Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Ruby Tuesday
Covered Bridges of Washington County


In mid-July in the middle of the Project Black posts I was doing I took a little day trip to try and discover the whereabouts of some historic covered bridges. Since three of the four I saw were red it seems only fitting that I post them today for Ruby Tuesday.

Years ago when travel was by horse and buggy a couple would stop in the middle of a covered bridge and steal a kiss which may have lead to the bridges being known as kissing bridges.

All the bridges I'm showing you today are in Washington County, Ohio. I'm right across the Ohio River here so a day trip to Ohio and back is an easy undertaking.

This first bridge is the Rinard Bridge. It was originally built in 1871 and was washed downstream in a flood and rebuilt in 1876. The bridge was so well made that time that during floods in 1913 and 1938 it was washed downstream and held in one piece. The timbers were numbered, taken apart and reassembled on the same foundations. During a flood and hurricane in 2004 it was again washed downstream and again it held together. However, another flood a few weeks later torn it apart and it had to be rebuilt. The original trusses were saved allowing the bridge to maintain its historic designation.
Looking through a window at the stream below.
This is the Hills Bridge and although the weeds were very overgrown the bridge itself appeared to be in excellent condition. It was built in 1878.
The Hune Bridge above was the only covered bridge we were able to actually travel across. It is one lane and was built in 1879.

One Lane Only!

For more Ruby Tuesday participants please visit Mary at Work Of The Poet.

45 comments:

Jim said...

Hi Carletta, thank you for this post. I learned several things about those bridges, I had never heard the term 'kissing bridges.'
I think most are red, a few I remember were white.
We like our daughter and the red phone booth we found.
..
BTW, I too am a retired teacher.
..

Anonymous said...

Kissing bridges. A first I've heard of them..very interesting :)
Nice capture for Ruby Tuesday!!

Geraldine said...

Absolutely lovely. Great pics for the prompt too. I love covered bridges, thanks for sharing these with us. Happy Ruby Tuesday. G

www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

Raven said...

I love covered bridges and these are beautiful photos. I hadn't heard the "kissing bridges" thing before. Always love learning something new. I went all weird for Ruby Tuesday this week and now I'm freaking out about it. Agggh. Not easy being me.

Anonymous said...

I've always loved covered bridges, but at the same time, I've always wondered what prompted the building of covered bridges. Was it function or aesthetics?? In any case, thanks for sharing these nice photos - perfect for Ruby Tuesday.

Ash said...

Lovely!
Reminds me of the movie "Bridges of Madison County" :-)

Anonymous said...

Can you stand there without being in total awe of history?

Anonymous said...

Very peaceful looking area.

EG CameraGirl said...

Covered bridges are rare in Ontario so I really enjoyed the charm of your photos. ;-)

Neal said...

You sure seem to know a lot about them being called "kissing" bridges....I wonder how you know so much. :) Seriously, covered bridges rate right up there with barns in my book.

Leora said...

These are lovely old bridges. Thanks for telling about them.

judi/Gmj said...

they do look like emerald cut rubies... if ya squint one eye. :D
Good information, thanks for the research.

Robin said...

What beautiful bridges, real souvenirs of a time gone by. Amazing how the one stayed together so many times like that.

DrillerAA said...

Thank you for posting these. I have never visited one of these in person. They are wonderful historic structures.

Have a great RT.

Pappy said...

Old bridges, old barns, old wooden windmills, old farm equipment, all links with the past. I love pictures of all these subjects. Thanks for sharing those in your part of the country. Pappy

Kerri Farley said...

I think covered bridges are SO neat! We have one pretty close by but I've never stopped to take a picture of it. You've inspired me to do that!

Great post!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carletta: Nicely done with a wonderful wooden bridge. I enjoyed the view through the window.

Ivanhoe said...

We have one around here as well. It's natural wood - no colors. I don't think you can drive thru though. One of my friends got married in front of it a few years ago.
Have a great Tuesday!

Debbie said...

Hey..I also didn't know about the kissing part! How sweet and makes them even more special :)

I love covered bridges and spotted one a few months back. I'll have to go back with my camera!

Please stop by...have something for you :)

Melli said...

Madison County? I looooove covered bridges! How appropriate for Ruby Tuesday - which I forgot ALL about playing again this week! I'm going to go set one up for NEXT week - just so I'll remember! LOL! Even if I change my mind about the photo before then!

Ralph said...

There are only 3 covered bridges in red in CT, and they are charming. The Cornwall Bridge is on a State Road, and was upgraded awhile bact by the state with steel beams supporting the covered roadway, but the steel is hidden so you wouldn't know. I've driven my 6000 lb loaded van through, and it held up fine!

I like those West Va. bridges!

Anonymous said...

I've always thought that covered bridges are so cool and romantic. I need to get to covered bridge country someday and see one in person. Thanks Carletta!

Maria's Space said...

That is a great use of red.

Dianne said...

Beautiful bridges and great commentary, thanks!

I bet Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep would love these bridges :)

Andrea said...

Nice covered bridge. We have very few in Georgia.

Kelly Ann said...

That is such a cute bridge, haven't seen one of those before, at least with my own eyes. :)

Mimi Lenox said...

I love covered bridges. These shots are awesome. Thank you for sharing! Happy Ruby Tuesday.

My contribution is here

Tink *~*~* said...

Hi there Carletta. Just surfing in to see whatcha got today, and I'm glad I did! I love these bridges. I think it is really neat that people are interested in preserving these bits of antiquity. Thanks for sharing them!

Tink *~*~*
My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

Sujata said...

Beautiful and very interesting post...thanks for sharing.

i beati said...

how many would you say still exist in Wva used to be some in Upshur County sandy

juliana said...

i love covered bridges although we don't have them here.
beautiful post, carletta.

Felisol said...

Dear Carletta,
"The Bridges of Madison County" was my first thought too.
Those bridges must be a genuine American phenomenon.
I'd never heard of them until I saw good ol' Clint giving them both a name and an identity. Very romantic and nostalgic.
From Felisol

Daniel J Santos said...

interesting construction, in here we don't have this type of bridge.

maryt/theteach said...

Great shots of a beautiful covered bridge! Looks like the covered bridges in New England. I've often wondered how drivers figure out who should drive through first. Ha! Thanks Carletta, a wonderful Ruby Tuesday! :)

Becky said...

Excellant post for Ruby Tuesday. If you check around the USA there are many, many covered bridges that have been preserved.

Amber Star said...

The bridges really are something special. Wish I could get up there to see them. You all have been getting a lot of rain this year, I think.

Patti said...

Nice photos of these covered bridges.
I was going to say we have one in Connecticut, but I just saw my husband commented that we have three. Hmmm....I'll have to ask him.

I love the old-fashioned feel of them, harkening back to a simpler time.

Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Anonymous said...

Nice to see your covered bridge pictures. I think I have been on these as several years ago I tried to visit and photograph all the covered bridges in Ohio. Some were in bad shape. These look almost like new.

We have three around here where I live now. I drive through them when I can.

LingoVise Says... said...

covered bridges are so amazing. What a great series to share!

http://zoliofrope.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed this post very much... there is so much to be said for old-time covered, or not, bridges. Simpler times, for sure.
Well done!

Oh, and your truck pulling... what fun!

Karen Coutu said...

Great shots! I really like the first one. You always have such great rustic photos!! You make me want to move out of the city sometimes.

me ann my camera said...

This is a wonderful post and subject with beautiful photos. We have many covered bridges still in existence in our province and they are wonderful subjects for anyone's camera.

George Townboy said...

Excellent post, Carletta. Love this bridge and the way you presented it.

I ran into a professional photographer at the lakefront one day and he told me he was leaving on a trip through the south to photograph and document covered bridges for a new book he's having published.

Firefly Nights said...

I love all of the old covered bridges. In VA I think we're down to probably 10 or less of them.

Anonymous said...

Доброго часу доби
Звернете увагу самий популярний програмний продукт у сфері біржі трафіку, який об'єднує більш ніж 10 видів реклами від програмістів CMS AdminStation - www.adminstation.in.ua
Ви можете вибрати будь-який складок на ваш розсуд:
PopUp v3.1
Скрипт для організації великої біржі трафіку що містить в собі більше 12 видів реклами, а саме:
1) PopUp -реклама (перехід по кнопці "Закрити")
2) BodyClick -реклама (ClickUnder)
3) Баннерная реклама
4) Контекстна реклама
5) Тизерная реклама
6) Плаваючий блок посилань
7) Розтяжка (Top - line)
8) ICQ - window
9) Peel - down (Куточок)
10) SLIDER - банер
Демо: http://popup.adminstation.ru

TrafExchanger
Система для обміну трафіком. Технології BodyClick і Iframe.
Демо: http://traf.adminstation.ru

WapTraf
Скрипт для роботи з ВАП трафіком
Demo: http://wap.adminstation.ru

AS SMS
Скрипт для СМС партнерки
Демо: http://sms.adminstation.ru

Доступи на усе Демо: Login: Admin; Pass: demo

Більше детально можете проглянути на офіційному сайті [url=http://adminstation.in.ua]www.adminstation.in.ua[/url]
ICQ для контакту: 451-699-555