Post a picture.....any picture...part deux...

Tony M wrote: »

msg wrote: »

I used to have this recurring sketchy dream as a kid after we came back from a trip to Florida one year. It was of some imagined ultra-steep, high and skinny bridge, like one narrow lane, with NO guard rails - just edges. And a couple hundred feet below was shallow marsh. And it was windy. In the dream, I believe it was supposed to be somewhere in Georgia or South Carolina. Where "they don't speak a lick of English".

All of your photos and stories reminded me of it and had me chuckling a bit at others being similarly "conscious of precarious, though relatively safe, but who cares it still doesn't matter eff that, heights".

I've had 2 of those dreams, or really NIGHTMARES.

Waking up with heart pounding and then so relieved it was just a nightmare.

Haha, so I'm in good company then!
I also have one with tornadoes, and in the dreams, I have to get creative in traffic, driving over medians and stuff to make it to warn people in time. Almost the vehicle version of the ones where you're trying to run, but your legs don't work. Or trying to pull a trigger, but it's too heavy or stuck, and you wind up spending most of the dream trying to make it work, forgetting that you're trying to defend against some non-descript threat.

I've gotten to a point where sometimes I'm able to wake myself enough to realize, whew, I'm not really in prison, chuckle sometimes, and tell myself to stop being ridiculous and get back to sleep.

This, on the other hand, is one of my more favorite bridges on the planet.
Not steep. Not high above the water. etc.





Loys Station covered bridge in Rocky Ridge MD

I wondered why they covered bridges, so I asked.

Mainly longevity x10.

Covered bridges were built primarily to protect wooden structures from the elements, significantly extending their lifespan and ensuring their structural integrity.
Purpose of Covered Bridges
Protection from Weather: The primary reason for covering bridges was to shield the wooden components from rain, snow, and sunlight. Exposure to these elements can cause wood to rot, warp, and deteriorate quickly. Uncovered wooden bridges typically had a lifespan of only 10 to 20 years, while covered bridges could last over 100 years due to the protective covering.
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Engineering Solution: The design of covered bridges was not merely aesthetic; it was a practical engineering solution. By enclosing the bridge, builders could prevent moisture from affecting the wooden trusses and decking, which were crucial for the bridge's strength and stability. This design allowed for a more durable structure that could withstand the test of time.
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Community Involvement: The construction of covered bridges often involved the entire community, with skilled workers such as sawyers and timber framers collaborating to build these structures. This communal effort not only fostered local craftsmanship but also ensured that the bridges were built to last.
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4 Sources
Additional Benefits
Calming Animals: Some theories suggest that the roofs helped keep animals calm while crossing over rushing water, although this was not the primary reason for their construction.
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Shelter for Travelers: Covered bridges provided shelter for travelers, offering a reprieve from inclement weather during their journeys.
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Cultural Significance: Beyond their functional use, covered bridges became iconic structures in many regions, often associated with local history and culture. They served as gathering places for community events and social activities.
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2 Sources
Conclusion
In summary, the covering of bridges in the old days was a crucial innovation aimed at preserving the integrity of wooden structures, enhancing their durability, and providing additional benefits to the community. This engineering choice has left a lasting legacy, with many covered bridges still standing today as historical landmarks.

one of the most popular "local" (it's all relative!) covered bridges is the Taftsville Bridge near Woodstock, VT. It's popular with photographers. The environs are somewhat mundane, so careful composition is essential. I have yet to take a very good photo of it. I.e., this isn't my photo!

treitz3 wrote: »

I don't know if I would trust that bridge...

Tom

It's been rebuilt. You should've seen it before!

It is decidedly swaybacked, but structurally sound. We drive across it regularly. The scariest aspects of it are its narrow width (is that an oxymoron? ) and the darkness inside (windows notwithstanding).

We're nothin' if not wry up here in northern New England.

BlueBirdMusic wrote: »

Buc-ee's "wannabe"

Hank Priest service station 1943 Woodstock, GA

With me traveling roads most of my life, I've seen a lot of those old stations.

I think they were very well built since most are still standing.

I always think of the owners trying to make a living for themselves or their families.

I think of what they might have stocked in their stores.

I have a larger one around the corner from me, but it too has closed. The man who built the one around the corner passed away, and his daughter ran it for 20 years afterward. There was a ton of stuff they had in it. There was a nice, CLEAN bathroom for people, too. Oh, it still had a full-service pump for the rich and or old folks. I remember a new Cadillac with an obvious, well-off woman getting tended to. The young lady owner went out to talk to the driver while the in-house mechanic did the full-service while the gas was being pumped.

It sure was nice to see this old-fashoned gas station. Oh, she even had coffee brewing most of the day for all patrons. Free coffee. I had my share since I filled a company truck with diesel hundreds of times there. She let some companies run a tab on Diesel sales.

She had GREAT employees, too.

I miss it and them a lot. :'( Days of old... or The good ol' days.

Natchez Trace bridge over TN Hwy 96 just southwest of Nashville:

Sadly, there have been more than a few suicide jumps from it over the years. They are going to add some safety measures to the bridge this year, which will undoubtedly detract from the bridge's aesthetic.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

(ASR)

Water under the bridge, I suppose.

A little triva; the Jaws shark was nicknamed "Bruce" on the set. In the movie "Finding Nemo", the great white shark was named, Bruce. Has to be a nod......

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136917780120

View heading west on the old Mississippi River Bridge at Vicksburg. Note the narrow lanes built for 1920-1930s cars. Note the railroad tracks next to the car lanes. Now imagine driving eastbound while a train heads west just over the railing to your right and a huge semi comes westbound just inches to your left. In our 1962 Volkswagen Beetle it was unsettling. In our 1963 Chevrolet Bel Air it was frankly unnerving.