What I will begin, as of today, is an effort to photograph every bridge over the Rio Grande from the headwaters in Colorado, through New Mexico, into Texas and to the Gulf of Mexico where our great river terminates. I guess I should get oil resistant boots for when I arrive down there in a couple of years.
I will attempt to give you views of the bridge and a little information about the communities around the bridges. There will be lots of links and Google map coordinates that you can paste into the maps program on line so you can see the satellite view of the bridge.
Certainly the hundreds of spans over the Rio Grande are over troubled waters. Undersupply, overuse, pollution, and climate change will continue to impact this mighty southwestern 'aorta'. In one hundred years our grandkids will most likely be dealing with a river we couldn't envision today. In my optimistic vein I would like to think we users will wise up and do the right thing to preserve and protect the Rio Grande and its many species. In my pessimistic vein I feel there is very little time left to save this resource from man's natural greed to beat the bejesus out of everything that sustains us. It could be that some day most of the bridges we will visit will permanently run over dry or concreted and diverted channels devoid of water and wildlife. Our questions on the river's viability may be answered sooner than we think.
Interesting idea. I look forward to your postings.
ReplyDeleteThis is a splendid idea: I look forward to following your progress.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea. The Rio one of the most diverse rivers in the world. It will be intersting to see the river in its different stages. Hard to imagine the Toas Gorge bridge spans the same river as the Crossing of the Americas in El Paso. I have also wanted to travel the Rio Grande. Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that there was an historic bridge across the Rio Grande at San Felipe - described by Zebulon Pike when he came down the river and reportedly documented in photos in the possession of the Pueblo. It consisted of large basket-like devices filled with rocks and then topped with some kind of wooden structure.
ReplyDeleteThis has to be one of the most rewarding and fun thing to do.. what a thrill this would be and to be able to document all these bridges and every little town.. good luck and enjoy ..
ReplyDeleteronald r beserra
Cool idea Jim. I like the photos and the background. Keep it up, it will be fun to read about the interesting things you find along the way.
ReplyDeleteCool. I'm thinking how cool would it be to do something on how the river has changed in last 100 years. Horse shoes to flip flops. Any records on that anywhere?
ReplyDelete