Auntie EM came home from hospital, having had a complete mechanical repair, replace and rejuvenate, the end of March. On April 1st (no foolin’) we had a short spin, and on May 1st, in between periods of cold and rain, she and I looped through the hills in town for 14 miles. Not having travelled much of late (particularly in a 95 year old car – even though about two months old mechanically) I have been hesitant to get out and about. Trying not to think I am aging. Had to “break the mold.”

In February, playing around on-line, I discovered that a new region of the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) had been established just recently — The Monadnock A’s. Decades ago I had been a member of MAFCA. I contacted Eric who established the new region, and was most welcomed. I joined, attended a meeting recently, and today was the first outing by the club. Auntie EM and I headed to Swanzey, south of Keene, to join with other members for a tour in the area, an area which within about an eight mile drive has an amazing number of Covered Bridges.

The group met today, Friday, 16 May at 10:00 am at Frogg Brewing on Sawyers Crossing Road in Swanzey, close to the first Covered Bridge – the bridges the focus of today’s first tour of the club. Below is Eric’s coupe, and two Cabriolets. In college in 1965 I bought an original 1928 Tudor Sedan, drove it back to Connecticut during spring break – just made it burning out the rings. My dad had just finished a ’31 Cabriolet which I drove back to Chicago, and then back to Connecticut – basically US 6 all the way.

Below Auntie EM to the right, and an original 1928 Four Door Phaeton. I saw this car four or five years ago at the Dublin “hit n’ miss” show and fell in love with it. I traded numbers with her owner. I have a friend with an empty garage – “mum’s the word.” – If you wish, all my images may be “clicked” for larger sizes.

and, off we went — the back roads of Swanzey and Winchester deserve further exploration.

first we approached and traveled through Cresson Bridge on Sawyer’s Crossing Road about one mile east from Route 10.

next was Carleton Bridge, also in Swanzey on Carleton Road east on Route 32.

heading back to NH Route 10, and turn off to the west is Coombs Bridge in Winchester dating from 1837 and also crossing the Ashuelot River. We looped around on the other side and crossed back through.

The Slate Bridge (below) in Swanzey, also over the Ashuelot River, dates from 2001 replacing the 1862 bridge that was destroyed by an arson fire 1993.

have you been wondering how I got these shots while driving? Well, having a convertible with top down helps, and also a fantastic handle for my iPhone that I found years ago. Alas, not all works perfectly and I did not get a good balanced shot of the Thompson Bridge in Swanzey, so here is an older postcard of it. These villages, including Westport do deserve more reading about and then exploration for sure.

Eric handed out this flyer from a Covered Bridge consulting firm – you may wish to click to enlarge, read, and help plan your explorations. The tour ended at the home of member Jim and his wife for a luncheon, and concluded with a short business meeting.

after publishing this post I found a great Covered Bridge resource. I had heard of this book, but found the author also has a website dedicated to New Hampshire Covered Bridges. Click the image below to get to her site.

Kim has broken down NH into covered bridge road trip regions including the area we covered, so lick this link – MONADNOCK REGION DAY TRIP – do explore the entire website.

My “auntie” says she is ready to head out again and explore — thanks for looking, love, RAY