Summer arrives on the summit... 2007-06-21 10:03:12.000 - Jim Salge,  Observer Lupines below the Presidential Range... Much like Jon, I have enjoyed the use of some accumulated vacation time in recent weeks. Like Jon as well, I spent some of it in New York, but mainly spent it taking the time to really enjoy the transitions in the forest that lead up to the arrival of summer. Now most of the forest flowers have run their cycles, and the last of the prominent spring blooms, the lupines, fill the notches. It’s time for summer. I arrive back on the summit

Reflections of an Observer, Part 2 2007-06-20 06:58:23.000 - Jon Cotton,  Observer Diapensia lapponica Sometimes it's near impossible to appreciate the sky portion of the world because the ground part sticks up so high. That's not a bad thing, but it does create a sense of distance. A week of my vacation was spent in NYC. As a mountain dweller/outdoorsman/country boy I can say I had a blast. I meant to spend two nights and train back to the quieter land of upstate New York. Then I fell into an apartment sitting gig complete with dog walking duties. Open-ended plans

Air Quality Impressions 2007-06-19 06:29:06.000 - Jon Cotton,  Observer Haze Version of Thin Wave Stratus Yesterday dawned with thin veils of cloud draping the Presidential range intertwining in arcing waves. The photos posted were taken at 4:30am. Here is the same scene photographed at 7am. Visibility here is 10 miles, reduced from 90 miles just two and a half hours earlier. Unfortunately haze like this is quite common in the summer months.Some quick reasons for it - the Midwest pollutes, the mid-Atlantic does too, the summer jetstream rides south of its winter track to fall over the northern USA and

Reflections of a Summer Observer 2007-06-18 06:47:04.000 - Jon Cotton,  Observer Thin Wave Stratus Recently returned from a glorious vacation (the first in a year and a half), I'm ready to add some thoughts to these here comments. Regular readers can already see how much change is happening as summer settles in. I've got new Observer coworkers, new intern comrades and brand-new first time volunteers are arriving for week long experiences. The Mt Washington Auto Road has hosted a slew of events including but not limited to Bike Day, a second Bike Day, the Foot Race, Alternative Energy Vehicle Day,

Ride to the Sky 2007-06-14 18:36:35.000 - Dan Harnos,  Summit Intern The standard for Thursday Leather clad motorcyclists and the roar of motorcycles effectively took over the summit today for the Auto Road's "Ride to the Sky." While going on a brief walk today down to the helipad with Maria to take care of some maintenance, a continuous stream of bikes streamed by, rendering conversation utterly useless. The lots up here were also predictably packed from end to end with them as well (see photo). It certainly was a different atmosphere up here on the summit, but needless to say

NULL 2007-06-12 11:33:41.000 - Jon Gale,  Summit Volunteer Nin enjoying the nice weather My last day. Preparing a 20 lb. turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, orange salad, and strawberry shortcake for tonight's meal and some special visitors that are coming up to stay the night.This week has been beautiful weather wise. It's been up to 63 degrees with incredible views and calm winds. Very unusual. It's allowed me to get out and hike several times which has been nice.I've really enjoyed the staff. Yesterday Nin clawed up into my lap, letting me know that I've officially been accepted.

NULL 2007-06-10 21:14:23.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer Looking up the gully "Maybe I will be back, but much like the weather on this mountain, the future can be very unpredictable. Only time will tell..."This is a quote from the last comment that I wrote as an intern back on May 3, 2006 (you can look it up in our comments archive). Little did I know that just over a year later I would return. There was certainly no doubt in my mind that I wanted to come back after the incredible experience I had as an intern during the winter

NULL 2007-06-09 14:07:48.000 - The Reed Family,  Summit Visitors The Reed Family on the Summit We arrived up here on the top of Mount Washington, on a glorious Friday afternoon. It is our first visit to the summit as a family and we were very excited. This is a very special trip as we are to be guests of the Observatory, for the weekend. Our adventure began at the Weather Discovery Center where we met Susan and collected a parcel to deliver to the chef. As we drove up the Auto Road we saw a change of scenery and weather

Cathys first comment 2007-06-08 21:16:27.000 - Cathy Radonic,  Summit Intern A 'herd' of Corvette My first few days up here on the mountain as a new summit intern have gone by so quickly, as I have become pleasantly wrapped up in learning the ways of the observatory. Life here above (well, just as much in) the clouds is much different from the hustle and bustle of busy Long Island, where I was born and raised. It seems like a lifestyle that I could quickly get accustomed to, though! But, I do have a great deal to learn and I accept

Rime Time 2007-06-07 18:54:15.000 - Lynn Metcalf,  Summit Intern Photographing rime at night My second week on the summit has started off with a bang, as I got to experience Mount Washington’s infamous rime for the first time. During my first week on the job, the summit experienced a streak of warm and clear weather that lulled me into a false sense of the conditions up here. I must admit I am glad that I have now gotten a taste (even if very small) of the winter-like weather conditions Mount Washington has to offer; even though this meant staying up