From our delightful re-introduction to the visual watery splendour of the Sabbaday Falls, and its relentless sound impact, we thought of extending the afternoon excursion along the Kancamagus highway. It had been hot and sticky-humid when we left the cottage, but at the elevation we gained along the highway under rain-threatening skies the atmosphere now felt downright cool, breezy, decidedly more comfortable with light jackets in order. Rainproof seemed a good idea.

My husband had discovered for us a new site, one we hadn't before encountered. Driving on another half hour we approached the Rocky Gorge site and close to it, the Falls Pond. Over an immeasurable period of time the Swift River in this part of the White Mountain range had scoured out a cleft through a wide area of exposed rock within the forest to create a river run and waterfall as the river streamed on its timeless trajectory.

There, in a light rain, we strode about on the congregation of flattened white boulders, to enjoy the scenery, marvel at its geology and take photographs. From there we ambled over to a rustic bridge taking us forward to the Sawyer Pond, a glittering little mountain lake bordered by pines, hemlock, yellow birch and spruce. Along the path leading to the bridge we had seen Dutchman's Breeches, buttercups and lilies-of-the-valley and grasses with tiny white star-like blossoms.

Closer to the lake grew straw lilies and we saw as well a sole pink Ladies Slipper. We soon accessed a trail called variously the Boulder Loop trail and the Lovequest trail, about a mile in distance, and really beautiful. It looped the lake, the trail generous in width, criss-crossed with tree roots, and softly cushioned with spruce and hemlock needles. The needle-dense orange-coloured path created a perfect colour foil for the fresh appeal of new hardwood foliage along the trail and marching up the slope of the surrounding foothills.

We could see, through the screen of trees whose canopy shielded us from the rain, the surface skin of the pond lightly dimpling in the rain. There's a twilight consistency to forest interiors that somehow illuminates the atmosphere with a strange, muted brightness.

But glancing over at what could be glimpsed of the lake, even under rainy skies, an evanescent brightness prevailed over the lake; perhaps exaggerated by the dimness of the forest light. But it too provided a mysterious, and quite beautiful contrast in mood and colouration.

Even though the forest was dim with overcast, that peculiar light seemed suspended within its confines while the lake, despite the rain, emitted light back to the overcast sky.