Almost Last but Not Least

September 28, 2013

So today our summer covered bridge adventure concluded with the Maple Street Covered Bridge in Fairfax. Yup, we saved the closest bridge for last.  Just 1.2 miles from our home.

Maple Street Covered Bridge in Fairfax

This town lattice bridge is 56.8 feet long.  At 17.3 feet it is one of the widest covered bridges in the state.  It was built in 1865 by Kingsbury and Stone.  Looking pretty good for being 148 years old.  During the flood of 1927 the Maple Street Bridge was dislodged and came to rest on the banks of Mill Brook.  According to Ed Barna, some histories report that the bridge was reversed when it was put back in place. Guess we'll never know.

Mill Brook

Dan has many memories of "the bridge" both on and under!  I was not a townie and never visited the bridge as a student of BFA. (Bellows Free Academy) From the looks of the bridge foundation it is still quite a popular spot.  For those of you who don't know the area, the bridge is a scant quarter mile from the school on the way to the local grocery store, Steeple Market.  The bridge is known for both romance and fights!

 

The painting below of the Maple Street Bridge can be seen in the Fairfax Community Library. It was painted by Eric Sloane who was a regional painter who painted from the 1920's to the 1970's. He painted barns, farm tools, weather vanes and covered bridges around New England. For more information on him, check out: Eric Sloane's Home Page.

After we left Maple Street we headed up to Barton to do a little leaf peeping and to look for a covered bridge that my dad had seen on a recent outing.  Dad was right.  We found the Sugarmill Farm Covered Bridge just south of Interstate 91 on Route 16.

Sugarmill Farm Covered Bridge in Barton

Here are a few of the leaf peeping photos we took as well. It was definitely peak viewing in the Northeast Kingdom.

Fisher Bridge

Route 16

Jay Peak in the distance

Near Lowell - Route 58

Mt. Mansfield (not peak yet)

Thanks to you all for joining us on our latest adventure.  We had a blast finding some of Vermont's less traveled roads and learning some of the history surrounding its amazing covered bridges.  

Until we are on the road again, remember it's all about the journey.

Nancy and Dan Gross