...to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free....

07 February, 2011

swinging across

Our town sits alongside a river. 

There is another, smaller town on the other side, as is often the case.  These communities are good neighbors (unless the kids are playing against each other in school sports that day.)  People who work in either town might live in the other town. There are four bridges that span the river within a very short distance of one another.  Two are for cars.  One is a train bridge, which also has a deck for daring drivers to steer their cars under the tracks and across the river--a two-way bridge with room for only one-way traffic at a time.  The logistics are tricky and it is my favorite bridge to cross by car.  But my all-time favorite is this one. 


It is just for people.

If you are standing, perhaps trying to take photos, and someone else starts to jog across, you can forget about a good shot until they are on the other side.  But pausing to enjoy the swing and the jiggle is a pleasure all its own.  When my son was still small enough to sit behind me on the bike in a kids' seat, we used to make great fun barreling across to visit Cindy and Katie on the other side.
(Bumpety bumpety bump.)


The bridge was originally built in the early 1890s to enable mill workers who lived on the other side of the river to get to work here.


The mill, like so many, is now home to shops and offices and restaurants instead of textiles, shoes and artists' brushes. 






 But the bridge is still well used today, not only for getting from 
here to there, 



 but to enjoy its graceful beauty...


and to watch the water... 


listen for the birds, and see the sky change...


and just to be still for a bit.




30 comments:

  1. This is beautiful. I love this post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely! The story and the photos....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fabulous photos! Nice to meet you :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Visiting via Country Girl...beautiful photos!!! Have a beautiful week!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glorious photos, even if they did make me shiver! I'm visiting by way of Country Girl, and I'll be back.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I, too, stopped by via Country Girl. I absolutely LOVE the peace that is shining through your photos!! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I three stopped by via Country Girl. Welcome to blogging! I love your bridge shots!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yet another visitor via Country Girl. My mom grew up in Caribou. Lovely photos and header. Delightful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. where are you ?
    my sister is in stockton springs :)

    {here from kate's blog}

    ReplyDelete
  10. How fun bridges are. there is or was a really fun one in Durango, Co I use to take my children on too just to feel the swing. But then again it was to enjoy the view and the feel of the river below as well. thanks for the reminder.
    Saw your link over on Country Girl's Blog
    peace n abundance,
    CheyAnne
    http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love Maine...lived there once a long time ago, and still try to get there in the summer time.
    Beautiful pics.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your bridges! Wonderful shots!

    ReplyDelete
  13. PS: I really, really like you header!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gorgeous shots. Reminds me of the years I spent living in rural Colorado. I stopped by because I saw your comment at Staci's blog.

    Glad I did.

    Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. So glad it's still so well used and loved... what a great history, and what stories that bridge could tell!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Saw you mentioned over at Chronicles of a Country Girl; I am now hooked. I love Maine and everything about it! (boyfriend originally from Brunswick).

    ReplyDelete
  17. Followed a link from Country Girl. Like your site. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so happy to find your blog (through Country Girl). I'm a Maine native currently living in Arizona. I've always loved that bridge, I've been there many times for the balloon festival and whatnot. I have many friends that live in the area (I notice you don't mention the towns so I'll refrain out of respect for your privacy). :D And now I'm homesick!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bridges are so fun. I love walking over them and looking at them.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful post. Great photos. Someday, I WILL visit Maine. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I came BACK by! and I have to add that I so love those houses in the picture(s). There's not anything like that here.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow what a wonderful post! I will visit often and add you to my favorites! Beautiful lines in the bridge. I love lines! and tracks and fences...

    ReplyDelete
  23. just visiting from country girl chronicles. Love your pictures. Esp. love your bridge. what stories it must tell. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Saw you mentioned on Chronicles of a Country Girl so had to come look. She was right! Great post!! Gorgeous photos, and that looks like such a great town to take photos in.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Awesome!!!!!!! Glad Kate sent me.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hate to be so "hip", but I, too am here from that Country Girl Kate's--and I'm so glad I am! My old eyes need some cheer.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I will be coming here daily, along with my other two fav's Chronicles of A Country Girl, and Pioneer Woman and oh yes, anne's food.. Lovely picture.. I have a penpal in Norway, Maine.....

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ahhh this was so lovely! ~Lili

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ahhh! I love this bridge. Beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete