Madison Boulder

Oh what a pleasant afternoon I spent with the Mister. We had no rain. yay. It's been about the third day with no rain ( Not counting last night. We got a wee bit but it was over by morn ). The Mister and I decided to head out this afternoon to find a little shop we'd heard about that was going out of business and there were big reductions. But as usual , I managed to bungle the directions and so we had a little adventure for ourselves. And lo and behold we found ourselves in the Madison Boulder Natural Area, a tract of land bequeathed to the state of New Hampshire in 1946.

The boulder is quite amazing. It is believed to have been moved by the last glacier that cut it's way through the state. There is some speculation as to where it had been moved from. The research differs as to where it might have been moved from. Some believe it to have been moved about 4 miles from a nearby mountain . Others contend that its makeup is more like that of a mountain further away , 24 miles away. Which ever is the case, it is truly amazing to speculate at moving that 5000 ton ( TONS ! ) rock. It is referred to as a "erratic" and is 83 feet in length , 23' feet high , and 37 feet in width . It is burrowed 10-12 feet into the earth. Ah ! The power of glaciers ! PHENOMENAL !

As one approaches the boulder , it size is the first thing that strikes you. It goes straight up , so is very intimidating. Sadly, the next thing you notice is the sprayed graffiti on the lower right side of it. It disheartened me at first glance to see Allison's name emblazoned on that massive natural beauty. But it lead me to speculate about our need to master forces that seem indomitable. We are still very much like our pre-historic fore fathers(mothers). I guess that we have a need to state in a bold way that we are here , and that we count for something. Unlike our predecessors, that spray paint mark won't last but a few seasons in that exposed New Hampshire climate ;unlike the cave drawings and markings throughout the world which still exist today.

As I was thinking this , I turned around the pointed head of the boulder to the back and wouldn't you know , beautifully spray painted on the backside was a nearly true-to-life silhouettte of a horse, diminutive compared to the size of the boulder.

This image was beautiful and very much more in keeping with the tradition of the cave drawings, more sophisticated perhaps , but in spirit with the them. It put a smile on my face . And can a girl ask for more?

I wish you all a good night.

Cyth