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The "Bridge"
I've always wanted a bridge. I mean how many people do you know who own a bridge? Plus I wanted to impress my girlfriend with cunning acts of engineering.
I've never built a bridge before. I didnt know anyone who's built a bridge either. I posted to my farmers group asking for help. About 15 replies later I was driving to Lowes to buy the wood. I estimated the bridge would only cost a slim $120.00...
$250.00 later I was driving home with truck load full of wood. The beams where 16 feet long. My truck bed is 8 feet long so there was some questions of whether or not I'd make it back alive. I've never transported wood this long but going along with my motto if you don't try it you'll never know if you can make it.
I put red tape on the wood so someone wouldn't crash into me at a red light. It lasted about 500 feet. Who needs red tape. I mean good stories aren't made by being safe.
The plans for the bridge started with it being able to survive a nuclear blast. I was either going to sink 6X6 posts into the ground or lay a concrete footer. 3 beers later I decied to lay a block foundation and hope for the best.
Tim and I got the box of the bridge built before it got dark. I came back the next day and cut all the planks and railings. Building a wooden bridge goes something like this: WOW LOOK AT THAT! WE GOT THE FIRST BEAMS ACROSS!! I'll cut the planks.... WRRRRR.. Ok plank one is cut. WRRRRR.. Ok plank two is cut. ***14 hours later*** WRRRRR.. DAMNIT PLANK # 9034 is cut.. WRRRRRRR.. DAMNIT PLANK # 9035 is cut.
All in all it turned out pretty good. Nothing bad happened which was strange. I'd expect I'd drop my drill in the pond and have to go snorkleing but nothing like that happened. I still had all my fingers and toes and the bridge had just enough bounce that when you walked over it it gave you a sense of, "I'M GONNA DIE". =) Hahah. Just kidding, it's pretty solid. The best part of the bridge was seeing my girl smile when I gave it to her as a present.
Be sure to visit the
How I built the Bridge
section.
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