Vibe-Fall-2024 - Flipbook - Page 10
REAL ESTATE CORNER By Bernadette Donohue
“Under All Is the Land” ... Stewardship in Everyday Life
I
t was a picturesque, endlessly blue-sky day in September
when 50 of us gathered at Marshfield Station to board the
Cog Railway to the summit of Mount Washington. Heading
to the top of the tallest peak in the Northeast, known for its
worst weather conditions, we were incredibly grateful for the
clear skies and warm-ish weather as our ascent began. A grade
averaging 25 percent (sometimes up to 38 percent) makes this
the world’s second steepest mountain climbing railway. Stellar
visibility, phenomenal views, an expert engineer, and guide
provided us with a historical narrative of the 155 years in operation, along with safe passage to the top. On this day, there was
70-plus miles of visibility, and we were told you could see from
Quebec to the Atlantic Ocean as we roamed around the rock
pile, soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery.
It’s been a while since I first summitted Mount Washington
in the mid-1980s. I remember like it was yesterday: the feeling
abilities to experience the majesty of the tallest peak in the
Northeast with its panoramic breathtaking views. In the 40
years since, I’ve been to the summit by car and van with family
and friends, who would not have otherwise been able to make it
up, and I can now add the Cog to the list of my summit adventures. Getting to the top via Cog was yet another hillclimb I
won’t soon forget. What an amazing “classroom” environment
we have available to us, right in our own backyard. Fifteen
years ago, on an elementary school field trip, my son’s class
visited the Tip Top House, and I felt the very same. We are so
very fortunate to be able to share in the magnificence of this
natural wonder.
Since our office’s merger three years ago, Badger Peabody &
Smith Realty’s eight office locations throughout the state, come
together for team-building trips, taking advantage of the local
beauty and adventure that surrounds us. A fantastic way to take
I’ve always understood and appreciated that beauty and nature aren’t just a backdrop to
our everyday life in the Valley and notch communities: they’re the very reasons that people
choose to visit, vacation, and/or settle in the lakes and mountain regions of NH, ME, and VT.
The land itself is what ties us all together.
of pride and accomplishment; then in my mid-20s and having
hiked my way for the first time to the top of this 6,288-foot
mountain, to earn the reward of these same jaw-dropping
views. I also recall a feeling of disappointment as I experienced
a rather busy hub on the summit, crowded with people who
came by vehicles that filled the lookout points with tourists,
cars, vans, and, of course, the Cog. Over time, however, I
have developed a different appreciation for this welcoming
summit—an inspiring place that allows people of all ages and
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a break from routine, appreciate camaraderie, and add some
new experiences to our firsthand knowledge of the amenities
in the areas we serve. The first year, we went ATVing in the
hills of Berlin. Something I never thought I would do, but found
myself loving the off-road experience, excitement, and a new
perspective of views. The second year was an educational and
equally inspiring (albeit, more relaxing), afternoon boat ride
on “Golden Pond” through the Squam Lakes Natural Science
Center. This year’s trip to the top of Mount Washington, via the
MWVvibe.com
