Rock, Water, and Light

Atlantic # 7

2012-01-29T21:16:00.001-05:00

Atlantic Winter Light

2012-01-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

Moody photos

2012-01-20T06:44:00.000-05:00

Cold cold mornings

2012-01-16T13:39:00.001-05:00

2012 Exeter Exhibit of the NHSPA Opens Today

2012-01-14T09:50:00.003-05:00

The 2012 Exeter Exhibit of the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists has an Opening today, Saturday January 14, and continues through February 11, at the Exeter Town Hall Gallery. I had an early preview and the show has some seriously outstanding work. Go check it out! (I have a couple pieces in the show too ;->)

Sunset, New Years Day

2012-01-08T12:52:00.001-05:00

Sunset, New Years Day

Lake Winnisquam, New Hampshire

Winter Abstracts

2012-01-05T07:51:00.001-05:00

One from Ogunquit Maine, one half a mile from home.

Happy New Year +5.

Ogunquit Sunset

2012-01-02T17:25:00.002-05:00

Ogunquit Sunset

Happy New Year All!

Rock, Water, and Light is happy to announce the January Print of the Month: Ogunquit Sunset.

This photograph was taken at the Rivermouth in Ogunquit, Maine on September 17, 2011. This location has a special place in my heart. My wife and I said our wedding vows on this beach 8 years ago, and this image was taken on our first trip to the beach with our newborn daughter Lucinda.

The image will be printed in-house on Pro Platinum, Canon's flagship photo paper. It provides a luxurious texture, high color reproduction and delivers superior photo vividness. This paper is rated to last up to 200 years in good conditions.

The print measures 11 x 17 and is printed on 13 x 19 paper. The cost is $60 including shipping (in the continental U.S.).

You can also join our Print of the Month Club for significant savings: for $500, you will receive the Print of the Month for an entire year. This is an excellent way to furnish a home in beautiful artwork or collect gifts for Christmas or birthdays all year! Artwork also makes a wonderful donation to silent auctions for your favorite charity.

To order this print or join the Print of the Month Club, email scottsnyderphotography@gmail.com. We can bill through Paypal, so you can pay with a credit card, or we will take checks through the mail. Let me know if you would like to be added to our private email list for monthly updates.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:14:00.002-05:00

20 for 2011

2011-12-29T21:18:00.000-05:00

Today I am reviewing images from the past year and dreaming up next year's wanderings. Here are 20 photos that I am happy with today.

This has been a year full of change at the Snyder house. Ally and I were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lucinda, in July. The need to stay close to home cut into our usual wide wanderings, and pushed me to shoot near home. All these photos are from within an hour or so of our house. This year I was reminded again that in photography it is not what we shoot, but how we see. And that what we really photograph is not the landscape, but the light.

Let me know which of these you appreciate the most. I'd love to know. Best wishes to all in 2012.

~Scott

Merry Christmas Family & Friends!

2011-12-25T22:25:00.001-05:00

Lucinda Grace says holiday blessings

sometimes come in small packages.

Snyder Family Haiku

2011-12-19T07:29:00.003-05:00

Here I am again.

And those, they are my feet!

I am still the King.

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-17T09:36:00.001-05:00

Light, Color, Form

2011-12-09T07:48:00.001-05:00

In New England this time of year is referred to by photographers, somewhat grumpily, as Stick Season - the time when all our glorious fall foliage is reduced to sticks. In years gone by I have mostly put away the camera during this season, processed fall images, and waited for winter and first snow. This year stick season has been one of my most productive ever. I'm finding stick season reduces the landscape to its essence - to light, color and form. We have had some subtle light and had some stunning light. It is a great time to pay attention as a photographer.

December Print of the Month Offering + Free Gift

2011-12-04T09:46:00.001-05:00

Hello All,

Happy Holidays to you, your family, and friends!

Scott Snyder Photography and Rock, Water and Light are happy to announce the December Print of the Month:

New Year at Canterbury Shaker Village. This photograph was taken at the Shaker Village during almost white out conditions on New Years Day, 2011.

The Canterbury Shaker Village is a working museum, founded to preserve the heritage of the original Canterbury Shakers. The Village has numerous restored Shaker buildings, a museum store and gift shop, the popular restaurant, Greenwoods, and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds. They host numerous classes and gatherings throughout the year. I encourage you to visit the Village if in the area. It is well worth a trip . . . or two! Their website is http://www.shakers.org/.

This panoramic image will be printed on Canson’s Edition Etching Rag, a warm cotton, museum-quality paper. The print measures 7.5 x 17 and is printed on 13 x 19 archival paper. The cost is $60 including shipping (continental US).

If you order this month's print you will also receive a FREE 8 x 10 print of Holiday Bounty, our stunning end-of-season image as a thank you gift.

You can join our Print of the Month Club for significant savings: for $500, you will receive monthly prints for an entire year. This is an excellent way to furnish your home in beautiful artwork or collect gifts for Christmas or birthdays all year! Artwork also makes a wonderful donation to silent auctions for your favorite charity.

To order this print or join the Print of the Month Club, email scottsnyderphotography@gmail.com. We can bill you through Paypal so that you can pay by credit card, or we will take checks through the mail. Let me know if you would like to be added to our private email list for monthly updates.

For my Dad

2011-12-03T14:59:00.001-05:00

My dad passed on 2 months ago today.

One of the things I am appreciating most

about him today is that he gave me a great love

and appreciation for what have become

my sacred places - our mountains and oceans.

This morning at sunrise it was 29 degrees

in Rye New Hampshire.

These are for you dad.

Stick Season

2011-11-30T06:36:00.001-05:00

2012 Rock, Water & Light Calendar Now Available

2011-11-27T09:06:00.001-05:00

Hi Friends,

We are excited to let you know that the 2012 Rock, Water & Light calendar is now available, with 13 of our favorite images for this year. We've been producing these calendars for four years now and they are well received and make great holiday gifts. The calendar costs $22 (price includes shipping and handling). To order one or more, email me at scottsnyderphotography@gmail.com.

Happy Holidays,

Scott and Ally

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

2011-11-24T12:06:00.001-05:00

Me and Allison have much to be grateful this year!

Ghost Trees and Bird

2011-11-23T06:49:00.001-05:00

Honored!

2011-11-21T21:34:00.001-05:00

Today I am very excited and honored that I was accepted as a member of the New England Photography Guild, a group of incredible and dedicated landscape photographers from all over the northeast. Check out the group's website. The images are so good!

http://www.nephotographyguild.com/

They also host a very active Facebook group that everyone can participate in:

http://www.facebook.com/NEPGuild.

Late fall color

2011-11-14T07:42:00.001-05:00

This may be my new favorite fall image.

Love the simplicity, love the soft color.

Print of the Month Program!

2011-11-11T06:53:00.001-05:00

Scott Snyder Photography and Rock, Water and Light are excited to announce a new Print of the Month program. We will offer one striking landscape image per month, at a discounted price ($60, includes shipping). Consider buying one as a special gift for yourself or for another art lover in your life.

You can also join our Print of the Month Club for significant savings: for $500, you will receive monthly prints for an entire year. This is an excellent way to furnish your home in beautiful artwork or collect gifts for Christmas or birthdays all year! Artwork also makes a wonderful donation to silent auctions for your favorite charity.

November’s Print: Riley’s Bog

This image was captured at Hoit Marsh in Concord, New Hampshire on October 11, 2011. This is one of my favorite local places to photograph. It offers beautiful views of the bog, includes the Riley Trail system with nice hills and streams, and is where our two family cats, Judy and Riley, emerged and adopted us one crisp September day.

The image will be printed on Canson’s Edition Etching Rag, a warm cotton, museum-quality paper. The print measures 10.5 x 17 and is printed on 13 x 19 archival paper.

To order this print or join the Print of the Month Club, email scottsnyderphotography@gmail.com. We can bill you through Paypal so that you can pay by credit card, or we will take checks through the mail. Let me know if you would like to be added to our email list. We send out monthly updates on the POTM program and other occasional offerings.

Ghosts

2011-11-05T19:02:00.002-04:00

I created two new images today.
Somehow they remind me of ghosts.
Rye on the Rocks, and a lovely Trillium.

Historic Snows Bring End to New England Foliage Season

2011-11-01T18:58:00.000-04:00

Historic Snows Bring End to New England Foliage Season

Hey, Jim Salge, New Hampshire photographer extraordinaire, posted one of my snowstorm photos in Yankee Magazine's Foliage blog. Thanks Jim Salge!

October Snow

2011-11-01T07:32:00.000-04:00

We had a record-breaking early winter snow here on Saturday. 30 inches! looked more like 15 to me . . . but 15 inches of snow in october still beats the concord record by 12 inches. sure was pretty.

2011-10-30T23:12:00.000-04:00

See some of Scott's beautiful pictures of Lucy Lu and read some great poems at The Rabbit Hole.

~Ally

First snow

2011-10-27T06:13:00.001-04:00

Expecting the first snow of the year today.

A couple inches at higher elevations.

Even though winter is my favorite season this is a little early.

[I, for one, am ready! Bring it! I can't wait to introduce Lucy to snow. ~Ally]

Salmon Brook

2011-10-20T07:29:00.003-04:00

My Grandson Matthew

2011-10-15T13:49:00.001-04:00

I wonder who he got his moodiness from?

Riley Bog morning

2011-10-11T10:21:00.001-04:00

What a difference one day can make. I shot this same bog last night. It was nice, but not prime. One cold night and the Concord area has popped nicely.

Riley Bog Sunset

2011-10-10T19:57:00.000-04:00

Riley Bog, Concord, New Hampshire. Beautiful sunset light out on the bog tonight. Little known fact: our two black cats, Riley and Judy, were starving abandonded bog cats who adopted me and Ally while we were there on a fall hike. They followed us like puppies then disappeared half an hour into our hike. We got back to our car and they were waiting patiently to go home.

New Facebook page

2011-10-10T16:05:00.003-04:00

Hi all,

Please check out and Like our new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Snyder-Photography/258547010856247?sk=wall.

Thanks!

Scott

that late day sun

2011-09-30T09:43:00.000-04:00

early fall texture

2011-09-27T06:33:00.001-04:00

Five miles from home

2011-09-24T19:10:00.002-04:00

The goal of creativephotography goes beyond the mere production of images that are technically goodor that adequately reflect the subject as seen; rather, the goal is to produceimages that uniquely represent the photographer’s vision and possess meaningsbeyond the literal visual elements they portray.

~Guy Tal

As a lifelong wanderer andas a landscape photographer, I love to travel far and wide. In New England Idream of weeks hiking in the Greens, Whites, Catskills and the 'daks. I yearn for weeklong drives up the coast, meandering from theCape way up though Maine. Farther afield I dream of weeks to explore theSmokies or the Outer Banks . . . not to mention dream trips exploring theRockies or the Big West. Wandering fuels my photographic passion. Discoveringnew and beautiful places feeds my soul.

This year though, I willshoot close to home. My discovery will be rediscovery. With a lovely two-monthold daughter at home, my time and inclination to travel is scaled way back. Thesedays I'm happy to find two hours to explore a streambed or a riverbank close tohome.

Within five miles of home Ihave a few favorite shooting spots that I hit each season, every year. I'llcheck out the roadside bog in Canterbury that colors a little differently everyseason every year depending on water levels and temperature. The traillessshore along the Contoocook is a perpetualfavorite. And I sometimes shoot Riley Bog a couple times a week going to orfrom work. Our once-feral black cat Riley adopted us there when he was astarving kitten.

A couple weeks ago I spenttwo hours slowly working a quarter mile of Merrimack River shoreline 5 minutesfrom home. I have walked this stretch of riverbank many times. That day was oneof the first cool foggy mornings announcing the changeof seasons. I was happy. And asphotographically creative and productive in those couple hours as I have beenmost anywhere. That morning the fog lingered for hours. Working the shorelinethe sun started to peak through and finally one lone fisherman appeared, rockhopping to an island just offshore as I packed up for the walk back to the car.

Shooting close to homepushes me to look beyond the obvious and to try to find something moreintimate. I imagine being inspired by the spirit of a place. It may be a hokeyidea, but it often feels almost true.

Fall is here. I’ll mostly stayin central New Hampshire. It is good to be home.

A favorite bog

2011-09-23T06:53:00.001-04:00

Sweet light in late summer Maine

2011-09-20T21:14:00.002-04:00

Ogunquit Maine

2011-09-18T09:37:00.002-04:00

Wonderful Stone People

2011-09-16T08:25:00.001-04:00

Harvest Moon

2011-09-14T07:38:00.001-04:00

Lucinda goes to the beach

2011-09-12T07:39:00.004-04:00

Lucy had her first trip to the beach yesterday. We loved it. She snoozed. Life is good.

Big Sky

2011-09-11T10:21:00.003-04:00

Rye on the Rocks

Sculpted Rocks geologic area

2011-09-07T10:31:00.000-04:00

With our two month old bundle of joy Lucinda, me and Ally are indulging our wanderlust by taking trips with very near-the-car destinations. The Sculpted Rocks area is 100 steps out of the car. Yippee!

Lucinda Grace and her very intense blue eyes

2011-09-05T10:00:00.001-04:00

Rye, on the rocks

2011-09-03T10:42:00.003-04:00

Four fingers and one lovely thumb.

2011-09-02T18:55:00.001-04:00

Middle America is not so bad. Just too far east.

2011-08-31T20:14:00.003-04:00

Okay, I have a natural distrust of the middle,

but this place, smack in the middle of the midwest

is not so bad. Actually, it is awesome.

L.L. in the jungle

2011-08-31T07:41:00.002-04:00

2 buddhas

2011-08-29T07:47:00.002-04:00

Irene and her red shoes

2011-08-28T13:56:00.001-04:00

Cowgirls

2011-08-27T22:17:00.003-04:00

A little psychedelica

2011-08-27T10:03:00.001-04:00

Saturday morning,

waiting for Irene

to show her windy self.

On the Merrimack. The calm before the storm.

2011-08-26T18:27:00.001-04:00

Lucinda Grace, born July 3 at 4:13 am

2011-07-06T13:28:00.004-04:00

Here are the first photos of Lucinda Grace, born 4:13 am on July 3. She is happy and healthy and the most beautiful baby I have ever seen (okay, I may be biased). Ally is doing great, and is quickly adjusting to a sleepless life.

Lucinda was born on her great grandfather Les' birthday. After we named her we discovered my great great great grandmother was named Lucinda too. Cool!

Looking at Miracles

2011-06-27T18:21:00.002-04:00

Miracles
by Walt Whitman

Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of
   the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night
   with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer
   forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so
   quiet and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with
   the same,
Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

To me the sea is a continual miracle,
The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—
   the ships with men in them,
What stranger miracles are there?

A Point of Stillness

2011-06-18T14:05:00.000-04:00

Hey, check out my new Blurb book, A Point of Stillness. Cool!

A Point of Stillness by Scott Snyder | Make Your Own Book

A Duet

2011-05-31T20:18:00.000-04:00

plus one new Bun soon.

We are very excited.

Creative Photography

2011-05-22T17:03:00.001-04:00

The goal of creative photography goes beyond the mere production of images that are technically good or that adequately reflect the subject as seen; rather, the goal is to produce images that uniquely represent the photographer’s vision and possess meanings beyond the literal visual elements they portray.

~Guy Tal

Spring, finally!

2011-05-19T07:53:00.002-04:00

Cinco de Mayo plus 1

2011-05-07T13:38:00.000-04:00

After a long work week I headed out for some photo therapy Friday night on the way home. My 2 hour wandering took me from Bear Brook to Rice Farm in Concord, with a last stop at the reservoir on the way home. Here's what I found.

Alabama Family

2011-04-15T07:53:00.000-04:00

Me and Ally just got back from a quick trip south to see my parents, sibs, kids and grandkids. Here's some pics of those cuties.

New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane

2011-03-26T15:32:00.000-04:00

A selection of photos from New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, New Hampshire State Hospital.

Spring is almost here

2011-03-17T07:22:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago we had four feet of snow out our back door.

After two weeks of warm rain it is down

to 2 or 3 inches and lots of bare patches.

Our neighbors grilled last night. Come on green.

Grateful for...

2011-03-10T17:34:00.001-05:00

1. Beautiful music that lifts the soul.
2. A strong and bright, growing baby inside my growing belly.
3. Heat during this long winter. To help someone else receive heat, see this.
4. Lots of glorious snow for Scott to play in, snowshoe, and traipse through, finding the perfect shot.
5. Canterbury Shaker Village, as peaceful and inspiring as ever.
6. The opportunity to work my days at a wonderful organization, Concord Hospice.
7. Two wonderful black cats - though they drive us insane all night, refusing to sleep as Spring approaches, we still love them all day long.
8. Great neighbors, who even cook for us sometimes!
9. Family nearby and those far away whom we miss.
10. Great books...as we embark upon major house redeco projects, we get to encounter all our most favorite reads again, dust them off, and give serious thought to rereading. What are your favorites?

What makes you grateful today?

~Ally

A damned cold day.

2011-03-08T19:26:00.000-05:00

Riley Bog, Canterbury, NH

Early thaw on the Merrimack

2011-03-06T12:53:00.000-05:00

Snowshoeing Horseshoe Bend, Merrimack River, Canterbury NH

2011-02-27T19:12:00.001-05:00

Great afternoon hike on the Horseshoe trail above the Merrimack with Barb and Ted D. 10 inches of snow the day before, another 8 after. Like an old timey winter!

A B&W Week

2011-02-26T08:20:00.000-05:00

We had a savage return to winter this week in NH. Today I'm heading out for a short snowshoe with friends in Concord, then back home to join Ally in the pool and hot tub. Winter is tough, eh? Oh, BTW, it's a girl baby!

Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby

2011-02-18T10:52:00.000-05:00

The world championship sled dog derby is held yearly just up the road in Laconia, NH. Last Sunday was the conclussion. It was a great day for the final race - warm and perfect snow. These dogs love to run.

Updates

2011-02-15T17:55:00.001-05:00

Did Scott tell you? I am pregnant! Now at about 19 weeks (beginning of month 5), I am feeling good and quite happy ~ elated, really. Scott has been very helpful and supportive, and has taken to rubbing my preggo belly, which appeared virtually overnight, it seems, and now is growing at an alarming rate.

He has been taking the last few trips to photograph this beautiful snow-filled winter either alone or with friends; meanwhile, Wifey Poo stays home, cleans and organizes the closets in preparation for baby, or more likely, passes out on the couch. Things are changing for us - YES - but our gratefulness and love for this world and its treasures continue. We will be posting throughout the year, and I will try to write complements to Scott's work as energy allows.

I have written some more personal updates on the Bun growing inside at my blog The Rabbit Hole, and you are more than welcome to come over and take a gander.

Sending you good vibes and peaceful resolutions this wintertime. It is the year for calm, and reclaiming our inner sanctity. Laugh if you must - especially you moms who know what's headed my way - but I truly believe this will be a year of getting closer to the truth of who we are. Loving more deeply. Experiencing life more fully. And opening the heart to share what we have received with others.

Here is a quote from Norman Scrimshaw, a Buddhist-type teacher we have been following for about a year. I love it...

"I searched everywhere for my home. I found it in my own heart. This heart has room for everyone. I found this heart isn't mine alone. It's everyone's heart and everyone's home."

Thinking of you, our readers, fondly.
~Ally

Up on Lonesome Lake

2011-02-13T18:41:00.000-05:00

Lonesome Lake is a high alpine lake hidden up couple thousand feet in Franconia Notch, White Mountains, NH. The AMC maintains a hut there year round. It is a gorgeous hike winter or summer.

BW/Color

2011-02-01T07:26:00.000-05:00

Hermit Island, Maine

September 2010

Things that make Scott happy

2011-01-19T22:56:00.000-05:00

1. snow
2. ice
3. combinations of snow and ice
4. having a day off like a Monday holiday
5. his wife having enough energy to do dishes again after three months
6. warming soups
7. a cat purring on his lap
8. bed
9. coming home with 200 photos and finding two stunning ones in the batch
10. your comments on our blog

~Ally

7am, one degree above zero ~ Merrimack River Sunrise

2011-01-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

to save a soul

2011-01-14T07:36:00.001-05:00

each of us, in our own way, have to do something, to save your soul, you know. whatever that is.
~yvon c.

Merrimack Sunset

2011-01-09T19:15:00.001-05:00

The past has flown away.
The coming month and year do not exist;
Ours only is the present's tiny point.
~Shabistari

Merrimack #3

2011-01-03T19:57:00.000-05:00

We have what we seek.

It is there all the time,

and if we give it time,

it will make itself known to us.

~T. Merton

Merrimack River ~ 1.2.11

2011-01-02T18:24:00.000-05:00

The waterwheel accepts water, and turns,

and gives it away,

weeping.

~Rumi

Happy New Year Folks

2011-01-01T18:08:00.005-05:00

What are you doing for the New Year, friends? Opening it with a bang of fireworks, like our next door neighbors? Skating down an icy river on wobbly last-year's skating ankles? Traipsing through the snowy woods, like Scott did this afternoon? Or lying on the couch in sicky misery, thinking the new year can only get better from here (like I did)?

Well, whatever you did to ring in this new year, I hope the days ahead will find you with peace and contentment. My friend Cynthia gave me a special package full of Japanese rice crackers, and a poem about the importance of the New Year celebrations in Japan. They give gifts of food to share with others. And this year, she says, is the Year of the Rabbit ~ "according to tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves." Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Resolutions? I have been too sick to get mine written, but one of mine will be to hit the gym whenever my pregnancy energy allows it, and another will be to prepare the baby's room. I hope to buy some prints for the walls from one of my favorite artists, Tascha, especially if we find out the baby's a girl. One of Scott's resolutions is to take more walks every week. They make him feel calm and energized, centered and like himself.

Thinking of you this holiday season. Who knows what mysteries will unfold in 2011. I look forward to sharing them with you!

~Ally

12-in-12 ~ December

2010-12-31T18:27:00.000-05:00

December has been it's usual chaotic self. Work is way too busy. Christmas sneaks up on us way to fast, no matter when we start preparing. I'm home on New Years Eve with a sick wife - we canceled our New Year's party with some of our best friends earlier today. Best wishes to all in the new year. xoxo, Scott

12 in 12 ~ November

2010-12-24T09:52:00.000-05:00

We had a warm November. Davy came for a quick weekend visit. We spent time on the coast, and a little down in Boston.

12 in 12 ~ October

2010-12-22T07:36:00.000-05:00

This year's fall, leaf season in New England, just kept going and going from mid-September through early November. I took a couple days off just to wander and shoot photos, but those days rained all day. It was a stunning October.

12 in 12 ~ September

2010-12-21T07:06:00.000-05:00

September had Ally's b-day party, trips to the other side of of the big lake, and a great trip way up north with a campsite on the beach.

12 in 12 ~ August

2010-12-19T12:23:00.000-05:00

August was our busiest month this year with camping trips to Bear Brook, visits with Laurel and Bumbers, trips to the (somewhat lame) Belnap Fair, lots of day trips to the lakes, and a great two-week visit by the Escotos. And my brother, Steve from Alabama, even showed up unexpectedly on my birthday!

12 in 12 ~ July

2010-12-17T07:08:00.000-05:00

Verdant July - Grape Island and farm stands.

12 in 12 ~ June

2010-12-15T07:03:00.000-05:00

12 in 12 ~ May

2010-12-14T07:03:00.000-05:00

May continued our beautiful Spring in NH. At the end of the month we took at several thousand mile road trip visiting friends and family in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama. Lots of grandkids down that way!

12 in 12: April

2010-12-13T07:11:00.002-05:00

April was all about low-land hiking. With continued our warm weather, we hiked some of the Belnap range peaks on Easter, in shorts! Then we hiked Black Mountain, the moutain literally in our backyard in Dummerston, VT. Usually there would still be a couple feet of snow on these peaks early in April. It was a beautiful spring.

12 in 12 - March

2010-12-12T08:48:00.002-05:00

March brought an early thaw and complete snow melt - and an end to winter down here in the valley. Unseasonably warm. We made the most of it with trips to the local Sugar house and backcountry pancake joint. Yum!

Twelve in Twelve - February!

2010-12-11T10:05:00.001-05:00

February brought winter thaws, hikes with some favorite folks up in the Whites, Nor' Easters and trips to the coast, a yummy Valentine's Day breakfast, the always scary "skating" on the Merrimack, and more romping up at the Shaker Village.

Twelve Months in Twelve Days - January!

2010-12-10T07:39:00.003-05:00

Today Ally and I start our annual photographic recap of the Snyder year - posting photos from the 12 months in 12 days. January 1, I started a long project photographing the Canterbury Shaker Village. Late January, me, Ally and Charlotte traveled to Mexico for a glorious week with the Escotos. Enjoy.

State-o-Maine (thanks, John Irving)

2010-11-14T09:07:00.003-05:00

I saw the coast of Maine today for the first time in my life.

I'd imagined steep and giant cliffs awash with white-water waves.
What I got was something simpler, something less than something more.

Was it Jesus who said when people didn't sing, that the very stones cried out?

I heard that cry of stone today - the cry of a thousand rocks.
A sound like I'd never heard before, refreshingly new in a world I thought I already remembered.

Each time Atlantic's wave hit land, a thousand polished stones, whose job at first I thought was fixed, to hold down Shore and refrain Sand, were shuffled, stirred and lifted vigorously from rest. Water pulled them forth with froth and flow and dropped them, almost mockingly, as if it knew they could not come and knew they would not swim.

Clacking stones, bumping stones, falling and tumbling-down stones, they made a sound I'd never known. A sound that cried, "We're happy here. We're crying here. At least we’re glad to be moving here.”

Applauding stones, proudly shouting stones, anxious and rambunctiously bragging stones – they yelled to sleepy larger stones, "Such shame you're big, giant older stones 'cause you can't move like we."

Then being foolish stones, they dared the sea again.

Stones clacked uncalloused answers. Waves crashed uncaring counter-calls, mock rock-fall jubilees. And what I thought most sad of all, but maybe made stones glad of all, was that the sea was drowning all, not taking them to Deep. Just taunting them and trapping them in forced submission, tumbling them, to always laugh and clack and grind. To cry and please the passers by who thought they were remembering.

It made me sad and happy too. Made me grin, feel new – reminded me to listen more, for things that vie for voices amongst all our lovely noise.

Thanks Maine and those who loved her enough to take me there.

~~~~
This is a guest post from my dear friend Davy from New York City, who is visiting us this weekend. We had a wonderful time traversing the NH and Maine coast!

~Ally

Some rocks, some water, some light

2010-10-21T22:55:00.000-04:00

A great late fall here in New England. An a nice seventh wedding anniversary this week too!

Two Buddhas and a River

2010-10-14T23:15:00.002-04:00

We have been enjoying wonderful, life-breathing sanghas with White Mountain Sangha, led by Norman Scrimshaw (and sometimes Margaret Fletcher) this year. Last Saturday morning, we went up to Norman's beautiful home - surrounded by the White Mountains in their autumn glory - and sat with about ten friends, meditating, listening, being, accepting, hearing, and sharing the truth. Cynthia, Norman's wife, welcomed us to her home with warmth and kindness. Even their greyhound Lou seemed to appreciate the mindful presence of seekers.

After the sangha, we stayed for the usual potluck-style vegetarian lunch, which was creative and delicious. I brought Stacy's pita chips (yum) with garlic hummus as well as tabouli with tomatoes and cucumbers.

After lunch, Scott and I went traipsing around Waterville Valley and Campton, up mountains and steep rocky paths (like the historic Sandwich Notch "Road"...and they use the term lightly), down riverbeds and through valleys. In search of ever more fall colors and splendors, we were not disappointed. We spent several hours adventuring and taking photos.

Today we explored autumn all over again, but in Concord, whose fall colors have burst into a new realm of fiery reds, burnt siennas, and peachy-pink mysteries. Beautiful clouds today, rushing across the sky. Perfect Contoocook River laced with color. We made several attempts at the farm stands and greenhouses but most were closed up today. We did get a shocking number of pumpkins and gourds for cheap cheap cheap at the pumpkin stand on Route 3 in Penacook heading toward Boscawen. We also bought the most beautiful jar of peach preserves from Carter Hill Orchard, which was bustling with activity today. Turns out Carter Hill's hawk watching stand affords the most incredible mountain view I've seen in this entire state - except for the tippy top of Mount Washington of course - and believe me, we've checked out a LOT of views 'round these parts.

As always, lots to recommend this most perfect season and this wonderful state. Come for a visit soon - we'll be keeping the light on for ya.

~Ally

October, we welcome you

2010-10-04T13:42:00.003-04:00

October
by Robert Frost

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
To-morrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
To-morrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know;
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away;
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes' sake along the wall.

Camping at Hermit Island, Maine

2010-09-26T20:35:00.016-04:00

We just spent a wonderful two days at the spectacularly beautiful Hermit Island in Maine ("Vacationland," after all). Scott picked out the location - he's all about "location, location, location." It turned out to be all he had toted and more. We will definitely go back.

Camping turns out to be the best of our marriage experiences: compromise, mutual enjoyment, adventure and memory-building. We share the work and both put in what we're best at...

He decides what time we have to head out for the trip, and I pack ahead. He makes the morning cope-coffee and I pour my tired ass into the shower. He packs the car; I pack the cooler. I am in charge of what we'll eat (which turns out to be hot dogs for breakfast on day two), and he promises to grill anything even remotely grillable...like English Muffins.

I navigate the map and and he drives. I am in charge of how we put up the tent. He insists we do all the work before making lunch. I make the fire while he makes the food. At night, we both watch the sunset [a wise friend once told me to marry the man who will watch the entire sun set with me...'anyone can watch a sunrise'] and adore the emerging of stars, one by one. Scott says, "That one is really bright," and I respond, "That's Venus." "De Milo," he asks? "No, de star."

We go to bed at the same time - a rare occurrence nine years into a marriage - after watching the fire for hours and together deciding that Scrabble after Coronas is a stupid idea. We both like to snuggle and make out in the tent. We are both lulled to sleep by ocean waves crashing right outside the tent door.

Scott gets up early and explores with his camera, while I sleep in as long as possible amidst calls of sea gulls and chirping beach scrub crickets. Neither of us can function before coffee, so get that water boiling, baby!

He wants to explore every nook and cranny of the island, and view every single campsite to find "the best one" (though the prize goes to the one we already picked). I insist on sitting in front of the morning fire to read my novel. We co-exist. It is good.

He gets to pick the activities for the rest of the day, while I dictate that we will leave precisely at ten minutes after checkout..."Put the clock away, I'm on vacation!"

We both enjoy a rambling drive, several pops out of the car for the perfect cliffside scrabbling or in-the-water photo taking. We both want to see what's just over that bluff. Later, we both agree it's naptime.

We could not have had a better time. We were at our marital best, and exercising our joy in this life, this beautiful, ever-surprising world. There is truly nothing more beautiful than New England in the Fall. We've checked, and I'm right. :)

Wishing you a few moments of togetherness with the one you love, and a sense of wonderment as the seasons change and love rises again with the evening moon. The tide's coming in...it's time to enjoy this life.

~Ally

Birthday Gals

2010-09-21T19:59:00.000-04:00

Near Alton Bay

2010-09-13T07:21:00.003-04:00

Renewal

2010-09-07T17:06:00.002-04:00

We spent a lovely weekend down on the South Shore of Boston, visiting Hull, our old stomping grounds. There was no surf - Hurricane Earl is officially over - and that made Scottie sad. But we enjoyed sitting in the gentle sun on a gloriously beautiful end-of-summer Sunday. The sea was a rich, dark blueish-purple at the horizon, highlighting bright white sailboats on a crisp skyline. Then shades of greens and blues all the way down to the sandy shore. We were there during the low tide hours, or as I like to call it, "the wide part of the beach." We sat and talked with our dear friend Matt, swam and tossed around in the cold waves, watched the passersby (always amusing).

We ended the sunlit hours on the rocky point of Nantasket peninsula, exploring, jumping over boulders, and trying to capture the elusive sunset on "film." Then we escorted Mattie and his girlfriend Lauren out to our favorite eatery, Punjab Cafe. Mmm, Shahi Paneer to die for (!) and Chicken Korma, and some lamb dish called Rogan Josh. To my dismay, I left my perfect Shahi Paneer cheese cubes on the roof of the car and when we drove away, heard a horrid "splot" on the pavement. That is sooooo sad.

Then off to Lynn where our friends Laurel and Conrado have a lovely new home. Labor Day overnight and celebration with our favorite elements: family, grilling, and friends!

Home sweet home, with a little sunburn, a bit of a rumbly tummy bug, and a sense of love and joy that only time relaxing together can provide. Back to work, but I'm gonna try to get this calm feeling to linger.

~Ally