This is one of my favorite covered bridge photos that I’ve ever taken, the front view of the bridge leading into Quechee Village in Hartford, Vermont. She is a rather dignified structure, bold and angular. She’s seen thousands of tourist selfies, no doubt, a minor character in so many Vermont vacations. Her rich, weathered wood practically glows against the unapologetically blue Vermont sky.

Then there’s the lovely diagonal swoop of the bridge beams inside, truly making this photo composition goals. The lines guide your eye right into the heart of Quechee like it’s whispering, “Come, ye traveler, and overpay for maple lattes and artisanal soaps.”

I’ve been told that this photo already looks like it came with its own acoustic guitar soundtrack. The contrast between the bright greens of early summer and the shadowy interior of the bridge creates this beautiful tension—welcoming, but slightly mysterious, like you’re entering a quaint liminal space where time slows down and everyone knows your dog’s name.

I can absolutely see this as a photo print, matted in soft cream, framed in rustic oak, and hung somewhere near a fireplace. Possibly, it will find its place between to an antique snowshoe and a passive-aggressive “Bless This Mess” sign. If I had a chance to show one of my photos at a local art fair or gallery, this would probably be the one I’d choose to represent Vermont. To not do so would likely be doing the Green Mountains dirty.

Photo by Amelia (Artemis) Phoenix Desertsong, taken May 27, 2021.

P.S. I also made three edits of this bridge photo, which I will share in a future Ephemeral Edits post.