I can't believe that it has been two months since the last posting. The bridge, since that time, has been extracted from the water, using heat and force and really big equipment. I learned a lot about choking, and hand signals, and persistance. This was no easy task.The actual extraction took 3 out of 4 weeks. The first week, the guy in the water in the picture, Nels Raynor, owner of BACH Structural and Ornamental Steel, was in the water for hours without a wet suit. The water got colder and the wet suit was purchased. This is part of the eyebar that got twisted under the bridge.
We determined that she did not go down as gracefully as I might have wished. I had envisioned her floating off and gently hitting a tree/bank and settling down as the waters subsided. No, it was more like she fell to her knees and the force of the water kept pushing her backside on by.
No worries, he's seen worse. I admit to being pretty dismayed when he used the words "it's a mangled mess".
Now she has been transported to Michigan, weeks were spent laying her out, and itemizing the parts, how much we have left to support our continued existence on the historic register and access to funding through the State Historic Preservation Office. Still waiting.
Have applied for other public and private domain grants and charitable giving and will continue that process through December. More news tomorrow as we get ready to launch "Working Bridges".
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