Upper Bucks County's Covered Bridges








Well, it has been too long since I have posted. Bad because it means  

we haven't had the chance to get out shooting. That was rectified on a recent trip to the Upper Bucks area to shoot the covered bridges that dot the country side. It is a big part that was missing that I needed to get done to get the book together on covered bridges. I have plenty of pictures but I felt I needed the "pretty" pictures to go with a photo book. We threw together a book using Shutterbug to see the outcome. From here we looked at it critically and decided what we had to do for a final. Shutterbug does a nice job, was reasonably priced (especially with an online discount), and got it back quickly. If you are looking for someplace to print a photo album from a family outing or a vacation they are a good source. For what I am looking for, they are limiting. They only have so many templates and layouts for images and text. I am taking a serious look at Blurb for a final product. That will be coming up in the near future.

Are these signs necessary?

                We hit the road with cumulus clouds breaking up the blue skies. Typically, the conditions are a little cooler when you go north, even if it is just 40 miles by road, so the forsythia and flowering trees were out in full color and the leaves were just beginning to open so the full summer green wasn't in place yet. The trip up River Rd is always a great ride as you follow the Delaware Canal and the Delaware River. Parts of this road could be considered for car commercials.  

                 Our first stop was the Knecht's bridge. Built in 1873 it is 110 feet long and is in a beautiful area. Surrounded by fenced in farmland, it is one of the easily viewed bridges. Usually, you come around a bend and the bridge suddenly appears in front of you. Unfortunately, the county has deemed it necessary to install high visibility fluorescent green signs that scream at you the 9'5" height, one lane bridge or that the bridge is 140' in front of you. Even though you are standing right in front of it. Sometimes you just have to shake your head. Just another dumbing down of society.

                Next came the Sheards' Mill bridge. Also built in 1873, this bridge is 130 ' long. It is clear why this bridge was necessary. Not only is the bridge spanning the water, there are huge boulders strewn about in the water. Next to the bridge is an old mill that dates back to Revolutionary War times. The owner was in the process of restoring it but has since passed away. He was able to have it placed on the National Historic Register before he passed so although not complete, its prominence was recognized.

 

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Moods Bridge



                Leaving this bridge, the next we come to is the Moods' Bridge. This is an interesting bridge in that vandals destroyed it in the early part of the new century. Fire completely decimated the historical bridge. This is one of all the bridges greatest hazards. Credit should be given to local activists and the county commissioners because the historical value as well as the practical value of the bridge was recognized and the bridge was rebuilt. (OK, they ruin the aesthetic value of one bridge but they did work at rebuilding this one). Moods' bridge was originally built in 1874 and is 120' long. This is now part of a local park so access is open all around the bridge. Walking under the bridge, the massive beams supporting the span are now easily viewed. And since we had lunch and bought gas locally, yes, the bridges do help support the local economy.

        Driving a short distance leads you to the only bridge that no longer allows traffic over it. The South Perkasie Bridge was taken out of service in 1958 because spring floods were a cause of constant expensive repairs. Moved a short distance to its' present location, a new concrete span replaced it. Now only families cross the bridge on foot. Built in 1832 it spans 93'. Because of the relationship with all that encompasses a bridge ,i.e.; water, rocks, cool temps, it is not uncommon to see various examples of wildlife at these locations. South Perkasie bridge is no exception. Upon exiting one end, I looked down to see a young lady stretched out on a towel sun bathing, lying face down with her bikini top undone. At a different time, meaning younger and not having Sheryll with me I know doubt would have had to scream "SNAKE"! Just to make sure she hadn't passed out or any such thing. 

                The last bridge on our sojourn was the Pine Valley Bridge. This 81' bridge is the most heavily traveled through bridges in the county. There is a constant flow of vehicles traversing the span. Upon climbing under the bridge I came across some of the true wildlife myself. Many of the bridges post signs claiming snakes are under the bridges, but I just looked at it like the landowner was just using that as a ploy to keep you out. And, as I told Sheryll, "It's still too cool and too early for them to be out". NOT! I came across one that was at least 2'' around and 10' long. OK, actually 3/4" around and 18" long but with my phobia it was getting bigger every second! That's another reason I couldn't scream at the girl before. What goes around comes around and if I had did that to her, mine would have truly been 2" around and with fangs!

                This trip is one I never tire of. The scenery is gorgeous, the area is historic and is full of wildlife; finned, feathered and scaled. The day was a successful day of shooting. Although not dramatic lighting the clear day provided great colors, so no matter what....



                Always go to the light,

                Steve