"Bridge of the Gods"

The Bridge of the Gods, which separates Oregon and Washington, was featured in the 2014 film 'Wild'. The steel bridge, constructed in 1926, sits beautifully amid the great trees and mountains of the Pacific Northwest. At least to me, the name and location holds an Odinic feel to it... the Norse Gods.... the Great North.


Bridge of the Gods

The Bridge of the Gods is a steel truss cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River between Cascade Locks, Oregon, and Washington state near North Bonneville. It is approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Portland, Oregon, and 4 miles (6.4 km) upriver from the Bonneville Dam. It is a toll bridge operated by the Port of Cascade Locks.

The bridge was completed by Wauna Toll Bridge Company and opened in 1926 at a length of 1,127 feet (343 m). The higher river levels resulting from the construction of the Bonneville Dam required the bridge to be further elevated in 1940 and extended to its current length of 1,856 feet (565 m). The Columbia River Bridge Company of Spokane, Washington, acquired ownership of the bridge in 1953 for $735,000. The Port of Cascade Locks Commission now operates the bridge.

The bridge is named after the historic geologic feature also known as Bridge of the Gods.

The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods, and the lowest elevation of the trail is on this bridge.

View of 'Bridge of the Gods' Columbia river, Oregon/Washington State line

shikharp





Wild - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann

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Wild (2014 film)

Wild is a 2014 American biographical drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. The screenplay by Nick Hornby is based on Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Strayed, alongside Laura Dern (as Strayed's mother), with Thomas Sadoski, Michiel Huisman and Gaby Hoffmann among several others in supporting roles.


Plot

In June 1995, despite a lack of hiking experience, recent divorcée Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) leaves Minneapolis, Minnesota, to hike 1,100 miles of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

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Storyline

With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthen, and ultimately heals her.

-- Spencer Higham

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I viewed this movie without any expectations. I'm not going to review the movie, which would be a difficult movie to review for various reasons. I just think that the loosely structured Pacific Crest Trail, as it was portrayed, provided an interesting backdrop for the film and the protagonist's journey and reflection. Just making it to the first stopover was important, and a milestone; and a symbolic milestone for someone starting to rebuild their life. I think the movie created renewed interest in this trail, the book, the Bridge of the Gods, and just for hiking itself.

Last evening at twilight, I went for a short hike. Having not hiked for awhile, I found it healing. I saw an owl flying during the daylight; a scene which I had never observed before. It was actually a light grayish color, different than the dark shadow that we may see at night. A new rustic style fence was constructed along a trail, and I was able to smell the cedar. Sometimes at certain spots, especially with fog obstructing the distance, it can feel momentarily feel like "the edge of forever." It was all a good remedy for a melancholy mood.

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