Jeanine and I got an early start on a mini excursion to western Massachusetts to enjoy a marvelous fall day. Grey skies gave way to a brief interlude of sunshine as we arrived at the French King Bridge. a three-span “cantilever arch” style bridge crossing the Connecticut River.

We descended to the eastern base of the bridge and across Millers River where we began a short hike (me with a 30 pound pack, in training for Nepal). After following a road to the top of a high ridge we decided to take a private trail that we suspected would take us down to the Connecticut River where we planned to follow the water back to our car. Discovering no such trail and somewhat unsure we could retrace our steps we were fortunate to encounter a couple living at the water’s edge. They informed us that there was no road access and offered to ferry us up river on their pontoon boat, an invitation we were happy to accept.

We continued westward to the town of Shelburne Falls where we paused for lunch and a stroll across the famous Bridge of Flowers.

We returned by late afternoon to pick up Maya who had spent the night in southern Vermont with her Coming of Age group and then went on a movie date to see Captain Phillips.