Not sure how, but I managed to rack up 252 visits today on my Flickr Account!
Must be something to do with all the contests that I have been entering…
Post 1 / Award 5, etc…
Rather time consuming…
Gotta find a quicker way to view and award!
On the way to Mercer, I tried to find another small private bridge that I had read about, but after driving by the reported location, I could not find it and continued on.
I was easily able to find Creek Road, and continued through the park until the road split. Bearing left on Bailey Crossroads Road, I finally came upon Mercer covered bridge, which was built in 1860.
There was parking lot for the shots that I was planning I had to drive through the bridge and parked on the corner of Walter Road.
I grabbed my gear and headed back towards the bridge. Unfortunately the sun was shining directly into my face as I approached the entrance. There was just going to be too much lens flare for me to take a decent picture so I continued through the bridge and found my first acceptable location.
I took two different scenes, one from the road as if you were in the car, and the second on left side of the bridge, just below the road grade looking up.
While setting up for the second shot, I kept on being poked by thorns as I moved the tripod around trying to get a good frame on the bridge. Just one of the minor hazards, of working with nature.
After the second shot was complete, I moved back up the bank, across the road, and down the other side, but this time little more into the woods.
It was from this viewpoint, that I saw my shot of the day.
One of the great things about doing picture in HDR, is that water becomes “glass-like” because of the long exposures and multiple shots.
Finishing these HDR captures, I moved back to the road and through the bridge, down another small bank and was finally able to get to a suitable location from underneath the bridge.
From this vantage point it was easy to capture the geometric shapes of the wood beams, and in the background you can also see the location of the three previous shots.
Once I was done with this capture, I looked at my watch and new I had to pack up and start heading home.
I was very thankful that I had the GPS, because I really had no clue where I was.
It was a very pleasant drive home the temperature had dropped a little and felt good as I drove with all the car windows down and my music blaring.
All in all, it was a good day of shooting!
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Today is my first day using a GPS for this project, and boy, what a difference it makes! (Thanks Margie!)
After spending some time programming coordinates into the unit via Google Earth and CoveredBridgeMap.com, I was off!
After a beautiful drive down Rt. 82 south of Coatesville, I tried to find Speakman #2.
After getting to the end of Highland Dairy Road, talked with a gentleman that said that the surprise bad storms from couple of weeks ago, had made it impossible to get to the bridge. I had already read that one needed to contact the own for permission to visit, but with this info, I decided to continue on, and find Speakman #1 Covered Bridge.
After much planning, and some recoding, I have finally started this Website Area, that is dedicated to Covered Bridges!
Since this original post, I have switched my nomenclature, in an effort to accommodate the visitors…
Am I correct?
I have no clue…
If you have a better answer to presenting the data and images, PLEASE let me know!
Smiles and happiness,
I did not have much time to devote to bridges, and was still trying to figure out the best way to track them down.
At this point, I am still using Google Earth and CoveredBridgeMap.com (by James Walsh) to print out directions.
I hate to say it, but trying to read hard copy directions while driving, is very difficult and best. (Kids – Do NOT do this!)
Finally, I found Locksley bridge in a small neighborhood in West Chester, which crossed over a small little stream.
Right behind the far wall in this picture, you can begin to see the beautiful water garden that is feed by the stream, and the whole scene is a wonderful addition to this neighborhood.
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June 15, 2015 –
I got a call over the weekend from a neighbor of the Locksley CB [38-15-A] in West Chester… She called me to see if I could help her…
Apparently, earlier in the year, the township voted to destroy the bridge, WITHOUT input from the neighborhood!
Needless to say, this was rather shocking news!
Has anyone else hear about this?
Later in the Day
I’ve heard from another neighbor of the bridge, who has sent me the following info –
“with covered structure and roofing eliminated”
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