23 Bridges in One Day! (Part 2 of 5) The Flume

We pulled into the Flume at 9:00am.  We couldn't have planned it better if we tried.  We had the first parking space and were the first ones to enter the Flume.

Flume (#39) 9:00am

This is the first bridge that we have ever had to pay to see, but since there are two covered bridges at the Flume, it wasn't that bad.

It was special to have the Flume to ourselves.   We didn't see another human until we got the Sentinel Pine Bridge.

The Flume Visitor center has some great covered bridge models.  They also have a cute gift shop.  There are only so many places to get good bridge merch.  We treated ourselves to matching covered bridge Christmas ornaments and a puzzle.  Note: My ornament broke after a long day of bridge hunting. Don't worry- I will repair it in ten years and put a sign on it that reads: built in 1832.

I see bridge #39!

The Flume Bridge was built in 1871. It has a Paddleford truss. The Flume bridge has a pedestrian bridge on one side.  The main bridge is for shuttle bus traffic only...

...but if you walk around the fence, you can take a picture in front of the bridge.

Lalalala...we are taking pictures of the scenery, not walking near the bridge, Mr. Shuttle Bus Driver...Lalalala

Danger!  Don't stand there, Ellen.

On to our adventure through the Flume.  It was a cool morning, but the rain and the river mist made the paths and staircases very slippery.  There were signs warning of the dangers everywhere.  I think I counted ten signs warning us that there would be wet stairs ahead.

We probably should have worn better footwear.

Wait...there are stairs at the Flume?

Time to find the Sentinel Pine (#38).

There it is!

This bridge is over a gorge. It is not for the faint of heart.

Can you spot Ellen?

This bridge takes its name from the pine tree that was used to make it. They said the tree stood watch over the pool like a sentry on guard.  It was five feet in diameter and 90 feet tall. It was a 100 year old tree that was blown over in a hurricane.  I was relieved to learn that they didn't cut such a majestic tree down.

West side.

Allen Hollis (A) aka Lost River (10:46am)

I think it is time that I disclose that the Lost River experience we had was not my favorite. I might be a little biased...

We went to the Lost River after the Flume because we were in that area.  This is the second time that we have had to pay to see a bridge, but it is still not clear if we had to pay to view the Allen Hollis.  (Thanks, super informed Lost River employees.)

We first stopped in the gift shop to see if there were any covered bridge postcards.  We found one.  To my dismay, when I went to pay for the postcard the lady said, "Where did you find this?  We have other postcards."

She tried to talk me out of a covered bridge postcard!  Be proud of your bridges, Lost River.

We then went to inquire about the location of the bridge, because we didn't have all day!  The teenager behind the counter said, and I quote, "There's a bridge here?"

Seriously, Lost River?

Well, we paid and went through the Lost River.  It was a lot like the Flume, only there were more tourists, and it wasn't as spectacular. There were caves, though.  Many caves.

I might not be being fair.  After all, we did have a peaceful morning exploring the Flume by ourselves.  It was so special that anything would pale in comparison.  At the end of the day, I do not recommend doing the Flume and Lost River on the same day.

Plus, the Lost River stamps your hands.  Is that necessary?  It's not a night club.

Wait, there are stairs at Lost River?

As much as I complain about the Lost River organization, not a bad view. 

Go New Hampshire!

The Allen Hollis Bridge

This is the sign that we passed after the Lost River and before the bridge/ exit.  Thanks, teenager.  You can see the bridge for free....without being prosecuted.

This one reminded me of the Sentinel Pine.  Maybe New Hampshire needs to give it a little official number love.
It's not the bridge's fault that the Lost River employees don't appreciate it.

Isn't this awesome? I do love a good truss carving.

It was built in 1981.  Too young for a number?

23 Bridges in One Day! (part 1 of 5)

Ellen and I decided to take advantage of our nation's birthday with some good clean fun.  Our goal was to visit 21 bridges, but came with directions to 24, just in case.  This time around we were ready.  After a planning session, we had detailed directions, a newly formed bridge binder, a well marked New Hampshire road map, and a borrowed GPS that we never had to use. 
We packed a lunch and left the house by 6:40am.  Once coffees were in hand, we left in the morning drizzle to Campton.
Blair (#41) 7:10am

Exit 27 is the Blair Bridge exit, so it is much easier to find than some of our other attempts. 

This is another bridge that was damaged by arson. It was lit on fire by a man named Lem Parker who claimed that God told him to do it. He confessed, but was not found guilty because there were no witnesses. It was rebuilt to guarantee that a local doctor could cross the river.

   

This is our first bridge with a double arch. Notice that the "X" in the middle of the arch is brand new.  Sections of the bridge are being repaired. 

There are also electrical wires running alongside this bridge.  It not only blocks the view, but seems unsafe.

This side has a much nicer view.

It was early in the morning, but that didn't stop Ellen from climbing on things.

 Be careful!  This bridge has a low clearance.

This bridge has large open windows and was very well lit, even in the rain.

It spans the Pemigewasset and was built in 1869 for $1,000.  It also has a five dollar fine, so take it easy.

Being the first bridge of the day we took a ton of photos, but as the day progressed we found that it takes us about 10 minutes to document a bridge visit.


Bump (#43) 7:30am

The Bump was first built in 1877, but the current bridge was constructed at 1972.

It was near a pasture with cows and a sandy river.

It has a Queenpost truss.

The Graton name appeared on many of the covered bridges in the area.  It appears that they helped rebuild many of New Hampshire's bridges in the 1970s.

Turkey Jim (#42) 7:53am

The Turkey Jim was a bridge that was located on the Branch Brook Campground.  It was destroyed by Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene in August of 2011.  We are not sure how the official New Hampshire Covered Bridge website is maintained, but we have noticed that many of the bridge descriptions were outdated.  This bridge is still listed as being an active pedestrian and snowmobile crossing.

If you go to visit, there are piles of debris everywhere.

There is not much to say here.  The pictures speak for themselves.  We were pretty depressed when we left. We hope that they rebuild.

 A new bridge stands in its place, but it's not the same.

Jack O'Lantern (E) 8:17am

Next we headed to our first "unrecognized" bridge. We wondered what made a bridge "official number" worthy, but now that we have seen this one, we have some theories.

Theory one: this bridge does not appear to be built in the style of traditional covered bridges.
It is a tourist attraction on a golf course, more specifically hole 18.

 We parked at hole 18 and took a walk to the bridge.  Not sure if that was okay, but since it was 8:17am on a rainy day, we made a run for it.

 This bridge may look like an official bridge from a distance, but it is very tiny.

Theory two: it seems like it belongs on a miniature golf course.

The roof is low, so be careful with your golf carts!

Extreme Caution!

Cute bridge for golfers and children, but an official covered bridge it is not.

Clark's (#64) 8:36am
Clark's Trading Post is right down the road. We got there at about 8:30am, so it wasn't open, which made walking around a fence onto their property that much easier.

We parked at the end of the parking lot and walked into what seemed to be a staff trailer area.  We followed the railroad tracks to the Clark's.

Since this is an active railroad bridge and there was a danger sign, we did not walk through this bridge.  This is the only active Howe railroad bridge left in the world.

This bridge was originally in Barre, Vermont before it was moved here.

Ellen walked up to the bridge, but only to take pictures next to the danger sign!