
At the crack of dawn if I roll over in bed and twist my neck just the right way, I can see the sunrise from our bedroom window. It’s quite the view. Frederick County – our new extended neighborhood – has views galore and we’re determined to see them all, including the covered bridges.
A Chilly October Morning
This morning I slept long past dawn. When I rolled over and looked out the window I saw Dakota lazily munching grass and sporting a thick green blanket to ward off the chill of the morning. Dakota is our neighbor, along with his pals goat 1 and goat 2. Thinking it would be best to just snuggle under the warmth of the comforter, I turned my back to the view and snoozed a while longer.
A cold morning. It seems as if we skipped fall this year and went from hellacious hot and humid to holy crap it’s too early to be this cold. I know we were busy moving, but did we blink and miss it?
After forcing ourselves to throw back the comforter and face the chilly October morning, we pulled on our sweaters, turned our backs on the unpacked boxes and went out to see what we could find.
The Covered Bridges of Frederick County
Channeling Francesca and Robert, we found ourselves exploring the back roads and covered bridges of Frederick County.

The Utica Mills Covered Bridge – Originally built in 1850

Fishing Creek flows under the Utica Mills Covered Bridge
Emma Jean’s General Store
Meandering along the back roads we slowly wound our way through tiny country towns. We stopped at Emma Jean’s General Store, which was really more of a hodgepodge collection of odds and ends, but a sweet lovely lady shared a bit of history about the store and gave me two pieces of rock hard bubble gum. It chewed up pretty well.

Loy’s Station Covered Bridge – originally built about 1860

Owens Creek flows under the Loy’s Station Covered Bridge
The Roddy Road Covered Bridge
As we found our way to our 3rd bridge, we vowed next time to throw jackets in the car whether or not we thought we’d need them. Because you know, we needed them.

The Roddy Road Covered Bridge was originally built by the Roddy family about 1856

Owen’s Creek flows under the Roddy Road Covered Bridge
The Other Camp David
That’s the great thing about nesting in a new place, there’s so much “new” to explore. Little did we know – until after the fact – that as we drove through the hills wrapped in fall colors, we happened upon Trout Run, often called the other Camp David. We’d never heard of the mountain compound but it sure is a beautiful spot and it has quite the history.

Sneaking a pic of the Trout Run compound – see the rock house on the left?
We Might Have Fun Trying
But I digress. There are 212 bridges of various assorted sizes and design in Frederick County. I’m not certain we’ll find all of the other 209, but we might have fun trying!
And, if you’d like to learn more about what went on behind the scenes of Francesca, Robert and The Bridges of Madison County…

Pin it!
Wonderful article, thanks. I’d love to see the covered bridges some time. 🙂
Thank you for the feedback, Jamie. Covered bridges are so special.
I’ll be adding this post to my “Covered Bridges” Pinterest board. We actually have a covered bridge within a park inside the Philadelphia city limits. Since you have Comment Luv activated, I’ll share the link for my blog post about it: http://www.boomeresque.com/philadelphia-phriday-wissahickon-valley-park/ Our covered bridge was first built at the site in 1737! If you ever make it to Philly for a visit, the Wissahickon will definitely be on our itinerary.

Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Zentangle Diva Challenge #240 – Fall Foliage Edition
I love covered bridges! We just discovered them when we came to New England. Yes, it is pretty chilly! In the last couple of weeks I’ve had to buy a new coat and boots

amy recently posted…Finding Fall in Vermont
And it’s only going to get colder, Amy, good thing you bought the coat and boots!
All I can think about is the movie Beetlejuice when I see these bridges! They look exactly like the one in the film 🙂

Jenny @ Till the Money Runs Out recently posted…Discovering the Cenotes Near Merida, Mexico
Really? I’ve never seen the movie, I’ll have to watch.
Oh my I had no idea we had so many of these beauties nearby! Will make a marvelous fall weekend drive – thanks for sharing!

Anne Woodyard (@MusicandMarkets) recently posted…From North to South in the Cotswolds
You’re very welcome!
Perfect fall with the colors and bridges even if it’s beginning to feel like winter. Here too without the bridges.

Gaelyn recently posted…Goodbye Grand Canyon, Hello Fredonia
We’ve had a little respite from the cold and now seem to be in ideal autumn weather. No idea how long it will last though so we will enjoy while we can.
It sounds like there is a lot to explore in your new neighbourhood and those covered bridges are indeed great and they look so well preserved. How lovely that you can see the sun rise from your bed, you are living in a little piece of paradise.

Gilda Baxter recently posted…Zakynthos, Greece – A Role Reversal, the Daughter Becomes the Mother
The north eastern states is the one region of the country that we haven’t yet explored so we’re looking forward to a lot of road trips.
Since the famous movie, I have thought these bridges look so romantic. Happy exploring!

Shelley recently posted…Before you ride an elephant in Thailand
Agreed. Covered bridges let the imagination run wild!
Sounds so idyllic out there where you are! I also have something about covered bridges. I love them! There are some in certain parts of Germany and I’ve seen some in Austrian alpine region too. Some are not as well maintained as the ones of Frederick County though.

Marlys recently posted…Part 2: The Rip van Winkle Villages Along the Italian Riviera
I would love to visit those bridges in Germany and Austria. They just don’t build like they used to!
Love to read about covered bridges. I’ve written about covered bridges in Oregon.

Carole Terwilliger Meyers recently posted…Sights to See: The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada
We visited a small covered bridge outside of Medford, OR while living in the area.
Love covered bridges- we did a post on the covered bridges in Washington County Ohio on our blog- we tracked down every last one they had.
I’ll look for your post and give it a read. There’s just something about a covered bridge that is so classic Americana.
Don’t really think of Maryland as a place for covered bridges, but as I can see, we should. Very nice!

The GypsyNesters recently posted…Meeting Africa’s Mysterious Maasai Across Culture and Time
Thanks! Maryland is proving to be an interesting state to explore, hopefully, we’ll cover the state!
These covered bridges are so pretty, as is the Frederick County countryside in your photos.

Donna Janke recently posted…London from the Thames
Thank you, Donna. Seeing the bridges at this time of the year seems to add to their beauty.
So if I follow the link in your story, I find these bridges are in Maryland, and that only eight covered bridges. Will you visit others and share more details of their history?

Kristin Henning recently posted…Oslo to Bergen and Back: Across Norway
I hope so, Kristin!
So where is Madison county, compared to where you are?
I believe Madison County is in Iowa, gives us a reason to go visit, right?
Aren’t these covered bridges gorgeous… and with fall colours around – so pretty!

You spurred me to look up why bother to house a bridge? Amazing that by covering it, the main trusses lasted 10 times as long… as well as being aesthetically pleasing 😉
Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted…Thirst Quenching – Photo Roulette *114
That’s an interesting fact, Linda. Thanks so much for sharing.