Bridges between... is more than just a photo meme with
pictures of bridges. The idea is to express what a bridge does, whether a
literal bridge or a metaphorical one. RuneE is the sponsor of this monthly meme.
Stop by to visit him to see more about the activity.
When we accompanied the kids on their field trip to release their salmon fingerlings into the creek last month, they also did several activities to learn about the creek environment. One activity took place at this old cattle bridge.
They tested the flow of the water by dropping oranges off the bridge and timing their float between two measured markers.
The old wooden bridge looked pretty delapidated, but was still strong enough to support our weight. It was originally built as a way to drive cattle from one area across the creek to another. How old it is is a good question, as cattle driving was one of the early activities in the valley.
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You learn something every day, and one of the things I learned on this field trip came from one of the parents who was along. He said that they couldn't build the cattle bridges of steel because the cattle would refuse to cross. They would only walk on the wooden planks.
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It makes sense, because in many places in the West there are cattle guards at open gates--metal bars in the road which the cattle will not cross. (Of course, there are also the fake cattle guards--stripes painted on the road to look like cattle guards and the cattle will not pass those either. Something tells me that maybe cattle aren't all that smart.)
So the question is, are there any bridges in your life that you refuse to cross? Something to think about, isn't it?
16 comments:
I want to go and fish when I see your bridge I think it's great. The bridge can be used in many way's...:)
My bridge is up to take a look ;-)
A MOST interesting and thought provoking post.....
Thank you!
There are maybe some briddges I would like to burn...
Excellent post, well done.
I like your point of view for this post. "Bridges you don't want to cross." One of mine is riding on a roller coaster.
Enjoyable post with Bridges Between and your Odd shot.Both very good and great photos.
My odd shot and bridge is up.
That's a lovely old bridge. In the UK we call the metal cattle guards cattle grids. I remember the sound as we drove over them from childhood. It still brings those memories back today when I come across one, which is rare now where I live, but was common enough in my country childhood.
I believe it is to do with the hooves of the cattle (works for sheep too) - they cannot navigate the spaces between the bars.
And bridges I won't cross? Very very high ones without decent guard rails are a no-no for me.
A very interesting post. I was indirectly aware that cattle won't cross a metal bridge because in England at least if they have a driveway where they don't want a gate but do want to keep cattle in, they use a cattle grid, basically a metal grid over a ditch, to keep them in.
And a very thought provoking question at the end!
Several things came to me while reading your post.
1. Winnie the Pooh and his playing with sticks under a bridge.
2. The use of metal guards to bar cattle from crossing (much used over here previously too)
#. The private "metal guards". We all have lots of those - I know I have...
Beautiful post and reflection.
Love it very much.... And the bridge between me and touch a snake is all to long :-)))
Nice post;9
This is a great Bridge post. It is one that brings all sorts of pleasant memories. Thanks for sharing the story and great photographs.
Our Bridge is Built.
Come visit,
Troy and Martha
Great "Bridges Between" post.
You gave us all something to think about here. There are all sorts of "bridges".....
I can tell that you had a nice trip! :)
Interresting post!
Have a nice trip to SF and do show us some pictures! I visited the city in 1996 and managed to loose a roll of slides - mostly containing pictures of the bridge "from all sides" :-(
Very interesting bridge post!
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