America's Stonehenge - Introduction

In "The Dunwich Horror", HPL writes, "When a rise in the road brings the mountains in view above the deep woods, the feeling of strange uneasiness is increased. The summits are too rounded and symmetrical to give a sense of comfort and naturalness, and sometimes the sky silhouettes with especial clearness the queer circles of tall stone pillars with which most of them are crowned." In some ways, he may as well have been writing about the megalithic site in North Salem, New Hampshire, originally opened to the public as "Mystery Hill Caves" but better known today as America's Stonehenge. You can learn all about the area itself at their webpage, which is an excellent one.

I've been there several times in my life. I've been there as a child and as an adult. I feel no special spiritual connection to the locale, but I do find it fascinating. Is it real? I have no idea. I will say that, if it is a hoax, it is an elaborate one, and its been going on since at least the 30s, since that's when researcher William B. Goodwin purchased the locale and began to excavate. Many modern wiccans do feel the place is a sacred site. Just today, as we returned to the gift shop, one of the site's managers had to go out and chase off some folks who were burning herbs in a cauldron on one of the paths (not too bright because its extremely dry in the woods right now.)

Sunday, May 4, was an absolutely beautiful Spring day, so my S.O. and I hopped in the BloopWatch van and drove on up to North Salem, NH. We hiked the trails, battled mayflies, ate some chocolate-covered cranberries, and took some photos. All in all, an enjoyable walk.

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