Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour

A few weeks ago, I decided, kind of on a whim, to take the self-guided Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour. Kevin was working in Cottage Grove and I drove down to visit him on my day off. I kept seeing signs that pointed in the direction for the Covered Bridge Tour, and, as it was an absolutely beautiful fall day, I decided to go for it. After stopping by to see Kevin (and agreeing to meet back up with him for his late lunch), I began following the signs pointing in the direction of the route. 

Obviously, most people would probably take the time to research the route first, and I would advise that this is a good idea. Of course, this is not what I did at all. I just kept driving until I saw a bridge. 

After driving east of Cottage Grove for a short time, along Row River Road, I came across the first bridge. Actually, I drove right passed it, having to turn around nearly a half-mile down the road and find it again. 

Currin Bridge, build 1925 and restored in 1995

After this bridge, I tried to find a route to follow. I started out with this informational pdf that I found on my phone, which turned out be great for history buffs (follow the link to learn more about the bridges) but was not, in any way, a functional map.  Again, all I can say is plan your route in advance. 

After I snapped a few pictures of Currin Bridge, I got back in my car and continued to follow the signs. One sign every few miles is helpful, but when you start driving the long way around a very scenic but middle-of-nowhere lake, you start to wonder if you are still on the tour.

Once I travelled all around Dorena Lake, I came upon Dorena Bridge. I was so relieved to see this bridge, knowing that I had not driven nearly ten miles for nothing. I didn't actually walk into this bridge, however, since there was a wedding going on inside and I didn't want to crash it. Cute venue, though, despite the really gross outhouse bathrooms nearby.

Dorena Bridge, built 1949 and restored in 1996

I found Stewart Bridge soon after, pulled up to it as two possible meth addled adults on bicycles wobbled by. The toothless woman asked me if I liked bridges, and before I could answer (what would have been my answer?) asked me where I was from. I told her I'd recently moved from Olympia, Washington (all she needed to know). She was actually pretty friendly and although she lingered on the other side of the road for a while, they left me alone to take my picture and move on.

Stewart Bridge, built 1930 and restored in 1996

The Mosby Creek Bridge was the only bridge you could actually drive through, the road merging into one lane. One couple drove through, stopped and got out with their car parked in front, and snapped a picture, thumbs up style. The wife offered to snap this picture of me.

And here's the bridge without me:

Mosby Bridge, built 1920, restored 1990

Centennial Bridge was built in 1997 to celebrate the Cottage Grove Centennial, built with recycled materials from other Lane County Bridges, and is located in the historic district of Cottage Grove (which is adorable, I must add).  I started to walk through this one, but there were dozens of pigeons roosting in the rafters, and I decided against such endeavors.

Centennial Bridge, built 1997

The next two bridges are only a few miles away from the Centennial Bridge, also located in downtown Cottage Grove, but of course I drove right past them the first time, driving a good ten miles out of the way, getting stuck on an on-ramp for Interstate 5, driving another five miles on the freeway just to get off at the nearest exit and turn back around. In other words, I added thirty miles to my twenty mile tour. Oh well, I have officially driven the furthest south in Oregon I have ever been. So there is that.

Anyway, I got back to Cottage Grove, drove past Centennial Bridge once more and then found the Swinging Bridge. I'm assuming at one point it was a covered bridge, hence its appearance on this tour, but, obviously, it isn't anymore. I also don't know when this bridge was built, but apparently it is the fourth one built on this location.

And it actually swings.

The last bridge on the tour was the Chambers Railroad Bridge. This one is very proud to be the only covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi, although it is no longer on an active rail. Chambers was actually in danger of collapsing back in 2010, and was rebuilt as a monument in 2011.
Follow this link for a photo of the original bridge before it was rebuilt.

Built in 1925, restored in 2011. 

 Chambers Bridge Railroad monument.

I really enjoyed this tour, and although I don't have any particular interest in covered bridges (I don't plan on joining the Covered Bridge Society anytime soon), I did appreciate the knowledge I gained while learning about this part of my new state's history. 

Resources: 

Wikipedia List of Covered Bridges

Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route

Chambers Railroad Bridge

The Greatest Scary Movies for October

When October arrives, the scary movies begin, and I love scary movies! However, horror movies are notoriously terrible, so I've weeded out the bad ones and listed my top twenty favorites. These include the classics, some gory, some hilarious, and some so psychologically mind boggling you won't be able to sleep for the rest of October. Good luck.

Warning: Many of these trailers are NSFW.

Starting with the Classics:
These are the movies you probably have already seen, but if you haven't, you must start here.

The Birds (1963)
I still watch a flock of birds with suspicion.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Cannibalism, serial killers in drag, and a strong female cop lead. What else could you ask for?!

Carrie (1976)
Sissy Spacek's a classic with her telekinetic facial expressions, and her mother's religious fanaticism is truly eerie. I haven't even bothered with the remake, honestly.

The Shining (1980)
So many classic movie lines. A story about writer's block, isolation, and psychosis, all taking place in a hotel with a murderous past.

The Exorcist (1973)
A young girl is possessed by the Devil and her mother must find someone or something to save her. One of the highest grossing films of all time, it was also the first horror movie to have been nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards.

Halloween (1978)
This independent film was the first of the Halloween franchise, as well as Jamie Lee Curtis' debut role. Michael Myers murders his older sister when he's a child. Fifteen years later he escapes from the asylum to go back for his other sister...and anyone else who gets in the way.

Psycho (1960)
Norman Bates owns an old hotel on a lonely highway, and when a pretty lady checks in...well, let's just say his mother doesn't approve.

Funny yet Gruesome: 

Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Written by Simon Pegg, this is a love story. With zombies.

Zombieland (2009)
Another zombie movie, gorier than Shaun of the Dead (especially that opening sequence), but Woody Harrelson is hilarious, and Emma Stone kicks some serious zombie butt.

Slither (2006)
An alien movie that is quite disgusting (and campy), but Nathan Fillion makes you laugh all the way through.

Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2011)
This slapstick gore-fest is so much better than it looks.

Must See:

28 Days Later (2003)
A very well done modern zombie movie. Its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, is also worth watching. Make it a double feature!

The Ring (2002) This one may not be the greatest of all time, but I saw it when I was 15, and I still think about that horse scene. 

Wolf Creek (2005)
Inspired by True Events...never a good thing when it's a horror movie. 

Scream (1996)
This one could also be listed under the classics, spawning several sequels and parodies. It's even worth a Scream marathon if you enjoy the first one.

The Orphanage (2007)
A Spanish film (subtitled), The Orphanage has ghost children, psychological horror, and even a few jump scenes. You'll probably want to watch this with someone.

The Fly (1986)

When a man's science experiment goes wrong and he accidentally mutates himself into a fly, his transition ends up being painfully, painfully slow...and disgusting. But it's Jeff Goldblum back in the 80s...and totally worth it for that. 

Winner of the Most Disturbing:

Three...Extremes (Saam gaang yi) (2005)
Three different directors take turns telling three short stories, trying to out-scare the other. Watch this one only if you aren't eating. And the lights are on. And you are with someone you trust. And your feet are safely on the couch.

My All-Time Favorites: 

Arachnophobia (1990)
This one was my favorite for so long. None of that ridiculous giant spider nonsense, just good ol' fashioned horrifying house spiders. And John Goodman.

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
I saw this one two Halloweens ago and fell in love. It is so well done and definitely not what I thought was coming. It has now entered my All-Time list, which only consists of two, so that's saying something.