M O U N T C H O C O R U A
White Mountain National Forest
Southern New Hampshire

Like tattoos, these bark-engraved mementos mark a snapshot in time. Preserved in nature, these proclamations attest to the lives of people who have passed by these parts. Inspired by the passion of love (or lust), most are relationship monikers. I wonder how many of these couples are still together?

This one makes me laugh out loud. Apparently the carver was either busted by a park ranger before finishing, or more likely, had second thoughts about the status of the relationship? Maybe the carver is just one of those people who simply loves the world and left the carving open to signify as such? What do you think?

After a bit more hiking we crossover Nickerson Ledge Trail. We continue on and up Piper Trail.

I give Bill the lead and let him set the pace. It looks like he's getting a bit hot, having removed his baseball cap. And that's understandable, I'm starting to overheat as well on our mountainside climb. Nowhere do we find flat trail sections, it's all up and up.