[RC] figuring out covered bridges - Cindy Stafford
Being a nerdy engineer (and highway designer at that), I've wondered what was the reason behind covered bridges. To keep snow off during the winter? Did it preserve the deck longer by keeping the weather off of it?
Well this weekend I tried to ride my horse across a bridge for only the second time ever. Needless to say, she impressed me with the number of 180 degree spins she could pull and the quickness of them. She couldn't keep her eyes off of the sides which were open to the 30 ft drop below. Finally had to get off and lead her with a guide horse in front.
Couple days later I saw a picture of a covered bridge and thought man i could have used that last weekend. The lightbulb finally went on (duh...) - so what do you think? Is that why the bridges were covered? So the horses would cross? Or is there a real documented reason out there? Enlighten me if you know!
