A couple months ago we gave a concert at a senior citizens' condo. While visiting over cookies afterward, I asked a few people about their favorites places to visit in Iowa. One man told me about the Keystone Arch Bridge in Elkader and showed me a beautiful painting he had purchased depicting it.
On our way home from Prairie du Chien, we stopped to see it. The Keystone Arch Bridge, at 364 feet, is the longest double arch stone bridge west of the Mississippi. Constructed in 1889 of limestone quarried locally, it stretches over the Turkey River. The bridge is in use, and there is a small park to the side with a sign telling about the bridge.
From the park, you can take a stairway down to get a closer look at the bridge and river. The building you see on the far left is a restaurant; it has a patio/porch of sorts overlooking the river for diners who would like to admire the bridge and beautiful scenery while eating. Above, I'm the barely-visible person on the left, and my dear mother is on the right.
"Marco Polo describes a bridge, stone by stone. 'But which is the stone that supports the bridge?' Kublai Khan asks. 'The bridge is not supported by one stone or another,' Marco answers, 'but by the line of the arch that they form.' Kublai Khan remains silent, reflecting.
Then he adds: 'Why do you speak to me of the stones?
It is only the arch that matters to me.' Polo answers: 'Without stones there is no arch.'" --Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities (1972)
Linking with:
Hello Bethany, it is a pretty bridge, I love the arches. It would be nice to have lunch while enjoying this pretty scene. Lovely photos, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen! You too!
DeleteOh cool, I love bridges, well, viewing bridges - crossing them, not so much. That is a fabulous fence in the last photo, and I always enjoy pics of modestly well-dressed bloggers and their moms. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Theresa's Good Fences link-up has definitely helped me notice many more interesting fences everywhere! Have a great week!
Deletewow, love the way the light bounces off the water into the arches. wonderful fencing, too! thanks for linking when you have time!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for hosting!
Deleteit is lovely place and completely different from Europeans..The view is fantastic
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty nice.
DeleteAs pessoas entram em nossa vida por acaso, mas não é por acaso que elas permanecem.
ReplyDeleteObrigada querida pela presença amável
Lindas imagens, amei todos os detalhes!
Lindos dias de verão!
Beijos Marie.
Thanks Marie!
DeleteSo beautiful!!! That bridge reminds me of Dom Luis I Bridge from Porto, Portugal. I love bridges!
ReplyDeleteI looked up the bridge you mentioned--very neat! I love to see bridges as well...there are so many interesting designs!
DeleteIt's a very pretty bridge. I would like to see it in person!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I had the chance to!
DeleteWhat a beautiful bridge! And how adventurous you look on the bridge. This is a place I'd like to visit.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually near, not on, the bridge. But I do agree that it is a beautiful one.
DeleteBethany, that bridge is beautiful! Looks like quite the exciting adventure. I also love the history behind the architecture. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDani from A Vapor in the Wind
What a beautiful bridge!
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteThat is beautiful bridge! It's fun to play tourist and visit these historical structures. We have a very similar bridge in an old town not too far from here.
ReplyDeleteAwesome that you get to see a similar bridge in your own vicinity.
DeleteHi Bethany,
ReplyDeleteThe bridge and the fence are beautiful.
I love your photos of the same in the warm light.
Have a Wonderful Day!
Peace :)
You too, Chandra!
DeleteThat's quite the bridge alright, nice find!
ReplyDeleteGlad we stopped to see it!
DeleteWhat a pretty area and a beautiful bridge! Looks like a perfect spot for a summer stroll. Have a wonderful weekend sweet Gal! xo
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a pathway on the other side of the river, which, had we had time, we might have explored.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bridge!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. :)
DeleteGood morning, Bethany! My, what a loely bridge. How I would love to sit on the bench one afternoon while enjoying a good book :)
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, dear one. Hugs!
You on the bench with a book would be a lovely site overlooking the river. I'm afraid I might have a difficult time settling down for something as peaceful. My camera probably would not want to be ignored for any significant length of time at such a beautiful location.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bridge, Bethany. I bet that gentleman would be delighted to know that he inspired your visit to see it. The fence in front of the bridge is spectacular as well. And, it was nice to see your dear mother, knowing she is one of the people who likely influenced you to care so passionately about your world.
ReplyDeleteI gave him my blog card, so hopefully sometime he will browse and find find this post. Otherwise I hope I will remember to thank him for mentioning the bridge should I see him again. :)
DeleteA bridge nearby was declared unsafe suddenly. They just closed it and re-routed everyone to the bridge next to it. Used to be one bridge went one way, the other another. Bet this stone bridge doesn't suddenly become unstable. :/
ReplyDeleteWe've had similar instances in our area. So far this bridge has stood the test of time.
DeleteHi Bethany,
ReplyDeleteI like the pictures very much and the of stone built bridge as well. These stone buildings remind me to past epochs, perhaps beautiful times. The bridge is worth to be painted. You did a really great photo.
Thanks Enrique!
DeleteThey don't build them like that anymore! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Everything is "new and improved" these days...though sometimes the latter adjective may be questioned.
DeleteThat is a really beautiful bridge!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. :)
DeleteThis bridge is great with those lovely arches!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing it!
DeleteThe stonework and arch are magnificent. What a beautiful bridge to photograph. Loved Polo's answer to Kublai Khan's question. :)
ReplyDeleteIt seemed an appropriate story to go with this bridge. :)
DeleteHi Bethany, I enjoyed this visit to the Keystone Arch Bridge. One of my favorite things about blogging is being able to go along with fellow bloggers as they take a walk or visit a special place. Your post here is a good example ... I would probably have missed this fascinating bridge if you had not featured it. Bridges in general are a fascination with me. Sometimes I have thought about a road trip with the primary purpose of stopping to photograph bridges. The Keystone bridge has some wonderful design and engineering in it. And what a perfect quotation to close the post. Excellent work!
ReplyDeleteThat would be a fun road trip! I once was thinking about opening a link-up for bridges (but I am having trouble keeping up with everything else I want to post about as is). I do love bridges. :)
DeleteThanks! Good that you can enjoy the beauty of a somewhat similar stone bridge near you!
ReplyDelete