Covered bridges bring up feelings of nostalgia as your mind wanders back to an earlier time. They are the poster child for idyllic countryside drives and simpler times. Maine has nine covered bridges remaining according to the Maine Department of Transportation site on historic covered bridges.
Covered bridges at the center of a snow-covered scene are a quintessential New England image. While covered bridges are not specifically a winter thing, they do look even more lovely painted in white.
The Sunday River Bridge earned a reputation as being the most photographed and painted of the covered bridges in Maine and is known locally as the Artist’s Bridge. It’s easy to find as it’s located just off the side of the road not far from the Sunday River ski resort. There are signs posted pointing you in the right direction.
How much fun must of it have been for artists to setup their easels and paint this pretty scene. The most famous painter to frequent the area was John Enneking and you can find out more about him and his association with the bridge in this article from the Bethel Journals.
Covered bridges have a magical allure to them even though most have long since been retired from actual use.
Do you have any covered bridges in your area?
I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2018. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Winters in Maine. To read more of my A to Z posts, click HERE.
Artist’s Bridge. (2016, August 31). Retrieved March 25, 2018, from https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/artists-bridge
Bennett, D. G. (1979, August 14). John Joseph Enneking. Retrieved April 22, 2018, from http://www.thebetheljournals.info/Names/Enneking.htm
things to know | |
---|---|
Place | Artist’s Bridge |
Address | Sunday River, Newry, ME 04261 |
Winter Scene | Snow Covered Bridge |
Favorite ♥ | View into the Past |
They are so different to anything else and covered in snow are so pretty.
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They are quite unique. Sad that there aren’t that many left around here.
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I love a good bridge! [And I haven’t yet met a bad one.]
Dena
https://denapawling.blogspot.com/
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They are inviting and friendly.
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I did not know there were covered bridges in Maine! The only ones I can think of are in Vermont. This is lovely. Thank you for telling me about it! Melanie’s Stories
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There are still a few left!
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What a cool bridge!
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It’s so easy to get to as well which is a nice bonus. Sometimes these things are more hidden.
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Gorgeous bridge! My wife’s cousins live near a covered bridge in Vermont which we drive over ever time we visit.
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I bet Vermont has some great covered bridges.
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What a fabulous bridge! And while it truly is lovely in its snow-covered setting, I can also imagine it sitting amidst wildflowers and pretty Spring skies. And that would make it much nicer to set up one’s easel as well. 🙂
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Yes, I think this is one you can paint in any season and it would be beautiful.
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I can’t say I’ve ever seen a covered bridge here in Australia, but I’m sure they must exist. Loving your photos as usual and I’m sure I would love to live in Maine x
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Thank you. I feel the same way about Australia. It looks like a great place to live.
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We have a fake one on a bike path near our house. So that’s sort of one.
Where I used to live in Indiana, there were TONS of covered bridges (some of which you could still drive over). There was even a Covered Bridge Festival every year, though it seemed to be more of a giant flea market than an actual festival.
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A covered bridge festival sounds like a lot of fun even if it is mostly a flea market.
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Bridges! There is always something nostalgic, romantic, inspiring about them!
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They do bring out those type of feelings.
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My grandmother was from Winterset Iowa and we did a trip there one spring to see all their bridges. One of my favorite trips ever!
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I bet there are some beautiful ones in Iowa. What a fun trip!
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There were for sure!
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I don’t know what it is about covered bridges. I abslutely love them. You are totally right. Nostalgia! I can’t think of any here in Alberta. But there are a few in other places in Canada. This one looks as though it is no longer open to traffic. Sad. But good that it’s been preserved!
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Yes, this one doesn’t allow traffic anymore but it’s still a popular spot.
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There is one in Yosemite National Park that I love in all seasons. It’s at the south entrance of the park, near the Wawona Hotel and Mariposa Grove. Worth a stop.
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Sounds wonderful. I have never been to Yosemite National Park but would love to visit someday.
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You’d love it! Awesome from the entrance to the exit.
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