Looooooooooooong Covered Bridges

I guess searching for Covered Bridges from Columbus to Nashville While Never Leaving Indiana didn't wear me out enough.  Well, that or I am bullheaded and like to finish stuff once I start; even if not always the smartest thing to do.  This trip was was about looooooooooooong bridges, but it really did create a looooooooooooong day for me.  I didn't get back to the hotel until about 10:30pm, but not complaining as I really did get to see a couple really nice bridges and one at the beginning of a restoration effort.

Shieldstown Covered Bridge

The covered bridge in desperate need of repair and restoration is the Shieldstown Covered Bridge.  This 355 foot long beast was built way back in 1876 and as you can see, it needs some serious love.

It was open for traffic up until 1980, but I was able to get a video of it while driving on the modern concrete bridge that runs along side it. 

I hope to see this old beauty in top-shape some day!!

Medora Covered Bridge

I did not know anything about my next stop of the day, Medora Covered Bridge, but on my approach to this bridge (no vehicle traffic allowed) it was clear this was something special.

I didn't get half way through this looooooooooooong bridge before I met one of the guardians/caretakers of this Jackson County jewel, Nick Walden. 

Clearly Nick has a love of his community and this bridge.  It was great to openly discuss covered bridges with another human being.  Nick gave a me an informative brochure and TONS of information on this, the longest historical covered bridge still standing in the US (430 feet).  In addition to being a heckofa nice fella, Nick is quite the artist – ask him to show you some of his work such as the the piece above.

This covered bridge is really very, very looooooooooooong!!

Williams Covered Bridge

It was getting late when I told Nick I was running out of sunlight and he knew exactly where I was headed to next; Williams Covered Bridge.  Nick surely loves his bridge the best, but he did not try to talk me out of driving way on out there.  I'm glad as this place was another delight on this elongated day.

As you can tell from above and below, the slits just below the roof line let a good amount of sunlight inside.

The pillars have this bridge way above the river bed.

As you can tell, the sun was about to go down and I was glad I did some pre-planning as there was absolutely no cell phone service.  I actually didn't think these places were real.  

Linda Lane Bridge

On the way back I drove past an unexpected treat – it looked like a PRIVATE covered bridge!!

I probably should not have done it, but I drove onto the little gravel road down to the base of the bridge.

It was a looooooooooooong trip back to my hotel, but again, a great outing; complete with a bonus bridge!!