Grafton Notch State Park

August 30^th marked the final day trip of the Summer for Kate and I.  With my schedule it’s hard for us to find the time for these adventures because it’s best to go on them on my second day off so I’m not tired all day.  Our next possibility is October 11^th after Canaan’s Football game.

On this day though we focused the majority of our trip at Grafton Notch State Park located in Oxford County not too far from the New Hampshire border.

Our first stop took us to Andover and Lovejoy Covered Bridge.  Along the way we found another windfarm, this one is I believe called Saddleback Windfarm.   I know some people don’t like the windmills and think they are eye sores, but Kate and I really find them neat.

Lovejoy Bridge was first constructed in 1868 in Andover spanning the Ellis River at 70 feet long it is the shortest covered bridge in Maine.  This is still an active bridge and we drove & walked across it which is what we do when we visit a unique bridge.  There was a group of girls getting their senior portraits taken.  The river was low and the banks were high and very sandy. 

We next traveled to Grafton Notch State Park with is located on Route 26.  The State Park is unique as a major route runs directly through the protected land and scenic spots on both side of the road.  We visited three of these places on this trip. 

Our first stop was Screw Auger Falls which features the Bear River running through a gorge featuring a series of drops leading to a 23 feet waterfall.  It’s very pretty here with several places you can sit and relax as well as a couple shallow pools to swim in.

Next was Mother Walker Falls, I read on line that it is a v shaped gorge 40 foot wide and 980 feet long that gradually descends 98 feet.  It wasn’t very impressive.

The final stop was Moose Cave which is a cave located in 45 foot deep canyon of bedrock that follows a 600 foot long gorge.  The cave was named for a moose that fell into the cave.  All three of these sights would be better to see during the spring thaw as without a good flow of water they are not much to look at.  They were all very nice though. 

 

There is a bakery on Route 26 in Newry called Puzzle Mountain Bakery that we stopped at on the way out of the park.  We picked up a couple whoopie pies and scratch made maple crème cookies.  Baked good and jams are located in a roadside booth with payment received down the driveway in an honor box located outside the actual bakery house.  

Kate got the standard chocolate whoopie, which she loved, I went with my favorite pumpkin.  The filling was the same for both, I’m not sure the make-up but it was good.  The Maple Crème cookies were good but sadly a couple were partially ruined in the cooler. 

On the Sunday River Road spanning 100 feet over the Sunday River is the Sunday River Bridge which was out next stop.  Built in 1872 this bridge is no longer open to traffic and is also known as the Artist’s Bridge. 

The river was also low here and we were able to go down onto the rocky floor. Kate put Wesley’s feet in the river and he was not please, not one bit!

Wesley was needing some time out of the car seat we stopped in Bethel at a spot on the river with picnic tables and a playground.  We spread out a blanket in the shade of some trees and fed the boy then letting him have some back time for about half an hour. 

We stopped at Snow Falls Gorge off Route 26 in South Paris as our last scheduled stop of the day.  Located a rest stop with a picnic area Snow Falls was named after Captain Jonathan Snow who was killed by St. Francis Indians in 1755. 

It was a great day we both really enjoy these day trips and I look forward to the next one.