On one of my recent drives down to Kitchener for medical tests I detoured a mile or two to drive over the Kissing Bridge, Ontario's only covered bridge.
The Kissing Bridge is in the village of West Montrose, across the Grand River. It's been here for over 100 years, dating from the time the Guelph-Elora Road was a main road in the area.
Trucks and farm machinery aren't allowed to use it, but it's a regular thoroughfare for cars in the village. Several went through it while I was there, and I drove through it myself.
The plaque is at the south end of the bridge, and just a few feel away there's a small park and parking spaces for anyone stopping by to see the bridge. There's no easy spot to stop on the north side.
On the same drive I spotted a couple of older concrete bridges with arches like this one. Although you used to see these more frequently, they're increasingly rare, and sometimes considered heritage structures now.
Surprisingly, just around the corner was another one, this one reinforced with a steel beam across the top.
I liked the shadow pattern on this, taken in mid-afternoon. All three bridges made me think of getting out and finding other photogenic bridges, before some of the old ones are gone.
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Today and yesterday were the worst weather of the year in my opinion. Even a storm would be better; at least that would be interesting. Continuing drizzle or rain, or even sometimes sleet and almost snow, all day long. And at a temperature of +1°C, with continuing strong wind gusts. I'd far rather have snow, and a temperature of -1°. At least then you could get outside and go for a walk and you wouldn't get wet. But these cold dark rainy November days are just the worst season of all if you ask me.
We've had relentless rain all day today, but it's the wind that gets to me. I'm just so glad that we didn't have all this yesterday when we were hiking! I hear you about those dreary days. I read the sign but it still didn't explain why it got the moniker "Kilssing Bridge." :-)
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't want to come zooming up to that bridge with the steel bar in a high rig. When I kept my horse in Northern California there was a smaller covered one lane bridge I had to use to get to the stables. They are few and far between in some parts. - Margy
ReplyDeleteThere used to be many of that style of bridge here. If I stop and think about I couldn't tell you where they are now. I suppose they're all gone so you have a good idea to go out and photograph them.
ReplyDeleteLove that cute red covered bridge! But why is it called the kissing bridge? Hanky panky going on inside???
ReplyDeleteBeen over that Kissing Bridge at W Montrose maybe half a dozen times over the years with the last time being in the late 90's sometime. I've travelled many of those back roads north of Kitchener but don't remember seeing those cement bridges anywhere. And yes I agree about November being totally the worst weather month of the entire year & it's why we always like to get out of Ontario sometime in mid to late October.
ReplyDeleteI have photographed the Kissing Bridge before and no one kissed me. Hope you had better luck than me.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, I love the covered bridge and the cute Kissing Bridge name. Wonderful shots! Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to look for that Kissing Bridge the next time we're touring the area.
ReplyDeleteWe also have a couple of the Concrete bridges in the River Canard area between LaSalle and Amherstburg.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
How interesting, my parents talked about a covered bridge in Pittsfield, Vermont that was their kissing bridge. I thought it was just a local custom.
ReplyDeletecovered bridges fascinate me, i always wonder why they covered them, back in the day. i wonder why it was called the kissing bridge initially??
ReplyDeleteI "think" I drove across this bridge many years ago, but since I do not remember it well, I guess I should go back!!
ReplyDeleteWow what a great covered bridge. I've never seen such a long one.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest son Is just doing a project on Canada... I'll show him your post! Weather AWFUL here in the UK too. Roll on some proper snow, or at least FROST. Just no more rain. Yuck.
ReplyDeleteI've been to that bridge once or twice when I was a kid. It is a beautiful one. We had a couple days of that steady rain and drizzle mix Thursday and Friday. Today's colder, with just grey skies.
ReplyDeleteLovely old bridges.
ReplyDeleteWas the name invented, for couples to shelter out of snow,sleet and rain? Beautiful curved ones,they are so lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful old covered bridge! I hear you on some miserable November days that seem colder than mid winter:(
ReplyDeleteThe covered bridge is a beautiful one. It's sad that it's the only one left in Ontario. I guess we have 60 odd covered bridges here in NB. There is a Facebook page if you're interested. The curved cement bridge is an unusual structure. I kind of agree about the weather when it's so cold raw and rainy that snow is much nicer. We've had some cold rainy days here and some just cloudy and the wind has been very strong this past few days. No sign of snow for us yet.
ReplyDeleteOlder bridges tend to be real works of art compared to the sterile cookie-cutter design of many modern bridges. Here the new ones are only designed to last 50 years -- planned obsolescence apparently.
ReplyDelete