Albany Covered Bridge

I always enjoy seeing covered bridges. There are over 80 in New Hampshire. The White Mountain National Forest Bridge -- or Albany Covered Bridge -- was a stop along the scenic Kancamagus Highway (Route 112). The 120-foot long bridge was in a beautiful setting, spanning the crystal clear waters of the Swift River. It is one of the most photographed bridges in New Hampshire. I could see why.

Albany Covered Bridge, c. 1858

Bridge selfie

One lane bridge

Open to one-way traffic

The Albany Covered Bridge was originally built in 1858 for a cost of $1300. The new bridge was destroyed by storm. It was quickly rebuilt and used for over 100 years. It was renovated in 1970.

Also known as White National Forest Bridge

Swift River

120-feet long 

Inside the bridge

The other side

Bridge etchings

Peering through the bridge

Lincoln Woods

Our first stop along the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) was Lincoln Woods. Lincoln Woods featured a scenic suspension footbridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The trail to the falls was closed, so we didn't do much hiking. The views of the river were scenic.

Lincoln Woods Suspension bridge

East Branch of the Pemigewasset River

Pedestrian bridge

On the bridge

Ty on the bridge

Bridge No. 170/159

Mountaintop haven for dogs

Ty enjoyed the trip to New Hampshire, but had the most fun at Dog Mountain. I was able to let him off leash. He ran, met new people, played with other dogs, and splashed in a pond. He got soaked, but dried off after we went on a hike. It was our last stop before starting the journey home.

Dog Mountain is a private mountaintop spot in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. It is open to the public and their dogs. It was about 35 miles from the Basin in Franconia Notch State Park. There was no entrance fee, but I made a $10 donation. Dog Mountain features hiking trails and dog ponds. Leashes are optional. There is also a Dog Chapel, gift shop, and art gallery. I didn't see the latter.

Dog Mountain, est. 2015

Mountain-top haven for dogs

Ty playing in the pond

Running through

Looking over the grounds

Splashing

The dog angel

A very wet Ty

Dog benches

Hiking trails

The Dog Chapel was built in 2000. Its creed is "Welcome, All Creeds, All Breeds, No Dogmas Allowed." The walls of the chapel were covered with pictures and tributes to lost dogs. I wrote a tribute to the seven dogs I've loved and lost: Jack, Sam, Sly, and Zak, as well as my three livestock guardian dogs: McComb, Boone, and Maggie. The chapel was a special place. There were stained glass windows with dogs depicted. The pews had dog carvings at each end. There were a few cat carvings.

Even bad dogs go to heaven

Dog Chapel, c. 2000

The Alter

A place to mourn your pets

Missing their dogs

Ty in the chapel

Tribute to my seven dogs (RIP)

Stained glass windows

A cat, too

Magnet for my refrigerator

A thrill of a drive

The Mount Washington Auto Road is a 7.6 mile private toll road that climbs 4,618 feet to the summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States (6,288 feet). Mt. Washington is located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The scenic drive takes you through four distinct ecological zones. It takes most vehicles about 30 minutes to reach the summit. Going down usually takes longer because of stopping and sight-seeing.

America's first manmade attraction, c. 1861

Presidential Range

Warning Sign

I'm not sure I would have (could have) driven the road if the weather hadn't been so near perfect or there had been significant two-way traffic. The tourist season was almost over and not many cars drove the road on the day I did. Two weeks prior (Columbus Day) was the busiest day of the year. ~4000 cars!  Glad I decided to go later. Before starting the drive, I was told to go up the mountain in normal gear, but to come down in low gear (S1 on my Escape). Stops were recommended on the descent to keep the breaks from overheating. My Escape did fine on the way down. The uphill climb seemed a bit harder on the engine. I kept an watchful eye on the temperature gauge. All was fine.

Color at the lower elevations

Around the bend

Rugged scenery

It goes without saying that the drive was thrilling, terrifying, and nail-biting all at the same time. While the road was paved and in good condition, it was narrow and lacked shoulders or guard rails. There were lots of twists and turns as you climbed more than 4,600 feet in elevation. There were no trees at the higher elevations, which gave you the feeling of driving on the edge. In fact, sometimes I felt like I was driving through the sky. There were times when I questioned my decision to go up the mountain. I didn't look at the scenery too much on the way up. I focused on the road. I tended to drive in the middle of the road, until another car approached. I went around corners (bends) very gingerly.  I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached the carpark at the top. 

Resting my brakes on the way down

What's up ahead?

The White Mountains

Up high

Snow at the higher elevations

The drive down was much less terrifying to me. I stopped several times to rest the brakes and have a look around. The scenery was spectacular. There was snow at the higher elevations, but not much. Soon snow and other severe alpine weather would close the road for the season. After reaching the bottom, I felt a real sense of accomplishment. 

Higher elevation

Going down

Trail marker

I did it!

So, how dangerous is the road? Since opening in 1861, there have been only three fatalities. The first was a stagecoach crash in 1880. Brake failure caused another fatality in 1984, and in 2009, a biker went over an embankment. Non-fatal incidents are not reported. Ironically, the Mt. Washington Auto Road is one of the safest roads in America. I'm really glad I did it. Mom told me I was crazy (many times). Ty stayed in the car the whole time. The drive didn't faze him a bit. 

Scenery below