Landing on "The Rockpile"

The top of Mt. Washington in the rugged White Mountain of New Hampshire is hardly a hospitable location for casual traveler and an even more unlikely location for an airport. It was however, transformed into a makeshift landing site in the spring of 1947 for Carmen Onofrio. Mr. Onofrio was the airport manager, mechanic and a local air enthusiast when he was asked if landing on top of the “rock pile” could be accomplished. Changing out his rubber tires for a pair of skis and after a few hair-raising attempts to get the approach just right, he successfully landed his 1941 J-3 Cub .

In cooperation with the US Army Signal Corp and Northwest Airlines, the mission was set in motion to test instruments in near arctic conditions. Beginning on March 12, 1947, Mr. Onofrio made a total of 42 flights to the top delivering men and equipment in pursuit of air safety. Using the Glen House as a staging area, a record 14 flights were made in a single day.

There is no question that Mr. Onofrio had nerves of steel and a strong sense of adventure. No one has ever made another attempt at the summit.

The Flying Connie

Flying into the Auburn-Lewiston Airport in Maine carries with it a look back to the grandeur of the first transcontinental airplanes. Long the dream and focus of local resident Maurice Roundy, two of his historic planes have been acquired by Lufthansa historic flight foundation, Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung (DLBS), to restore the aircraft to airworthy condition. One is still sitting on the tarmac and its sheer size as compared to the other general aviation planes is immediately striking. The sleek silver airplane with its 150-foot wingspans and tri-tail design are unlike anything on the ground or in the sky today.

This extraordinary airship traces its roots back to 1939 when Howard Hughes unveiled a plan for faster non-stop passenger service coast to coast. The Constellation, or Connie as it was affectionately called, would enable his TWA airline to lead the way in air travel. Lockheed produced the plane from Hughes rough sketches and made it the most elegant aircraft of the time. 

As soon as the plane has been completely restored, it is destined to be relocated to Europe. If you want to get a glimpse, don’t delay!

A River Runs It; Get With The Flow!

For many years I have been actively working with a local land trust to select and preserve significant properties with conservation easements. There are many challenges to good conservation work, not the lest of which is finding the resources to fund the transaction cost to protect the land.

Last evening I attended a session sponsored by the Connecticut River Joint Commission, whose job it is to study the Connecticut River, to hear the science behind river protection. The study of rivers is called Fluvial Geomorphology and by the end of the evening I had a new appreciation for the scientists that spend their lives studying the rivers. The fundamentals of river behavior and the general principles of fluvial geomorphology are sedimentation, hydraulics, restoration, fish habitat improvement, riparian grazing management, and streambank erosion. Problem solving techniques for watershed management, riparian assessment, fish habitat structure evaluation, stream restoration, non-point source pollution and the integration of ecosystem concepts into watershed management are the outcomes of this kind of serious study.

As you can well imagine, it turns out that water will make its own path regardless of how man has tried to train or confine it to new barriers. The ripple effect of changing the flow of water at one point works its way back to the point of original tampering. It has been estimated that over one third of the Connecticut River’s 85 mile stretch from Pittsburg, NH to Dalton, NH has been manipulated by man. In the 1800's, when logging was the primary industry, the river was straightened to prevent log jams. Water powered mills popped up to take advantage of no cost power. The railroads also played a part in moving the water’s course to reduce the cost of building bridges over meandering streams.

Slowly, over time, the river has worked to regain control over its original path. Seems we could all take a lesson from the fluvial geomorphologists. Let’s get with the flow and stop operating our lives from a place of fear, shake it up, let’s have some fun!

Connecticut River to Cornish and Back

Deciding what to do on a partly overcast summer Sunday afternoon, I headed south along the Connecticut River to Cornish, NH. Cornish, once a hot-bed of budding painters, sculptors, illustrators, novelists, composers, and musicians is a small community along the banks of the Connecticut River about a half hour’s drive from Hanover. My destination was the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site and the only National Park in NH. Once the private residence of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the grounds and various buildings now house many of his original works. The Farragut Monument, his first commissioned public monument, commemorates Civil War Admiral David Glasgow Farragut and the Shaw Memorial commemorating the Massachusetts 54th Regiment of African American Volunteers showcase his artistic legacy. Old-fashioned perennials grace the property and pine and hemlock hedges encase a formal setting for additional sculpture pieces.

The Trustees of the Park have arranged with various musical artists to perform on Sunday afternoons in the “Little Studio” building. Pending fair skies, visitors bring lawn chairs and picnic on the grounds. The season opening event featured Aine Minogue on Celtic harp and vocals and Eugene Freisen on cello. The studio was filled to overflowing with enthusiastic guests and many more spilled onto the lawns to enjoy two hours of sweet melodic tunes.

After spending an enjoyable afternoon at Saint-Gaudens, I headed south along Route 12A towards Windsor, VT. and home to the longest covered bridge in the United States, spanning an amazing 449’ 5”. The Cornish-Windsor Bridge, built in two sections as a lattice truss structure, is the longest two span bridge in the world and it has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

Just after crossing this enormous bridge, a right hand turn brings you onto Windsor’s Main Street. In a block or so look for the Firehouse Museum also known as the Cornish Colony Museum, home of many works of Maxfield Parrish. I had just enough time to have a quick look around and was delighted to learn that this summer’s feature is “The Artistry of the Women of the Cornish Colony.” Works by Bessie Potter Vonnoh, Helen Mears, Frances Grimes and Edith Mitchill Prellwitz are among those on display.

The afternoon flew by and I was enriched beyond expectation, well worth a repeat visit or two!

A Flight to Rockland, ME

lying up the Maine coast can be an adventure all of itself but when you add a trip back in time with a visit to the Owl's Head Museum it becomes awesome in a hurry! The museum was conceived by Tom Watson, former president of IBM and James Rockefeller, Jr. as a place to house their separate collection of "toys." They put their heads together and their dream came to life with the formation of a non-profit trust. In just a few short years, 60+ acres of land was acquired adjacent to the Knox County Airport in Rockland, Maine to house their prized possessions. A brand new facility was constructed and the museum opened in 1976. More than 100 "pioneer-era" aircraft and automobiles are on permanent display. Motorcycles, carriages, bicycles and engines are but a few of the additions. It is amazing to me that under one roof you can inspect a replica of the Wright Model B, a vintage Harley and a 1929 Rolls Royce. This is a first class operation complete with a restoration hanger, library and education center. Rides in a 1933 Waco or 1941 Stearman Biplane await just outside the door. What could be more exciting than a view of Penobscot Bay from the air? Special events are scheduled throughout the summer season and into the fall including antique auto auctions. I hope you will make plans to visit and spend some time. History comes to life everyday at Owl's Head! www.ohtm.org