We have returned! Thurs, 12/2/21

Two years have passed since both my sister and BiL flew in from their home near Baton Rouge for a visit -- to attend mine and Jimmy's 75th birthday party -- oh boy, that was fun!  When they were here with us for Evie's first birthday in March of 2018, they were (as were we) surprised by lots o' snow on the ground and very chilly temps!  Of course, last year, 2020, was a COVID dud for everyone.  This year, the weather cooperated and we four enjoyed a week of unseasonal, warm and dry, days.  Jimmy and I were happy to welcome Nannie and Bubba back to NorCal.

Because the days were so fine, we managed to spend some sweet outdoor time.  One afternoon we wanted to walk across the finally-restored and newly-opened Bridgeport Covered Bridge over the South Yuba River here in Western Nevada County.

Nannie and Bubba posing.  It may be December, but we still see spots of leaf color.  Plus, our grasses have sprouted green thanks to recent rains!  Hooray!

Our first look and it's great to see the bridge re-covered.  Last time we saw it, only a shell remained.  The shake roof and wooden sides create the bridge’s characteristic appearance.

Much of the old structure that could be saved was reused. The material is local Douglas Fir, and the abutments are massive granite blocks. The bridge was closed in 2011 due to safety reasons, a year before we moved to NorCal, so this is the first time we could walk from one side to the other!  

A couple of small windows look out on the river ... which appears low right now, despite a massive rain in October.  Little hints are being thrown around about more rain next week, and we'll look forward to that.  No worries, it'll be after Nannie and Bubba leave.

Aha, me and Jimmy standing on the other side!

Pretty danged cool!

The bridge is California Registered Historical Landmark No. 390 (1964), was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1970 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. There are four plaques at the site. The Bridgeport Covered Bridge has the longest clear single span of any surviving wooden covered bridge in the world, and we're privileged to walk on it!

Nannie and me near the bridge entrance.

The covered bridge was built in 1862 and was in continuous use till 2010 for vehicles, and closed to pedestrians in 2011.  It was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company Toll Road to serve the northern mines.  From NorCal, horses and carriages also traveled to the Comstock silver mines and Virginia City in Nevada.  It was fun walking down to the river, sticking a finger in to see if it was cold (yes), and looking up to a completed bridge.  Lots of local folk donated to a GoFund me account to help spur along the bridge restoration.

Using truss and arch construction, the bridge stretches 230 feet and is reported to be the longest single-span wooden covered bridge in the United States.  Look at those beautiful arches.

Then it was time to try the Buttermilk Bend Trail, across the road from the bridge.  We four have done it before and today we returned!  The day was too nice to ignore the spectacular outdoors.  No wildflowers blooming, but some leaves were a-blaze!

These two!  Have a seat, why doncha?

T'was simply a lovely walk on a trail.

Jimmy leads the way.

Sun/shade = hard for a camera.  The granite boulders, above, glowed like hematite in the waning sun.  The Yuba appeared green, but in reality, it was as clear as tap water, as you can see below.

This lost Oregon Maple leaf is underwater!

What a nice day!  We all loved it.  The four of us are looking forward to more fun days with family, and it's not too hot, too cold, or too wet.  Couldn't ask for more.