Last Day, Last Bridges

We only had time to see two bridges on our way to Philly today. I'd hoped to hit three (or five...) but travel time was just too long. Good thing we didn't push it - the iPad navigation app I've been using got us totally lost in Northern Philadelphia, not an experience I care to repeat.

Taking cloud pics while waiting for a cab in Philly.

By the time we got to the rental car office, we were within minutes of being late rather than the hour early I'd planned. (Anybody have a navigation/map app they like? I don't like Google Maps either . . .)
First up, Zimmerman Bridge in Pine Grove, built in 1880.

This was supposed to be a Howe truss (like this example) . . .

but it's another Burr arch truss.

Oh well, still interesting.

A little way down the road was Rock Bridge, built in 1870.

Supposed to be a Howe truss,

actually was a - say it with me - Burr truss. Mr. Burr sure got around.

This one had a handicap fishing ramp next to it, which was pretty neat (you can see part of it on the right; click the picture above to enlarge.)

Sadly, for me anyway, that concludes the PA edition of the covered bridge tour.

Links to helpful websites are below, mainly so I can find them the next time we go bridge hunting.
Bridgehunter.com - a database of historic or notable bridges in the United States, past and present.
CoveredBridgeMap.com - bridges listed and mapped by state. Good way to find the address of a specific bridge.
Covered Bridge Trusses - diagrams and descriptions of most common trusses.
Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society - more detailed information on truss designs.

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Back in Pennsylvania

It started as a joke when we passed a billboard - a museum dedicated to cigarette lighters?? Let's stop! hahaha - but when we stopped for the night in Bradford, PA, and the Zippo-Case Museum was just down the street, we decided what the heck.

Great decision! The Zippo museum was really interesting, and hubby enjoyed the Case knives section. Zippos are proudly made in Bradford, USA - which I love - and have had a strong connection to the military since World War II.

They've also had starring roles in movies from Green Beret with John Wayne to one of hubby's favorite TV "classics" - Stargate.

I learned a lot and had fun too - which makes this my favorite kind of museum. Actually wish we could have stayed longer. But we did pick up a couple of souvenirs on our way out . . .

His and hers lighters. What every couple needs!

Then it was southward, towards Hershey, with a couple of stops for covered bridges. (Sorry, Rach!)

Truth in advertising. (See the sign??)

I'm searching for truss types we haven't already seen. It's hard to find bridges that aren't Burr or, less frequently, king/kingpost.

Logan Mill Bridge, built in 1874, has a Queenpost truss

and a different ceiling design than I remember seeing before.

A copy of the bridge's story was tacked to the wall, a sign that someone cares about this baby's upkeep.

It was in great shape, standing up well to the flooded river that's currently passing beneath its deck.

The same can't be said for our second bridge, unfortunately.

This poor thing - the Mertz-Northwood Bridge, built in 1976 -

looks to be on its last leg.

It's a multiple Kingpost design that's missing several "kings".

I didn't dare walk onto it, it was in such bad shape. Don't think this one will be standing much longer.
Tomorrow's plan is to head for Hershey and a tour of the chocolate factory (provided I'm not sick from the almost raw chicken I was served for dinner tonight - yuck!), then time permitting, check out a couple more bridges (double sorry, Rachel!). It's just such a great way to see the countryside.

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Trip To DC

We left Denver, PA, this morning enroute to our home-away-from-home in Arlington, VA, taking the long route via Gettysburg and Maryland so we could see more of the countryside - and a few more covered bridges.

We had to be at Reagan National by 5 pm to pick up Addy and her parents,

so we didn't have a lot of time to tarry. A quick stop at Park Headquarters in Gettysburg to pick up a map, then we drove through the park on our way to the first covered bridge of the day -

Sachs Bridge, built in 1852, and our first example of a lattice/Town truss.

Very different from the Burr truss bridges we were used to seeing (a Burr truss has a curved side support).

Roddy Road Bridge, in Maryland, was built in 1856, and is our first kingpost truss.

See the vertical beam at the center of the triangle? That's the kingpost. It can't support a long expanse, so this type of bridge is usually very short.

More information and descriptions on different truss types can be found here.

Our last bridge of the day - Utica Mills Bridge, built in 1842 - was supposed to be a kingpost, but - surprise! - it's a Burr truss.

If I'd realized that ar the start, we'd probably have skipped this one since I had to pick and choose time-wise and tried to get truss types we hadn't seen already.

Pretty bridge, so I'm glad we got to see it.

The rains started just as we finished the bridge tour and accompanied us all the way to Arlington.

Then magically stopped about the same time Addy stepped off the plane. Hope the dry skies continue for our long weekend in DC!

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Covered Bridges, Volume 2

We spent last night in Denver, PA, population 3,800 (it's really small), so we'd be all set to explore the countryside around Lancaster/Amish country today. And what better way to do that than searching out yet more covered bridges? It got us off the tourist path and into areas we would never have seen otherwise. The area east of Lancaster is beautiful; rolling hills, gorgeous green fields, lovely homes and the oft seen horse-drawn plow - in the fields - and buggy - on the roads.
First stop was an antique and collectibles store (did I mention this area is the self-styled "antique capital of the world"?) I picked up 2 vintage Nancy Drew books for Addy and Rachel, a hand-crank yarn winder for me, and hubby found a fully restored apple peeler.

Then it was down the road about half a mile to our first bridge - Guy Bard Bridge in Ephrata, built in 1891.

Erbs Bridge in Lilitz, built in 1887.

Rosehill bridge in Leola, built in 1849.

Pinetown Bridge in Lilitz, built in 1867.

Hubby waiting patiently in our rental car. He likes covered bridges, but maybe just a teeny bit less than me . . . .

Willow Hill Bridge in Lancaster, built in 1962, and surrounded on all sides by businesses and busy streets.

And a leaky roof. I don't think this one is getting much love since it's not used for traffic.

Herr's Mill Bridge in Ronks, built in 1885. Poor sad, neglected little thing.

Where the "mill" in Herr's Mill comes from.

Leaman Place Bridge in Gordonville, built in 1893.

A clue that you're approaching a covered bridge -

3 tons or less weight limit. We found a couple of bridges by following these signs, when the street address we were using proved incorrect.

Neff Mill Bridge, over the Pequea River in Lancaster, built in 1875.

Lime Valley Bridge in Willow, built in 1871.

One of the biggest bumblebees I've ever seen let us know that this was his bridge, so we took fast photos and left him to it. Seriously, he was the size of a hummingbird!

Kurtz Mill Bridge, set in a park in Lancaster, built in 1876.

 

 

Shenk-Mill Bridge in Manheim, built in 1855.

 

Shearer's Bridge in Manheim, built in 1856. This one is in a park, open only to foot traffic.

 

 

We also found the Kauffman Distillery Bridge, built in 1874, but there was no place to safely pull off the road, so we had to pass on taking its portrait. Thirteen bridges (and two others we looked for but couldn't find) in 8 hours, plus lunch, dinner and three antique stores. Not bad!

Azaleas

Lily of the Valley

Pretty weed?

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