We headed out Route 2 to explore some Western Massachusetts towns. We have always found the French King Bridge between Erving and Gill to be a stunner. We parked in Erving (#139) and walked across the bridge then underneath it along the bike path. The bridge is a cantilever arch bridge that spans the Connecticut River. The sides of the bridge was a little low... and made us feel a little queasy walking across it.
 |
French King Bridge
|
 |
| The bridge is beautiful from all angles. |
 |
| The view from the bridge looking north |
 |
| The bridge has unique monuments on top! |
The tiny town of Gill, population 1,500, is the location of Northfield Mount Hermon School. Grads include Natalie Cole, Valerie Jarrett, Frank Shorter and Uma Thurman. The school rebuffed us from walking the groups, and instead we trekked through the tiny square area. It was quaint and quiet.
 |
| #140 Gill |
We ventured next to Montague, and its quaint village of Turner Falls. Turners Falls had an industrial canal that diverts a huge part of the Connecticut River and takes it past the mills in town. The water from the canal roars!
 |
| Canal running through Turners Falls Village in Montague |
We ended by stopping in Westminster on the way back home. If you love New England Clam Chowder (not that nasty red Manhattan stuff), then you've likely topped a bowl with the word famous Westminster Oyster Crackers. While the Westminster Cracker Company now operates out of Rutland, VT, the original company building sits in the middle of town. It's also the home of Wachusett Brewery, and the wonderful Brew Yard.
 |
The original Westminster Cracker Company Building
|
Comments
Post a Comment