magic wands

The European rowan has a long tradition in European mythology and folklore. It was thought to be a magical tree and protection against malevolent beings.

The density of the rowan wood makes it very usable for walking sticks and magician's staves. This is why druid staffs, for example, have traditionally been made out of rowan wood, and its branches were often used in dowsing rods and magic wands.

Rowan was carried on vessels to avoid storms, kept in houses to guard against lightning, and even planted on graves to keep the deceased from haunting. It was also used to protect one from witches.

I saw many rowan trees while hiking in the White Mountains. They are also known as mountain ash because of the ashy green of the leaves. They are no relation to the ash tree. The clusters of red berries are distinctive.

My mother planted a mountain ash in front of our hilltop house in Canada. Since ancient times, she told me, these trees were planted in front of houses as a house blessing. Rowans have many protective and magical powers. My mother was very proud of her little tree which thrived despite long cold winters and relentless wind on the hilltop.

Maybe she was also cultivating it for magic wands and walking sticks. I wouldn't put it past her.

back at sea level

Harnessing solar power on Martha's Vineyard on one of the most beautiful days of the year.

greenleaf

Having been to Madison Spring Hut, Lakes of the Clouds up on Mt. Washington, Lonesome Lake and Galehead over the past few years, we have decided we would really like to visit all the huts. The pictures from the post entitled "white mountains" (see below) are from our overnight at Greenleaf hut in the Franconia Range. It is one of the most westerly locations in the hut system and looks down on Rt. 93 far below as it winds through Franconia Notch.

Greenleaf is one of the busiest huts in the system because it is part of a beautiful loop hike. We hiked up to Greenleaf on the Old Bridal Path trail 2.7 miles with a 2,200 foot elevation gain. It took us about two and a half hours. The next day we summitted Mt. Lafayette ( 1 mile with 1,000 foot elevation gain) and then traversed the Franconia Ridge (see photos). It was windy! From there we summited Little Haystack and went down the Falling Waters Trail. It is not as remote as the hike to Galehead.

It was funny to be up in the mountains above Rt. 93 and Franconia Notch and not far from where the Old Man profile used to be. When I was a kid with my father behind the wheel of the family car, we sped past these mountains on our way north to our summer place in Southern Quebec. There was never time to stop or identify the landmarks or even visit "the Flume", a short walk from the highway. My parents were anxious to get to their beloved hilltop in Canada. Craning my neck to see the Old Man and the mountains on all sides, I never imagined I'd climb to those peaks one day.

Galehead

Hello All,
Sorry for long stretch between entries. We have been on the trail!

A few weekends ago, we visited Eliza at Galehead, where she is the hutmaster for the fall season. Galehead is the most isolated of the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) huts with the longest hike in from the road; five miles with an elevation gain of 2,200 feet.

Arriving at the hut after a strenuous hike and being greeted by Eliza and a cup of hot soup is worth every step of the way. We had a nice evening, lights out at 9:30pm to conserve energy. Most of the 48 guests go to bed while others sit up at tables and read, chat and play Scrabble with head lamps on. At 6:30 am we were awakened by Will on guitar and Eliza singing in harmony. It is a tradition in the huts to awaken guests with music in the morning. Another reason to make the climb.

The next day, Eliza joined us for a hike up to South Twin Mt. (elevation 5,100 feet) from which we had a 360 degree view of the Pemigewasett Wilderness. Can you see Galehead Hut down below?

I love seeing a structure that has no road or power lines leading to it. There it sits in the middle of the wilderness. A wind generator on the roof and solar panels (see bottom photo) provide most of the power needed to run the hut. Propane tanks are dropped off by helicopter in the spring which are used to fuel the stove.

We hiked down the next day. Stopped at Maia Papaya in Bethlehem, NH for delicious sandwiches and Mango smoothies and headed home.

white mountains

Beautiful pictures!

Zohra and Behishta, Afghanistan, age 15

Hello! I just wanted to share some pictures a friend of mine took of our young leaders from Afghanistan on culture night at Seeds of Peace International Camp. This is the one evening of the program that they wear traditional dress from their countries. I love these pictures and miss these kids. It is especially hard to read about the escalating violence in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul where they are from. So I suppose when you see Afghanistan in the news don't forget to think of these human faces as you read about what's going on. 

All love, Carrie

Shapoor, Afghanistan, age 16

Sahra, Afghanistan, age 15

Zohra and Sahar, Afghanistan, age 15 and 16

Behishta, age 15 

Rafay (Pakistan, age 16), Jay (India, age 15), Daksh (India, age 16), Jazib (Pakistan, age 16), Usman (Pakistan, age 15), Moeez (Pakistan, age 16) 

Sajia, Afghanistan, age 15

barton update

Martha sent me these pictures of the ONE monarch caterpillar she has seen in her vast open field above May Pond in Barton, Vermont.
Notice the caterpillar has attached itself to the chewed milkweed leaf and is beginning to curl up.

The chrysalis appears! How does that happen? The big transformation begins. Stay tuned.