On October 20, there was an all employee meeting for Sequoia and Kings Canyon people. The facility manager for roads and trails (Hi JT!) said this: (no quotes because I wasn’t actually there, being a California artist rather than a federal worker) Of all the numerous Federal Highways projects ongoing in the Park, the Mineral King bridge is the only one completed on schedule.
In addition, it is the only one done by park employees, which come at a fraction of the cost of an outside contractor. YEA, MARSHMALLOW HEADS! Nice work, gentlemen!
These On Schedule Park Guys are attaching the running boards. This is where the tires will go, not on the beautiful boards shown in the last post. However, I suspect that big yellow machine put its filthy tires on those boards. Hmmmph!
This sweet little red machine can’t reach the running boards! No more little footbridge for you, Red Quad.
Wave to the nice man in the parade, boys and girls! It is always good when the boss is happy.
Sorta weird, no railing yet.
It is very pretty. It is very narrow. It is driveable. It isn’t completely finished. It has to wait until spring and summer for the total totality. Totally. The end.
8 Comments
I already miss the bridge saga, Jana. My unassigned role in bothering the marshmallow heads several times during the early construction period made me feel like a pesky little (but old) sister bugging the project. I’ll miss seeing all those great workers next year. In a way, it is good they will finish the job in the spring–hopefully some of us will be there to express our thanks for a really great job.
Deb, if it took a bridge project to hear from you regularly, then it was completely worth all those trips with the garden cart and the quad.
Melissa, feel free to use me as a conduit to our old friends any time that I can be of service. (No Deb, you AREN’T old!)
Bruce, thank you for reading and enjoying my story. I had a blast writing it, with Michael’s editing to keep the smart-alecky part from getting out of hand and to keep the facts straight. He especially enjoyed helping our neighbors – gave it the feel of a barn raising.
Philip, welcome to the blog and thank you for your generous words! As soon as I unglue myself from the computer, I hope to begin the first bridge painting. It is a commissioned piece, but I will share the process here.
Dear Jana,
I just found this blog today during another late night session of work here in Athens. What a great blog, a fantastic read and absolutely beautiful photos. If there ever was a bridge to somewhere, this is it.
The simplicity of materials chosen and that backdrop of Mineral King Valley gives all of us something special to look forward to next season. Hands built America, and this bridge too.
Looking forward to the first bridge art on canvas next year.
Philip
Just want to add my thanks to you, Jana, for the really neat reporting of the bridge-building saga. It was both educational and entertaining—it brightened every day to see what was happening next. And an extra thanks needs to be extended to Michael for the help he gave us folks who reside on the other (wrong?) side of the bridge. He was always there to help move belongings and supplies from the driveable road to the cabin.
Great job, from beginning to end——Bruce
Hi Debbie via Jana
When you come in July, you must email me so I can see you, it has been years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Won’t it look fab when the railings are on, then we can lean on them and take the requisite pictures with Farewell Gap in the background. Big hugs!
Love,
Melissa
Hi Jana!
You cannot possibly know how much I enjoyed your MK Bridge series (yes, i noticed that #10 was missing only because I was hanging on every word of every day of every detail)!!! What a blessing for us who would live there year round if possible but can barely manage one trip a year…
You created an amazing, entertaining story, both verbally and pictorially! Would love to meet your favorite marshmallow head! We are trying to plan a trip this summer, probably in July. Will keep you posted.
Love,
Deb
P.S. I feel like I just finished a great book and I am missing my characters. Feel free to help us “bridge/MK addicts” wean off the MK Bridge series by adding a few photos of MK as winter quickly approaches. What I wouldn’t give to be Mr. Botkin’s apprentice!
That is almost right – the public isn’t able to drive over it quite yet. Not sure if it will remain closed until the railings are in place or if it will be opened to the public. Just know it is drive-able, which is good for those cabins in need of propane! More will be revealed. . . they are removing the footbridge this week and cleaning up the approaches and taking away all the extra material.
Just to make sure I pass along correct information to our list . . . the bridge is now open and driveable by the public, but final touches will be completed in the spring?
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