Many of us at one time in our lives, have experienced the power of nature in the form of tornadoes, hurricanes, wind storm, dust devils or what have you. The Tacoma region of Washington state had a bridge collapse due to the forces of the wind blowing through a narrow stretch of water where the tide ebbs and flows feeding and taking away water in the south region of Puget Sound. The bridge was affectionately named "Galloping Gertie," and if you have never seen the movie footage of it bucking and rolling with an automobile still parked on it and finally breaking apart falling into the water, try finding it on YouTube.
The bridge was rebuilt and made to withstand the changes in the weather through "The Narrows," Due to a city in constant growth and the greater traffic crossing from the mainland to the Kidsap peninsula, it was decided that another bridge needed to be built along side of the older one. This was completed this year and has helped significantly with traffic flow. The reality is that now a fare is charged coming back from the peninsula.
Above, are two pictures of the newer bridge being hit by lightning. Thunder and lightning are a rare sight in this area. It appears as though the lightning rod did its job in grounding this force.
Credit for the photographs go to Reed Skyllingstad.
10 comments:
Among the things I found myself missing when I lived in Seattle were crickets, fireflies... and thunderstorms. My first year there though I was walking home from work during a heavy snowstorm. This was odd enough, but it was also the SECOND snow storm of the season (the first one closed the city down for a week), and it was happening in April. Then, just to make things that much more surreal, there was a clap of thunder. I felt like I was being given a portent of something, but if so, I missed it.
Oh, and speaking of dramatic weather, during my first visit to the Cliffs of Moher the wind was so fierce we couldn't stand up straight. Fortunately it was blowing inland. Absolutely gorgeous day.
Patrick: After an all night flight, it was a delight to see the fields and all the different shades of green in Ireland when I was about to land in Shannon Aero port. My first stop was the Cliffs of Moher. I have problems with acrophobia and did not dare walk out ( or crawl out to the edge ) to peek over and down the cliff.
Did you go to the Aran Islands? There is an old fort on Innis Man ( I think ) were one has to climb up the hill to reach it. Dun Aonghaasa, is the oldest fort in Europe and dangles on the cliff. That was another one I couldn't get to the edge by walking. It was very windy when visiting there.
If it weren't so expensive, I could live there for the remainder of my life. I felt like I had come home when I got off the plane.
We get a lot of thunder storms here, especially in summer. There is something both terrifying and beautiful about them. They always reach something deeply primal in me.
Those cliffs are gorgeous!
Your blog is waxing lovely, Butch.
Oh yes, I've been to Dún Aengus a few times, most recently in 2002 with my whole family (it's on Inis Mór, the big one... I've never been to either of the other two). My Dad is a bit of a worrywort about odd things. He is incapable of NOT saying "careful" anytime one of his adult children venture near a road, whether it's a six lane highway or a goat path. At Dún Aengus my brother and I found it necessary to rattle his cage a bit by venturing close the edge. We were both in our thirties. Ah, families.
I'm pretty sure I have photos from that trip, I'll have to scan them into the computer.
Cooper: Many thanks for your kindness. I'm starting to find out what all the bells & whistles do.;)
Where I grew up we had many thunder & lightening storms as well and I remember the smell of the air and how charged it seemed before a very big storm. My feelings were also very charged and almost sexual, running through me before a big storm, I felt invincible and wanted to stay out in it and to watch its glory as the wind and rain pushed against me. Common sense kicked in and reminded me that I didn't want to be remembered by the nickname, Sparky, or Crispy Critter so I would reluctantly go in doors.
Patrick: Inis Mór, yes, I had forgotten which one. I remember the boat ride over and hiring a fellow named Michael who had a trap pulled by a pony who was obviously part of his family. He drove us around the significant parts of the island. I will put some pictures up of my trip as well in one of my entries. They speak Irish Gaelic first and English second on that island. He mentioned that a person would be a fool not to learn English so to communicate with the rest of the "big island" and the tourists. ;)
Unless I watch what I say, I'm not unlike your father in being concerned about a person and their safety. I do not know where this started but I even clucked like a mother hen at Cooper when he was going up on the roof to clean it. I know it is well meaning but again, mother hen clucking is something I'm trying to control. I think it is my own projections of my problems with height that are foisted on others. One knows both your father and I are well meaning. Such a habit,eh?
Patrick: I bought most of my Irish sweaters on that very island as well.
I do remember seeing the video of "Galloping Gertie" on television... really scary.
When we were kids, we loved driving over any bridge that was made of a steel grid, and would vibrate the floor of the car. "Tickle bridge" we used to call them.
Here's a photo, photoshopped, I hope, from a funny series called "The Last Picture I Ever Took" that my brother emailed me.
Joe: What a picture! There is a train bridge near Seattle that is elevated like your picture but it is made of wood. It is ancient and the railway still uses it for a dinner train that terminates at a winery. I have been on this train for dinner with friends and when the engineer comes to this bridge, he slows the train down to where it is crawling over this long bridge. You can hear the lumber underneath creaking and grumbling under the weight of the train. I couldn't wait until it had crossed the bridge. Too much excitement for me. ;-) Thanks for the picture.
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