Timeline of the Hills' Journey Through Northern New Hampshire

Delighted to be back in familiar surroundings, they searched for the inviting glow of a  restaurant. This would be their final chance to enjoy a meal and savor a cup of coffee. Howard's Restaurant in Colebrook was open and ready to serve.This is a text. To edit this text, click here and replace it with your own content.

They settled into their seats at the counter of Howard's Restaurant in Colebrook, where a Native American woman, a long-time staff member, promptly attended to them. Barney ordered a cheeseburger while Betty took her time relishing a slice of chocolate cake generously topped with rich chocolate frosting. Both enjoyed cups of coffee, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of the eatery.

After finishing their meal, the couple glanced at their watches, comparing the time to the clock hanging on the wall. It read 10:05 PM. They adjusted their watches accordingly, and Barney began estimating their travel time. With a distance of 185 miles, they anticipated reaching Portsmouth between 2:00 and 3:00 AM. 

Barney could maintain a speed of 60 miles per hour on certain stretches of the highway, although the winding mountainous parts required a more cautious pace. The night was bright, allowing him to drive at the fastest legal speed possible. This is a text. To edit this text, click here and replace it with your own content. 

Although the initial report from the Hills indicated that Betty had spotted a peculiar moving light in the sky near Groveton, they later retraced their route and discovered they were actually south of Lancaster when Betty's attention was captivated by a swiftly moving light that soared upward into the night sky. Betty stated that her first sighting occurred thirty miles south of Colebrook at approximately 10:55 PM.

The map illustrates US Highway Route 3 stretching from Colebrook to Twin Mountain, covering a distance of 53 miles.

As they journeyed south of the charming town of Twin Mountain, an unusual object began to draw closer to their vehicle. Barney decided to pull over at the roadside to let their dog stretch its legs near the Mount Cleveland Picnic Area, which was only seventeen miles south of Lancaster.

To ensure their safety from any curious bears that might wander over, Barney retrieved Betty's pistol from the trunk of the car before taking Delsey, Betty's dachshund, for a walk. Meanwhile, Betty observed the large star-like object through binoculars, trying to make sense of what it could be.

After a moment, Barney took the binoculars from Betty, who then returned to the car. He focused on the enigmatic object as it traveled on a west-northwest path, before suddenly darting quickly in his direction.

Feeling somewhat doubtful, he remarked to Betty that it was likely just an airplane.

The Hill's initial observational stop at the picturesque Mt. Cleveland Picnic Area.

Betty and Barney journeyed into Franconia Notch along the scenic US Route 3, which is situated conveniently just four miles south of the picturesque and often-visited Mt. Cleveland Picnic Area. Towering majestically before them was the impressive Cannon Mountain, a sight that truly took their breath away. As Betty looked down at her wrist to check the time, she observed that it read 11:10 PM. However, the dim and somewhat uneven light inside the car may have led to a misreading, causing a moment of doubt. While this historic segment of US Route 3 is currently restricted to through traffic for safety reasons, it remains accessible and inviting via the delightful Governor Hugh Gallen Bridge, which has become a popular tourist attraction known for its stunning views and charming ambiance.

This intriguing craft, with its unusual shape and unexpected presence, had sparked an insatiable curiosity in Betty, compelling her to delve deeper and uncover its true nature, seeking answers to questions that danced in her mind. On the other hand, Barney, with a skeptical eye, pondered over several ordinary explanations that could account for such a sighting, firmly believing that the idea of extraterrestrial visitors was not only improbable but actually far-fetched.

Betty gazed at the craft as it soared above the mountain's peak, and she noticed the light flicker and then vanish. Yet, it was possible that she could have been seeing the pulsing light from a nearby signal tower.

At the entrance to Franconia Notch State Park the Hills  viewed  Cannon Mountain 

Despite their differing perspectives, they decided to pull over to the side of the highway for their second observational pause, taking a moment to gather their thoughts by the Old Man of the Mountain, a well-known geological feature situated conveniently just a mile south of Cannon Mountain and a short five miles south of their initial stop at Mount Cleveland. This location not only offered a stunning view but also provided a perfect vantage point from which they could observe the skies more closely.

Through their binoculars, the Hills witnessed the extraordinary craft hovering beside the impressive 48' long profile of the Old Man. The craft, with its unique design, was strikingly one and a half to two times the length of the profile, capturing their attention entirely. Its rotating form seemed to emit light from only one side, creating an intriguing visual contrast against the backdrop of the mountains. Barney likened its movement to that of a spinning top, gracefully defying gravity with its fluid motion. It then shifted to a vertical orientation and began to move with an inexplicable grace.

The Old Man of the Mountain majestically rises 1200 feet above the tranquil waters of Profile Lake.

Profile Lake, situated strategically at the base of the iconic Old Man of the Mountain, was the perfect vantage point for Betty and Barney as they intently watched the craft tilt vertically before it descended in a step-like pattern above the glistening lake below. Mesmerized, Barney observed as it suddenly bounced up and down in the sky with an almost playful energy. He described its movement as akin to a ball on a wooden paddle connected with a rubber band. When struck, the ball travels out in a straight line and returns just as directly, without veering off course, much like the craft's erratic, yet rhythmic movements. Observers today often compare this peculiar motion to the rhythmic bounce of a ping pong ball, emphasizing its almost hypnotic quality.

During their journey, they momentarily stopped in the road momentarily, driven by the urgency to glimpse the craft from a better angle.  

Profile Lake  is a stunning feature that offers breathtaking views and tranquility. The lake is known for its crystal-clear waters reflecting the beauty of the sky and flora. 

The Hills quickly made their way back to the car, continuing southward toward Lincoln. They decided to stop once more at the Flume Gorge, a remarkable natural granite gorge that stretches 800 feet at the base of Mt. Liberty. Unfortunately, the tall trees obstructed their view of the craft, prompting them to press on along their journey.  Barney experienced an overwhelming sense of relief as they departed from the remote mountainous region and neared the recognizable motels in Lincoln's tourist district. They were grateful to escape the bleak confines of the desolate state park, which stood in sharp contrast to the surreal adventure they had just endured. As they passed by the famed Indian Head Resort and popular tourist attractions lining the highway, their anticipation soared. The recognizable sights evoked a harmonious mix of comfort and intrigue as they navigated through the region.

As they drove past the Indian Head Resort's charming cabins, Betty noticed a man casually smoking a cigarette just behind a screened door. For a moment, she entertained the idea of stopping for the night, yet her overwhelming curiosity urged her to keep moving. With a sense of wonder, she and Barney continued onward as the mysterious craft surged ahead of them, descending closer to the highway.

Courtesy of the Indian Head Resort

Almost directly in their path, the couple stumbled upon a massive, flattened circular disc that was truly awe-inspiring. Its forward edge was lined with a series of illuminated windows that gleamed with a light reminiscent of a mercury vapor lamp. Barney hastily slammed on the brakes, bringing their vehicle to a sudden and jolting halt in the middle of the road, effectively blocking both lanes and potentially compelling passing cars to come to a stop. He quickly grabbed his binoculars, the curiosity bubbling within him, and opened the car door, attempting to secure a clearer view of the astonishing sight that was unfolding right before their eyes. The silent, hovering object had descended to an estimated height of two hundred feet or possibly even lower above their car. He took a step back  for an unobstructed view, and in response, the craft glided effortlessly across the highway, descending even further down to an astonishing height of about one hundred feet directly above him. The air was thick with an electric anticipation as he stood, mesmerized.

NICAP Investigator Walter Webb captured an iconic image of Barney with binoculars in hand, while Betty is comfortably seated in the passenger seat. Take note of the charming farm stand beside US Highway 3, located south of Franconia Notch. In a creative touch, Kathleen Marden incorporated a UFO into the scene and repositioned the car closer to the heart of the highway.

Barney left the engine idling and the driver's side door ajar, casting a soft, eerie glow over the car's interior. He turned to face the looming craft and trailed it into the field while Betty remained seated, in the passenger seat, knowing she would have to move the car if an oncoming vehicle approached.

The eerie, silent craft was enormous; it measured perhaps sixty to eighty feet across.  As he drew near, two bright crimson lights on the ends of wing-like appendages flared ominously from the craft's sides, tilting toward Barney in a way that made his heart race. 

Raising his binoculars to his eyes, he observed a group of bizarre figures that seemed distinctly "not human," moving with a unsettlingly military-like precision that sent chills down his spine. As the craft angled downward and began its descent toward him, one of these peculiar beings, stationed at the window with an unwavering gaze, sent a chilling message that echoed through his mind. Something ominous began to lower from beneath the craft, instilling within Barney a visceral sense of peril, as if he might soon be snatched from the field "like a bug caught in a net." Overcome by an overwhelming terror and summoning every ounce of strength he could muster, he yanked the binoculars from his face and sprinted back to the car with urgency. Breathless, quaking, and nearly in a state of hysteria—half-laughing, half-sobbing—all he could do was warn Betty that they needed to flee or risk being captured against their will. (Words in quotation marks are from Walter Webb's Confidential NICAP Report.)

Original photo captured by Walter Webb. Kathleen Marden creatively integrated a UFO into the composition.