A Stretch of Pristine Beauty

There are very few places of pristine beauty left in America. More often than not natural wonders are plowed over for parking lots or developed for subdivisions. Travelers in America often miss out on seeing the wonders that are left, because they are drawn by the allure of big cities. Whenever you are ready to leave the big city take a trip to New Hampshire and see what the White Mountains have to offer.

One of the most beautiful things Ive seen in my life has been The Basin in the White Mountains of NH. It is located in a corridor that boasts some of the best natural sightseeing in NH. The Basin is easy to get to from the road, and only a short hike. Once you make it up there what you will see almost goes beyond description. There is a beautiful waterfall of mountain water cascading down into a perfect bowl of crystal blue. The waterfall flows at an angle, and carves away at the bowl. This natural wonder has been centuries in the making. My mother says she remembered swimming in the Basin as kids, although the water was always frigid. Today, you cant swim in the Basin. It is protected on all sides by fences, but this is to simply stop the natural decay from being sped up.

In the same area as the Basin is the Flume Gorge. The Flumes charge an entry fee, because the trails are mostly wooden walkways, and they are maintained yearly. You cant get into the Flumes if there is snow on the mountain, because the walk can be treacherous when slippery. The Flume is a natural granite gorge. You walk through the bottom of the gorge and admire its beauty. The mists from the water create an eerie atmosphere, and even in the middle of the day, you will feel as if youve been transported to another place.

On the same stretch of highway 93 you can go swimming in Echo Lake, a mountain spring fed lake. It is cold, though, so dont think it will be like going to the beach! You can also see the site where the Old Man in the Mountain once was.

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