Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Two Bridges

Two interesting bridges in Washington
Crossing the Columbia River - taken from the Ginko Petrified Forest State Park in Eastern Washington.  The bridge is 2,504 ft (763.2 m) long and 75 ft (  22.9 m) high and carries 15,000 vehicles a day.

The first bridge across this part of the Columbia was built in 1927 - prior to that a ferry operated at this location, carrying 5000 people a month across the river.  The first bridge was dismantled in 1962, put into storage and a new bridge was built at this location.  The old bridge was later moved to the Snake River crossing near Starbuck, WA in 1968. 

The bridge crosses the river, near Vantage and George, Washington. This section of the river is named Wanapum Lake; it is the reservoir formed by Wanapum Dam and named for the Wanapum tribe that inhabited this area.  The dam was built in 1963.
Across the river you see the hills that are the beginning of the Palouse - a vast wheat growing area of Eastern Washington and Western Idaho.  The view is from the Ginko Petrified Forest State Park.
Looking back after crossing the bridge
We were vacationing in Eastern Washington two years ago when we visited this area
Water skiing





Another bridge
This foot bridge is across Whatcom Creek - at Whatcom Falls Park - a city park in Bellingham.  It is a short bridge - overlooking the falls and is a popular hiking and walking area.  Whatcom Falls Park is right in town - carved out of the woods, with play areas, picnic tables, benches, a pond, a fish hatchery and hiking trails.  

During the Great Depression of the 1930s  federal money was used to purchase most of the park’s current 241 acres, expanding it from the then current 40 acres, purchased by local clubs and organizations.   In 1939 Roosevelt’s New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) paid workers to move the Chuckanut sandstone arches from a downtown burned-out building to the park, and the sandstone was used to construct the   bridge.
This is a photo of the original bridge - the photo was taken in 1906 by a relative of our son-in-law Jason Davies.  His relatives were on a tour of the west coast form their home in Spokane, WA and stopped for a day in Bellingham to to explore the town a little.  The population of Bellingham in 1906 was approximately 16,000 people, today the population is over 85,000.

9 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Wonderful photographs as usual JoAnn - fascinating looking at this area, one I have not visited.

pam said...

I love to photography bridges, I don't really like to drive across them though!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Love that old Whatcomb Falls bridge! So scenic.

Jeanne said...

Wow, that was all very interesting. I love the stone bridge and the beautiful blue waters!

greenthumb said...

I love the look of that old stone bridge. Have a great weekend.

Powell River Books said...

I have yet to go to Whatcom Falls. I really should visit things around town. - Margy

Kay said...

Oooh, that area around Gingko Petrified Forest looks interesting! Do you have shots of that, too? That area of eastern Washington is on my "to see" list. The stone bridge is gorgeous (and looks a little more solid than its predecessor!).

Mary said...

Love the history of the bridges and surrounding areas in Washington - such a beautiful state. That footbridge in the Bellingham park is so beautiful - I've never crossed it but will have it on my list when I get back there - which can't be soon enough!

Happy weekend dear JoAnn.
Mary X

Wildflowerhouse said...

This state has such diverse climates and landscapes. You catch it well with your beautiful photos. Love the great history lesson too. I am playing catch up and thanks for posting about the swans. I love when I see them. I hope to get up to the tulips tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend. Sharon