I have long gotten out of the process of taking off on a whim and exploring – COVID affected us all in different ways, I got “out of practice,” enough said. But my armchair traveling happens every day and I save ideas from emails I receive and things I stumble into on-line or in my readings. A railroad museum in Maine, Adirondacks, Hudson River, have all been under consideration. I make notes, struggle, and weigh ideas. Couple days ago a plan developed – Polar Caves, and Squam Lake Cruise with an overnight. Most places full, I found a vacancy at The Federal House Inn in Plymouth, NH.

Many options for the 1 and 1/2 hour drive – it took me seven hours, and as usual I did not accomplish an original goal – but you know that means unplanned discoveries along the way. Check your maps, plan was from New London, NH, to Routes 11 to 4 to 106 and Bristol for an antiquing stop. I stopped at Sunapee Harbor – again need to get back.

On the map I saw two covered bridges I had not before visited – so the planned first stop at the intersection of 4A and 11. Spotting the bridge and pulling in I realized usually I am heading the opposite direction, and Bridge 16 is a tad hidden coming from the north.

Cilleyville / Bog Bridge, built in 1887, this bridge spans Pleasant Brook. It was bypassed in 1959 and restricted to foot traffic (but now totally blocked off). The bridge was the model for murals of typical New Hampshire scenes which were once located in the State House in Concord. Style is town lattice truss, 53 feet long.

Driving east on Route 4 toward Andover and Bridge 15, through the trees I spotted a Victorian train station – again never would have seen coming from the east. Of course, I swung into the side road into Potter Place.

lovely small village and across the street from the station the J.C. Emons General Store and Post Office. I am going to keep track of the Andover Historical Society events – sadly I had no idea of their fair the first Sunday in August – I just missed it.

but just across the tracks I spotted this and crossed to look.

The grave site of Richard Potter (1783–1835), and from my visits to Old Sturbridge Village I knew who he was. An early magician and ventriloquist, Richard Potter moved to Andover in 1815. Extremely popular and successful, even more interesting life when you know he was Black. Do enlarge the gallery below and read about him.

worth pulling in to see the small village, train and freight station and couple streets. Having a good sense of direction, I figured I could drive down the “Main Street” and eventually find the other closed end of Bridge 16.

Back down Depot Road to Route 4, for the first time I saw the state sign for Bridge 15 – of course on Dead End Bridge Street (also called Lorden Road). Coming to the bridge.

Not often are there no sides, and can see all the trusses, so that is below. Above you can see the old railroad bridge to the left – now a great rail trail.

This is Keniston Bridge, built in 1882, over the Blackwater River. The bridge’s name came from a prominent family that lived for many years in one of the old homesteads in town. The bridge has been damaged only once, in 1972, when ice tore off several planks. The bridge was rehabilitated by the town in 1981. Town lattice truss; 64 feet long.

Heading up to Bristol I found the great antique shop I stopped at a few years back vacant, but since it was after 12 PM I decided to go to the Bristol Diner for lunch – you should by now know me and old diners. WELL – STOP. My Philly Style Hamburger and onion rings was $10.95, AND three times the food and less cost than the lunch I had with a friend at “Fathers” across the river from home on Tuesday. I had only been at “Fathers” once before for breakfast, and not impressed. I told the fellow I was with I have for decades judged a place by their Western Sandwich. Not sure if I would grade my lunch 2 or 3 on a scale of 10, but do not plan to try again. The drive to Bristol Diner better.

My planned route from Bristol to Polar Caves was up the west shore of Newfound Lake, first stopping at Sculptured Rocks Geological Site and Natural Area State Park. You may know that I have become fascinated with geology in the area. But first I stumbled (again) into the Cardigan Country Store – and you know I love old general stories, so stopped again.

I loved the drive up along Newfound Lake which reaches a depth of 183 feet, one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire, and considered by some to be among the cleanest lakes in the world, My image here does not do it justice.

I arrived at Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in Groton. It is a 272-acre geology-oriented nature preserve featuring its namesake, the Sculptured Rocks, which are a series of narrow, sharply carved rock formations that are a popular local swimming hole. Worth a visit, but this balance challenged lad will not be found scrambling down and plunging into the water as you can see below some folks were doing.

Well over six hours drive into my original destination – Polar Caves, only an hour and a half drive – I arrived. I had been rethinking the rocky hikes, particularly after just visiting Sculpture Rocks, and in a lovely chat with the lady at the Country Store, she reaffirmed the challenges. So, I visited the gift shop (not impressed), and to prove I made it took this image of a family taking an obligatory family outing picture – I think it tells a nice story.

Sorry, this is getting to be a long post of maybe 24 waking hours. I arrived at my B&B, and in the course of conversation with Kevin, the owner, ends up thirty years after I left my home town for college, he lived around the corner from my childhood home. SMALL WORLD and we had fun. Remember that lunch? I never even went out to eat – Kevin laid out some great cookies – I had three. My room below was quite comfortable.

Do you think I had a great day? I did. Think I can top it? I did. Hope you continue on with me for discovery and a “new love.”

In the evening I spent three hours in the library reflecting on the day, reading, and son, David, Face-Timed me. I visited with Kevin and another couple – such fun. How many times have you received an advance breakfast menu at a B&B? Never, I bet, I haven’t. Amazing breakfast, and worth the trip back. I think Kevin substituted a crab cake under the lobster for the muffin. Could be wrong, but think that is what he said.

Not wanting to “miss the boat” I departed at 10AM for my 11AM cruise on Squam Lake.

I am again “in love” – this time with Squam Lake. Think “On Golden Pond” – time to watch the movie again. The cruises are offered by the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and I now “highly recommend” this outing. I will have to return to tour the center. I arrived about a half hour early, chatted with folks, and went to board. First below, looking down at the tour boat, and then back to the “office.”

a map of the 90 minute tour (not three hours, and no MaryAnn). Dock is in Little Squam Lake (lower left corner) which we entered before turning back and touring Squam Lake.

Casting off we first headed under the Route 113 bridge into Little Squam Lake passing these boathouses.

Then looking back to the bridge and few shops, on the right is a boat business. During the filming of On Golden Pond some actors had a fight, one took off and smashed a boat into the brown building in the center of the image. It was captured on film by the crew on the bridge and worked into the movie, Tony our driver and guide told us. Tony was great and I wish I could remember all he shared during the trip.

Then it was off to enter Squam Lake, passing these boat houses.

As I recall this is the Squam Mountain Range – amazing in all 360 degrees.

Church Island – Sunday services, weddings, and peaceful outing location.

Tony pulled up to a comic canoe race (below) that was about to begin. I believe it was another spot along the shoreline, but he pointed out a bucolic “camp” – ROCKYWOLD DEEPHAVEN CAMPS, established in 1897. Now ON MY LIST, and hopefully I will be able to experience in September.

another island, and we were lucky to see a pair of the famous loons.

Did I say I was “in love” again? YES – and I look forward to booking a cabin at ROCKYWOLD DEEPHAVEN CAMPS, and taking another Squam Lake Cruise. Just over an hour ago I received an email from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center asking me how I liked the cruise, and to please fill out the survey or send an email. Well, you know that I will email with praise, and a link to this post. I will be back.

But then it was off home, but not directly, of course. Stops for antiquing, but sadly even more places I used to visit are now closed. But I discovered one on a road I had not been to before, and the owner “made me buy” (remember my 1957 RCA Victor Art Deco TV last week?) a Pennsylvania Railroad Torch lamp. Not sure if a signal, or to heat and thaw frozen equipment, but now a memory and treasure of this trip. And then at the Laconia Antique Center I had to buy (since never saw before) the 1979 game NEW ENGLAND TOWN MEETING GAME. Looks like fun, another treasured memory. I will play the game, but it may be useful in one of my upcoming projects, or as a town official training aid. Click the image to see the full box cover.

The Laconia Antique Center is in an old department store building and they have preserved the lunch counter, which I must share below.

I forgot how much fun, and how much I can accomplish in 33 hours away (and almost eight of those hours were sleeping)

My last planned stop for this overnight was based upon a New York Times article from June 16, 2003 – year correct – yes twenty years ago, not two months ago. I have another project in the works, hopefully to be accomplished in March 2024, but at worst April 2024. Something had happened in Northfield, New Hampshire, in 1995, and I needed to find the location.

While at Northwestern, high school friend, Leland, visited me one weekend in 1966. His quest – find the grave of Al Capone. Where do you start in Chicago pre-internet days? Well, you walk into the Field Museum of Natural History, go to the information counter and ask. Not only did the gentleman know which cemetery, he told us where to find the grave itself. Since then I have always had the good fortune when asking my offbeat questions to obtain the answer to my query from the first person approached. Again, it did not fail.

Arriving in Northfield, I was looking for the Town Hall, but seeing a police car, followed it to the station (remember, besides Town Halls, Police Stations and Post Offices are great sources of information). But the officer got to the door before I had parked. The sign there said, public entrance around front. I get there, sign says hours are until 3PM – it is about 3:20, I peer in the window glass, dark and see no one. Walking away I hear the door open, and a voice call out, “May I help you?” 

I explained my quest to Officer Harris. Happening long before she was probably on the force, the event did spark a memory, and she suggested where I look – just down the road in fact. She said if she found out otherwise she would be happy to call me. I gave her my phone number, but also email address – you know me “email person.” Well, below is the spot – Exit 19 northbound ramp off I-93. I was hoping there would be a plaque commemorating the importance of this man-made marsh; but, alas, there was not, nor any “wildlife” present. Here is the marsh.

Well, bless her, Officer Holly Harris (Detective Sergeant / Juvenile Officer) emailed me confirming she had directed me to the right spot. Thanking her, I said I would send a link to this post when done, to which she replied, “Awesome, thank you!” And the fun, and nice times with others continue. Update 14 August – Holly just emailed me saying, “… I didn’t know about the boat tour on Squam Lake.  I will have to check it out someday. … [and] Thanks for the shout out in your article!”

Well – hope you got this far – I am off in 45 minutes for a tour of Scott Farm, then home “to work” and later share this with you – stay safe and well, as always, luv, RAY

Quick PS — enjoyed my tour of Scott Farm given by Jeremy. Scott Farm is owned by Landmark Trust USA, which you know owns five amazing properties that I have stayed at multiple times. I learned a great deal about the farm. The Stone Trust (a separate group) is located on the farm, and in their class space under the old cow barn I saw this helpful sign. I have seen these helpful points elsewhere before, but being able to capture an image felt that in my quest to educate you, I must share – ENJOY