This was the last night of our fall foliage trip. Tomorrow we plan to take the tramway up Cannon Mountain for our last look at this beautiful, colorful countryside, before leaving for home. Harold and I laughed at the thought that this would be our second honeymoon to the Adirondack Mountains. The first one was over forty years ago. However, this time we sped over super highways instead of the two lane road winding its way through sleepy Hudson River towns. This time we by-passed Albany in which we had gotten hopelessly lost so long ago. I glanced at Harold and he smiled. I knew that he was also remembering that leisurely drive. We were sorry to learn that the many years between these two trips obliterated all signs of the places visited during our first honeymoon. We quickly left the Adirondacks and ferried across Lake Champlain to Vermont and New Hampshire.
For the next few days we were surrounded by breathtaking beauty. We felt as if we were inside a kaleidoscope, turning and turning with one spectacular scene after another falling into place. The red, yellow and orange trees vied with each other for our attention as to which was the most beautiful. Now we were on the last lap of our journey. The night had turned cold and we could hear the wind moaning through the valley. In the morning we dressed hurriedly in order to be on the first tram ride up the mountain. The whole top of the mountain was covered in SNOW!! It looked as if a huge white sheet had been flung haphazardly across the top and left the bottom half with its beautiful foliage intact. Evidently, during the night, a snow squall had swept through the valley, never touching the ground and only covering the top of the mountain. The beauty was indescribable and we rushed to the tram to see, this phenomenon close up before it melted way. As we slowly glided up the mountain, the beauty of the autumn colors below us was suddenly in an instant gone and we were vept into a glittering fairy land. We were almost blinded by the brilliance of the sparkling snow resting on the thick branches of the fir trees. No one spoke as we tried to absorb ar!1tb’re this enchanted moment in our memory bank forever.
When we left the tram station, the path to a small coffee and souvenir shop was already very slippery from melting snow. While drinking hot coffee we were told that the tram was closing for the day. A crew was on its way up to sand the path for us to get back to the station safely. We were warned NOT to walk the paths for fear we would go flying of the mountain without the benefit of wings!!
While we waited, we were permitted (at our own risk) to go outside the shop, which was on a lookout point, to view the beautiful panoramic scene of the valley and mountains. It was quite windy and the shadows of heavily laden clouds with the promise of more flurries were racing across the valley. The view was indeed spectacular with the mountains stretching out 0 each side and the valley below. It was also very cold and Harold had wrapped his arms around me to shield me from the wind. As we stood there the sky darkened with a large cloud covering the sun. The wind subsided and an eerie silence engulfed us. I became afraid as if something momentous was going to happen. I could also feel the tension in Harold’s body. We turned to go into the shop and as if prompted by an unknown signal our eyes flew to the top of the mountain. We clung together not knowing what to expect. Suddenly like a bolt of lightening a shaft of sunlight tore the cloud apart and bathed the mountainip with an iridescent glow. Every snowflake sparkled and shimmered as the sun struck it, sending out fiery flashes of color. It seemed to me as if the whole mountain had become a gigantic crystal and was offering its beauty up to God. We were stunned! As quickly as it happened the glow was gone and we were plunged into the shadows of fast moving clouds. I wondered if I had imagined all of it but the tightening of Harold’s arms around me I knew that he too had witnessed this special gift bestowed on us. It was a moment of beauty we shall never forget.
Two years later as I was sitting in the hospital, next to Harold’s bedside he suddenly opened his eyes and grasping my hand he whispered, “Remember the crystal mountain?” Unable to speak I nodded my head “Yes”. He answered, “Good, never forget it.” and with a smile closed his eyes to sleep again.
Anne Humbach
Fall, 2007
Copyright © 2002-2010 Anne Humbach