Ellen and I seem to be pretty comfortable hunting bridges without a map or GPS. We have a very vague NH Tourism Map, a list of bridges, and a smart phone that doesn't always get reception. After this weekend's adventure we plan on changing our routine up. I plan on purchasing: a GPS, a New Hampshire road map, and a binder to keep notes and research in when I cannot access the files on my phone. We will also do a better job telling our mothers exactly where we are headed.
...back to Friday night. The Sulphite (#62) is an upside down railroad covered bridge in the woods of Franklin. The website I found for it had vague directions which included "parking behind a car wash near the hospital sign." It then instructed us to find a dirt path that would lead us to the bridge .3 or so miles into the woods. The directions also said that we could take a left onto River Rd. This is strange, because the car wash in Franklin is no where near River Rd. Another website said that we could park at Trestle View Park, but we didn't see that anywhere.
Behind the car wash in Franklin there was a set of jersey barriers. It was getting dark and we didn't feel like going into the woods in the semi-dark without confirming that this was the spot. So we drove to River Rd. We freaked ourselves out. There were people staring at us like we didn't belong. We even saw a creepy woman dressed in all black who seemed to disappear. (according to Ellen there was also a boy who had no nose). Weird.
It was getting darker and darker. The people on the streets seemed to get creepier and creepier.
At this point I said to Ellen, "We don't have to find #13 tonight." Ellen screeched, "It's number #13!"
***
After waking up at 6am, we left for the bridge. The AC got into the car and said two things upon entering. 1. Looks like someone's a hobo drifter. (in response to Ellen's car) and a little later, 2. So when you guys come up with something, you take it way too far.
We parked again behind the car wash and walked into the woods. I think I will let Ellen tell you why that was the WRONG path. Never go to a car wash and walk into the woods....
So we gave up for the day. We came up with the great idea that we would come back with more back-up. We would come back with a whole group of people and a GPS and find this. It would not matter how sketchy anything was. We would find "Trestle View Park" and this bridge even if it took all summer.
Then the AC said, "Is that it?"
We said, "No! That is not a covered bridge!"
If you are looking for the Sulphite (#62), park next to the giant wheel and cross the street.
Note: I think it is ridiculous that none of the directions we found mentioned a GIANT wagon wheel.
Walk under this bridge.
Take the very clean and maintained path. We saw flowers and even a little turtle. Turns out there is nothing scary about Franklin.
Ellen and the AC at the sign for the bridge. It was hard to see from the sign:
Can you see it?
We then saw bushes so overgrown that we couldn't see the bridge at all from the path. Ellen and I prepared to bushwhack our way to the view of the bridge, until the AC said, "Why don't you just take this path...."
So we took the path.
The Sulphite (#62) is upside down. The train tracks are on the "roof" of the bridge. This is the first bridge that we did not walk across. It was damaged by arson in 1980 and is not structurally sound. It was built in 1896 to bring sulphur to the paper mills down river.
We couldn't walk across, but that didn't stop us from taking pictures at the end of the bridge that was still on land.
Ellen could climb on this bridge, so she leaned over the support beams.
So did the AC.
What was all that fuss about?
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