I try to visit Shelbourne Falls, MA, at least once a year to see the amazing flower bridge, but this is the first time I had a digital camera along. The bridge once carried an old trolley line, but after that went to interurban heaven, the local flower club decided to create a memorial to their war veterans and each year fill it with flowers.
Here is their explanatory plaque. NOTE: I am not an expert photographer, and in addition have reduced the resolution of these pictures to make them upload faster. You should see this attraction yourself to get the full effect. The town has many art galleries and stores and you can easily spend a pleasant afternoon here.
This message was edited Jun 1, 2008 11:05 PM
This was on June 1, 2008. The flowers are often replaced seasonally. I remember that in fall leaf-peeping time, there are a great many dinner-plate sized dahlias along the bridge.
The flowers along the bridge proper are mostly sun loving varieties, but along the northern approach there are several shade gardens.
They have many bushes and trees planted along the bridge even though the soil bed looks quite shallow. The Deerfield river is in the background here.
There were several different specimens of these along the path. New to me, they look something like Passionflowers.
I wish my lupes were as fat as these!
I admire alliums that stand up straight. Better picture of the river, too.
Beneath the dam, just downstream from the bridge, are a series of potholes ground into the river bed by scouring pebbles caught in eddies. They say the world's largest pothole is here, but I'm not sure if it is in this picture. OK, I'll quit now, but do go and enjoy Shelbourne Falls if you get a chance. It is just south of MA Rt. 2 west of Greenfield.
Looks like a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon. Thanks for the pics Don - love them! Eleanor
thank you for sharing that... it's a wonderful memorial... but what's with the pass at own risk?
here is the one you thought looked like a passionflower... i love them.. such a great annual
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/159818/
DonShirer,
I'm sorry to say that I live in Agawam, MA & have never seen Shelbourne Falls Flower Bridge. I must thank you for the wonderful pictures. I've also put it on my list as a must this summer.
Thanks
Debbie
I think "pass at your own risk" refers to the traffic jam of prams and wheelchairs encountered along the way. One energetic older lady was merrily zooming along in an powered buggy enthusiastically shouting "toot toot!" to warn us slow poky pedestrians to make room for electric drag racers.
Thanks Don - great memorial!
Don:
Thanks for the great tour of the bridge. What a great place it must be to visit this time of year. Like Deb, I'll have to add it to my 'must see' places list.
It's gorgeous!!
Very nice Don.....i'll have to stop by some day!
Gosh Don, I expected to see this post from Boojum. I was wondering what was going on at the bridge now that I'm not making pilgrimages up to Smith College. Sure do miss that special place and the committed community. We loved to picnic by the Deerfield river.
If you N.E.sters live within a day trip, try to see the bridge. The bridge is lovely, but not a day. However, the whole area is so beautiful and there is so much to see. They even have dinosaur tracks!
Laurel
Very nice Don! Added to my list too.
