A Solo Road Trip to Salem, Massachusetts
Updated: Mar 1
A year after we took our epic East Coast Canadian-US road trip, I took a solo road trip to Salem, Massachusetts, stopping along the way in Barre, Vermont. I was on the hunt for covered bridges, Salem witches and whatever surprises awaited me along the way.
On our first road trip together, we relied only on printed maps and directions to guide us through the provinces and states. Nine months later, on our second road trip to South Carolina, we relied on GPS to guide us (thankfully). As reliable as the technology was on the second trip, I preferred the nostalgia of following a map. I planned my route, wrote out my directions, but brought the TomTom with me (just in case).
I left early in the dark hours of the morning and reached the US border just after sunrise. It was a sunny morning, and New York state was alive with autumn colours. I stopped frequently to capture photos of picturesque streets and cemeteries, blanketed in fallen leaves. Driving through New York state, one common lawn decoration was visible; homemade (and creepy) scarecrow people dressed up in full autumn/winter wear. It was lovely to see a community tradition, but honestly a little creepy as a passer by. Perfect for the season.
I visited as many covered bridges as I could (without risking my life and car on the country roads), before making my way to Barre, Vermont. I spent one night in a gorgeous old home turned B&B. Mine was the spacious Tower Room of the Maplecroft Bed & Breakfast, so comfortable and cozy I wish I had stayed longer. Breakfast was served to me alone in the dining room on a silver platter, a quiet and delicious meal. I took the time to stroll around the town before making my way to Salem.
This is where my maps and directions failed me. I followed the signs but somehow missed the expected toll road and feared I had taken a wrong turn, until I started seeing signs for Salem. I trusted it would lead me there and continued on. It did lead me to Salem, but