I think I have finally “broken the mold” by doing an overnight Friday 22 August – and I have even now planned three more adventures to experience and share. The genesis for this adventure was a 4 1/2 Hour Vacation I took 20 August 2017 which started because I read about Muster Field Farm in North Sutton, NH. If you look at that post you will see that heading to the farm I passed an Inn at the corner of the Kezar Lake (but on Keyser Street) – the Follansbee Inn – saying to myself now “on the list.”

This August 2025 trip was to stay at the Inn and to attend “Muster Field Farm Day.” Well, overwhelmed with experiences and images to share, I finally decided it would be best to make this trip into two posts to share. First my trip up to the Inn and stay there, and then “Farm Day” – to come soon. Looking at the map to figure out what to do on the way north I spotted several Covered Bridge symbols – idea for visits, and also the Telephone Museum would be open. A plan laid, and below is a map with my route to North Sutton and then home.

Beginning this “covered bridge” tour I decided to start in “the only Henniker on earth” to get close to the bridge there, basically secluded on the campus of New England College. You can walk from behind some dorms, but I found a dirt road off Main Street (Route 114). There had been various bridges here since the 1860s, but were washed out. Here now is the first authentic covered bridge to be built in New Hampshire in more than 100 years. It was built by and is owned by New England College, and dedicated in 1972. NOTE – foot traffic only.

continuing on towards Concord on Routes 9 and 202 you would never know that Rowell Covered Bridge is just a tad off to the left on Route 127 — make sure you detour for a few moments when heading to Concord.

Continuing on Route 127 you arrive in Contoocook, one of the three distinct communities of Hopkinton which include the village, mainly a residential area in the center of the town; Contoocook, the town’s business hub, located in the north; and West Hopkinton, This time passing through the CONTOOCOOK RAILROAD MUSEUM in the old B&M station was open.

Docent, Paul, gave me an in depth tour. Below left is the men’s waiting room, and to the right for the ladies. Nice exhibits, and well refurbished from previous commercial uses.

And the amazing railroad covered bridge. During two floods this bridge was washed off its piers, and amazingly re-righted. From here head out of town on 103.

before arriving in Warner on Route 103 is the Dalton Covered Bridge – watch for the sign for W. Joppa Road to make a left turn.

not just a “covered bridge” trip — today’s great stop was the New England Telephone Museum in Warner.

all I can say is visit their website – and then plan your visit. I was so pleased to see so many families, and with young children come in to enjoy the exhibits, including the learning hands-on exhibits. Yes, school not started yet, but they also host school groups year round. Did I say plan a visit? Not far away.

Bell’s first phone – a replica of the experiment, and shows why Bell yelled, “Watson come here.” I will not spoil for you. This is in the room with the introductory video – nine minutes – always the very best place to begin a visit to any museum — YES, I started here. Forgot to mention, my NARM membership level with OSV allowed me free entry (I did leave a donation however).

as small phone companies began their switchboards were often in homes, including the bedroom (remember you may click my “galleries” for larger images).

and, on these shelves are candlestick phones

old wall phones and novelty phones.

Continuing out of Warner on Route 103, watch for the sign for Waterloo and its Covered Bridge on Newmarket Road. A fascinating little community which I reported on when I discovered it in 2017 — worth a visit.

Continue on 103 toward Bradford, and just after the intersection with Route 114, make the left turn to the Bement Covered Bridge.

having seen on the map Bradford Center, I continued along until I found the “center” – basically only the meeting house now (remember in my last post I shared off the beaten path Wendell Common, Massachusetts?) — well, since you may not make the trek, below is “downtown” Bradford Center, New Hampshire.

I then arrived at my destination for the night – the Follansbee Inn  I spent some time on the porch, looking at the lake and reading.

It was then up to the New London Inn and their restaurant, The Elms. “Sorry, since only you I can only seat you at the bar – we have reservations.” Not wanting to sit at the bar (without a chair back) or at a high top table, I politely said, “no, you sure I cannot sit at a table?” Well, after her trip to discuss me with someone in kitchen, I was seated at a corner table — nice pleasing view, and guess what? While I was there no one else came in — see, I was not a problem.

having studied all the New London restaurant menus on-line, I decided I wanted the Corned Pork Tenderloin with Brussels sprouts, butternut squash dumplings, rutabaga puree. The cold harvest tomato soup also sounded great, and I started with that.

the next morning with the sun up I took some images around the common areas at the Inn. Below left sitting area which I enjoyed, right the “game room” and then the dining room, and breakfast buffet – Amazing.

Checking out I walked down to their beach to read awhile – below the Lake from the Inn’s private beach.

and these views walking back to GIGI (my gray van – Granite Girl).

It was then off to the Muster Field Farm Day festival which I will eventually share with you. Leaving the festival I drove around Kezar Lake, which I am told is a nice three mile walk.

the below images are from the dirt road along the lake, and the last image at the beach which is at the end of Wadleigh State Park — the Inn would be behind the large house you see to right center of the right side image below.

Since I started with Covered Bridges, I have to end with images below of McDermott Covered Bridge in Langdon, just up from Vilas Pool off Route 123A. I could have made a turn for one more, before heading up the hill to Drewsville, to share the Prentiss Covered Bridge, but thought you may be “bridged out.”

so, in time I will share the Muster Field Farm Day festival, but in closing ——

RAY HIGHLY RECOMMENDS
1 – Take just an over night away – it is totally rejuvenating
2 – Look at a map, possibly something there (a covered bridge symbol) may provide some focus for your outing
3 – Visit the New England Telephone Museum in Warner – and soon
4 – Plan your escape to stay at the Follansbee Inn  in North Sutton, NH — I will be going back.