After spending the morning exploring the woods on foot around my campsite, I geared up for another day
of covered bridge hunting and simply wandering around on my motorcycle in Vermont's countryside that
is currently ablaze in autumn's glorious foliage colors.
Six covered bridges are located right off Vermont Highway 110 (VT-110) so thankfully I didn't need to
do any off-road exploring to find them today. After yesterday's fandango rerouting mess and dirt
roads that dead ended into piles of gravel, I welcomed today's simple route and smooth tarmac. First
up today was the Howe Covered Bridge, GPS coordinates: N43 51.870, W72 29.770
A view of the water running beneath the Howe bridge:
To see the location on a map or to access routing assistance for any GPS coordinates listed, simply
copy the coordinate and paste it into Google Maps: HERE
Second, the Cilley Covered Bridge (GPS: N43 52.970, W72 30.250):
While at the Cilley bridge I met two women who were in a car with a Quebec license plate. I didn't
understand anything they said other than the word “moose” as I watched them take a photo of Mo while I
was on the other side of the bridge. No kidding, wherever we go, he is a magnet of attention. People
passing by use to say things like “Nice bike” or “Love your license plate” or make a comment about my bright
yellow helmet, but since I've been in the New England area the comments are about Mo!
Onward to bag the third bridge for my quickly growing collection of covered bridges, the Mill
Covered Bridge, (GPS: N43 53.503, W72 29.503)....
...where Mo wanted to know if he was the “Beast” being referred to on the sign:
Ye 'ole Larkin Covered Bridge was the next stop.... (GPS: N43 55.390, W72 27.920)
I can't imagine seeing a covered bridge and thinking “Oh, it's just another bridge.” These bridges seem
to be a statement of community pride, something I've noticed is not easy to find during my travels to the
extreme corners of the US and just about every place in between. I don't know much about the varying
architectural styles of covered bridges, but I definitely appreciate the individuality of each bridge,
especially given the mass production and corporate crap everywhere.
Maybe that's another reason why being in homogenized urban areas leave me dazed and I long for the more
unique rural environments.
Bridge #5 for me today was the Flint Covered Bridge, GPS coordinates: N43 56.790, W72 26.880:
...and the view from the Flint bridge, which offered a great place to enjoy a snack in the cool shade:
The sixth and last bridge located on VT-110 was the Moxely Covered Bridge: (GPS: N43 57.440, W72 27.820)
There was another road that reportedly had several bridges nearby but I noticed the hills in front of me
offered more intense colors than those around me, so I headed that direction. If you are a Leaf
Peeper wanting to drive down a really nice road, then head for “Chelsea Mountain Road”. There is no
shoulder whatsoever to pull over and park (even a motorcycle) so I couldn't get any broad range photos to
reflect the area, but here are 2 close-ups:
The GPS for this area is: N43 57.773, W72 31.190
A few days ago I received an email from a Vermonter (thanks, Jack!) who suggested I visit a "unique"
feature in one of the Vermont communities. Given the area was very small, I figured I would have
no trouble rolling into the town and finding a local who could give me exact directions. If you
read yesterday's report then you know how well that turned out. So, today I decided to take a
different approach (and route) and, thankfully, my GPS got me there!
Yup, this bridge is indeed floating! 
....but it was designed to: 
Ok, so it's supposed to be safe to cross, but I investigated on foot before making a decision if I would surf
the FJR across. While investigating I wonder if vehicles REALLY use it:
Alright, so they do:
Hmmm, lots of algae on the boards of the bridge which I interpreted as slippery:
So, my decision was....
....to find a way around to get around to the other side and go take a photo!
After yesterday's fandango off-road experience trying to find this “brunnel” thing, I'd like to offer
the GPS coordinates for anyone else who would also like to visit the bridge, which is just west of
Brookfield, VT: N44 02.565, W72 36.321
As I walked around looking at the bridge, I thought about my definition of the word “bridge”, and concluded
that I've always defined “bridge” as a structure that allows vehicles, pedestrians, animals, etc., to travel
OVER something that was inhibiting their forward progression. I briefly concluded, based on what was
in front of me, that my definition would now need to be expanded to include the word “through”; except
“through” usually indicates a “tunnel” structure. So, I'm voting for a new word to describe this type
of half bridge-half tunnel structure: BRUNNEL!
I bet brunnels would be a unique method for cities to enforce speed limits. I'm a big supporter of
natural and logical consequences over laws anyway and this brunnel idea might just be dandy. Wanna
speed?....you might just be doing the backstroke. Go right ahead and hold your cell phone, bagel,
lipstick, notepad, newspaper, and coffee in one hand while you change the settings on your GPS with your
other hand... you could find yourself dog-paddling in the process. Obviously if sharks, snakes, or
some other aquatic creature were in the waters it would just make things even more exciting. Kids
wouldn't want to watch that surround sound DVD in the mini-van's headrest in front of them either, they'd
want to see what part of nature might be swimming just outside their window. Geez, this brunnel thing
could have educational purposes as well as forcing drivers to pay attention to the road!
While I was walking back to my bike, an older lady that was out walking had stopped beside it. As I
approached her she said “That's a nice moose you have there.” I introduced Mo and ended up speaking
with the lady for quite a while as she asked me about my travels and riding a motorcycle. Strangely,
she didn't have that aghast reaction involving the word “alone” that I experience from the vast majority
of people in her age group that I meet out on the road. In fact, she was very supportive of me. I
asked her questions about herself to see if I could understand why she had a different perspective to my
adventures, and it didn't take long to figure out. She said she was visiting her son and daughter
who each lived within sight from where we were standing in front of the bridge, and she was here in Vermont
to celebrate her 89th birthday on Tuesday. I asked her if she had anything special planned and she
replied: “I'm going kayaking... I think everyone should kayak on their 89th birthday.” She explained
she had spent time dating her husband on his Harley and still had his helmet and belt (some sort of kidney
belt from what I gathered). She explained that they didn't wear helmets like us youngsters have
today, saying “the helmet was basically a cloth cap.” Dated gear aside, what an inspiration Mary was
to meet! She goes to her local gym three times a week, enjoys cross-country skiing in the winter,
and walks everyday. Right on!
There is a common theme I'm finding with people like her, the
Matriarch of my family,
Virginia and Frank, etc...
and that is they stay very active (mentally and physically) and that they live not rooted in fear, but
with a perspective that might be best said as: Seize the journey!
I will remember my experience at the floating bridge (brunnel) not so much for the structure, but for it
being the place where I met a very cool 89 year old! Of course I took her photo, her she is:
Happy 89th Mary!! 
Rumor had it that Highway 14 offered three more covered bridges, so I stopped at a local General Store to
buy something homemade for lunch so I could find a cool spot (literally) to eat. While I was at the
store I spoke with several local boys who were bubbling about this Saturday being the start of bow hunting
season. I guess wearing a bright yellow helmet is a good idea this time of year. I'll be checking
on perhaps finding a bright “hunting” orange bandana or such to wear when I'm off the bike. Mo says he'd like one too.
First bridge off VT-14 was the Kingsbury Covered Bridge (GPS: N43 52.860, W72 34.910):
As I was nearing the reported location for the second bridge, the Gifford Covered Bridge, I saw a sign that
said “Bridge Rehabilitation In Progress”. Unfortunately, the extent of the rehab-construction zone does
not become fully known until you are going down hill on a very narrow dirt/gravel road. The only place
to turn around was occupied by a large construction vehicle, which made for quite the clutch control (aka
“friction zone) session for me in getting the FJR turned around. Oh, and for the bridge... it seems
either the rehab didn't go as planned or perhaps the word “reconstruction” would aptly fit the
happenings. The best photo of the mess was had from the bike's mirror:
The GPS coordinate for where this mess that one day may have a rebuilt Gifford bridge is: N43 54.970, W72 33.310
Last bridge on VT-114 was the Johnson Covered Bridge: (GPS: N43 55.710, W72 33.320):
Having spent most of my time today doing the “on-off-on-off” routine that accompanies covered bridge hunting, I was
more than ready to spend some time in the saddle and simply ride. During my zig-zag wandering and wondering
“where does that road go”, I ended up back in New Hampshire on a designated scenic byway called the “Sawyer
Highway” (also known as NH-118), a twisty route in need of assistance (frost heaves and tar snakes galore) but
offers outstanding color....
... and wonderful views:
Those two photos were taken very near each other, this GPS coordinate will put you on the right road, which
I would HIGHLY suggest for current peak colors: N43 59.328, W71 46.259
With the sun setting, I head back towards my campsite feeling inspired and very thankful to have lived
another intense day. During my spontaneous route to camp, I unexpectedly came across another covered bridge:
I've since learned it is the Union Village Covered Bridge. The coordinates for the bridge are: N42 47.320, W72 15.270
End of day GPS..... reflecting a 215 mile day and almost 5,200 total for this “Fall Foliage Frolic”:
Having based out of the Quechee State Park (GPS: N43 38.096, W72 24.009) for the past several days, I'll be
heading in a different direction tomorrow. Stand-by for more updates....
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