Each September we journey to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to visit with a group of friends, socialize, enjoy each other's company, swap stories and play a couple of rounds of golf at the Bayse Resort.
This year, on our return trip, we detoured to visit one of the best known covered bridges in Virginia, the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge in Mount Jackson, just South of highway I-81.
The Meem's Bottom Bridge was constructed in 1892-93. This 204 foot span over the North Fork of the Shanandoah River takes it's name from the Meem family that owned an estate west of the river.
Records show that one previous bridge was burned in 1862 as Stonewall Jackson went up the valley ahead of Union General John C. Fremont, prior to the battles of Harrisonburg, Cross Keys and Port Republic. Another bridge was washed away in the flood of 1870.
The span built in 1894 carried traffic for more than 80 years before being burned by vandals on Halloween 1976.
After salvaging the original timbers, the bridge was reconstructed and undergirded with steel beams and concret piers. The bridge was open to traffic in 1979.
A short rest before journeying on.
Five hours later our trip home detoured to visit John, Dawn and grandson Ryan. It was during this visit that the damaging line of thunderstorms and tornadoes passed over us and through NJ and NYC leaving a path of death and destruction
Thank you God and good luck charm Ryan for our safe passage!
CKK & JPK 9/10
