Bridges

“Does this elephant make me look fat?”

The morning after we left Pittsburgh the sun was shining brightly. We had already decided to embark on a driving tour of the covered bridges of Bedford County. Don and I both share a soft spot for covered bridges and there aren’t too many things we both like. We decided that they appeal to Don’s sense of history and my love of design and old crap. These bridges were built over 100 years ago by craftsmen and several have been preserved and are still in use.

Claycomb Covered Bridge

A pleasant loop through the picturesque Pennsylvania countryside allowed us to enjoy both the bucolic scenery and many pretty farms and homes.

Detailed old barn

Don & I decided to get creative with our photography and employ the self timing mechanism on my camera. Mainly because Don doesn’t like being in every photo and I don’t trust him to get the shot I want.

The two of us running like idiots trying to get in position before the timer goes off.

Sometimes I was too ambitious with my set up and we couldn’t get our old, fat, slow selves into position before the shutter caught our blunder.

Snooks Covered Bridge
(A more successful attempt)

Other times we were able to make it in time. We had a lot of laughs as one or the other of us would try setting the camera and then making the mad 10 second dash.

Kniseley Covered Bridge

Some of the bridges were practically on private property and we wondered if the residents were looking out the windows and shaking their heads at our antics. Particularly as I had Don pulling out suitcases or coolers or repositioning the car all to allow me to try and get the height and angle I wanted sans tripod.

Ryot Covered Bridge

Cuppett Covered Bridge

I will avoid the obvious tag line here.

We encountered very few human visitors while we rolled along. We did meet a cat, some buffalo, cows and a dog who probably would have chased us off if he could’ve escaped his enclosure.

A barn with a nice horse painted on it’s side.

Colvin Covered Barn

By far the most interesting was probably also the one in the greatest state of disrepair. The Turner Covered Barn is so far off the beaten path you think you’re actually lost. Obviously a popular hangout for the local youth, it has a fair amount of graffiti but what I loved were these two small folk art paintings that I noticed on it.

A couple dancing – folk art painting

Another painting of a couple dancing.

I thought these were the sweetest things!

The Turner Covered Bridge

Finally, at the last bridge we ran into a couple of fisherman who were anxious to trade photographic skills with us. By this time, our bridge itch was sufficiently scratched and we departed beautiful Bedford County to complete our drive home.

The Herline Bridge – longest one in Bedford County

I couldn’t resist capturing the absolute relaxation these two women were enjoying just floating still on the river.

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