I love bridges! I've always been interested in them. Maybe it started back when I was seven years old and heard about the moving of the London Bridge to Arizona, piece by piece...how cool is that! Or my fascination whenever I go over a really high bridge and see the great view from it. Or seeing some new innovation in bridge design or a good-looking bridge, be it in the daylight or at night. If you haven't already done so, please read through "THE SERIES EXPLAINED" section below and then work on this fun, informative, and easy puzzle.
HELPFUL HINT: When looking at the links, click right mouse button and open up links in either another tab or window. This way you'll still have the main cache page to view.
THE PUZZLE
When I was writing up Bridges #10, I felt like two more in the series just wasn't enough...as if I hadn't quite gotten my money's worth...and perhaps you hadn't either...so the solution is of course, a "Baker's Dozen". Then as I was working on this last one (and, yes, it is the last one!), I decided to use it as an opportunity to review the 12 categories from the series.
The final coordinates for this puzzle are determined by finding the following answers. Note that there are 12 bridges in this set but you only need 10 answers. So you get a couple extra bridges than usual and they require no additional effort except to just enjoy them!
Coordinates are: N43 AB.CDE W77 FG.HIJ.
Bridges #1: Nighttime View
Melkweg Bridge
Purmerend, Netherlands
The Melkweg Bridge (aka Milky Way) has two paths: a tall set of stair steps with a nice view for pedestrians and a low gradual slope for cyclists and wheelchairs (and pedestrians). The tall part is high enough for boat traffic to pass beneath it, and the lower part splits open for such traffic. (I didn't find a photo with it open, so the last picture is an architectural drawing of the lower part when it's open.) The link below has a lot of great photos, both nighttime and daytime, of this bridge.
A is the first digit in the height of the arch, in meters.
https://www.dezeen.com/2012/11/26/melkwegbridge-by-next-architects-and-rietveld-landscape-completes/
Bridges #2: Lift Bridges
Burnt Rollways Boat Hoist
Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA
The following "lift bridge" does do lifting and it bridges a gap for boats over un-navigable areas....and it's too unique to not include it. The photo is just a teaser, and it's easier to see it then explain it, so watch this time-lapse video of the service provided by Burnt Rollways Boat Hoist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRcp3egrDyI
B is the first digit in the length of the trestleway, in feet.
http://archive.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/no-locks-needed-eagle-river-device-lifts-boats-to-the-next-level-b9991566z1-222986641.html/
Bridges #3: Historic Bridges
Dom Luis I Bridge
Between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
The Dom Luis I Bridge is a two-level bridge with an arch in between the two. The upper level carries a light rail line and pedestrians and the lower level is for general traffic and pedestrians. Through the years it went through a number of changes, including the upper level with electric trams and trolleybuses on both levels. It was completed in 1886 and is designated a cultural heritage Property of Public Interest. While there are many two-level bridges, this one has the interesting feature of an arch between the two levels.
C is the second digit in the length of the lower deck, in feet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dom_Lu%C3%ADs_I_Bridge
Bridges #4: Designs
Ponte Segunda Circular
Lisbon, Portugal
Ponte Segunda Circular is a network of bridges for pedestrians and cyclists. This network allows people to not only get across the highway but to also go in a few different directions on each side.
Bridges #5: Fun & Amusing Bridges
Eshima Ohashi Bridge
Japan
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge is also referred to as the "roller coaster bridge". When it is photographed from a distance with a telephoto lens it takes on the appearance of a very steep bridge, when it actually has a gradient of 6.1%.
D is the first digit in the length of the longest span, in meters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eshima_Ohashi_Bridge
Bridges #6: Building Materials
Lake Austin, Texas, USA
This bridge is on private property and is used to connect the main house to a guest house. The bridge is made of unfinished steel and made to appear as reeds to blend into the natural surroundings. Its handrail is rope and the ramps to the bridge are stone.
Bridges #7: Record Breakers
Wiggly Suspension Bridge
York, Maine, USA
The Wiggly Suspension Bridge's claim to fame is being the world's smallest suspension bridge. And you can probably guess what local folklore claims as to where the bridge's name comes from. Second photo is from Edina351.
E is the second digit in the length of the wooden deck, in feet.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wiggly-bridge
Bridges #8: Visually Pleasing
Benson Footbridge/Multnomah Falls
Bridal Veil, Oregon, USA
Bridges may be scenic themselves, or scenic because of their surroundings. The footbridge at Multnomah Falls has both of those elements. The footbridge was built by Italian stonemasons back in the early 1900's. Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon at 620 feet (62 stories high!).
F is the first digit in the length of the Benson Footbridge, in feet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multnomah_Falls
Bridges #9: Water Bridges
Edstone Aqueduct
Bearley, England
The Edstone Aqueduct is the longest canal aqueduct in England. The unique feature of this aqueduct is that the towpath is lower than the level of the water (imagine walking along it and being able to touch the water without bending over). Its cast iron trough is also an interesting aspect, and can be seen in the photos.
G is the second digit in the year the aqueduct was completed.
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Edstone_Aqueduct
Bridges #10: Pedestrian Bridges
Purple People Bridge
Between Newport, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
While at the 2018 giga-event in Cincinnati we stopped by the "Purple People Bridge" (official name: Newport Southbank Bridge). It's another good example of re-use. The bridge was a railroad bridge and changed over to a pedestrian bridge, allowing people to go between Ohio and Kentucky. Through focus groups the color purple was chosen and it became known as the Purple People Bridge.
H is the last digit in the total length of the bridge, in feet (or in meters).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Southbank_Bridge
Bridges #11: Local Bridges
Lockport
Lockport, NY, USA
Well, it's a bit outside of Rochester, but "local" enough, and deserving of a spot in the bridges series. While on a tour there last year we were told the reason it's upside down is that it takes less metal to build it in this manner. Other folklore says the railroad company built it that way to impede larger boats from using the canal instead of the railroad. (I'm going with the less metal explanation.)
I is the second digit of the year the bridge was built MINUS the first digit.
https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=truss/lockportrr/
Bridges #12: Well-Known Bridges
Mackinac Bridge
Michigan, USA
The Mackinac Bridge connects the upper and lower portions of the state of Michigan. Every Labor Day the bridge is open for the Mackinac Bridge (5 mile) Walk; it's the only time pedestrians are allowed on the bridge. It take seven years to paint the bridge, and once it's completed it immediately starts again. The last photo for this bridge shows the bridge at night with the northern lights.
J is the first (or last) digit in the total length of the bridge, in feet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackinac_Bridge
Check your answers on Certitude, where you will also get useful and informative details about the final location.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
THE SERIES EXPLAINED
To share my interest in bridges I've created this series of 12 caches...and then I had some more to share so I added #13 to make a Baker's Dozen.
The caches will be released throughout the winter months, allowing you to spend some time sitting nice and cozy in your pajamas & bunny slippers, researching the answers and watching videos or viewing photographs about each bridge. And I even give you links to where you can find the answers! Once you've solved it though you'll need to take off the bunny slippers, bundle up and go find the cache.
I've tried to make the hides as winter accessible as possible for the location. Happy caching!