BEES, FOLIAGE, AND FAMILY

Autumn in New Hampshire

The mornings start early and are punctuated with sounds from the small farm. Ducks and chickens roam the property, sheep can be seen with the river as a backdrop, and bells on the goats ring out. On a piece of land that borders a river my parents have built a lifestyle that blends work and passion, and they are always welcoming. With winter approaching, the bees in particular make frantic last minute preparations. Any warm and sunny day is a chance for them to forage any remaining nectar and pollen to top off their food stores. I followed along as my dad made the rounds to the hives and assessed their current state.

DATE: SEPTEMBER 2022

CONTOOCOOK IS A SMALL TOWN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE ARE HARD WORKING AND HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD. MY FATHER BECAME A BEEKEEPER AROUND 2010, AND SINCE THEN HIS COLLECTION OF HIVES HAS GROWN TO THE POINT WHERE HE MANAGES ROUGHLY 5,000,000 BEES. EACH HIVE HAS AS MANY AS 50,000 BEES, AND HE HAS 100 HIVES ACROSS DIFFERENT “BEE YARDS” IN THE AREA. IN THE SPRING HE OFTEN USES HIS BEES TO POLLINATE LOCAL APPLE ORCHARDS, WHICH THEN IN THE FALL PRODUCE APPLES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE HONEY, OF COURSE, IS NATURALLY DELICIOUS.

Harvest Time

The orchard on Gould Hill is a local institution. With sweeping views north to the White Mountains and an abundance of apples, it’s no surprise fall is the busiest time of year here and is always a great place to take friends and family. This year proved no exception.

Handcrafted

The smell of fresh sawdust, a fragrant meal simmering on the stove, and candles. Small reminders of skilled work abound in daily life here. My parents are makers bringing beauty to life in a variety of ways, and long hours prove it is a labor of love.

Leaf-Peeping

A visit to New Hampshire in Autumn wouldn’t be complete without a journey north into the mountains to witness the vibrant hues of fall. We drove up in the darkness of an early morning, and as day broke we were treated to a sight that only comes around once a year. What a brilliant way to close out the warmer months.