West Michigan Covered Bridges in Fall ~ October 13, 2022

The 125-foot Ada Covered Bridge spans the Thornapple River and was originally built in 1867 by William Holmes. It closed to vehicle traffic in 1930 and became a pedestrian bridge. In 1979 it was destroyed by fire and this replica bridge was completed in 1980.

The Fallasburg Covered Bridge is 100 feet long and spans the Flat River. Originally built in 1871 by Jared N. Bresee, the bridge is still open to vehicle traffic.

Repairs and modifications have been made over the years to maintain the structure (in 2013 the bridge was damaged when a cement truck drove on it). Of the three bridges visited today, this is the only one that can claim to be original.

Whites Bridge is 120 feet long, also spans the Flat River, and was built in 1867 by Jared N. Bresee (spelled here as Brazee) and J.N. Walker.

In 2010, a person drove through the side of the bridge (I took this photo in 2012).

And in 2013, the bridge was completely destroyed by fire. It took years for it to get rebuilt but this replica bridge finally opened in 2020.

All three bridges were built with the truss system patented by Josiah Brown and are known as Brown Truss bridges. Happy Fall, y'all!

A Walk Down Thornapple River Drive

In a little over an hour we walked from Thornapple & Ada Drive, down Fase, back to Thornapple to the camel back bridge and back. Pockets of nice woods and a bit too much traffic but we did get to walk across the river with very few human encounters. Not bad.

Nice remembrance of the ladies who always sat in the back row of church.

Looking forward or backward ~ I prefer forward :-)

We finally reached the river and the camel back bridge. It's not quite like it was but traffic does move a bit more smoothly.

Back in town we found a few mushrooms and what had to be a painted over lawn jockey/greeter.

The Headley Street/Ada Reinvision project continues ~ more to follow!

Sailing Down the River ~ 7/12/15

Sometimes spontaneous plans actually work out and a small group gathered at the Waalkes' house for a lovely pontoon boat ride up and down the Thornapple River this afternoon.

The scenery is beautiful but we did a lot of gawking at the huge mansions sitting up on the hill, along with their stairways to heaven - eeks!

We pulled over in front of the Van Andel mansion so Garret & Ellen could take a dip.

Sliding under the Camelback Bridge is always an interesting experience :-)

30 second video sliding under the bridge

Garret was refreshed after his swim and we all enjoyed the snacks, beverages, & company.

On the way back we spotted this guy performing some jet ski flyboarding trickery! It was great fun to watch.

 

Jet ski flyboarding video

But mostly the river exudes serenity and we were grateful to experience a few hours of what the river had to share.

 Here's a write-up from 8/3/13 of another sail. Cheers!

Nature walk and sail in Ada - 8/3/13

The day started out with a walk down Grand River Drive, where nature and cemetery intersect.

 

Later that evening we had the pleasure of sailing up and down the Thornapple River,

where we enjoyed pink champagne & pretzels with Ellen & Martin.

We viewed entrepreneurs, and fishermen,

and the effects of storms and erosion.

 We smoothly sailed under the bridge, viewed imposing staircases,

and the homes of the very wealthy.

Big names are here on the river - Pew, Huizenga, Grooters, Van Andel, DeVos - 

but nature is the real star and trumps money any day.