BK Olson, Travel Blogger

Category: New England

  • Bridges, Blooms & Beyond

    Bridges, Blooms & Beyond

    As we near the half-way point of our Bay State Getaway, we have one more day trip that covers some ground – although only half the ground we covered on our last day trip. Today we saw bridges, flowers, waterfalls, potholes, and we discovered Galumpkis. The colors are coming on nicely, which just adds to the marvelous of Massachusetts.

    To start at the beginning of this series, visit Bay State Getaway 2022.

    The Scenic Route

    < The Mohawk Trail was designated a Scenic Byway in 1953. Route 2/2A wends its way through historic mill towns, along rushing rivers, and over scenic forested mountains and hills in northwest MA. Like a grand main street, it travels through the heart of Franklin and Berkshire Counties connecting the region’s communities and letting tourists and residents alike share in the wealth of rural, recreational and cultural activities that define the region. ~ Click on the sign to READ MORE

    Today we spent a lot of time on the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway (Route 2/2A). Our journey was as fantastic as our destinations – driving by several large farms in the foothills. Each had a beautiful backdrops of treed mountains, and we pulled over several times just to take it all in. With sixty-nine miles of magnificent, it turns out we were on the Mohawk Trail when we visited Natural Bridge State Park just a few days ago. Visit Day Trip to North Adams for a few photos of its stunning white marble cliffs.

    Eunice Williams Covered Bridge

    Eunice is not a common name (although my mother’s) and the fact that her husband’s name was John (my father’s), may be why this bridge has a special place in my heart!

    Once I did some research however, things got a little creepy. I know, again? My last post started out with the story of an alien encounter at our first covered bridge, and today this bridge is haunted? WTH?

    I’ll let you get all of the gory details from New England Legends (click on the podcast below). If you like this kind of stuff, there are hundreds more episodes to keep you busy for a long time!

    Back to the Bridge

    The Eunice Williams Bridge (aka Greenfield Bridge or Green River Pumping Station Bridge) carries Eunice Williams Drive over the Green River in Greenfield, MA. It is 94 feet long and only one lane wide. This bridge utilizes the Howe truss system that was invented by William Howe in 1840, and was widely used in bridges in the mid to late 1800s.

    I love the way the road winds through the trees, through the clearing of the river, over the bridge, and back into the trees. With no traffic during our visit, we had the place all to ourselves and it was a wonderful, relaxing outing.

    It’s Hard to Keep a Good Bridge Down

    The original bridge built on this site in 1870 was destroyed almost a century later, when three young vandals out on Halloween night set it on fire. The original plans were used to build its replacement in 1972 – with a few modifications to improve its safety. Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc in 2011, but more repairs made it the beautiful bridge that it is today.

    Local TV Segments

    While doing my research, I stumbled upon Chronicle 5 WCVB out of Boston. This series includes YouTube videos about some of the covered bridges we visited on this trip! Visit “Haunted Covered Bridges“, “Covered Bridges Road Trip” and “Why Covered Bridges?” The commentary from the locals gives an even greater perspective of these historic bridges, and they also include some stunning photos.

    Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge

    < Arthur Smith (1841-1907) was a teacher and a Civil War veteran who returned to the South, where he organized schools for formerly enslaved people in Alabama and became an official in the post-war Reconstruction. Back in Colrain, he raised fine horses and cattle, becoming a leading citizen of the town. ~ Click on the sign to READ MORE

    The Arthur A. Smith Bridge (aka Fox Bridge) was built in 1869 to carry Lyonsville Road across the North River in Colrain, MA – close to where it converges with Fox Brook. This site was very susceptible to flooding and the Fox Bridge was soon gravely damaged. Abandoned for nearly twenty years, the town finally voted to restore the Fox Bridge to its former glory, and in 1896 they moved it to its present location – then known as the “Arthur A. Smith Flats”.

    Thanks to the fact that it was placed on abutments high above the surrounding floodplain, the bridge was only slightly damaged with Hurricane Irene’s record flooding in 2011. It is the only Burr Truss bridge in the state, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

    Last Covered Bridge Standing in Colrain (of 12)

    The Beauty Behind the Bridge

    The same steep abutments that saved the bridge from sure destruction made it difficult to get to the river, and with no windows inside the bridge my river views are limited. Although the bridge itself is not all that impressive, the area surrounding it definitely is!

    Shelburne Falls, MA

    < A giant’s kettle, aka a giant’s cauldron, moulin pothole, or glacial pothole, is a typically large and cylindrical pothole drilled in solid rock underlying a glacier either by water descending down a deep moulin or by gravel rotating in the bed of subglacial meltwater stream. ~ READ MORE

    We found a great parking spot near the Glacial Potholes where we could walk to downtown Shelburne Falls. I had never really heard of potholes before (other than the ones in the roads back in Wisconsin), but have since found out about a fabulous trail fairly close to home – at the Dalles of the St. Croix. We’ll have to give that a look!

    These potholes began forming after the last glacier age when the Deerfield River first started to flow over these rocks – about 14,000 years ago! They truly show the power of water as it swirled these smooth holes into solid rock.

    With ten hydroelectric dams along the 73 miles of the Deerfield River, it’s obvious how it got its nickname as “The Hardest Working River”. A zoomed-in photo below shows Shelburne Falls’ dam. As calm and cool as this river looks today, you should’ve seen it during Hurricane Irene in 2011. Anything but calm!

    Walk About Town

    As we were doing a little window shopping, we noticed some beautiful mosaics on the sides of a couple of buildings.

    Cynthia Fisher from Big Bang Mosaics is a mosaic artist from Charlemont, MA. In 2009, “she asked for the support and involvement of school officials, teachers, community leaders, and building owners” to create something special for the area she knows and loves. She also recruited local third-graders who were studying the area to come up with some content for ten mosaics – one for Shelburne Falls, plus nine other towns nearby. One, plus a closeup of another are shown below.

    “The Shelburne Falls Mosaic Murals Project was a community-wide endeavor to celebrate the beauty of our rural area. Together we created ten 3′ x 3′ mosaic panels that represent our hilltowns of West County as well as two larger panels, ‘The Deerfield River’ and ‘American Indian Portrait’.” ~ READ MORE to see all of the murals in the project.

    It was about time for lunch, and the Foxtown Diner looked promising. When I saw the special of the day was Galumpkis, I had to ask, “What is a Galumpki?” I’m usually not very brave, but when our waitress described an all-time favorite of mine (cabbage rolls), I was convinced. They are pictured below and were delicious!

    Iron Bridge

    This vintage iron bridge spans the Deerfield River between the towns of Shelburne and Buckland. According to Bridgehunter.com, the bridge is a Warren through truss bridge, built in 1890 by the Vermont Construction Co. in St. Albans, VT, and renovated in 1994. As calm and cool as this river looks today, you should’ve seen it during Hurricane Irene in 2011. Anything but calm!.

    “Each year on a warm August day, the Iron Bridge in Shelburne Falls is shut down and tables are set up to feed 400 hungry attendees. Linen and china span the entire bridge. Musicians stroll the bridge, serenading the diners. Athletes from the Mohawk Athletic Association serve the meal of a hearty salad, a main course, and a wonderful dessert. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner goes to the Athletic Association and the Greater Shelburne Falls Business Association. We are happy to be a part of this annual event and look forward to next year!” ~ See the YouTube Video here

    A View of Where we’re Going

    It was marvelous to make the swoop through town – from our lunch stop, across the Iron Bridge over the Deerfield River, and down a short block to cross back over the river via the Bridge of Flowers. When we saw these things on googlemaps, we had no idea what to expect, but needless to say we were very pleasantly surprised!

    Bridge of Flowers

    In 1928 the trolley was discontinued and its bridge was quickly filled in with weeds – an embarrassment – and a waste of space! The women of the town decided it could grow flowers just as well as weeds! The Women’s Club took over management and maintenance of the plantings and the first flowers were planted in 1929.

    And a View of Where we’ve Been

    Along with the obvious gorgeous blooms on this later-season visit (still to come), we had a birds-eye view of the river.

    “Today, the Bridge of Flowers is a perfect example of a mixed border, with flowering trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, bulbs and annuals that keep the Bridge in glorious bloom from April 1 to October 30. They are cared for by the volunteer Blossom Brigade. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors from as far away as China come to admire the Bridge and take away happy memories of a small rural town with a great beauty at its heart.” ~ READ MORE

    The Stars of the Show

    Bissell Covered Bridge

    Next stop is the Bissell Covered Bridge (aka Charlemont Bridge). This bridge carries Heath Road (MA Route 8A) over Mill Brook in Charlemont (pronounced with a hard CH like Charles, rather than Sharlemont). It is 92 feet long and was the first covered bridge to be built in Massachusetts in the 20th century, replacing its predecessor which dated back to around 1881.

    According to the news source I used above, the “Why Covered Bridges?” segment has great info about the turmoil that this bridge has caused over the years, and it has video of the hideous bridge that bypassed the historic one – but only for a while. Give it a watch!

    Citizen Uprisings are a Part of Massachusetts History!

    “In the covered bridge world there is the “Standoff in Charlemont”. They said it is old, there are cracks in the timbers. It cannot carry modern loads. The state closed Charlemont’s historic bridge in the mid-1990s and put up a temporary bypass. The plan was to replace it with concrete and steel. But the citizens rose up in protest.

    That started what ended up to be a 14-year fight over rehabilitating it vs. tearing it down. And the good guys won! The new covered bridge opened in 2004. They ended up doing it because we got thousands of signatures and petitions. An investment in their future and a nod to its past.” ~ from the video “Why Covered Bridges?“

    The Bones of the Bridge

    Even though the “windows” were a tad too high to get any views of the river, this could be my favorite bridge of the day. I got a terrible picture of the (very) small falls alongside the bridge, so above is a better picture that I stole from the sign with the description just below. I wish I would have thought to get a shot from that vantage point, although the falls today were considerably less voluminous.

    “The bridge was sited near an old mill dam and pond not far from the house of Henry W. Bissell. The town of Charlemont appropriated $1,000 for its construction in 1880. The bridge was built in 1881. In 1951, a newer long-truss bridge was built for about $50,000 because the older bridge was deteriorated. Today’s bridge was built in 2004 to accommodate modern roadway requirements at a cost of $3 million.” ~ from a sign near the bridge

    Tannery Falls

    Although the trail to Tannery Falls in Savoy, MA was only a half mile, there were lots of stairs and tree limbs to navigate. In some cases the tree limbs helped with traction issues, so I guess I shouldn’t complain about those. As I was heading down, a large group of kids were heading back up and a few were huffing and puffing. I was hoping these old legs could get me back out of here, once I got down!

    I took my time, took a few breathers and enjoyed my journey – even though it was a little more strenuous than our typical hike. Once I could hear the falls, I knew I was getting close. At the bottom, a woman had the right idea! She was sitting on a rock reading a book. I didn’t stay long so not to disturb her, and also because it has been a long day and I still have to climb out of here!

    Oh, What a Day!

    Next up: Hyde Park Overnight

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • A Bounty of Bridges

    A Bounty of Bridges

    Our two-week stay in Hancock, MA continues with an exceptional day trip.

    We got an early start this morning with an extensive list of covered bridges to explore. Our planned loop included almost six hours of drive-time which stretched our limit for day trips, but lots of stops along the way broke it up nicely. Beautiful blue skies and warm temps helped make this a great day in New England.

    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 Bay State Getaway 2022.

    The Albany Bridge aka White Mountain National Forest Bridge in Albany, NH

    If you enjoy hearing about our travels on this blog, you probably already know about the Covered Bridges tab at the top of the page. Most of the bridges under that tab are in New England, with only one in Wisconsin. I guess I better get exploring around my home state, since I’ve only seen two of our six Wisconsin Covered Bridges.

    Of the twelve authentic covered bridges in Massachusetts, we’ll see four today (plus one in CT), with three more planned in the days ahead. A visit to the remaining five gives us a goal for a future trip back to Massachusetts.

    Most bridges are unique in some way, and I love to explore them from each end. If possible we do a walk-thru and check out the interior structure and views from the windows. On a gorgeous day like today – the blue sky, wispy clouds and lovely rivers gently meandering below, convey a feeling of calm and relaxation. But most covered bridges have a history of rebuilds (or at least major repairs) after historic flooding during the spring thaw or violent storms. That’s when these gentle rivers can be anything but gentle.

    Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge

    Google sent us on the back roads to our first stop of the day. It went from not too bad to worse when the last half-mile or so was on Covered Bridge Lane – a one-lane dirt road. As we explored the site, we could see a sign for Highway 7 on the other side of the bridge. We talked to some folks who were parked over there, so it seems there was an easier route which google preferred us not to take.

    The Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge was built in 1999 when its predecessor (The Old Covered Bridge) was destroyed by fire in 1994. This was probably one of the most beautiful parks surrounding a bridge that we’ve seen, with a lovely grassy area and benches to relax along the river, but something creepy happened here back in 1969.

    Thom Reed UFO Monument Park

    After checking out the view from one of the benches, we noticed a strange-looking sign which read, “The 1st UFO incident officially inducted into the U.S. as Historically True”. It took checking out the website ufopark.org to find out what it was all about. I immediately watched the 59-minute episode below, which was more than a little creepy. I’d highly recommend a watch.

    “The reboot of Unsolved Mysteries is currently the top-streamed program on Netflix…

    One of the six new episodes is entitled “Berkshires UFO” and it recounts the story of the September 1, 1969 incident in which multiple people reported coming in contact with an unexplained flying object across a small corner of the Berkshire mountains, in the towns of Great Barrington and Sheffield.

    One of those who recounts his experience for the cameras is Thom Reed, who on that night was riding in the back seat of his mother’s car, along with his brother, as his mother drove and his grandmother sat in the front passenger seat. They were driving through a covered bridge when the car was filled with inexplicable light despite it being after 9 p.m. The next thing they knew, three hours had passed and they were now over a mile away from where they had previously been, with his mother now in the passenger seat and his grandmother – who never drove – behind the wheel.” ~ READ MORE: The Real Story Behind Mass. UFO Case from ‘Unsolved Mysteries’

    It Looks Pretty Harmless (in the daylight!)

    Built in 1832, the “Old Covered Bridge” was the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts and carried Bridge Road over the Housatonic River until it was closed to traffic in 1970 after the aforementioned UFO incident.

    “The original bridge was restored in 1974 and 1981, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The bridge was destroyed by fire in 1994, and the replacement bridge was complete in 1999. The fire was determined to be arson, set by local teenagers. The bridge was rebuilt to plans that had been drawn during its restoration.” ~ READ MORE

    West Cornwall Covered Bridge (CT)

    Although still along the Housatonic River, we had to dip into Connecticut to see the West Cornwall Bridge. This bridge was a real treat, with the great little town of West Cornwall at one end. A road ran parallel to the river past a few houses upstream, providing great side views of the bridge, which are rare.

    “One of the last covered bridges in Connecticut, this iconic landmark spans 172 feet over the Housatonic River. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it still carries vehicular traffic on Connecticut Route 128. Designed by Ithiel Town, it has been in continuous service since 1864.” ~ READ MORE

    “Attempts to build bridges at the site go back as far as 1762, but local ice storms and floods, like the Flood of 1837, claimed these early attempts at crossing the Housatonic. Research has shown that the current structure was most likely built in 1864. It is made of sturdy red spruce, a wood stronger than oak, and held together using treenails, wooden pegs that are wedged into place. It is a lattice truss design, known in the 1800s for providing light-weight yet efficient and durable load-bearing capacity.” ~ READ MORE

    Increased Traffic, Vehicle Size and Weight

    Despite being very well built, traffic has increased over the years and vehicles have gotten larger and heavier. Because of concerns about the bridge’s safety, the State of Connecticut considered replacing the now century-old structure, but a local group convinced the state to make renovations to it instead. In 1973 the CT DOT inserted a steel support deck into the bridge – which not only saved the bridge but also won the project an award for an outstanding example of historic preservation.

    Major General John Sedgwick Monument and Cornwall Hollow Cemetery (CT)

    While Jim was studying a map to establish our route for the day, he spotted a monument that was just past our previous stop. As a Civil War enthusiast, he knew right away who John Sedgwick was and quickly added this – and his final resting place – to our stops for today.

    “John Sedgwick, or as many of his men called him “Uncle John”, was one of the most significant division and then corps commanders in the Union Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. A graduate of West Point, Sedgwick quickly rose to the rank of Brigadier and later Major General in the Union army. This was largely due to his previous military experience; he had served in the Mexican-American War, the Seminole War, and other Native American conflicts through the 1850’s.

    “Uncle John” was a born leader who, early in the war established himself as one who commanded not only men, but also their respect.” ~ READ MORE

    Sedgwick was killed on May 9th, 1864 by Confederate artillery fire at Spotsylvania Courthouse and was buried at Cornwall Hollow, CT. His death earned him recognition as the highest ranking Union officer to be killed in the war.

    “The fittest place for man to die is where man dies for man.” ~ From the monument

    Tannery Covered Bridge

    The Tannery Covered Bridge (aka Tolland Covered Bridge) spans the west branch of the Farmington River on the Sandisfield/Tolland town line in MA. Built by Angelo Campetti in 1981, it was covered in 1998.

    This bridge has a stringer system – “longitudinal members supporting joists under the floor planking” – meaning it doesn’t have an arch or truss system. All of the weight is carried by the decking and the structure below. After a quick look at the interior photo below, it looks very different from most covered bridges, and it becomes obvious that the covering is purely ornamental.

    We walked up to this bridge and noticed an iron gate which seemed odd, but it was open so we walked through. On the way back out, we saw the iron nameplate and thought we’d better skedaddle, since maybe this was private property. Come to find out, the name on that metal sign was the builder and his wife. Did they live near here at one time? Or do they still live here?

    Break Time!

    As we entered the city limits of Westfield, this town looked just big enough to have a few nice restaurants. We agreed that The Maple Leaf Pub sounded promising (because of the word Pub in the name). When we missed our turn, we pulled into the Olver Transit Pavilion to turn around, and were immediately met by the security guard who was quick to tell us that we could not park here.

    He said he could actually give us a ticket – if he wasn’t such a nice guy. We explained that we were just turning around and he told us where we could park for free. He said the Maple Leaf was a wise choice and we exchanged hometowns. It seemed he just needed someone to talk to, so we chatted for a while and finally made a break for it.

    It turned out to be the perfect stop. My flatbread pizza went well with our Dirty Girl IPAs – brewed by Abandoned Building Brewery in Easthampton, MA. Our beers were “named in celebration of the amazing women in agriculture who make local beer possible.” Be sure to stop at the Maple Leaf if you are ever in Westfield – but avoid the transit pavilion – unless you just need someone to talk to!

    With gas prices ranging anywhere from $3.40 to $3.90 a gallon, the highlight of the day was finding a station for $2.96 a gallon in Westfield! Too bad we didn’t have more room in our tank (or gas cans in the back) to take advantage of that incredible price!

    Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge (MA)

    Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge (aka Gilbertville Bridge) carries Bridge Street over the Ware River in two counties (Hampshire and Worcester) and two cities (Ware and Hardwick). It is one of very few remaining 19th-century covered bridges in Massachusetts.

    This one-lane bridge is about 100 feet long and 18 feet wide – plenty wide for a car to pass us (while walking) without the need to panic.

    “The bridge was built in 1886, extensively rebuilt in 1986-1987, and was closed in 2002 due to structural issues and a limited carrying capacity. The bridge reopened in October 2010 and no longer has a weight limit according to MassDOT. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.” ~ READ MORE

    Town Truss System

    Although the Town (Lattice) Truss System made it a little harder for my river shots, having access to the river itself made up for it. This system is a relatively simple structure and works great for longer bridges. Patented by Ithiel Town in 1820, this system provides “light-weight yet efficient and durable load-bearing capacity.” We saw this design on the West Cornwall bridge earlier today, although that one had larger “windows” for easier viewing.

    Getting Down to River-level

    Burkeville Covered Bridge

    By the time we got to the end of our list at the Burkeville Covered Bridge (aka Conway Covered Bridge), the shadows were getting a little harsh, but we had a little fun with it. Photos from the one end were blown out, but I’m showing the second photo because it’s a great example of what gets me in trouble on these trips. See the steeple behind the bridge? Of course we had to explore to find the beautiful historic church that it’s attached to. Luckily it was just down the street.

    I tried to find some info about the church, but could only come up with a cool photo of the bridge and church when no foliage blocks the view. Check it out.

    Ah, There it Is!

    There’s that warm glow usually associated with the sun making its way to the horizon. The name that is engraved on the bridge (just below the height restriction sign), looks like its lit up! And although the windows inside the bridge were too high to reach a view and the foliage around the bridge didn’t even allow a peek at the river, this is what vacations are all about in my mind. Great photos will keep this vacation alive for years to come. It was the perfect finale for a great day.

    A Long Day, but so Worth It!

    Next up: Bridges, Blooms & Beyond

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • Day Trip to North Adams

    Day Trip to North Adams

    Glass-half-empty people may think this day started off with a lot of effort for little reward. But Jim and I usually agree that it’s not always about the destination. Since a trip to New England is synonymous with getting back to nature, this peaceful hike in the woods was just what the doctor ordered.

    At our next stop, our journey was a short one from the parking lot to the river – and the reward was breathtaking. I guess life really IS like a box of chocolates! You never really know what you’re going to get!

    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 Bay State Getaway 2022.

    The Cascades Trail

    We parked at the YMCA as instructed and walked about 1/3 of a mile through a residential area to the trailhead. The residents must love being so close to a beautiful walk whenever their hearts desire.

    With a name like “Cascades Trail“, photos on Google showing falls, and reviews on AllTrails saying the falls were beautiful – we set our sites on seeing some falls – or at least a cascade. Supposedly “blue blazes” would mark our trail, but we only saw the one just past the houses. The 2.2-mile walk (roundtrip) was pretty easy, with just enough of an incline where you felt you were getting some exercise. We walked along the babbling Notch Brook, and occasionally rays of sun jutted through the gorgeous tall trees, but not enough to heat things up as we ventured in. It really was a perfect day in the trees.

    “The Cascades Trail is a short, beautiful river walk following the Notch Brook in North Adams from the end of Marion Avenue to a popular cascading waterfall. A hidden in-town gem, this trail is minutes away from downtown areas of North Adams and Williamstown and is short enough to walk on a whim for anyone looking to squeeze a nice hike into a limited amount of time…

    The entire hike takes about an hour and a half and is flat enough for even the most inexperienced hikers to enjoy a taste of nature. Feel free to walk along the rocks to the base of the falls for a refreshing break from summer heat, or follow the aggressive climb along the right side of the falls to the top for spectacular views of the river below.” ~ READ MORE

    Is this the Trail?

    We followed what we thought was the trail, and stayed close to the river which should have been another clue. It was a fantastic walk, and it got us wondering why we don’t spend more time immersed in nature like we do when we’re on vacation. Wisconsin does have some beautiful walking trails.

    Isn’t nature splendid?

    Is That It?

    One last photo. This was the point where we either had to climb up a large embankment which may have been the trail? or walk in the water to get around some big boulders and maybe find the trail again? So we’re not sure if the falls were further up the way, or they were waaayyy smaller than the flowing pics on the internet. Either way we decided that was enough. It was all about the journey on this one, and that was OK with us.

    Break Time!

    With our google of “Pubs near me”, the Freight Yard Pub & Restaurant came up for some lunch before heading to our next stop. This place claims “The Best Burgers in the Berkshires” and although we did not have burgers, our food was delicious! And no, those were NOT a Bud Light and a PBR. They did not have glasses for my Lagunitas and Jim’s “The Adults are Talking”. I tasted his and it was better than mine, but he wouldn’t switch dammit.

    Natural Bridge State Park

    Our perfect day continues with a stop at Natural Bridge State Park. The views as we walked to the Visitor Center were only a hint at the beauty that was to come! The reflections off of the waters of Mill Pond were very impressive as it heads to the dam just beyond the big orange tree in the third photo. Next time we come here, we are definitely packing a lunch with views like that (and an open picnic table)!

    Natural White Marble Cliffs

    OMG! The beautiful white marble cliffs and great mountain views – with just a hint of Autumn coming on the trees. I wish we could have come back again at the end of this trip when the colors were closer to peak.

    In the early 1800s, the value of marble was realized and by 1947 two-hundred tons of stone were being quarried each day. About that time a fire destroyed all of the buildings and the business was sold to Edward Elder who managed the area as a tourist attraction until his death in 1984.

    The following year, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management purchased the site from his widow. Can you imagine what a shame it would have been if the quarrying had continued? We would surely not be standing here today in awe of the beauty of this earth.

    550 million year-old Bedrock Marble

    “Natural Bridge State Park is home to the only natural white marble arch in North America. According to geologists, the park’s namesake natural bridge, made of 550 million year-old bedrock marble, was carved into its iconic arch by the forces of glacial melt water over 13,000 years ago. Today, the bridge spans the bubbling Hudson Brook as it twists and tumbles through a steep 60-foot gorge – one of the best demonstrations of glacial erosion in New England.

    Inside the park, visitors can also tour an abandoned marble quarry and check out a man-made white marble dam – also the only one in North America.” ~ READ MORE

    Namesake Natural Bridge and Arch

    At the time we weren’t really sure what we were looking at in this area since it was closed for repairs. Unlike the rest of the area, it was dark, in the shadows, fenced off and in some cases crumbling. “Areas of the namesake natural bridge and the arch that was carved from the forces of the glacial melt water” (from the quote just above) were finally seen as the fenced-in stairway descends (last photo), but we couldn’t get any closer.

    Man-made White Marble Dam

    A Bridge to More Vantage Points

    A bridge took us to the other side of the river with more reflecting river shots, the Visitor Center, and a closer look at the falls.

    Wow, Just WOW!

    Next up: A Bounty of Bridges

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • Bay State Getaway 2022

    Bay State Getaway 2022

    When we were able to book back-to-back weeks in the same unit in Massachusetts, we immediately started planning a return to New England. Although nicknamed the Bay State because it has shores on four bays on the eastern end of the state – we stayed on the western end – and dipped into New York, Connecticut and Vermont. It was a fabulous trip with radiant colors coming on over the course of our stay.

    Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.

    Get Back to Let It Be

    Last time we were basically “going right by”, we made a stop in Cleveland at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When the Beatles became the featured artists, and they completed an upgrade to the already excellent Beatles exhibit, we decided to stop again. Although the Friday Night Live Music was over for the season and we weren’t able to watch the entire rooftop concert, we were able to see clips from it – along with the scenes of the Bobbies trying to shut it down.

    I had seen the footage on a great documentary Get Back, but it was nice to see it in the setting of Rock Hall. Although Get Back was somewhat boring, with a lot of sitting around and trying to come up with ideas for new songs, there were great clips of all four just being young and just being themselves, and it definitely pulled at my heartstrings.

    A friend suggested an even better documentary McCartney 3, 2, 1. Although there was no rooftop concert, Paul talks about great (and tumultuous) moments in the Beatles’ time together and how they came up with new and unique techniques to make their music more interesting. He also talks about the years when he and John rode the school bus together, and how all they wanted to do was make music – even as young boys.

    “On 30 January 1969, the Beatles performed an impromptu concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row, in central London’s office and fashion district. Joined by keyboardist Billy Preston, the band played a 42-minute set before the Metropolitan Police arrived and ordered them to reduce the volume. It was the final public performance of their career.” ~ READ MORE

    A Return to Massachusetts

    Last time we were in this state was last September (Fall for New England). After a week in both Vermont and New Hampshire, we stayed three nights in both Boston and Cape Cod – where we enjoyed lots of history, seafood, gorgeous bay, sound, and ocean views, and unique lighthouses.

    Although technically Massachusetts has hundreds of bays, the state was nicknamed for its four most prominent: Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Buzzards and Narragansett Bays. On our last trip we saw all four, this trip we saw zero.

    Although Bluegreen does have one very nice resort in Lincoln, NH (South Mountain Resort), we have yet to stay there. It seems RCI usually has openings between the summer and ski seasons, and those reservations don’t drain our Bluegreen points. When there were two weeks in a row available at the Wyndham Club Bentley Brook, in Hancock, we jumped on them!

    Jiminy Peak

    I went exploring one dreary afternoon at the ski resort right next door. Jiminy Peak looks to have a lot to do during the summer and winter months, but the fall – not so much. There were several restaurants that would have been very convenient, but they were all closed by the time dinnertime rolled around.

    Hancock Shaker Village

    Our first outing in MA was a wonderful afternoon at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, where a Country Fair was going on. Adding arts and crafts, live music, and craft beer – to the guided tours and beautiful surroundings of the Village, we opted to go right away on Saturday just in case we wanted to return on Sunday. When we thought we might return the next day, it would have been for the music and beer, so we were disappointed when the “live music” was just two gentlemen from a local radio station – broadcasting live.

    “Our beautifully restored and walkable Village is set amid acres of farm, woodland and pasture. The world-famous Round Stone Barn is a testament to Shaker efficiency, innovation and design.” ~ READ MORE

    In the foreground of the third photo above: “Pinaree Sanpitak’s beautifully shaped sculptures in varying scales are placed throughout the heart of Hancock’s Shaker kitchen and surrounding gardens. One of the leading and most respected feminist artists in Southeast Asia, Sanpitak finds her ideal in the utopian society of the Shakers, where women held equal social standing to men more than two centuries ago.

    Particularly important to her creative inspiration is the female body and its life-affirming power, symbolized by the form of breasts, which she interprets artistically to resemble a stupa, a sacred hemispherical structure originally intended to contain the Buddha’s relics and to be used as a place of meditation. The concept of sacred femininity and connection to the earth finds a natural home in a rural communal setting of a movement founded by a woman in the 1770s.” ~ READ MORE

    Shopping, Lunch and History

    We perused the arts and crafts section right after we purchased our tickets, then hit up the Laundry & Machine Shop (the big red building below) for water turbine and blacksmith demos which were starting soon. Since the Hungry Traveler food truck was right outside the door, we decided to grab lunch and a beer before we explored any further. Folks were relaxing and/or eating lunch on the grass on this fabulous day, but we lucked out when one of the picnic tables opened up. Sitting on the ground is not in our wheelhouse because getting back up is not pretty!

    “In their quest to live in a heaven on earth, the Shakers created a distinctive material world. Unique dwellings housed men and women whose labors produced the furniture, textiles, and agricultural and household equipment in what we now call Shaker style. Spared from the ornamentation seen in worldly goods, the objects made by Shaker hands exhibit clean lines and functional grace. The beauty of Shaker style resides in its purity of design.” ~ READ MORE

    “Fifty room-setting exhibitions are offered within the Village. These exhibitions accent the full range of Shaker daily life and show the Village’s collection as the Shakers would have used it. In the Brick Dwelling, you will see an infirmary with hospital beds, adults’ cradles and 19th-century medical equipment. In the Sisters’ Dairy and Weave Loft, you will see looms, spinning wheels and butter churns.” ~ READ MORE

    Round Stone Barn

    The Round Stone Barn had been in the background for most of our visit so far and I could hardly wait to get a closer look. There was an inside tour available and we made sure we were in the right place at the right time for that!

    Inside the Round Barn

    Our tour guide was awesome! He explained that the oxen that were pulling the carts loaded with hay were so large that they refused (or couldn’t) back up. The round barn made it easier for the oxen to continue going forward to make their way out of the barn. Every cow on the farm knew their own space at the “round table”. When the doors were opened, each cow instinctively went to her own spot where she was fed and milked. The floor was lowered slightly behind each cow for waste to fall, and eventually a basement was put in for sanitary reasons. The goats were just an added bonus!

    A Strange Place for an Art Exhibit

    The basement of a round barn may seem like a strange place for an art exhibit, but Kimsooja (from Daegu, South Korea) has two videos on display here at Hancock Shaker Village. “Thread Routes – Chapter I (2011)” and “Thread Routes II – Lightwaves (2011/2016)” are shown below.

    “It is the yin and yang: a coexistence of duality that endlessly transforms and enriches.

    The constant theme of Kimsooja’s work is textiles and related human labors such as sewing, weaving, and threading. These activities become a metaphor for connecting disparate places and transcending conflicts. While growing up in South Korea, her family moved often near the demilitarized zone as her father worked in the military. In her early installations using bottari (cloth bundles containing belongings when moving) made with traditional Korean bedcovers, the form and the structure of the material symbolized her nomadic existence as an artist working in both the East and West.” ~ READ MORE

    In Conclusion

    What an absolutely fabulous day. Although devoid of live music, today’s visit was educational, enlightening and spiritually uplifting. We didn’t return the next day, but mostly because the weather turned. Sunday was rainy – a great day to stay in and watch some Packer football!

    Up next: Day Trip to North Adams

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • Fall for New England Recap

    Fall for New England Recap

    Blogposts from our September 2021 New England road trip are complete. This post will provide an outline of where we went, what we saw and links to posts associated with each stop.

    If you haven’t seen any of the posts, you may want to start at the beginning. Near the bottom of each post, there is a green link that will take you to the next post – it’s pretty simple to navigate. I’d also suggest a desktop or laptop rather than your phone so photos are a little larger. If you click on the first in a series, you can scroll through the photos by clicking the arrow. Enjoy!

    Our itinerary:

    Fall for New England 2021
    Cleveland, OH (2 nights) Double Tree by Hilton. An overnight was increased to two to see the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A fantastic Mexican restaurant on Lake Erie topped off a great day of music and kicked off our month-long road trip. If you haven’t seen Rock Hall (especially if you’re a Baby Boomer), book it now! You’ll be glad you did.

    Cheers to the Empire State
    We made several stops in New York en route to our overnight, starting in Niagara Falls, NY. We were perched right next to the thundering waters of the Niagara River as it dropped 176 feet. The scenic route along Lake Ontario delivered us to our accommodations in Sodus, NY (1 night) Bernap’s Bed & Breakfast and Beyond.

    Historic Wilmington
    This morning we finished up a few stops in NY and took the scenic route to the historic Crafts Inn in Wilmington, VT (7 nights). There is lots to do in town and within close proximity. This post has some history of Wilmington and a nice walking tour.

    Vermont Covered Bridges
    Our stay in Wilmington continues with a covered bridge tour and a scenic drive thru Mount Snow Ski Resort. Also: North Bennington Station, Monument Circle in Bennington, ending at the Madison Brewing Company.

    The Hundred Mile View
    Our stay in Wilmington continues with a stop at the Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook, a visit to the Southern Vermont Historic Museum, and Beer Naked Brewery. Two more covered bridges with a fabulous deli in between enhanced our move to New Hampshire. This could be the “Ideal Tour.”

    Another Week of Wow!
    Bartlett, NH (7 nights) Attitash Mountain Village. Three covered bridges right in town, a whistle stop right on property and a ski slope right across the road made this a great place for our next home base.

    Castle in the Clouds
    Our stay in Bartlett continues with spectacular views from every window at the Castle in the Clouds – built with then-cutting-edge materials and state-of-the-art amenities. It was designed to harmonize with its surroundings and is not pretentious, just gorgeous!

    Climb to the Clouds
    Our stay in Bartlett continues. The sign warned that the Mount Washington Auto Road is a steep, narrow mountain road with no guardrails and some gravel. If we have a fear of heights, we may not “appreciate” this driving experience and guided tours are available. My chauffeur did not “appreciate” it, but the views were spectacular!

    New Hampshire Bridges
    Our stay in Bartlett continues with a little background on the life of a covered bridge, four more beautiful bridges, and a stop at Lower Falls Scenic Area on the Swift River. This day had a great finish at Tuckerman’s Brewing Company.

    All Things New Hampshire
    Our stay in Bartlett continues with a redo of some of our favorite sites: Silver Cascade, Franconia Notch with its breathtaking Flume Gorge, and a stop at one of our favorite breweries. A new addition was Sabbaday Falls, which should not be missed!

    History 101
    We made stops at Lexington and Concord as a prelude to the history coming up in Boston. Our visit included the Minute Man National Historic Park, a nice walk to the North Bridge, but not nearly enough time on the rest of the Battle Road or in Lexington.

    A City on a Hill
    Boston, MA (3 nights) The Godfrey Hotel Boston. We picked a hotel right on the Freedom Trail to give us more time in the historic district and less time commuting. Lots of Boston (United States) history in this one!

    Walk Into History
    Our stay in Boston continues with two days of walking the Freedom Trail, with lots of pictures, our Beantown treat goals, beautiful public gardens, a pint here and a pint there, the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill.

    For the Love of Water
    Dennis Port, MA (3 nights) The Soundings Seaside Resort. When we’re by big water, visiting lighthouses seems the logical goal, although construction plagued us today. We met Three Sisters and their Nauset Beach Light Station, Highland Light, Cape Cod National Seashore, Province Lands Visitor Center and Provincetown. Of course great seafood is another logical goal!

    The Search for Lights
    Our stay in Dennis Port continues with a quest for lighthouses that were not being renovated. We started at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary where we found a lot of birds and the Sandy Neck Light. A couple more lights were closed to the public, turned into inns or positioned behind No Trespassing signs. The Chatham Lighthouse was beautiful, with a shark warning and a great Mayflower story.

    As our trip winds down, we head west (home) with an overnight in East Haven, CT (1 night). On the way we find my favorite lighthouses of the trip, fish and chips at an Irish Pub on a wharf, a casino/castle, and some houses owned by the top 1%.

    All About Frank
    Connellsville, PA (1 night) Comfort Inn. We positioned ourselves nicely for visits to Falling Water and Kentuck Knob, with lunch by the river near the Great Allegheny Passage Bridge. We continued on to Polymath Park for tours of three houses – two designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the third by one of his apprentices – followed by a wonderful four course meal in the TreeTops.

    Mars, PA (1 night) Comfort Inn, Cranberry Township. After our tours, we drove about an hour to get past Pittsburgh. Our last drive on this road trip was a long ten hours, but worth it to sleep in our own bed that night!

    Up Next: So Long Snow 2022

    Happy trails,
    Barb