Entrance to McCourtie Park, located off US-12 in Somerset Michigan. Visted April 26, 2009 by CDickson.
Bridge #3 (first two bridges were hidden in the brush to the west. They appear at the end of the slide show.)
Note that the cement detailing includes fake wood grain.
The bridges are detailed from all sides. This is all sculpted cement. Still Bridge #3.
Bridge #4. Crosses a smaller side stream. The other side may have once lead back to where Bridges #1 and #2 are hidden, but now it's too overgrown. And, with recent rains, squishy.
Bridge #5. A wide one. Crosses the same little stream that Bridge #4 did. That same stream connects with the larger one to the right of Bridge #5.
Bridge #6.
Detail on Bridge #6. Yes, in the cement rail, they put nails. It's cement, sculpted around rebar... it doesn't need nails!
Bridge #7. Hubby's favorite bridge. Notice the "thatched" roof. All done out of cement.
Bridge #7 from the front.
Interior of Bridge #7. It's sculpted into a bench. Sitting there, above the water, with the wind rustling through, it was quite lovely. Hubby says romantic, but I'm not a romantic, so I'll take his word for it.
Bridge #7. The other side includes a seat. There were also, at one time, lights for evening enjoyment.
Bridge #8.
Bridge #9, with steps down across another side stream.
Bridge #10. You can see that it's starting to suffer from it's age. These bridges were built in 1933. Though, they've lasted way longer than they would have if they were made from wood. =)
Bridge #11. I love the arch.
Beneath Bridge #11. Even underneath, it's sculpted to look like logs and stones. Such attention to detail.
Bridge #12. So simple, but yet, so amazing. This is cement!
Bridge #12 Detail. The 'rope' is cement.
Bridge #13.
Bridge #13 detail. There's the nails again. Plus the 'branches' are made to look as if some are losing their bark.
Bridge #13. More detail.
Bridge #14.
Bridge #15 looks like it's made out of just logs.
Bridge #15 detail. Even has the ends of the 'logs' in the middle. Accurate for the curve of the logs.
Bridge #16. I think it's missing two 'planks' on the outside edges, but it's a lovely little cement plank bridge.
Bridge #17. Seems to combine the elements seen in all the previous bridges: planks, logs, branches, rope and benches.
Bridge #17 from the side.
Bridge #2. Tucked away to the west. A narrow, almost rickety bridge. The water rushes pretty fast beneath this one.
Bridge #1. Far opposite end of the park from #17.
Bridge #1 detail. Cement stones and even the ends of the logs.
Historical Marker for the Park.
Cement bench near the entrance of the park. First glimpse of the amazing artwork to come.
Atop the underground building are the two cement tree chimneys. These are the only things visible from US-12.
