Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS photographed from the Uncanoonuc Mountains in Goffstown, New Hampshire
I heard that comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) was going to be visible and I thought It would be fun to try and photograph it. The last comet I was able to capture was Comet Neowise.
Low clouds on the horizon on day one.
The comet is supposed to be visible for about a week or two under ideal conditions. The tricky part is that the comet is close to the sun making it harder to see and is only visible just after sunset and just before sunrise.
Great Sunset on the second night but no cometThe sun jst about ready to drop. Thin clouds though.
It took me three evenings to get these shots. The first night I tried, there was a thick layer of clouds along the horizon. The second night there was a thin layer of clouds.
Third night success.
The third night looked to be clear skies, so I crossed my fingers and headed back up Uncanoonuc. This time I got there after sunset and decided to stay the full hour and a half before the comet disappeared behind the horizon.
Evening Sky with Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
When I arrived, there were quite a few people there. Some with cameras and some with telescopes. It was breezy and chilly. After sunset everyone started leaving. It was chilly and the sky was still to bright to see the comet.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS photographed from the Uncanoonuc Mountains
After a while I was the only one left on the mountain. I took a test shot and noticed the comet in the photo. I zoomed in and took another to be sure. Yup it was a comet.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS over New Hampshire
From here I was able to track and photograph it for about a half hour. Very fun. These are the photos I got. Some are a little blurry due to the winds and longer exposure attempts. I’m Pretty happy with them.
It pays to be patient and persistent.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. Uncanoonuc mountains.Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in the skys of New Hampshire Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS after sunset
Columbus Day Weekend is always crazy busy in New Hampshire with leaf peepers from around the world. I was surprised to see this was not the case on our hike. My friend Jack suggested a hike up to Greeley Ponds from the Waterville Valley side.
Fall Foliage above us
We got to the Livermore parking lot about 8:15 AM and were on the trial by 8:30ish. The lot holds 20+ cars. We took a small walk around from the main Livermore Road trail to avoid the swarms of hikers. From here we came to the large junction, crossed the bridge and were at the start of the Greeley trail.
Sometimes if felt like we were walking in a stained glass cathedral
The trail starts down a large pine corridor. It is mostly flat the next mile/mile and a half. The trail runs along the Mad River that eventually makes its way down to Campton and then the Pemigewasset River.
Foliage Selfie
As we walked down the path the sun lit up the red, orange and yellow leaves above us. They made for some great pictures with the blue-sky background. The winds were blowing pretty well along the trail. We soon came to the Goodrich Rock Junction.
Goodrich Rock Junction
Not far after that sign the trail angles up ward with a steady but easy incline. You can notice the brook getting further and further below. There were lots of breaks to take photos. In some areas it is was like we were walking in a cathedral hall with stained glass leaves above us.
One of the bridges along the way
After a bit we came to the high camp trail. I’ll have to come back another time to go up there. Soon the trail leveled out and then began to drop back down about 200 feet to the river.
Got some views of the East Osceola Cliffs from our route.
There were a few ups and downs before we got to a bridge and a junction with the Kancamagus Ski Trail. Yet another trail to check out sometime. A little further down there were some good views of the East Osceola Cliffs.
Lower Greeley Pond
We came to another junction where we had to cross the stream to get to the Lower Greeley Pond. In about a quarter mile we were at the base of the pond. A little ways further there was a good place to stop and take some photos and have some coffee. The wind was really gusting off the water while we were there.
A little hot coffee felt good with the cold wind.
After our break we continued to the Upper Greeley Pond. This section of trail was a bit more rugged the previous. It was about a quarter mile to the base of that pond. We got there is was a bit smaller than it looked on the map. We took a few pics.
Another view of Lower Greeley Pond
While we were here we heard other people for the first time. I was surprised we had not seen anyone else up to this point. Especially with the trail being such an easy stroll for so long. We started back to the lower pond and then back tracked to the car.
Upper Greeley Pond
On the trip back we passed a hand full of people heading up to the pond. The trip back was mostly downhill and went quickly. It was interested to see the change in colors now that the sun was higher in the air.
When we got back to the main junction at Livermore Road, we looped around one of the XC trails before going to the car.
Jack out on the the Lower Greeley Pond
The whole trip was about 9 miles and a 1000’ of elevation but is mostly flat and easy. This is a great route to go out for a stroll and immerse yourself in the woods.
This statue sits outside the main witch museum in Salem near Salem Common. Roger Conant was the founder of Salem and some other communities in MA.
The statue is bronze and sits up on a bolder brought from a nearby farm. What makes this particular statue interesting to me was that it was mistaken for a witch in a magazine article back in the 1990s. Conant is still mistaken for a witch to this day. Maybe because he is out in front of the witch museum, maybe because his had looks like a witches hat.
Either way this is a fun land mark to go out and take a picture of it.
A plaque on the bolder that the statue sits on.
The Roger Conant Statue, Salem, MassachusettsThe Roger Conant Statue, Salem, Massachusetts
A quick trip to Salem MA, and got a change to see the Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery located at the end of Essex Street.
I used to love watching this show when I would stay home sick from school. I guess this statue has a little bit of controversy. Some did not want it in Salem because they thought it made light of some of the witch trials.
On the day I was there, plenty of people were around the statue to get their picture taken.
“Hair fo gold, eyes that twinkle A nose that neatly twitched, Clever, charming and enchanting Samantha left us all Bewitched.”
Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery in Salem MA.Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery in Salem MA
I got a later start then I had intended to. I didn’t get the Basin parking lot in Franconia State Park until 10:30am. But that was fine. I was not on any time schedule. My plan was an out and back up to Lonesome Lake via Basin Cascade trail.
Some of cascading water and granite slabs at the beginning of the trail
The weather was mostly cloudy, but the sun did peak out as well. Temps were perfect for hiking with highs in the low 70’s. The parking lot was pretty full but I was able to find a spot. In-fact all of Franconia State Park was busy. The leaves are starting to change and the tourists are coming to see them.
More cascading water along the trail
I started out and checked out the Basin waterfall. Lots of people taking pictures so I did not stay to long.
I started up the Basin Cascade Trail. This follows a flowing cascade of water most of the way. There were lots of hikers, people fishing and others just out enjoying a little nature.
Kinsman Falls along the trail
I stopped at many of the outlooks to see the falling water. It was all very pretty. I stopped at Kinsman Falls for a few pics. For the most part the trail was moderate, but lots of wet rocks and roots.
Some of the muddy sections along the hike
I continued up a bit, and the trail got a but muddy. Then it got very muddy, My foot sunk down to my chin. I made my way forward with heard paths around the mud before I realized I missed the trail where it crossed the river a quarter mile back.
Rocky Glen Falls. My favorite water fall on this trail.
The river crossing was a little tricky and took some balance and steady feet but I was able to make it across dry. From here the trail starts to climb a bit more. It follows the brook with lots of small waterfalls and cascades.
Soon I was at Rocky Glen Falls. This was my favorite waterfall on this trail. When I got there the water was flowing pretty good. So I grabbed some pictures and continued on.
Making my way up the trail
When I reached the junction with the Cascade Brook trail, which is part of the Appalachian Trail, I was faced with another water crossing. Where the trail crossed looked a bit tricker then I was willing to attempt so I made my way upstream with some easier crossing options.
Looking at the water crossing
At this point, I decided I did not want to descend this trail like I originally planned. There were to many opportunities to slip and fall. I still had the option to go down the Lonesome Lake trail and walk the bike path home.
First views of Lonesome Lake
Once across, I continued up the trail. This trail was much more rugged then the previous. Lots of we rocks to walk over and around. The incline had also increased. Especially the last little push up to Lonesome Lake.
Lots of people at the lake hanging out.Franconia Ridge over Lonesome Lake
Once I was at Lonesome Lake, I sat down with some other hikers for a bit and then went up to the hut. While looking at a map and saw the bike path was about 2 miles. Even though this route was much longer than the out and back. I felt I could move faster than I would going down the way I came.
Inside the hut
So, I filled my water and set out down the Lonesome Lake trail. This trail is steep but very sturdy and easy to climb down. I made it down to the Lafyette campground in less than an hour. I thought about asking some hikers for ride to the Basin parking lot but decided it was best to hike myself out. After all I was not on a timeline.
Making my way down the Lonesome Lake Trail.
The bike path is a beautiful pathway through Franconia Notch. Lots of bridges and lots of cool trees, moss and streams etc. I took my time and a few breaks along the way but was at my car within an hour. I was so glad I decided to walk the path.
Arriving at the parking lot in Lafayette Campground. Starting down the bike pathLots of fun bridges to cross on the trailBack at my car
While this loop was not my original plan, I’m glad I opted to do it this way.
Fall weather is here again. And the temperature was perfect for a Sunday morning stroll up to the Stratham Fire Tower in Stratham Hill Park. Before this, I had never been to this fire tower.
Looking up at Stratham Fire Tower
When Liberty and I arrived at the parking lot, we were both surprised to see the lot almost completely full. We soon realized that there was a car show going on and lots of classic cars on display.
Top of the hill
We started up the main trail that goes straight to the Tower. When we got there a few mountain bikers, and a few hikers/walkers were already there.
I didn’t want to leave Liberty by herself at the bottom, so I did not climb up the tower. I’ll have to comeback another time to see those views.
Grinchy tree along the trail
From there we decided to walk a some of other trails located in the park. The trails zig-zag round the park property and beyond.
bog bridge over some wet rooty areas
Eventually we ended back at the fire tower and made our way down from there. The park seems to have a good mixed use between all the hikers and mountain bikers.
The trails are all in very good condition and well maintained. This a very beautiful park, I’ll have to come back and ride my bike around.
Lots of plaques and memorials at this park. This was my favorite. Abraham Lincoln’s Son read the Declaration of Independence on this rock.
