Day 3 of Travel on our Pre-Canadian Maritime Two Lane Adventure

On Tuesday morning, May 30^th, we all departed the Indian Land Family Campground and headed back to Route 7 north, into Rutland Vermont. Rutland was chartered in 1761 as part of the New Hampshire Grants by the Provincial Governor Benning Wentworth. The first settlers arrived in 1770 led by Colonel James Mead. Almost immediately a controversy arose with New York claiming the same land grants under the name of “Socialborough.” This controversy ultimately led to the Vermonters forming the Republic of Vermont from 1777-1791. Vermont became the fourteenth state in 1791.

During the early 1800’s the Rutland area was known for agriculture and for the sheep industry. By the mid 1800’s the development of the marble industry and the arrival of the railroads created an industrial and retail boom which brought many immigrant workers to the Rutland area. Rutland has continued to grow in industry and population to become the largest city in Southern Vermont.

Left Route 7 and turned onto Route 4. Route 4 is also known as the Crossroads of Vermont Byway. It follows the east-west roadway of Route 4. It literally crosses the state’s Green Mountains from Rutland to Hartford. You can see all the qualities that define Vermont as one of the most beautiful states in the country. You can find the charm that nature and the scenic views provide. The Crossroad of Vermont Byway includes quaint New England towns and villages where early architectural styles abound. Still evident is the influence of Vermont’s early industrial history in marble, milling, railroad systems and agriculture which helped the towns along this byway grow and prosper. Today new business blends in with the old, and vibrant communities celebrating their arts, culture, and history welcome visitors year round. Recreational resources abound all along the Byway, for both the most active or more passive traveler.  Killington and Mendon provide four-season mountain activities, and there are hundreds of scenic views along the Ottauquechee River and the spine of the Green Mountains.

At the Crossroads of Vermont on Route 4, in Rutland just 2 miles East of Route 7, you will find the Norman Rockwell Museum of Vermont. Their nationally recognized collection of Norman Rockwell's art, was established in 1976 and commemorates Norman Rockwell's Vermont years and the entire span and diversity of his career from 1911 to 1978. There is a chronological display of more than 2,500 Norman Rockwell magazine covers, advertisements, paintings, facts, and other published works shows Rockwell's development as an illustrator.

Along Route 4, is Gifford Woods State Park. The most notable feature within this State Park is the Gifford Woods Natural Area, a 7-acre old growth northern hardwood forest (sugar maple, beech, yellow birch.) The natural area was designated in 1965 to protect one of the few remaining northern hardwood old growth forests in the northeastern United States. In addition to the developed campground facility, a section of the Appalachian Trail crosses the park as it passes from Georgia to Maine. The Kent Brook Trail is a 1-mile loop trail through the hardwood forests within the park. The Gifford Woods Interpretive Trail is a short loop with interpretive exhibits exploring the natural and cultural history of the old growth forest.

Killington is a town high atop a mountain in Vermont. At 4,235 feet in elevation, Killington Peak is second highest peak in Vermont, as well as one of the highest in all of New England. As skiing took Vermont by storm in the middle of the 20th century, skiers had their sights set on this towering peak. The population is very low, for all the town has to offer. The elevation of this town, helped once, it was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011. Killington was cut off for 19 days. The town was previously named Sherburne, but was renamed to its original name, "Killington."

The town of Killington was chartered on July 7, 1761 by a New Hampshire grant. In 1800, it was renamed Sherburne after landholder Colonel Benjamin Sherburne. The town voted to revert to its original name of Killington in March of 1999; which was approved by the Vermont General Assembly, and became effective July of 1999. On Route 4, the highest point is Sherborne Pass with an elevation of 2,150. Killington's voters have twice voted to secede from Vermont and join the state of New Hampshire. The movement stems from what some residents perceive as an inequity in taxes sent to the state of Vermont, for services received. The votes are largely symbolic, as secession would require the agreement of both states' legislatures, as well as that of the US Congress.

On Route 4, stop and check out the Water Wheel Trading Post. It is a great place to get some gas, a cup of coffee and check out their authentic water wheel.

Coming down the mountain, from Killington, we started to follow a river, the Ottaquechee. Outside of Bridgewater, Vermont there was a strange pile of rocks in the middle of the river.

The old Bridgewater Mill has been re-purposed into the post office, a restaurant and a gift shop. It is nice to see old buildings still in use!

We also came upon our first covered bridge in Vermont. The Lincoln Covered Bridge, built in 1877.

It is 136 foot long one of a kind modified Pratt Truss with an arch. It carries Fletcher Hill Road the over Ottaquechee River.

We then came into Woodstock Vermont, this is the second time Jack & Jackie have been to Woodstock on this trip … the first time was in New York! Woodstock was the home to Justin Morgan. He was the creator of Morgan breed of horses. There is a historical marker, erected by New England Morgan Horse Association. The inscription is ‘on this site the progenitor of the famous Morgan breed of horses was owned by Sheriff William Rice about 1800. Justin Morgan took his name from that of the singing schoolmaster who originally brought him to Vermont, but who lost possession of the later famous horse to Sheriff Rice in payment of a debt.’

In Taftsville, Vermont, is one of the oldest covered bridges in Vermont. Vermont has about 100 covered bridges. When Tropical Storm Irene hit the state in August 2011, it destroyed two covered bridges — the Bartonsville bridge in Rockingham and the Quechee Bridge. The Taftsville Covered Bridge was severely damaged from the storm but managed to stay intact. It remained closed for repairs until September 2013. Built in 1836, the bridge connects Route 4 in Taftsville and River Road, and spans the Ottauquechee River. It is a two span 189 foot long Multiple Kingpost Truss with an arch. Spans are 89 and 100 feet.

We took a break at a pull off for the Quechee Gorge. It is known as "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon", is one of New England's most popular natural wonders. The Quechee Gorge is located in Quechee, Vermont along U.S. Route 4. The gorge is 165 feet deep and is the deepest gorge in Vermont. It serves as a popular tourist attraction in Quechee State Park and can be viewed from the Route 4 bridge and from trails on both sides of the gorge. The Ottauquechee River, that we have been following, flows through the bottom of the gorge. Quechee State Park is located east of the Gorge, and its proximity to many Upper-Valley attractions make the park a popular tourist destination. Hundreds of thousands of visitors stop each year to take in the breathtaking views of the Quechee Gorge. Other visitors seeking an overnight stay enjoy the easy access to the park’s spacious campsites. Naturally, the focal point of the park is Vermont’s deepest gorge, formed by glacial activity approximately 13,000 years ago. Visitors can look down at the Ottauquechee River, flowing 165 feet below.

The Connecticut River is the Vermont and New Hampshire border. The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England. It flows 410 miles from its source at Fourth Connecticut Lake, a tiny beaver pond 300 yards from the Canadian border, to Long Island Sound. New Hampshire and Vermont share some two thirds of the river's length about 275 miles.

In New Hampshire, The spur highway from Route 3 and Route 4 are a Purple Heart Trail, it ends at the State’s Veteran’s Cemetery. The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal. The Purple Heart Trail accomplishes this honorary goal by creating a visual reminder to those who use the road system that others have paid a high price for their freedom to travel and live in a free society. There are currently designated sections in 45 states as well as Guam.

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The original idea for the Purple Heart Trail came from Patriot Frank J. Kuhn, Jr., a member of Chapter 1732 in Virginia. His idea was carried to the national level by Patriot George Gallagher, a member of Virginia Chapter 353. Patriot Gallagher was a former National Adjutant. Patriot Gallagher introduced Patriot Kuhn’s Purple Heart Trail idea as a resolution during the 1992 MOPH National Convention held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The resolution was approved and the MOPH National Purple Heart Trail began. The Purple Heart Trail originates at a monument in Mt Vernon, Virginia. Mt Vernon is the burial location of George Washington. This monument marks the origin of the Purple Heart Trail.

                               

Outside of Lebanon, New Hampshire we found a statue of Yukon Jack. I call I Yukon Jack, be casue he reminds me of the fellow on the Christmas Special!

On the map, we saw the Ruggles Mine. Wow, it must be pretty big or important to make the Rand McNally Road atlas! It is an open-pit mine that is no longer in operation and had been turned into a tourist attraction. It is now closed and for sale. It is located in the town of Grafton The spacious pit includes tunnels and underground chambers, some of which are filled with water, for exploring. Visitors were allowed to keep any of the various minerals that are to be found on the mine floor or that can be hammered loose from the walls of the pit. Its history is unique. Sam Ruggles started the first commercial mica mine in the United States at the site that bears his name. Mica at the time was used to make, among other things, lamp chimneys and stove windows.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Ruggles began as a grocer and was merchant of West India goods in Boston, Massachusetts. He was never a resident of New Hampshire (he was born, lived and died in Boston), and hired local workers in Grafton to operate the mine. Local lore states that the mine was started in 1803, but there is no documented evidence that supports the claim. Ruggles' first purchase of property on Isinglass Hill in Grafton was on 5 July 1805. He made subsequent purchases of adjoining properties in 1806 and 1810. He had a storefront and warehouse in Boston where he sold mica. Sam Ruggles sold his mine properties to his son George in 1834. Sam and George managed the business together until Sam's death in 1843, after which George continued the family business on his own. After George's death in 1863, Sam's nephew was appointed trustee of the estate and managed the mica business until 1879. Sam Ruggles' grandsons ran the business until 1896 when it was abandoned amid bankruptcy and litigation. The value of the mica mined at Ruggles was estimated to be about $12 million by the 1960s. Beginning in 1912, mining began for feldspar, which was used as a nonabrasive scour in the production of china glazes. Later on beryl was also mined. In 1960, the mine was put up for sale. It was purchased that winter by the Wahlstrom family, who bought it for its well-deserved reputation for top-quality mica. Soon thereafter, however, cheaper sources of mica from foreign suppliers became available and domestic demand correspondingly dropped. The Wahlstrom family considered closing the mine, as well as other options. One such option was to turn it into a tourist attraction. And in 1963 that's what happened—Ruggles Mine opened to the public. The mine was open to the public from mid-May to mid-October through 2015. The mine has been put up for sale by its current owners.

In Danbury, we picked up Route 104 aka “Ragged Mountain Highway.” New Hampshire Route 104 is a 23-mile-long secondary east–west highway in central New Hampshire. The highway runs from Danbury to Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region.

Bristol, NH is home to the NH Marathon. New Hampshire’s best kept secret for 25 years… is the New Hampshire Marathon! Come experience the natural beauty of NH in a small, friendly and community oriented event. They have events for every age, ability and goals. Full marathon, half marathon, 10K and a kids’ marathon event that ends with its final one mile on race day.

There were several Adirondack chairs sellers on the back roads we traveled. This one caught my eye, for the sheer volume and colors they had for sale.

We turned onto Route 25 and skirted the north end of Lake Winnipesaukee. New Hampshire Route 25 is alnost 100-miles long east–west state highway in New Hampshire. It runs completely across the state from Vermont to Maine.

We crossed from New Hampshire into Maine, without much fanfare.

Porter ME, river and waterfalls Porter is drained by the Ossipee River. The Ossipee River is an 18-mile long river in New Hampshire and western Maine. It is a tributary of the Saco River, which flows southeast to the Atlantic Ocean at Saco, Maine. The Ossipee River begins at the village of Effingham Falls, New Hampshire. The river, flowing east, forms the border between the towns of Effingham and Freedom. Entering Maine, the river continues to serve as a municipal boundary, first between Porter and Parsonsfield, and then between Hiram and Cornish. Kezar Falls forms a significant community along the river, with two dams. Route 25 follows the river for its entire length.

Located 16 miles from Portland at the southern tip of Sebago Lake, Standish is one of the geographically largest communities in Maine. What is now the Town of Standish was originally surveyed and granted to Captain Pearson about 1750 for services rendered in the siege of Louisburg. Initially named Pearsontown, the town was renamed Standish upon incorporation in November of 1785 in honor of Miles Standish. The town has four population centers are Steep Falls, Standish Village, Sebago Lake Village, and the Whites Bridge area, home to St. Joseph's College. There are numerous sites in town that are on the national Historic Preservation Register.

In Gorham, Maine we turned off Route 25 onto Route 202. We followed 202, thru a couple traffic circles (Charlie's favorite thing ....) and into Gray, where we turned onto Route 26. In the town of Gray, there is an awesome staute at the corner of Route 202 and 26. It is part of Monument Square. In the Fall 2011, the Liberty Family Foundation approached the Town of Gray with an offer to fund the renovation of Stimson Hall, upgrade the existing Little League facilities, and establish a community park for Gray Village on the Town-owned Shaker Road properties. 

Route 26 took us into Poland, Maine, were we passed the Poland Spring Preservation Park. The museum is open and free to tour. It was first bottled by the Ricker family back in 1845, Poland Spring Natural Spring Water was drawn from a single source deep in the woods of Maine. The original Spring & Bottling Houses at Poland Spring have become a museum for visitors of all ages. Inside the historic Bottling House, find science displays, bottling memorabilia, and a virtual tour of today's bottling plant. Maine artists gallery, Maine gem displays, and a unique gift shop filled with Maine products. Inside the Spring House, see the spring itself and imagine days when white-gloved employees served visitors spring water from silver ladles.

After turning off Route 26, we hit the first dirt road of our adventure and traveled on Connor Lane to arrive at Poland Spring Campground. We got sights in the woods, which were very scenic ... but the mosquitoes could have carried off a small child! We had hoped to see friends from Florida, but things did not work out!