COVERED BRIDGES, BOULDER CAVES, AND CABER TOSSING...

We check out of the Country Bumpkins and move 20 miles away to the Twin Rivers Campground, Cottages and RV Park in Bath.   It’s a nice park, with full hook-ups and great WIFI.  They also have access to over a mile of the Wild Ammonoosuc River a well-known spot to pan for gold. Their campground store also stocks all the equipment and prospecting supplies to strike it rich.

We forgo the gold panning (much too cold right now) and head over to check out the local covered bridges: 

Bath- Haverhill Bridge

The Bath-Haverhill Bridge constructed in 1829 is the oldest covered bridge in New Hampshire.  It was in continuous use until 1999 when it was closed to vehicular traffic but foot traffic is still allowed. 

Bath Bridge

The Bath Bridge built in 1832 is still open to vehicular traffic. A three million dollar 22-month renovation was just completed in August of 2014. From the exterior the bridge looks brand new, but much of the original structure is visible from inside the bridge.

Swiftwater Bridge

The Swiftwater Bridge erected in 1849 is open to vehicles with a 6,000 lb. limit.  It is located along a section of the Wild Ammonoosuc River that was used to float logs to a sawmill.  Occasionally logjams would endanger the bridge.  Once someone had the bright idea to break up the logjam with dynamite.  The blast was successful. However, logs had to be removed from the roof of the bridge.

The Brick Store

Just around the corner from the Bath Covered Bridge, TheBath Village Center is the social and economic heart of the town.  We stop by The Brick Store: Considered America’s oldest continually operating general store dating back to 1790.  Here we meet owner Mike Lusby an East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) transplant and New Hampshire resident for over 20 years.   Although the store carries the assorted sundries found in most general stores, their specialties are smoked meats and cheese done up in a smoker in the alley next to the building by Mike’s brother Jim and 140 different flavors of fudge created by Mike’s wife Nancy.  After trying the free samples of their goodies we leave with some zesty smoked pepperoni and cheddar cheese.  We made homemade pizza with the smoked pepperoni & cheese and it was so mouth watering, we had to return before leaving New Hampshire to pick up more.  We’ll have to mail order from them when we run out again.

At The Hop
no surface left uncovered

Next to the Brick Store is At The Hop a 50’s style ice cream parlor and gift shop also owned by Mike.  The shoppe sports a huge collection of rock and roll memorabilia, (most of it autographed and addressed to Mike) that covers almost every surface of the parlor, (only the black and white checkerboard floor is exempt.) We are examining the musical miscellanea, (much of it is personally autographed “to Mike”) when Mike comes into the shop and tells us a bit about how the collection started during his tenure an almost-made-it rocker in the 60’s and 70’s and continues during his current musical avocation as drummer for The Rocking Chairs since 2004. 

We journey onto the next shop along the commons: The American Heritage Gallery of Art where artist Craig Pursley operates a Studio and gallery.   When we enter through the front door, Mike is here telling Craig about a couple from California who sold everything and travel around in an Airstream.  (We didn’t realize that there was a side door into the gallery from the ice cream parlor.)  Mike owns this building too, which completes his trifecta of Bath Village businesses.  We enjoy chatting with both Craig and Mike about their experiences as California transplants in New England.  They both expressed that the folks in New Hampshire were warm and welcoming when they first arrived and feel that they are part of a community with the caveat that they will always be “from away.”  Craig told us about a funeral he recently attended for a 95-year-old man who moved to New Hampshire when he was 2 years old and then lived here all his life.  His eulogy began with, “He was not from around here…” Craig is an amazing artist.  Check out some of his work;  Click Here!

Lost River Gorge

The Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves is located between Bath and North Woodstock on route 112.  This steep walled glacial gorge is partially filled with immense blocks of granite.  These jumbled boulders form cracks, which may eventually become Boulder or Talus Caves along the walls and bottom of the gorge.   The river disappears under the rocks and reemerges cascading over and under until it finally emerges and joins the Pemigewasset River. The gorge is accessed via a boardwalk and some of the “caves” that allows us to follow the river as it appears and reappears.  The caves would be fun if we were twelve years old or masochistic contortionists, but since we’re neither, we only venture into the ones with a larger than 2 ft. openings.  The boardwalk is impressive and winds over and along the gorge. Without it a visit would consist of rock climbing 101. 

The Pageantry

And the Power

The New Hampshire Highland Games are held for three days over the third weekend of September and this year is the 39^th festival.  This is the largest Scottish gathering and festival in New England. We head up to Loon Mountain to check out the festivities.  Parking is scattered around the town and shuttle busses take us to the park.  Everything is slick and efficient.  (Guess it's to be expected after 39 years.) Its freezing cold and overcast… pretty appropriate… feels like we’re actually in Scotland.  The opening ceremony and massed bands is stirring as hundreds of kilt clad pipers and drummers march into the field. Then the officials and dignitaries make all their speeches… blah blah blah… We head over to the Heavy Athletics and watch some Caber Tossing (Now that’s some heavy athleticism!)  There are tents with Scottish foods, so we grab a couple of Scotch Eggs and some of cups of soup.  Then we head to warmer areas and listen to some music:

Searson: A Canadian band fronted by Sisters Erin and Colleen Searson deliver high energy a blend of Celtic, East Coast and Scottish fiddling, passionate vocals and toss in a bit of step dancing.

The Brigadoons: A Scottish band that plays a peppy brand of traditional Celtic music, with a few twists.

and 

Albannach: an exciting Scottish tribal drumming band that blew us away. 

After the games, we can move back to the Country Bumpkins Campground… YEA!  Every day is now spent checking out and photographing the fall foliage and a few more covered bridges...