Bridge over calm waters
The waters were calm, the day as bright as any other day in the Keys, sunshine and temperatures of about 80∘F, blue skies and a steady breeze. A day to be outside to enjoy the beauty of Island life, a day for a drive far from the hustle and bustle of Key West (if there is such a thing), a day to walk over calm waters literally, not a Jesus-walking-over-water kind of display, but walking over waters on an iconic bridge.
Of the over 1700 Islands that make up the Florida Keys, about 43 are connected by 42 bridges, and of those 42 bridges none is as iconic as the seven mile bridge. Through the influence, vision and work of Henry Flagler and his cohorts the old bridge was completed in 1912 as part of his famous railway to Key West.
Apparently hurricanes are not fond of having bridges along their path in open waters; the railroad bridge sustained extensive damage in 1935 thanks to Labor Day Hurricane (one of the worst hurricanes in this part of the world), it was reconditioned into an automobile bridge, and in 1960 Hurricane Donna decided to give the bridge a severe beating. A new bridge had to be built.
The new seven mile bridge opened in 1982 and who cares if its 0.21 miles shorter, we’ll still call it the 7 mile bridge. The two bridges stand side by side as testaments to human engineering on “the highway that goes to sea”. The old (famously known as “Old 7”) and the new. The new bridge for automobiles to drive as fast as speed limits allow for those in a hurry to go party down in Key West, the old bridge for those who like exercising, romantic walks, history and making touristic claims such as: I've watched the sunset on both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico at the same time on a bridge over open waters, click it, I might tag you on a photo.
To prepare ourselves for the walk on the 2.2 miles on “Old 7” to Pigeon Key from Knights Key (Marathon,FL) open to pedestrians, my friend Carl treated me to lunch at Sunset Grille where I stuffed down a Cuban sandwich as big as my head. We ate our lunch to the music selection of a DJ that gave more of a South Beach vibe than being in the Keys, and a guy dancing who was either well-paid to promote dance-by-the-beach-life or he was on ecstasy. Anyways people at the restaurant were absorbed mostly by football games on TV, alcohol and food to care much for the dancing guy, but boy was he having the fun of his life.
It was an invigorating walk, the cool breeze, the sun over the waters like a flashlight through a crystal bowl, Carl and I made the walk to Pigeon Key and back. We got a glimpse of the Island which is a museum in itself. Drove home and took a short swim in a heated pool.
So it was, another day in Paradise for this 21st century nomad.
PS: I hear there are some folks trying to save “Old 7”
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