Saturday, April 3, 2021

A Graceful Bridge Over Cold Waters

 Today I'm back in Strathcona Park where I left off a couple of days ago. I mentioned this bridge, spanning the Rideau River and linking Sandy Hill on this side over to the Vanier and Overbrook neighbourhoods beyond. There was a seasonal footbridge here for years, but washed away in 1952 and never replaced. In 2015 a new pedestrian bridge was opened up here. It is called the Adawe Crossing Bridge. Adawe is an Algonquin word meaning trade, and giving the bridge that name is a nod to the First Nations heritage of the area.


The river here is apparently shallow enough to be forded, but the bridge now means that's no longer needed. It's 125 metres long, and has two spheres added as an art installation.


Here we have the west entrance.


A view downstream, with some of the ice break up.


Ducks could be seen around the river.


The art installation is called A View From Two Sides, by Kenneth Emig. Consisting of two spheres suspended from either side of the bridge, it adds a visual element to things with the reflective surfaces at eye level. Irresistible for the photographer.


Here we have the one on the side facing upstream.


From mid way on the bridge, views looking downstream.


And upstream.


Another view looking westward. I had seen this bridge before on visits to Strathcona Park, but this was my first time on it.


The park is over there.


Another view as I was heading back, this including one of the spheres, with Vanier in the background. 

32 comments:

  1. William - these spheres are so clever! I love the practical use of them, and even more so the symbolism! Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful blue sky, and the river is starting to flow again. Beautiful reflections on the spheres.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Funny reflections of a beautiful landscape!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a nice walk ! But do you still have snow ? After a week of "summer" 22° they announced snow for next week here ! Crazy !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello,

    Looks like a wonderful walk, beautiful views of the river, bridge and the art. Happy Easter, have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Angie: they caught my eye.

    @Nancy: thank you.

    @Italiafinlandia: thanks!

    @Gattina:: very littlle snow now.

    @Eileen: it was a good walk.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ...A View From Two Sides is wonderful! Enjoy your weekend William.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kevät saapuu, lumi sulaa ja jäät lähtee. Ihana aika.
    Teillä on enemmän lunta kuin meillä. Tosin Pohjois-Suomessa lunta on vielä paljon.
    Hyvää Pääsiäistä.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those reflectors are a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice views over the river, that art installation is a fine bonus.
    Happy Easter, William.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I also like to view rivers from the middle of the bridge so nice photos here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great views and thank sou for the earworm ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. You certainly are an amazing tourist guide? Have you ever thought of doing this professionally? You know the area so well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. That artwork certainly gives all kinds of photo opportunities.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great views, Wiiliam. A View From Two Sides is brilliant and offers plenty of photo opps.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The spheres are a great idea, William!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Terrific views. Water does look cold but nice to see some blue sky!

    ReplyDelete
  18. @Tom: thank you.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @orvokki: thanks.

    @Magiceye: they are.

    @Jan: I agree.

    @Red: this is a good spot for it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Iris: it seemed appropriate.

    @Shammickite: no, but I enjoy presenting it.

    @Sharon: it does.

    @Bill: definitely.

    @RedPat: indeed.

    @Happyone: it is.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love those arty orbs! And wonderful photos of a thawing river

    ReplyDelete
  21. Shallow enough to be forded is not the same as shallow enough to be waded. Beautiful bridge.

    ReplyDelete
  22. It's an elegant bridge and I like the reflections in the spheres:)

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is the graceful bridge. I love the reflection spheres, especially.

    ReplyDelete