The Pink Scarf Project - Covered Bridge Edition (part 2)

We are continuing our journey across Kentucky in search of the historical covered bridges. Your pink scarf donations are safely tucked into the back seat of my car and the entire back of the hatch is filled with vintage props for the photos.  This second day of travels began early and ended LATE -- my friend Maria and I traveled almost 12 hours on winding country roads in the course of this magnificent autumn day~~

Walcott Covered Bridge

Walcott covered bridge was first constructed in 1824. It was rebuilt in 1881 and remained at the original site until 1999.  Severely damaged in the floods of 1997 and 1998, engineers determined that a site about  400 ft east of the original site would be better for the bridge's chances of survival. The bridge was reconstructed in 2002.  The bridge is a combination of king and queen post truss design and is no longer in use.

The bridge was privately owned until 1953 when it was deeded to the Bracken County Historical Society. In 1993 the bridge was donated to the Department of Parks. In the Civil War this bridge played a part in the raid on Augusta. Basil Duke's men came across this bridge on their way to Brooksville on September 27,1862.

The Walcott Bridge is also known as "The White Bridge" because local residents have continuously kept the bridge painted white. This beautiful bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1975.  

donated by Renee Coursey

donated by Bernadette Rauski

Petite Armoire

 donated by Angela Almond

donated by Sunny Schroeder

Quilting Dreams

donated by Karen and Celia Bradsell

donated by Susan McConnell

donated by Sandra Bennett

Thistle Cove Farm

Valley Pike Covered Bridge

Valley Pike Covered Bridge is located in Mason County, Ky.  It crosses the Frasier Branch of Lee Creek.  The span is short, 30-35 feet and the structure has a tin roof and siding. It is the only privately owned covered bridge in Kentucky and still provides access to farmland. Constructed in 1864, this is the shortest covered bridge in the state.

Donated by Audrey Fish Pfiefer
The Magic, Miracles and Joy of an Artist

Donated by Freda Butler

Donated by Peggy Jones

Donated by Jody Amos

Donated by Marjorie Fagen

Donated by Anita Haasen

Donated by Carloa Bartz
carola bARTz 

Donated by Sara Kate McFarland
My Favorite Things

The Dover covered bridge spans 62 feet over Lees Creek and has the distinctive honor of being the oldest covered bridge in Kentucky. Built in 1835 as a toll bridge, this bridge is still open to traffic today. The bridge was built using the unusual Queen post truss design making it similar in appearance to an old barn.  The Kirk family, owners of a grist mill located near the Lee Creek in the early 1800's, built this bridge and charged a toll for those who crossed the bridge to get to their mill. 

Donated by Rene Burns

Donated by Karen Dorcas

Alaska Blue Moose

Donated by Gail Cassidy

The Johnson Creek covered bridge is located near Burika, Kentucky in Robertson county.  The 131 foot bridge was built in 1874 and has a rustic, weathered appearance.  The bridge is open to foot traffic only.  The bridge is located 4 miles north of  Blue Licks Battlefield State Park.  The bridge has a history of great suffering- severe flooding, fire, and vandalism.  In 2003 restoration began on the bridge, with completion in 2009. 

Donated by Diana Kosmoski

NanaDiana

Donated by Karen Gass

Cotton Spice

Donated by Penny Holland

Donated by Judy Boyd

Donated by Cory Dogwood Moore
Pink Dogwood Blossom

Donated by Kerry James

Tales of a Needle and Thread

Donated by Tanya Grieb
Bead and Needle

Donated by Linda McNeely

Just keepin' it real~

 a true "action" shot

Seriously - would YOU do this?

#shouldhavebroughtmywaders!

Actually, the whole "walk up the creek" idea

was Maria's idea~

"you know Vicki, you could probably get some great shots

from the middle of the creek!"

a great workout for your abs!

just a few of my "favorite things"

Maria took this picture -- "sideways" 

she should keep her day job

as "Prop Manager"!!

 "my Maria"

xoxo

sometimes she gets kind of

"sassy"!!

us girls know how to

"pack a car"!!

me-- "Maria, take another picture."

Maria--"I think I got it this time. No, no-- let me take one more. No, no, just one more." 

me-- "did you get it this time?"

Maria--"I don't like your camera."

I could probably get in trouble for this!

shhh- don't tell!

Maria made a new friend~

Maria and Willy

(he was pickin' up walnuts while we were taking photos)

sweetest guy ever:)
You can't see it but the entire bed of his truck
is filled with walnuts!

The rest of the story~
If there was ever any doubt that a higher power was in charge of this project -- this little story should make you a believer~ 

~~So tucked inside the back of my car amongst all the photo props was something so dear and special to me and my sisters-- this little antique chair that had once belonged to my Father when he was a child. My parents have been gone now for almost 10 years, so you can only imagine how dear this little chair is to us. It actually belongs to my sister, Denise now-- but she was nice enough to allow me to borrow it for these photo sessions. 

The Johnson Creek Covered bridge was the last one that Maria and I visited on day 2 of our travels.  After I took the picture shown above, we moved our photo taking to the back side of the bridge so that I could catch the evening sun and the reflections on the water.  I was in such a hurry to catch the last few rays of good daylight, that I left the little chair sitting right where it is in this photo --- just to the side of the bridge, in the grass -- right out in front for all the world to see. 

After we finished the photos and started home, I did not even realize that I had forgotten the chair until 2 days later.  I was unpacking some of the photo props in order to make room for more as I was preparing to take off on the 3rd day of travels across the state.  My heart stopped when I realized that the chair was not there.  Where was it???? I could not even hardly breathe I was in such a panic.  Grabbing my camera, I went back through all the photos until I came to the last one that was taken using this chair --- omg, I left it at the bridge! Three days ago! And the bridge was a 4 hour drive from my house. My heart sank as I realized that there was NO way that it would still be there. 

Panicked, I thought what can I do? Who can I call?  OK - calm down. Take a breath.  Think.  I phoned the Robertson County fire department.  Surely someone there might could help me.  The phone rang for over 10 minutes, no one ever answered.  Omg, now what. Who can I call?  Still, I am not breathing. I called the Robertson County police department.  The phone rang for 10 minutes, no one ever answered.  By now I am seriously distraught. Crying, sobbing, and--- I have to tell my sister that I have lost the chair.   I know I will be excommunicated from the family. I was feeling sick -- seriously sick.

Then it came to me.   I remembered that this bridge was located just minutes from the Blue Licks State Park. Just minutes from the entrance to the park.  Maybe someone there can help me. Oh God please~

Illana answered the phone when I called the Park office. 
I said, "I know you don't know me, but I really need to ask you a favor. I was at the covered bridge taking some photos 3 days ago -- and I left something there that is very precious to me. Is there any way at all that you might just drive by and see if it is still there." By now, I am crying~  "I've left a chair there that belonged to my Father, and he is gone now and I can't believe that I've let this happen and I'm never going to get over this and please, please can you help me?" 

In the calmest sweetest voice ever, Illana said that she would drive by there as soon as she got off work that afternoon at 3 o'clock. We exchanged phone numbers and she promised to call as soon as she got there -- either way she would let me know if the chair was there or not.  I said, "I'm going to pray until I hear back from you."  

My phone rang at 3:15 -- Illana said,"you've been praying really hard haven't you? Your chair was there, sitting right where you left it.  I have it for you in the back of my truck." I'm sobbing uncontrollably now -- totally in disbelieve that the chair could still be there.  That the weather had been perfect for the last 3 days, no rain, and that somehow, this was really true, that the chair had been found. My knees felt like jelly. 

The next day I traveled with my friend Deb to take more photos for the project - the last of the scarf photos. At the end of our day we back tracked and drove to the state park where I met my angel Illana and recovered my Father's chair.  There are true Angel's in this world, people who will reach out to help a total stranger and ask nothing in return.  I will never forget the blessing of that day, meeting Illana and the gift that she returned to my life. As I have said before regarding this Pink Scarf Project --- this is not MY project.  It never was~
xoxo
Vicki

ps -- coming up next - the "whoop de do" finale of the Pink Scarf Project!