We've Been Bridge-ucated
Back in April, we travel-schooled our way through San Francisco. That city practically oozes charm and delight, and this is the main reason why:
No. Not me and the kids. I'm talking about the bridge.
THE GOLDEN. GATE. BRIDGE.
Oh, it is magnificent. Stunning. Golden International Orange.
We came home and read books about the bridge (of course! isn't that what everyone does?) and as my ten-year-old said, I was transformed into a Bridge Nerd. Yes!
We happen to live in a city nicknamed "Bridgetown," which makes sense, seeing as one river runs up through the middle, and another one runs across
top. We've lived in Portland for five years now, and to my ever-loving shame, not one person in my family can name even half of the bridges. There are about eight main ones, and several others besides. It'd been niggling at me that we weren't "True Portlanders" unless we could name all the bridges. So guess what? I added that goal to our Summer Fun List. My kids were understandably excited.
We started off with simple bridge design, which is a very good place to start. When you build you begin with A-B-C! Arch bridges! Beam bridges! Cantilever! Do-Re-Mi! Most of the vocabulary terms were new words to me. Sometimes it's shocking how little I know. Well, apart from cheesy song lyrics.
I gave my kids a geeky K'nex set that makes not one, not two, but THIRTEEN different styles of bridges. How is that not awesome? Bridge Nerd, I know.
We then studied the specific bridges in Portland. I'm telling you, The The Portland Bridge Book is a treasure. Full of pictures and details and trivia. Did you know that one bridge is painted the same color as the Golden Gate Bridge? And that the same engineer who designed the Golden Gate Bridge also designed the bascule on another bridge in Portland? Fascinating stuff. I am going to be such a hit at parties.
I thought we'd never be able to identify all of the bridges. I had the boys print off pictures from the internet (bridge pictures!) and we took turns quizzing each other. I made up some ridiculous memory tricks, like "Broadway looks like a B" and "Hawthorne looks like an H." Apparently I am five years old. But it's the boys' fault I picture little square men living in the turrets on Morrison Bridge.
I hadn't thought we were making much progress with our memory work, until recently when we crossed the Marquam and I heard the kids correctly naming each. and every. bridge.
Oh! my! word! That was utterly and completely satisfying, and I was filled with such a warm and fuzzy feeling. It might have just been closure, who knows. I'm not really in touch with my feelings. But I do know that I like bridges and can name the bridges in my city, thus making me a "True Portlander." Gimme my badge. I've been bridge-ucated!
We started off with simple bridge design, which is a very good place to start. When you build you begin with A-B-C! Arch bridges! Beam bridges! Cantilever! Do-Re-Mi! Most of the vocabulary terms were new words to me. Sometimes it's shocking how little I know. Well, apart from cheesy song lyrics.I gave my kids a geeky K'nex set that makes not one, not two, but THIRTEEN different styles of bridges. How is that not awesome? Bridge Nerd, I know.
We then studied the specific bridges in Portland. I'm telling you, The The Portland Bridge Book is a treasure. Full of pictures and details and trivia. Did you know that one bridge is painted the same color as the Golden Gate Bridge? And that the same engineer who designed the Golden Gate Bridge also designed the bascule on another bridge in Portland? Fascinating stuff. I am going to be such a hit at parties.
I thought we'd never be able to identify all of the bridges. I had the boys print off pictures from the internet (bridge pictures!) and we took turns quizzing each other. I made up some ridiculous memory tricks, like "Broadway looks like a B" and "Hawthorne looks like an H." Apparently I am five years old. But it's the boys' fault I picture little square men living in the turrets on Morrison Bridge.I hadn't thought we were making much progress with our memory work, until recently when we crossed the Marquam and I heard the kids correctly naming each. and every. bridge.
Oh! my! word! That was utterly and completely satisfying, and I was filled with such a warm and fuzzy feeling. It might have just been closure, who knows. I'm not really in touch with my feelings. But I do know that I like bridges and can name the bridges in my city, thus making me a "True Portlander." Gimme my badge. I've been bridge-ucated!
Steel Bridge (by Crossmark Photography)
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2 comments:
What a fascinating story - seriously, that was VERY interesting. I think even as a child you enjoyed going over large bridges, as have I. Do you remember going over the 7-mile bridge to get to the Florida Keys?
So cool! I hope one day to work my way out west and see that bridge with my own eyes...and read related books, as well.
Thanks for educating us a little as you educate yourselves!
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