It's Independence Day! (This is why we love America!)

On July 4th, we made like our forefathers and packed our car and hit the road as the sun was rising.  Just read any history book and you will see that Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Betsy Ross all were known for getting up early and packing their cars for a day long exploration on July 4th.  Ok, so maybe that's why Natalie and I don't teach history...

Our first bridge was very easy to find an exit or two from where we had started our day.  First up, the Blair Bridge.  This is yet another bridge that we visited that has been destroyed by arsonists.

The Blair Bridge overlooking the Pemigewasset River.  

Across a set of railraod checks and down a few roads and we came across this sign marking Bridge #2 for the day.

This is the side view of the rebuilt Bump Bridge.

The Bump also had great atmosphere: the field with cows, loud croaking frogs, the fog atop the mountains, and of course a great travel companion!

The Bumps are apparently a very busy family and very proud of their well placed bridge.

 One final shot of the Bump Bridge.

Our next stop was probably the most somber of this whole challenge... 

The Turkey Jim.

The Turkey Jim was destroyed by Hurricane Irene in the Fall of 2011.  It was sad to see such a beautiful structure in shambles from an act of nature.

Next was on to the Jack O'Lantern.  A picturesque model bridge.   Although, it is not a recongized covered bridge by the state. 

Here is the view on the Jack O'Lantern...

Here is the view to the right of the bridge...

Here is a view of the golf course to the left of the bridge... 

It was a nice bridge with a nice view, but perhaps the sadness of the Turkey Jim cheapened the feeling we got from the commercialness of the Jack O'Lantern.

Next, it was onto Clark's Trading Post.  We read that we didn't have to pay to view and photograph the bridge, which was fortunate because the park was not opened when we arrived.  So we found an opening in the fence and then spotted the bridge.  But first we had to pass by the guardian...

Here is the Clark's Bridge Marker.  The bridge used to be located in Vermont, but was moved.  

Here is the bridge.  Yes, this is what bridges are supposed to look like!  Just what we needed at this point in the day!

Here is the memorial for one of the high schoolers who helped to move Clark's Bridge.  He died while fighting in Vietnam.

This is one of the engines that have driven through Clark's Bridge.  We have not travelled across the bridge, because it was marked with signs of danger.  Safety first!

By 8:45 we had tackled 5 bridges.  Not bad for one morning.  Maybe we weren't acting like our forefathers, but I think they would have been proud of the way we explored and celebrated all our country has to offer.  Don't worry there are still 18 more bridges the we visited that day! So keep reading!