2025 US Van Trip: Exploring Vermont and New Hampshire

 Historic Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge across the Connecticut River

Vermont and New Hampshire are GREEN in the summer time.  This is special to a California boy who is use to the "golden hills of California" once spring has morphed to summer.  It is also the land of covered bridges.  Sure we have a few rare examples back home, but in this lush and gorgeous section of the country they are everywhere!  You have to be cautious however.  Vertical clearance must be checked prior to entering a covered bridge.  Not all were designed to accommodate taller vehicles.  The Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge caused us to stop and select an alternate route when we spotted its height limit. Some bridges have pedestrian walkways, but most are too narrow to allow vehicles and pedestrians to mingle and cross.

Sugar River Trail

There are even covered bridges on the bike trails.  Between Claremont and Newport New Hampshire you can ride or walk the Sugar River Rail Trail and pass through 2 covered railroad bridges. The rail line was originally built in the 1870's and abandoned in 1997.  It was then converted in to a rail trail and is now open for hikers and bikers to enjoy the 10 mile trip between the cities.  The trail surface is mostly hard packed with occasional patches of sandy areas.  Along the way you can seen examples of the water wheel driven industries that were once very prevalent.    

The trusses were held together with wooden pegs.  The double layer of trusses allowed for faster and more economical construction as standard dimensioned lumber could be used.

We encountered 7 bridges across the Sugar River.  In addition to the 2 covered bridges there were 5 iron bridges.

The trail ride was shaded by lush forest that, when combined with the proximity to the river, dropped the air temperature sufficiently to make the ride much more enjoyable.

Covered Bridges

We continued to find lovely covered bridges as we explored the area surrounding Mount Ascutney

This great example was near Taftsville Vermont

Note the laminated arched beam that are the main structural element of the bridge.

 Historic Quechee Mill District

Vermont and New Hampshire have lots of rivers.  The power of water was harnessed to mechanize tasks in early industrial America.  

This building, which now is home to the Simon Pearce Glass Blowing Studio and restaurant, was originally a six-story, water powered, grist mill and woolen factory that produced some of the finest baby flannel in the country

It is adjacent to the picturesque Quechee Covered Bridge

The restaurant at Simon Pearce's glass blowing studio overhangs the water.

A project is starting in the glass blowing studio

Until a massive flood demolished equipment, water power was used to create hydroelectric power for the furnaces of the glass blowing studio.

Of course we had to stop and enjoy lunch at the restaurant adjacent to the studio

King Arthur Baking Company

If you have followed our travels you know that we seldom pass a perfectly good bakery.  Here is another example of that life philosophy.  If you are in the vicinity of Norwich Vermont,  you simply must stop at King Arthur's Baking Company.

Large windows allow you to watch the artisans at work.  If you plan ahead, and check their website for availability, you can enroll in baking classes.  If you can't travel, they have online classes.  It time to tune up your skills or build new ones!

Have we made you hungry yet, are you lusting after delicious baked goods.  If not, you must be dead....

Yes, I gave in to pastry lust,  a sticky bun was calling my name.  Additionally, sea salt brownies and a baguette jumped into my shopping cart.  I'm a happy boy!

I'll leave you with these final two images to provide motivation for immediately making arrangements to travel to King Arthur's Baking Company in Norwich Vermont.

Surely you need a loaf of bread

Resources

• King Arthur's Baking Company
• Simon Pearce Restaurant and Glass Blowing
• Sugar River Trail