Old Man of the Valley?

[Waumbek]

I've driven by many times but today I stopped to see the rock profile, the Old Man of the Valley. It's on Rt. 2 in Gorham/Shelburne NH a few miles east of where the AT crosses Rt. 2. I stuck his picture in my Old Man's Funeral album, although he's no Old Man (but neither is the Old Man himself anymore). This profile is about 6-8' high and the boulder sits on the ground. I gather he's been largely a local attraction until lately. Now with no Old Man rival to the west and a larger sign on the highway, his star may be rising. Does anyone know anything about the history (or myth) of his discovery or other legends?

 

[Sherpa John]

tattoo

I have the old man tattooed on my back..lol

 

[Waumbek]

I hear it's pretty expensive to get those things removed, so just consider yourself an historical artifact?

 

[Sherpa John]

It wasn;t too expensive to have it put on. I watched my dad have one of his tatoos removed a few years back. DISGUSTING! But hey.. the Old Man... lives forever!.. even if on my back

 

[peakbagger]

While you were in Shelburne did you check out the Stone Fish? (another roadside attraction)

 

[Waumbek]

No, I missed that one. Where is it?

 

[el-bagr]

Between West Bethel and Gorham ... I have a picture somewhere I'll try to find.

 

[Gris]

Yeah, it's cool isn't it, profiles are everywhere - the Indian Stone and Lady Liberty.

 

[el-bagr]

The Great Stone Fish

 

[Gris]

Looks more like the great moray eel!

way cool!!!

 

[pocahontas]

Those are some cool looking rock profiles!
I'll bet that if we really looked around (& used a bit of imagination) we could really see all kinds of images out there in nature.
Thanks for the pictures!

 

[Orphic Seth]

Sherpa John:

Any chance to post a pic of the Old Man off of your back? I'd be interested in seeing that. I always saw the Old Man as the dude who watched my back when I was up in the North Woods. That'd be a neat twist on that idea to see him on your back. Or maybe I'm just being a giant dork.

Note: I'm not interested in getting a tattoo, so don't think I'm trying to scam your idea, just interested in seeing it.

 

[Sherpa John]

Here it is! If you look close enough on the right you can make out some pine trees! I couldn;t figure out how to imbede it... I need a lesson!

 

[Orphic Seth]

That's awesome Sherpa John, good for you. Thanks.