The Covered Bridge Festival & Wind Farm

Earl Park Wind Farm

Today we went to the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival. Mom had heard about it for years, but had never been down there. We drove south about 2 1/2 hours to get there. On the way, we passed a brand new wind farm. Seeing the wind farm was as interesting as seeing the covered bridges. This wind farm in central Indiana is expected to be one of the largest in the world. And right along the road on which I drove back and forth to Purdue for 4 years. How cool is that?!

The covered bridge festival was okay. Actually the bridges were amazing - some dating back to the mid 1800's. The fest part we could have done without. Lots of junk to buy, lots of people and crowds to deal with. It was still a fun day though.












Walking? I think not!

"Cross This Bridge at a Walk" - I looked it up. Here's what it says on the Parke County website.

What does "CROSS THIS BRIDGE AT A WALK" mean?
The inscription "CROSS THIS BRIDGE AT A WALK” dates back to about 1.880. A team of horses at a trot will coordinate their pace with one another. It was believed this cadence vibration could do damage to the bridge. So, the driver would have to slow his team to a walk to avoid this. Also, a lot of Civil War troops trained on and around the bridges. Their marching could do similar damage so they had to obey the same law.
The writing remains on some of the bridges for traditional purposes only. It does not mean you have to dismount your vehicle to cross the bridge!