June 13, Another Monday, and a Covered Bridge outing

Last week I took a break from the coastal beauty and went inland to the little town of Cottage Grove. They are one of the covered bridge loops in Oregon and I wanted to explore them. I began my tour in town, there’s the Centennial Bridge, built in 1987 to celebrate Cottage Grove’s centennial. It’s a pedestrian bridge next to main street. 

From there, it was a short ride to the Swinging bridge, not covered, but historic as it was constructed to make a shorter walk for kids to get to the school across the creek.

Next up is the last remaining fully covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi River. It was built in 1925. Completely restored in 2011, it’s open to pedestrian traffic and is on the National Register of Historic buildings.

Backtracking a little to where I left the car, I take off on an old railroad grade trail that has been paved for miles. Heading east out of town, I came to the Mosby Bridge.
This is the oldest in Lane County, built in 1920. It is open to one lane of vehicle traffic. 

A few more miles down the trail leads me to the red and white Currin Bridge.

Built in 1925, it replaced a bridge at this location that was constructed in 1883. Restored in 1990. In 1986 it was used in the filming of the movie, ‘Stand By Me’. So now I have to watch that movie again, which I haven’t seen in many years and I think worth a rewatch.

The last bridge on my tour was at the end of Dorena Lake, about 8 miles SE from the Currin Bridge. 

There is a large earthen dam that creates the lake and the trail follows the shore all the way. It was beautiful riding through the countryside, past small farms, seeing the green hills and feeling the almost warm air against my skin.

Yes, my skin was exposed!! I wore shorts and a short sleeved shirt! I was filled with joy at not having to wear layers of clothing. Dorena Bridge was built in 1949, restored in 1990 and is closed to vehicle traffic. A new bridge carries vehicles across the Row River at this point. 

A long ride back to the car, with the sun peeking through clouds, a light breeze and too much freshly mown grass. By the time I finished my eyes and nose were very itchy from all of the grass and pine pollen. Definitely in need of a shower when I get back. 

And it is poetry Monday. I wanted to write something original and haven't done  much writing this week. It takes some inspiration and I was sitting in front of the computer trying to put something together this morning and it just wasn't coming. Time to get out and walk on the beach to let my thoughts flow into words. There was a break in the rain as I walked through the Magical Forest, then on to the beach to greet the day with my exclamation, "Good Morning World." As I walked the sky opened up and began to give some more water and that seemed to get my creativity flowing as well. Here's what came of that.

Bridges

Set my sail as I begin my ride

To capture the wind to help me glide

Past the lake shore and fields of green 

To find bridges of times gone by.

Where roofs covered planks to protect

from wind and rain and snow

To be replaced with concrete and steel

By those who think they know

How to make things last.

Only an open heart can be a bridge to the past

That carries one to the other side

Where I am waiting with arms open wide.