Contributed by Virginia Lawrence
Photos Virginia Lawrence
Having only website photos to keep myself up-to-date on the restoration of the bridge during my 10-month winter absence, I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked down there yesterday evening for the first time since my return. As I came down the hill into the campsite, the bridge was not fully visible at first. My impression was that I was descending into a giant gravel pit.
Eric Hamerstrom had explained in February that a new temporary ramp had been built up to the height of the bridge floor so that long steel truss supports could be slid into place through the bridge. They were to rest on the new fill at one end and on Ragin road at the other, and would support the bridge from inside while the damaged wooden timbers were replaced.
There were plenty of photos of this ramp, of course, but the ramp itself never caught my attention. I was more interested in the progress on the bridge.
Yesterday (July 17th) was Sunday, and in spite of the ongoing construction, the picnic area was full. I had seen a convoy of a vehicles drive in around 11am. When I walked down there at 6pm the beach goers just packing up to go home.I went back down this morning (July 18th). The beach goers were gone, but the construction workers had begun to arrive.
Rangers’ cabin is visible at the left. July 18th.
The gravel-covered beach is fully visible at left.
Sunday beach goers are still gathered round their picnic tables.
This stone ramp extends from the bridge to the
driveway of the rangers’ cabin.