Natalie and I started throwing around the idea of visiting the Maritime Provinces about year ago. Once we learned the New Brunswick was home to the world's longest covered bridge, we knew we had to make it a reality. For our last hurrah of summer we loaded the car, picked up the mysterious, maternal chaperone (aka the MMC), and made the 10 hour drive to New Brunswick. We took the advice of a friend and listened to "Anne of Green Gables" pass the time during the drive.
My favorite sign at the rest area in Maine. It is always important to stretch, especially during a road trip!
The hip shifts!
We followed very descriptive bridge signs that brought us here!
In an interesting change, Natalie is the official driver of international bridges.
Dashboard cam of traveling through the bridge!
The view, this bridge is so long there was time to take a variety of shots along the way.
What a beauty!
Hartland loves their bridge!
The world's longest bridge, is very long!
Natalie holds up the Hartland Bridge.
Natalie gets tired of holding up the bridge...wait a second...it didn't fall down...hmm.
The underbelly of the bridge.
Covered Bridge Potato Chips?!?!? Two of my favorite things in a bag! Wishes do come true!
Approaching the bridge...
We get ready for the 12 hour journey of walking through the bridge...just kidding...but it probably took about 12 minutes to walk there and back.
Vandals are also excited to be on the World's Longest Covered Bridge!
This graffiti congratulated us on making it across the bridge!
Check out the supports on this one...
The St. John River which is crossed by the Hartland Bridge.
The openings between the slats make for a very cool scene as you drive across the bridge. It is almost like a flip book of the St. John River.
Phew, we are in the right place and left our oversized truck at home!
Why did the bloggers and the MCC cross the bridge?
Answer: To get to the other side!
Time to make the return trip.
What a beautiful day on the St. John River.
This is the accident we observed while crossing the bridge. One driver did not heed the warning and entered the bridge while another car was trying to exit the bridge. One driver ended up hitting the guard rail, it created a lot of havoc. Bridge crossings can be dangerous!
The MMC waits for us to finish crossing the bridge.
Hartland loves their bridge!
The Bridge Master!
The Historic Hartland Bridge.
I even got a tattoo at this bridge, that is something I haven't done at a bridge, yet.
Now on to the Covered Bridge Potato Chip Factory!
As we were about to get back on the highway we saw this! So we had to stop and say hello!
Covered Bridges and Covered Wagons, how can you say no!?!
The information center!
They also had model bridges inside their bridge...mind blowing!
The employees were excited to hear about our love of bridges. They encouraged us to visit the 61 bridges New Brunswick has to offer. They highlighted about 10 that were in the near by area. We thanked them for our help and we knew someday we were return to cross the other 59 off the list. But how can you say no to something right down the street, when you had already driven 10 hours and gone through Customs?
A view of the Long Creek...
The Starkey Bridge.
The Starkey was built in 1912.
Wooden driveway to the Starkey.
Clearance sign in meters.
Donnie loves Ricke and we love bridges!
New Brunswick is a fan of their gaps between wooden slats.
Truss system under the roof.
While taking this picture, there was a group of people on a party pontoon who greeted us while enjoying the beautiful day!
A historic shout out on the bridge.
Over in the distance, is a shot of the pontoon patrons.
The Ghost of Natalie Past walks across the bridge.
Natalie questions the authenticity of a bridge with a wooden driveway...she decides the bridge is an authentic covered bridge with a wooden drive way.
Thanks NB, for sharing your bridges with us! We appreciate your spunk and your love for things covered. We will be back some day to check the rest off our list. As for this trip, we have business to attend to in Nova Scotia and PEI.
