Covered Bridges

There are several covered bridges within a few miles of Saint-Gaudens, so while we were in the area, we hit them up. 

This bridge spans the Connecticut River, connecting the towns of Cornish, New Hampshire and Windsor, Vermont.

Love this sign!

The Cornish-Windsor Bridge is the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world.

Blow-Me-Down Bridge

The Blow-Me-Down Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It spans a deep gorge on the Blow-Me-Down Brook.

Blacksmith Shop Bridge

The Blacksmith Shop Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The bridge was used by only one family and given its name because of its close proximity to a local blacksmith shop that once stood in an area know as Slab City.

Dingleton Hill Bridge

The Dingleton Hill Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by James Tasker who is known to have built at least eleven bridges in the area (including Blacksmith Shop Bridge and Blow-Me-Down Bridge).

Covered Bridges

I really love covered bridges and there are tons of them in Vermont.  In the Woodstock area alone, there are seven covered bridges.  My family only had enough patience to visit three of them, and considering how unbelievably bad the roads were, I can't really blame them.

Taftsville Covered Bridge

Inside the Taftsville Covered Bridge. 

Taftsville Covered Bridge 

Middle Covered Bridge 

Lincoln Covered Bridge

Jackson

During our Polar Express trip, we spent some time in North Conway and Jackson, New Hampshire.  Although we were both born and raised in New Hampshire, Lee and I were completely blown away by the beauty of Jackson and the surrounding towns - it is truly God's Country.  Indeed, it was so picturesque that even the girls were awestruck - they were so busy oohing and ahhing that they forgot to complain about the amount of time that they were strapped into the car!  Below are just a few of the many, many pictures that I took - although I was completely incapable of capturing the beauty that surrounded us (for more photos, click here).

Saco River covered bridge (near and far).

Downtown North Conway.

Jackson covered bridge (far and near).

Silver Cascade.

Take a "Hike"

On Sunday, we took the girls to the Salmon River State Forest in Colchester, which is a great state park practically in our backyard.  They really love walking the trails and Elizabeth, especially, proved to have great stamina for hiking.  The Salmon River State Forest is home to the Comstock Covered Bridge, one of only three covered bridges in Connecticut and the only one still carrying its own weight with the original timber structure.  It was a beautiful sight from down below, at the side of the river, and up above.  Our first family hike was a success and I'm sure that we'll be taking more soon.

The Comstock Covered Bridge

Heading through the gates on to the bridge.

The intricate wood inside the bridge.

Heading home....