Covington Va and Covered Bridge

On our way home from Warm Springs in Bath County Va..  We decided another stop will be the covered bridge we had read about and wanted to see.   We stopped in a place to ask where it was located in the little town and the lady told us with all the rain we would probably have to see it from a distance.   We decided to go anyway and glad we took a chance because the water had receded.

One of the oldest remaining covered bridges in Virginia
Just west of Covington Virginia located in Allegheny County
Thought to be the only arched covered bridge in existence.

1820's the first bridge was built
washed away by flood in 1837.
1842 the second one flooded.
The third in 1856, gone.
Traffic stopped in 1929 and steel truss bridge built.

Neglected and used to store hay by farmers til the 1950's
Women's club of Covington and Covington chamber of commerce
raised the funds to have it restored.

Kind of blurry but reads that Humpback Bridge is a Love work destination
The love Work structures are a focal point of social media campaign to share a message that love is part of every Virginia vacation.
The "L" was created with bricks from the area
The "O" is from one of the retired paper machines at Mead/Westvaco representing history of manufacturing in the area
The "V" is a natural feature created from the tree on the creek bank
The "E" was created with railroad ties representing the railroad to our community

As you can see here the LOVE

A video of bridge and park area
A cold, windy day with pretty sun shine.

Covington is a beautiful area we will return to explore more.

Meems covered bridge

A drive to Paughs orchard in Quicksburg Va.  took us to see Meems covered bridge instead.    Just a pretty area for a stop to walk around, stretch our legs and take some pictures of the area. 
Meems bottom covered bridge in Shenandoah county, Virginia..
Sits across the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Current bridge is the forth one built.

The first one built between 1867 and 68 was destroyed by flood in 1870.

Replaced in 1871 only to be taken out again by flood waters in 1877

Third one constructed in 1878 , replaced 1894

  The bridge named after the Meem family who owned large tracts of land in the area.   Rock gathered from local quarries were used to build the abutments which extend below the river bed 10 feet.

October 1976 - vandals set fire and destroyed the bridge.  Timbers original to bridge were salvaged.   By 1979 the bridge was rebuilt and put back in service.

Slippery walk down to the river at the bridge

This is where we parked for the walk to the bridge

Looking across the corn field.

Heading to hotel because Paughs Orchard will have to wait until tomorrow.

a short clip of the bridge

Meems covered bridge

A burr arch truss and 204 feet single span. A long span over the north fork river,  Meems bottom bridge is  one  of the last remaining covered bridges in Virginia, located in Shenandoah county.   Built in 1894 and standing more than 80 years,  it was destroyed by vandals on Halloween in 1976.  It was reconstructed from salvaged original timbers and under girded with steel beams and concrete piers. Reopened in 1979.
Steve and I walked the bridge and listened to the water rushing underneath,  maybe one car passed through.   We walked for a bit  along the river in October 2010,  a beautiful time of year in this part of Virginia,  the sun dappling through the trees , casting shadows. 
Little chilly and as I was walking , I looked to my side and saw a snake moving along also,  he did stop and take a look at me,  I guess he could sense my fear and just went along his merry way.  After a few more pics - we headed back to the car and took in the Paughs orchard a little way down the road.

you may can read if you click to enlarge

Looking back to road from the bridge

Bill and Lou taking a walk at the river

this is where I met the snake walking along the river

Looking towards the fields from the river at bridge

I would like to go back in the spring and see the wildflowers in bloom.