While at Hidden Valley Orchard I spotted the covered bridge shown below and wondered why were these types of bridges covered. I thought at first that maybe it was simply a nice place to get shelter during a rain shower, and while I'm sure it was used for that purpose, a little research led to a better reason. Being made primarily of wood, the roof and walls offered some protection from rain, snow, and sunlight that would speed up the process of decay. Delaying that extended the bridge's life and reduced repair costs. In addition, keeping the bridge's floor clear made passage safer.
If you're a fan of covered bridges, the link below leads to Travel+Leisures's list of twenty of the most beautiful bridges in America.
No comments:
Post a Comment