The Bridge Maniacs At Lockhart State Park
The Wednesday work rotation took the Maniacs to Lockhart State Park on February 11th to do what they love most – – build a bridge. Armed with two wheelbarrows full of saws, drills, screws, loppers, levels, squares, measuring tapes, shovels, a sledge hammer, a pick axe, and of course, chain saws, thirteen Maniacs and two guests carried lumber – provided by the Park – approximately a quarter mile down Rattlesnake Trail to a deep ravine – site of the bridge building.
Ronnie surveying the site.
The Maniacs have built some elaborate bridges in the past, but this assignment was for a very simple bridge intended just to keep hikers feet high enough above the water in the rainy season to stay dry. Tools were unloaded and work began.
Audrey, Nick, and Katie (Jimʼs niece) cleared deadfall along Rattlesnake and Caddy trails from the bridge building location to the Recreation Hall, and Larry cleared log and brush jams upstream while Ronnie, Beverly, Sheryl, Mike, Dave, Julie, Jim, Carroll, Cat, and Frank started on bridge preparations. The Maniacs were joined by James, a member of The Friends of The Lost Pines – a welcome addition to the work force.
After much digging, then adding back some dirt here, a rock there, then checking the level again, the footings were finally ready to join the beams with footing boards then start screwing on the top boards.
Frank, Dave, Carroll, and Ronnie creating footings for the support beams.
Dave: “Define Parallel.”
Jim: “I have an idea.”
Dave: “No ya don’t – NO changes.”
When all the top boards were in place a team created an assembly line — one person marked where the screws should go, another person started the hole, and the third person drilled in the screw! For a crew without a written plan or diagram, they sure are organized!
Sheryl: “Hold it! Who’s idea of lined up is this mess?”
Ronnie, Julie, and Beverly test the completed bridge with their combined weight. So far so good, but what’s the matter y’all, afraid to go out to the middle?
The bridge was built in two hours — start to finish — and the Maniacs adjourned to Chisholm Trail in Lockhart for BBQ, fried fish, relaxation, and conversation! Not a bad days work and another bridge to add to the Maniacʼs growing list of accomplishments.