Geez, what a day!! I'm going to include as many links and GPS coordinates in this Journey Report as
possible for those interested in specific site locations. Sharing information helps create good
routing karma ya know!
Insofar as the coordinates, it is *NOT* necessary to own a GPS unit to use the coordinates for identification
or directional purposes; just simply copy any coordinates below and paste them into Google Maps:
HERE
I camped last night at Smuggler's Notch State Park, which is located right off Scenic Road VT-108 and just
northeast of Stowe, VT. (GPS coordinates: N44 31.329, W72 46.424 and the official Park website is at
this link: HERE. The
campground itself was rather small with only 20 tent/trailer sites & 14 lean-to sites. I've found
campgrounds with no hook-ups are my favorite since they make for quieter nights and attract a different
type of camper (no offense to those of you who camp with your house in tow though).
Anywho, the Green Mountain State meteorologist that projected the “10% chance of rain” overnight apparently
forgot to add the extra zero, as it rained periodically throughout the night. Thankfully, by the time
I woke up and was ready to start my day, the rain had stopped and the views afforded seemed even more crisp
with a coating of water. Here's my campsite, where I stayed dry thanks to a good tent (thanks, Kelty!):
So, this morning I walked around Smuggler's Notch Campground and took several photos which show the current
foliage color display in this particular region. Let me add that the photos are good representations;
the colors may appear blunted or washed out, but that's exactly how they appear to the eye. The “Notch”,
as several locals referred to it, accesses the Long Trail for you hikers and is within the Mt. Mansfield State
Forest (Vermont's tallest mountain is Mt. Mansfield). Suffice to say, it was beautiful and I throughly
enjoyed my stay. In fact, I just might hit the place again before leaving the New England area! Here
are a few pics:
A resort's golf course in the distance (across the VT-108 road):
Since many of my West Coast friends have likely never seen a “Lean-To” in a campground (they are rare), here is
what the three sided structure looks like here in VT:
Another view of the Stowe Ski Resort as seen from the campground:
After breaking camp, I set out northbound on VT-108 (“Scenic Road 108”), which is a motorcyclists delight with
it's twisty turns and switchbacks. Unfortunately, wet pavement and wet leaves don't make for the best
conditions, but that was okay since I'm here for other scenery and not to drag pegs. (The location of these
pics is: N44 33.363, W72 47.701)
Continuing on 108, be advised that road construction is in progress just beyond those coordinates. Literally,
just around the corner. Minor delay but be advised anyway, especially for you peg draggers out there.
I didn't exactly have a plan today except just to wander around, see a few covered bridges, and get an overall
idea of foliage colors. I had stopped at one of the Vermont Rest Areas yesterday afternoon and received
a printout of their “Daily Foliage Report.” It stated specific roads and that the foliage was “looking
very strong” in certain sections. I thought I'd go hit those areas if nothing more than to see how the
folks running the Foliage Report defined “strong colors.”
First covered bridge today was the Scott Bridge (GPS: N44 38.200, W72 49.530):
Next up, the East Fairfield Covered Bridge, which was closed. Nope, no wheelies through this one today,
but maybe in the future since rumor has it rehabilitation is scheduled in the near future. The bridge is
located on a quiet resident street called, would you believe, “Bridge Street”, and I'm guessing the only
traffic the street sees is from covered bridge hunters. It is noteworthy that residents' canines are
running loose so please extra cautious when driving, especially for a very cute Datsun puppy wearing a red collar.
East Fairfield Covered Bridge: GPS coordinates: N44 47.100, W72 51.770
When you turn off the main road (Rt 36 or “ Fairfield Rd”), if you look to your right this view can be had:
I have no information on what appears to be a red covered bridge in the photo just in front of the silos. If
I had to guess, it's located on private property.
I decided to continue Northbound on Rt 105 (aka “Sampsonville Rd), and went through through the small town of
Enosburg Falls. Took this photo nearby:
Several covered bridges are located off Rt 105 on Rt 118 (Main St), so that is where I headed. Be
advised there is road construction with significant delays on Rt 118, not the preferred conditions when
sitting on a motorcycle in full gear and in upper 80 degree temperatures I might add. Nonetheless,
it was worth it to add more bridges to my collection, and especially since there were 4 bridges just ahead!
Right off Rt 118 is the Hopkins Covered Bridge (GPS: N44 55.240, W72 40.370)....a shot in front:
...and from the side (on the other side of the river):
...continuing on mile or so down the road (Rt 118) is the Longley Covered Bridge (GPS: N44 54.430, W72 39.340):
The sign as posted on the front of the bridge. Notice there is nothing prohibiting wheelies?
...and another mile or so later is the Comstock Covered Bridge: (GPS: N44 53.990, W72 38.610).
Across the road (the previous four were all on the south side of Rt 118) and a few minutes from Comstock, I
found the Fuller Covered Bridge:
After spending time doing the “on-off” routine to take photos of these bridges, I was more than ready to
ride some miles and just enjoy the fresh, er, warm, air. Speaking of the warm air, official word
says the area is experiencing temperatures “nearly 20 degrees above normal.” Just a few weeks ago
when I was in The Inferno (also known as “Phoenix, AZ”), I was drooling at the temperatures I was seeing
in this region... high of 60s, low in lower 40s, if not lower. Anyway, I saw a sign pointing to
“Jay Peak Ski Resort” which translated as higher elevations and cooler temps to me. I also suspected
the colors might be turning more in the area given the change in altitude. So, rolling along Hwy 242,
until I hear a loud and energetic “YEEEEE-HAW!!! Let me finally see what New England REALLY has to
offer!!!” coming from my moose passenger “Mo” when he spotted a certain sign before I did.
He asked if I'd pull over for him to pose, probably so he can show his kin back in Alaska. He is one
well-traveled moose that's for sure. Since he agreed not to make any moose calls while we're in motion
to avoid an encounter in the middle of the road, I agreed to take his photo:
As far as the colors at elevation, indeed they were the best thus far: (GPS: N44 54.326, W72 30.830)
Since the colors were definitely looking better the further north I went, I got the idea that maybe I should
just keep going...as in into Canada.
This idea came about when I discovered in my GPS there was a large lake that was in both the US and
Canada. I thought it might be a good place to eat lunch, by the lake and all. I zoomed in on the
Canada side and found a road right beside the lake, marked it as a waypoint, then told my GPS to route me
there, of course, taking the indirect route (what Garmin calls “Medium-Minor” roads). My first sign
that this particular route wasn't going to pan out, was when I made the first turn and saw this in the road:
Yeah, yeah, I know it's small, but still it's a snake, and I'm not a fan of snakes! My next indication
this was a, um, “interesting” route was when the GPS sent me down a partially dirt, partially gravel road:
That's not a big deal in these areas except I was needing to cross the border and I hadn't heard of any
Customs/Border Crossings located on non-paved roads. Still, I continued on. My next turn was into
some farmer's backyard. EEK!
Seriously, here's proof:
As I was turning around, I saw the farmer in his back yard. Surprisingly, he didn't have that
“You-must-be-a-martian” look as he approached me. I didn't give him a chance to say anything
and I profusely apologized for pulling into his property and explained that I was merely following
the directions on my GPS unit, which I sheepishly pointed to on the bike. He laughed and said
“it happens all the time.” Well, after speaking at length with the gentle and kind man, it
appears the folks at Garmin have not updated the mapping software IN THE LAST 30 FREAKIN' YEARS! Yes,
he told me the last time the road was open was over 30 years ago! He explained that at least “a
few dozen times each summer” someone ends up exactly where I did... in his yard. Here's proof of
the routing (I took this in the farmer's yard so the arrow is my exact location, which happens to be:
N45 00.065, W72 22.705):
Mr. Farmer gave me a hint on where to find the main road which would lead me to Canada. Sure enough,
the person was right and the technology was wrong:
I'm sure those that have access to my tracking were thinking about that time something along the lines “I
don't recall her mentioning anything about going to Canada” but I'm sure it didn't surprise them in the
least. Folks who know me are use to my detouring ways, but Customs Agents are NOT.
I was interrogated more than I have been at any other border crossing – and I've literally crossed in
dozens and dozens of different locations in each bordering US state. Everything was going fine
until I was asked “How long do you plan to be in Canada, ma'am?” and I answered “About an hour I'm
thinking”. Well, here came the questions. I explained I was just wanting to go over to the
lake and eat lunch, see how the fall foliage was looking, take a break by the lake. I was asked
“How did you come to know about the lake?, and “What roads will you be taking to get to the lake?”, which
struck a cord of anxiety since I had to answer my GPS. Yes, the same GPS that just sent me through
a farmer's field! No, I left that part out with the agent. I did, however, have to read each
road that I planned to take from the GPS since I personally didn't have a clue what roads I'd be
taking. Since this was Quebec, all the roads were French names, of which I don't speak the
language. I considered spelling the roads out to the agent but since the names were something like
10 letters, a hypen, 10 more letters, I just did my best to pronounce them. A specific question
that I was asked that I had never heard before was “When is the last time you were in front of a judge?”,
which I thought was rather odd instead of using the word “arrested” or something. I passed the battery
of test questions and was sent on my way. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to be seeing this sign!:
This was the view to the east of the sign:
The lake I was heading towards was called “Lac Memphremagog” and was less than 10 miles away. Yes, that'd
be 10 miles according to the GPS unit that apparently has a problem! Well, while following the route, I
saw this sign and thought it'd be cool to see what the Canucks have for a covered bridge:
I rode for a few miles (er, kilometers) while passing several signs that had French words on them, of course,
none of which I had a clue what they were indicating. The road turned to gravel, then it turned to
dirt. It had obviously rained recently and since I felt given the topography that if I wasn't careful I
might find myself on a 1300cc motorcycle in some mud. Better yet, I'd have trouble conversing with anyone
who might be in the rural area if I did get stuck! I came upon a sign beside the road that likely was
saying something about the road condition, but being it was in French I was clueless:
For all I know the word meant something like “Road Ends, Cliff Begins”, so I turned around and abandoned my
hopes of seeing a Canadian covered bridge. I did stop to take this photo when backtracking out:
So, on to the Lake Memphra-whatever it's called, where I once again ran into construction, this time Canadian style:
I decided to detour around that mess, and when doing so, I saw a sign picturing a boat launch (thank goodness it
wasn't in French words!). Lo and behold, my adventure was rewarded with a peaceful and private lunch by the
water!: 
The GPS coordinate for the boat launch area is: N45 05.504, W72 17.658 – it ended up being about 11 miles from
the “North Troy” Border Crossing. A memorable side journey indeed!
As I was approaching the US Customs station, I was wondering how well they were going to react to my answer of
“About an hour” when asked “How long have you been in Canada?”. However, my concerns were dashed when,
after rolling up and turning off the bike and the agent walked behind the bike to see the license plate, he
almost excitedly proclaimed “Arizona?!.... I spent many years in Border Patrol in Yuma!” We talked for
almost 10 minutes before he ever asked me anything official. In fact, the only question I was asked was
“Are you US citizen?” Woot! I sailed back into my own country!
I sailed back into my own country and even got a:
Here's a shot looking back into Canada. The bike is parked by the old US Customs, the grey building behind
it is the new building:
I took the “Daniel Webster Highway” (aka US-3) in New Hampshire, pulling over near North Stratford for this next
photo. I forgot to mark it in my GPS so I don't have the coordinates, but the general area should suffice
for other leaf peepers wanting to know the region's current display:
Since I wanted to end the day in Sanborton, NH and it was getting later in the afternoon, I only made one more
covered bridge stop off US Rt 3 in Groveton, NH. This is the Groveton Covered Bridge (GPS coordinates:
N44 35.720, W71 30.690), which stands proud but is no longer in service:
I stopped again along Rt 3 near Stratford Twn, specifically while crossing over the Connecticut River and took
me back in to Vermont. I took the photo because if I were a tree, perhaps that'd be me... orange and not
exactly like all the others:
While cruising along US 3, I saw a road heading up to “Weeks State Park”, and decided to take a quick detour
since the road appeared to go up. Sure enough, wonderful views were afforded (GPS coordinates for the
location: N44 27.004, W71 34.096):
Over 300 miles later I've called it a day at Shaker Farms, one of the unique accommodations I have reserved
while in New England. More on this later, but I'm staying in a barn:
Mo is very excited he gets to sleep in a stall tonight, and I have to agree with him, especially since heavy
rain is forecasted tonight! Stand by for more as the “Fall Foliage Frolic” continues!
Over & Out,
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