Hi Ho, Hi Ho: The Bridge

 "I've seen the bridge, and the bridge is long

And they built it high, and they built it long

Song enough to hold the weight of time

Long enough to leave some of us behind

And every one of us has to face that day

Do you cross the bridge or do you fade away?

And every one of us that ever came to play

Has to cross the bridge or fade away..."

(Taupin & John)

Has it been two years since the bridge was gone, or has it been longer? It feels like longer, even though I hardly ever go that way; that way is away from the mountains, and there is just not as much fun in that. I had heard that the bridge had arrived yesterday, a steel span to replace the old wooden one that, through carelessness or intent, was burnt beyond use. This morning the crew was out, strategizing, planning their action, earlier even than my ride to work. The crane was beginning to swing around, though not to lift, and I could still pass through. On to work.

The afternoon came hours later and the bridge hung suspended, and the work crew looked on, strategizing the next move in an intricate game of movement and placement. It is almost back folks, and the gap at the western end of the Pacific Electric Trail will be bridged once again.

quiet morning cutting through the Colleges...

quiet morning along First Street...

where a crane rose above the PET...

and a bridge waited to be hoisted into place.

Quiet morning gliding past the Montclair Transit Center...

an excess of directional stickers in Upland...

down along the Deer Creek Channel bike path in Rancho Cucamonga...

through Cut-Through Alley...

past the middle school (on a street usually packed end to end with idling motors this time of the day) - thank you Spring Break!

and into the business park for four-hour Friday.

As the cap says.

the bridge.