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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Day 5 of Bridging the Gap

For day five of the bridge challenge, I thought I'd feature the foot bridges in the neighborhood park where I grew up. When I was a child, the only bridge across the park's creek was the one above. It has been repaired and changed but is similar to the bridge that was there when I was a toddler in the late 1950s. As a girl in the 60s if we wanted to cross the creek at any other point we jumped, hopped stones or climbed across limbs like the one below (although I shot that limb at another park).
I think our physical development was greatly aided by having to jump, hop and skip to bridge the gap, unless we walked to the one bridge. These days I guess kids have to find other ways to build their strength because there are now 5 bridges in this fairly small park.The bridge above is located in a spot where I perfected my broad jump back when there wasn't a bridge. We would get a running start and jump, with the occasional accidentally on purpose falls into the creek. We didn't have a picnic shelter back then either. I liked the absence of such amenities since the park was my enchanted forest, where a wicked witch turned me into a human being. Enchanted forests and picnic tables don't really go together. By the way I was a flower fairie until the witch changed me into a human girl, just so you know.
If memory serves, the metal rail bridge above went in when I was a teenager in the early 1970s. I think that was the second bridge to be put into the park.

I guess I'll end this trip down memory lane there because I fear I was up to no good as a teenager hanging out in the park.

To find other bridging the gaps posts please visit the host of at I was born2cree8.

17 comments:

Gattina said...

That seems to be a beautiful park for kids to hop around and for Teenager for other things, lol !

Anonymous said...

What a great park, bridges and memories. I think we can still be flower faeries now and again...

Dee said...

Carver,
Loved that post! Now I know where the flower faeries come from. I like the idea that a wicked witch transformed you from a faerie to a human girl. Also, with that post, you transformed this rather tame park back into an enchanted forest. Very cool!

Carletta said...

These are lovely with the last one being my favorite!
A flower fairy until the witch changed you - that made me smile.

juliana said...

i think i would love to walk through this park. pretty footbridges and beautiful surroundings!

maryt/theteach said...

Lovely footbridges, Carver. There is a footbrodge or two near me but I haven't gotten out to the park to photo them... :)

Melli said...

Adults take all the FUN out of being a kid - by building all those stupid bridges! We had a creek in our neighborhood ... and I guess in some areas it was even a stream... I don't think it ever grew to the size of a river. But we had rope swings in the deep spots - and stone hopping paths in other places... and you're right! I'm sure that creek kept us physically fit! As well as COOL in the summer! These are GREAT photos Carver -- and great memories!

Dr.John said...

I really like those bridges. They have a woodsy feel to them. Thanks for throwing in some memories as well.

Anonymous said...

Great shots and subject. I like the tree one.

atto aryo said...

you're right. enchanted forests and picnic tables don't go together. linked yah!

Minkydo said...

Now that the park as so many bridges, more people can have access. I know I definitely need bridges with my arthritis.

I bet kids still run, jump, and climb. I know as a kid I rarely used footbridges. I took the hard way :)

Such beautiful greenery.

SabineM said...

I love the 2nd photo! ;-) reminds me of my childhood!

desert dirt diva said...

I love your bridges...

Anonymous said...

Fun! I loved the memories that went with the bridges. I recall a swim I took once as a kid because my boad jump, while clearing the creek, did not clear the super slippery mud on the bank!

This park looks cool and fresh and peaceful. I can see flower faries still living here -- though of course they would avoid the covered picnic area at all costs!

Anonymous said...

I really like these bridges and this park, Carver. Thanks for the walk down memory lane... that in itself was good exercise, haha.

When you said about jumping over the creek, it reminded me of riding Whiplash (Arab/Appaloosa gelding that I rode for around 10 years). He hated water, especially moving water, so creeks were not something he felt comfortable with, haha. While the other horses would just walk through them, or even step over them, he needed some... errr, coaxing (spurs and the treat of being left behind without the other horses usually was enough). When finally he decided he had no choice but to cross the creek, he did.... airborn. One big jump, high and wide, so never a hoof would touch water. He was beautiful and a joy to ride... most of the time, hahha.

Anonymous said...

Whoof!! I could play in that park and walk on those bridges, or in the water if it's shallow, arf arf.

Carver said...

Thanks so much to everyone for visiting and commenting on my bridge post. I appreciate each comment very much.