Sunday, October 5, 2008

Monochrome Monday's Bridges

Aileni heads up Monochrome Monday on a weekly basis. Broer som binder---"Bridges between..." --- is inspired monthly by Rune E. I hope they both forgive me for combining the logo images and the meme in this way.
.
This is my Dad in 1928. He took a lot of picture in 1928--or maybe that simply is the album among many that were preserved and found their way into my hands. Of course, he did not take this picture. My guess would be that someone named Ron took it, because, among other shots of my Dad in strange places and in this time frame are some of "Ron" in similar positions.
This album includes pictures of my Dad on towers under construction, on hikes in high places (wonder where I got that inclination), in church towers, and here--on a bridge where I certainly would not have joined him.
.
The photo is identified as Loma Vista Bridge, Brookside Park, Pasadena.
.
The bridge below is the Fred G. Redmon Memorial Bridge, located over Selah Creek north of Yakima. I put these two bridges together because the design seems to be so similar and the bridge and the photo spark related emotions.
A plaque erected at a nearby rest stop by the Washington State Highway Commission in 1971 tells that "by Senate Resolution 1969-EX-40, the Washington State Legislature dedicated these imposing structures crossing Selah Creek Canyon in honor of Fred G. Redmon, resident of Yakima, first chairman of the Washington State Highway Commission and distinguished member of the Washington State Senate from 1964 through 1968. With a height of 325 feet from top of arch to canyon floor, supporting b ridge lanes 1336 feet long and reaching 549 feet across the canyon, these are the two longest concrete arch spans in the United States to date, a fitting memorial to one of Washington State's most prominent citizens."

To me this bridge is often a symbol of coming home. It marks our entry into the Yakima Valley from a trip to the Coast--and the Coast can sometimes be our entry from farther away.
.
Coming home!
.
And Dad. Well, Dad was always a stalwart, solid part of home. Next month would have been his 100th birthday. I know that few get to know their parents clear to 100--Dad passed away fourteen years ago. But I miss him.

26 comments:

Leslie: said...

Great old photo! I miss my Dad, too, as he just passed away last September (07).
By the way, I decided to start a blog just for photo memes and keep the other for longer posts about "other stuff." Keep comin' back! :D

PERBS said...

I am still working on mine but it will be connected to quilts. . . Ü

That is a beautiful bridge span/arch and I would be welcomed home too! Nice connection/bridge to yoru father.

Catching up -- still got to read your posts below.

Anne said...

Ohhh... what I beautiful bridge and a beautiful post about ypu father!! Like a lot :-)

Nice monday to you from Anne In Norway.

Gattina said...

Very nice old picture !
I also came here for the "odd shot" !

Anonymous said...

These old family shots are great, I really must put some up.
Which is mre genuine - a shot like this or a digital conversion... but I must not get into philosophical ramblings.

Liv said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liv said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liv said...

Beautiful bridge, and a good story about your father! I like your post!

Rune Eide said...

A very nice bridge - both as a structure and as a memory. The final sentence I could have written myself.

PS Thank you for the comment - finally back from an autumn holiday.

PERBS said...

Blogger finally allowed me to get my photos up. Mine is ready.

Paulie

Liv said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gerald (SK14) said...

No apology required for combining two themes. This is a splendid memorial to your father.

Catherine said...

Great post Katney.
I love these pictures that tell a story. Hope you get many others to share with us.
Now I have to look at Google map to know better where is this bridge over Yakima Valley.

Daryl said...

Nicely done combination and contrast


:-Daryl

Carver said...

That a wonderful shot and very interesting post Katney. I'm enjoying doing monochrome monday on my photoblog Carver Cards. Good to see you joining.

Cath said...

I'm sure you do miss your dad - I would miss mine. He looks so small on that bridge! Great shot though.

Love your coming home bridge too.

Anonymous said...

I love this post and the thoughts behind it. I miss my father, who died at much the same time and much the same age as your father, too

Mojo said...

I lost my dad 8 years ago, so I understand how you'd miss him. There are very few photos of him from "back in the day". ("Down East" North Carolina in the Depression and post-Depression era wasn't exactly a place where you found a lot of "fancy things" like cameras.)

But I really like this shot.

GAWO said...

Your brigde is beautiful, and it is wonderful to conect this to your father.

Ivar Østtun said...

A wonderful bridge. Great idea for Bridges between :-)

mrsnesbitt said...

Wonderful tribute katney!
(((HUGS)))
Dxxx

Liv said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
EG CameraGirl said...

I think it's interesting to know what landmarks signal the returning to home. Hmmmm. In your case, it's a bridge. Cool.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Great Photos and story! Thanks for sharing. That's an awesome bridge! Take Care!!

Sherrie

Lew said...

Very memorable post. I have a few photos my Dad took (and was in) from the 1930's. I have lots of his albums and film from the later years.

Liz Hinds said...

That looks a bit scary! He must have scrambled to get up there.