Page 27 - JULY2025

July 2025
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
Page 27
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the “main” dirt road but boy was I tempted to stray when I saw a narrow dirt road with the name “Riddle Hill.” Puzzled as I was (pun intended), I pulled on to it, then wisely decided to back up when I spotted the Class 6 road sign. Darn it- where did that Jeep Wrangler go when I needed it? Another fun sighting along the way was an old “Grafton Little Library” attached to a pole on the side of a field. I was tempted to see if there were any First Edi- tion copies of Robert Frost tucked inside as I didn’t see too many res- idents to take advantage of it.
A Chicken Motel in one yard made my day, too. It was a long, low structure, which appeared to have started as a single coop, then had been added on to over the years. Windows and small doors in each section did indeed make it appear to be a motel. What lucky ladies they were to be perched in their individual rooms each night. Eventually I arrived at a famil- iar intersection and despite my “don’t turn back” rule, I had so much fun taking in the sights out there that I didn’t mind getting a second look at it all. In fact, I just might head out there again this summer.
When it’s gray and cloudy outside and you can’t enjoy the beach, take a tip from me and head to the back roads. Just be sure to keep your eyes open for some fun and unusual sights along the way.
Life on the Back Roads
One Tuesday afternoon I
section of the ride but eventu-
ally found roads less traveled.
found myself quite bored. All
Passing an octagonal house and
my deadlines had been met, the
dishes and laundry were done,
a log home with a turret made
me smile. I love unique construc-
the plants were watered and the
tion. I even passed a set of steps
feeder for my feathered friends
were full. So, I was sitting on my
in the woods that appeared to
lead nowhere. Interesting! I was
porch while trying to devise a plan
reminded of a fireplace closer to
for something fun to do that af-
ternoon when I heard a whisper
home with no house attached. I
always want to put a sign there
in my ear.
along the road that says “House
“Go on an adventure!”
So, I packed some snacks,
Wanted.” Guess I have to make
two signs now.
grabbed a bottle of water and
headed out. Those who know me
There were many humorous
would not be surprised.
signs though in front of some
properties that I really enjoyed,
Not sure where my adven-
ture would be, I first headed for
such as “Old Dog, Young Dog,
Danbury where there were pos-
Several Stupid Dogs- Drive Care-
fully!” and “Trespassers Beware-
sibilities of back roads I haven’t
traveled often.
Cat on Duty!”
A grave marker, right beside a dirt road, commemorates a 23-year-old Turning here and there as I
As I headed past Waukeena
woman who was killed in 1863 when she was thrown from a wagon. Lake, an idea struck and I even-
headed into less familiar areas, I
One of the curious but touching sights that can be found on the back tually turned left toward Grafton
roads. Photo by Donna Rhodes
passed a cemetery built in 1800.
I love exploring those but decided
and Canaan.
facing nearly skyward. I stopped
struction. Having been married that would be for another day. Just
I have been out that way sev-
to a mason for 24 years I slapped there a moment and said another
eral times, but it had been awhile
up the road however I spotted a
my forehead and asked why I had prayer for the mailman/woman.
lone gravestone erected right at
and I knew there were many a
Their job’s not always easy on the
never prompted him to build me the side of the dirt road. I remem-
back road yet to explore in that
a castle on our land, too. After- back roads.
direction.
bered seeing it a few years ago but
all, the woman is the Queen of a Another structure, which
this time I pulled over. It seems
Oh how right I was.
looked like an old abandoned
household, right?
Ruth Cole, a 23-year-old woman,
My adventure rule is to always
Houses out that way were few hunting camp, made me laugh.
keep going and never circle back.
perished there on the road in
A large barrel was sitting on the
and far between and that was fine In that area though I once drove
1863 when she was thrown from a
edge of the roof with a spigot at
with me. In fact, the only car I wagon. She must have been much
so far that I was afraid I would find
saw for over an hour was a Jeep, the bottom facing over the eaves.
myself crossing the Connecticut
loved as there were still fresh flow-
Outdoor shower? What fun.
covered in dirt from some envious River eventually and didn’t have
ers at the site. I said a little prayer
off-road adventure.
In that area I also came across
for her then motored on.
enough time to wander back to
a large lot that had been clear-
Fields, old farmland, wild- the Newfound Region. This time
Another curiosity was a mail-
cut and had a spectacular view
flowers and beautiful deciduous I was going to go deeper into the
box. Nothing unusual about the
woods made this a perfect day for of woods, valleys and the White
box itself, just the location. It was
back roads though to see what I
Mountains. There on the edge
me.
would find.
off the side of a driveway and set
of a steep hill rose a small castle,
For the most part I stayed on up on a somewhat rocky slope
I was familiar with the first
apparently still under some con-
or
ing
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