conflicts to meet their enemies face-to-face, often for the first time in their lives. Here they confront their hatreds and deep-seated fears and tackle the issues that fuel the conflict back at home.

The 3 week conflict resolution program is designed to open young minds to the possibility of a new reality. Every aspect of the program fosters trust, challenges assumptions and narrows the psychological distance between the participants. The program’s intensity is deliberate. Each Seed shares a bunk with the very people they have been conditioned to hate. Athletic, artistic and cultural activities scheduled throughout the days deepen the bonds between Seeds. Daily dialogue sessions form the center of the program. During hours of discussion, conducted by professional facilitators, they are forced to confront their differences. By the end of the program each Seed has achieved a new threshold for tolerating ideas and understanding perspectives that were once beyond comprehension.

Each year, Seeds of Peace welcomes nearly 350 Afghan, American, Egyptian, Indian, Israeli, Jordanian, Pakistani and Palestinian participants to the camp. These young leaders are chosen by their governments, schools or other community organizations in their home countries after a very competitive application and interview process..

What you have all been waiting for!

Great Aunt Barb meets baby Margaret at last!





and some other people were there, too.

immortality continued

Martha Lamb McLean 1916-1989

Today is Mom's birthday.
She was born in July and I remember birthday parties at the Hemlocks looking across the lake to Owl's Head, gin and tonics in hand.
Unc would make the escargots and assorted other gourmet delicacies serving with a broad smile and the warmest of hugs.

In later years, we often celebrated Mom's birthday with her right here in Lincoln. The day lilies were at their peak. I remember her pushing 5 year old Carrie on the swing and holding baby Eliza. And of course, admiring the bright orange day lilies in all their splendor.

The above photo shows the lilies as they look today just as they did 21 years ago. They are in front of the dogwood tree that mom brought us as a tiny seedling.

What is immortality but being kept alive in the memories and gardens of future generations?
Happy Birthday, Mom. Thanks for everything.

9 months

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