Old Man profile has fallen - natural stone profile (New Hamshire Symbol) falls from side of mountain

wmtw ^

[chance33_98]

Old Man profile has fallen

FRANCONIA (AP)-- The Old Man of the Mountain, a natural stone profile that symbolizes the state of New Hampshire, has fallen from the side of the mountain in Franconia Notch.

The profile apparently fell overnight. A Franconia State Park worker says a trails crew noticed it was gone at about 7:30 Saturday morning.

Heavy rain Friday may have contributed. There were no injuries. It is one of the most photographed sites in the state and appears on the New Hampshire quarter and on state road signs.

State officials were viewing the remains of the profile by helicopter just after noon Saturday.

Governor Craig Benson says he's committed to restoring the Old Man of the Mountains. Benson says he is already working with state officials to consider the prospect of restoring the naturally formed stone profile.

He said he will open a revitalization fund to raise money for the restoration. Benson said the Old Man was a testament to New Hampshire's Yankee character and the resolve of its people and, quote, "the ultimate symbol of those who would Live Free or Die."

Benson said it's too early to tell exactly what form a restoration would take, but he said the Old Man is counting on us not to forget his legacy.

[chance33_98]

[chance33_98]

Before and after shots

[TheCrusader]

Reports say that shortly before the big head fell from the mountain top, that Bill Clinton was seen dangling from a rope in front of it, with his trousers down.

[fieldmarshaldj]

No doubt Gov. Benson's heart is in the right place, but there's just no way you can restore something like that.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

How much is it going to cost the taxpayers to replace that useless piece of monstrosity?

[dts32041]

I heard John Kerry was there morning the lost of his portrait.

[rickmichaels]

How much is it going to cost the taxpayers to replace that useless piece of monstrosity?

I doubt they'll ask you to contribute.

[hole_n_one]

New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson looks at Cannon Mountain
Saturday, May 3, 2003, in Franconia, N.H.
The historic rock formation know as the state's symbol
'The Old Man of the Mountian' broke off and was
discovered early Saturday morning.
(AP Photo/Jim Cole)

[TheCrusader]

"I heard John Kerry was there morning the lost of his portrait."

hahahahahaha

[Arkinsaw]

Its not the same if you have to glue it back together.

[nothingnew]

Old Man of the Mountain, The Flume, The Basin, Clarkes' Trading Post BUMP...from one who spent many vacations with the family circa 1954-1963...when it took 5 hours from connecthedots to reach there...no Interstate Hiways back then...those were the days.

FMCDH

[dts32041]

morning=mourning

[Arkinsaw]

How much is it going to cost the taxpayers to replace that useless piece of monstrosity?

I suppose Mt. Rushmore is a monstrosity to you, and Niagara Falls, and the Grand Canyon also. Who peed in the Corn Flakes this morning?

[Grig]

The reason it was such a draw was that it was a NATURAL formation. Use the money to find a new symbol for the state.

[onedoug]

Geological, begetting political mass wasting.

[Steve Eisenberg]

No doubt Gov. Benson's heart is in the right place, but there's just no way you can restore something like that.

I remember being told when I was up there that it already was restored, and was being held together with bolts and cables. Of course, this could just be the rural version of an unban legend.

[Mears]

I agree that restoring it is ridiculous. The whole point of it was that it was a natural rock formation and a man made restoration,even if identical to the original,would have no value at all.

The cost to the taxpayers would be prohibitive also.

[They'reGone2000]

Clark's trained bears -- now THERE'S a memory! Glad to see they're still in business: http://www.clarkstradingpost.com/

And don't forget Storyland (same vintage).

[jimkress]

It's called ENTROPY. Live with it.

Only Liberals waste our money to keep the environment in stasis. The crumbling of this rock was a natural phenomenon. Let's move on to more important issues like getting judicial nominees through the senate or winning the war on terror.