This week we moved our home base from Vermont to Bartlett, NH. Our resort in the woods was across the road from the foot of a ski hill and near the Attitash whistle stop. There was no snow on that hill (thank goodness!), which gave us plenty of opportunities to explore the splendor of New Hampshire.

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit Fall for New England 2021.

The Early Birds Get to Wait

We arrived before checkin at the Attitash Mountain Village – our second week at an RCI resort of this month-long trip. In this case our wait was a very pleasant one. We were told there was a restaurant/bar onsite where we could have killed some time, but it was a lovely day and we decided to explore the resort a little. A quick walk on a wooded path took us back to the condos, and we wondered which one would be ours. We ended up on a bench at the whistle stop.

The Conway Scenic Railroad goes right by here on its way to Crawford Notch. When guests at Attitash buy a ticket for that tour, the train makes a special stop here to pick them up, saving a drive into North Conway and back.

Although the train ride was something that we were hoping to do, it didn’t happen on this trip. The reasons to come back to this area are starting to stack up!

Off-Season Travel

We love traveling off season since kids are back in school and we’re usually ahead of the fall – or in this case – winter rush. Although we do love the fall colors, we don’t love the crowds, especially with Covid still on people’s minds. In this in-between window, we usually don’t have to vie for views or wait for people to move out the pictures I’ve got planned in my head.

A one-man band serenaded us by the pool as part of the resort’s Saturday night activities, so we listened for a while until our unit was ready. Once we unloaded, we opted to skip the music. After many trips up MANY stairs (and no adult beverages allowed outside of our room) we opted to chill inside our new digs.

When I was trying to name this road trip, Fall in New England seemed a logical name, but with temps in the mid- to upper-70s and the flowers still in fantastic shape, Fall FOR New England seemed a better choice. I know I’M falling…

Getting Organized

Next day we got organized, bought a few groceries and saw three interesting covered bridges that were close by. The Honeymoon Bridge was built in Jackson Village in 1876 and spans the Ellis River.

This covered bridge was built by Charles Broughton and his son. During the Civil War Charles was a sergeant in the 18th Regiment of the New Hampshire Volunteers, Company E. He was a finish carpenter, an avid fiddler, and a skillful bear hunter. For ten years he was an agent for the Swift River Lumber Company in Albany, New Hampshire. According to town records, the sidewalk was added in 1930. Originally, the trusses were more exposed than they are today. In 1965 the approach from N.H. Route 16 was rebuilt to improve visibility and to provide parking. The Honeymoon Bridge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Golf Carts Only

At the Wentworth Golf Club in Jackson Village, this handsome bridge was built to keep golfer’s feet dry! This course offers outstanding views of a beautiful mountain range, along with the Wildcat and Ellis Rivers that meander through the course. Click on the link for more great photos of this bridge, and the course itself – it’s really beautiful!

When we saw this bridge in a distance, we had no idea it was on a golf course. Jim dropped me off to get a closer look and I had an opportunity to chat with a foursome as they were enjoying their retirement on the course. They all moved here from somewhere else because “New Hampshire is a great and beautiful place to live!”

A Little Retail Therapy

Our last historic covered bridge (of the day) is located right in Bartlett. Built in 1850, it was strengthened for vehicular traffic in the 1920’s. This bridge carried traffic over the Saco River for more than 80 years until it was replaced by a steel bridge in 1939. In 1965, the bridge and the land around it were sold and this gift shop was built inside. The fourth owners of this historical property plan to maintain its condition for future generations to enjoy. Click on the link to get more history and more information about the Bartlett Covered Bridge Gift Shoppe.

Early Night

When we returned back “home” we were wondering if all of New Hampshire’s covered bridges were going to be so “unique”, so time will tell. We spent the evening in, watching the first regular-season Packers game – utterly humiliating. A power outage around 9:30 reminded us that yes, we were really tired and should probably retire early. Tomorrow’s going to be a great day!

Next up: Castle in the Clouds

Happy trails,
Barb