On our road trip to the Carrabassett Valley we saw a sign for a bridge.
But not just any bridge, no…
The Wire Suspension Bridge spanning the Carrabassett River in New Portland is a unique structure, the only survivor of four such bridges built in Maine in the 1800’s and probably the only such bridge still standing in the United States.
.
.
Built in 1866, it’s definitely unique.
.
.
The bridge was renovated in 1961, when the tower bases were capped with concrete, the towers were rebuilt, steel suspender rods were replaced by steel cables, and a new timber deck was installed. The tower framing timbers and main support cables are the original material. The span between towers is 198 feet.
.
.
As you walk across it you can feel it sway .
.
.
And when you watch a car drive across it the wood literally bends under the weight.
.
.
Under the archway?
.
.
Floor to ceiling graffiti.
Boo to that.
.
.
Yay for autumn color though.
.
.
An engineering marvel in its day….
.
.
It’s stood the test of time and is still in use 158 years later.
As I said before, the fall color in my area has been less than spectacular this season. Not wanting to miss the full glory of a Maine autumn, we headed north for some serious leaf peeping.
.
.
Ah, that’s better.
.
.
The Carrabassett Valley rarely disappoints.
.
.
I have a friend who hates the fall and sees the changing of the leaves as a sign of death. She says it’s depressing because it means winter is right around the corner.
.
.
Winter is coming, ‘tis true, but the last gasp of nature’s beauty before the temperatures plummet is a show I never want to miss.
.
.
And no, that’s not dirt on my lens, they’re falling leaves.
Is it any wonder this is my favorite time of year?
.
.
Nice try.
My booty does not have a phone.
.
.
I post this for a reason.
Not being a religious person, I take the separation of church and state seriously. In the United States we have the freedom to worship as we choose and I fully support that. If you want to promote bring your Bible to school day at your private Christian academy… fine, please do so. But this announcement was released at a public, tax payer funded school and yes, I have a problem with that.
.
.
That’s pretty much where I am.
I don’t need a supreme being to shame/suggest/command me to do the right thing and help others.
I just do.
.
.
There.
That’s it for my controversial topics. Religion and politics. Checked them both.
😊
Now, a little of our backyard autumn color.
.
.
And since my husband finished two walls and the roof on the shed extension? Since his new toy is covered and protected from the elements?
He thinks he’s done and hung an old cavas tarp instead of building a door.
.
.
Boy, have I got news for him.
🤨
.
.
Greenhouse support hoops are starting to appear across the road.
Our lovely view’s days are numbered.
.
.
But voila!
My husband attached the new light fixture on the front porch properly… and though I was beginning to think it would never happen?
.
.
We are officially calling the remodel complete.
When I have time, I’ll dig out some before and after pics for comparison.
You know he’s telling his owner where to stick it.
.
.
Chickens are hard to photograph at the fair. Too many cage bars and if you try to get closer? You get pecked.
.
.
Or in this case, fluffy butted.
.
.
Pigs on the other hand, rarely give a damn.
.
.
My late father had a pet pig as a child. He and my mother collected weird little pig oddities when I was young so I’ve always had a soft spot for piggies.
Our neighbor called at 7:30 last night and screamed at us to “Go outside right now!”. From the tone of her voice I figured we were being invaded by herds of rabid moose… but when I stepped off the front porch steps ?
.
.
Wow.
.
.
I’m 60 years old and have never seen the Northern Lights in person..
.
.
And there they were, right over our house.
.
.
Again, wow.
.
.
My photos don’t do them justice..
.
.
But the husband and I stood out on the lawn like total weirdos snapping pictures for half an hour.
.
.
It was a truly magical experience.
.
.
I’m not sure I completely understand what causes the phenomenon …
River's world..... 