Our Bridge Day

We were told that each year in October, on or near the anniversary of the opening of the New River Gorge Bridge, they hold a festival. One lane on the bridge remains open for emergency traffic but the rest of it is closed to cars and open to pedestrians, base jumpers, and crazy people. The event is called "Bridge Day".

Being surrounded by crazy people isn't that high on my "to do" list anymore, so I'm glad we went in July when no one was actually jumping off the bridge. At it's highest point, it's 850+ feet above the ground. I thought that taking the walking tour on the catwalk under the bridge would be fun. I was right! Great views!

Approaching the bridge on foot

Looking straight down using a zoom

The bridge as seen from the road on the next bridge over

Of course, if you don't like heights, you could always opt for the whitewater raft trip down the river. I think that might have been worth a try if the weather had been a bit warmer.

You could make it across the bridge strolling leisurely in about 15 or 20 minutes - less time if you hurried. The tour takes about an hour and a half. The guide makes frequent stops and gives you lots of information about the surrounding area, the bridge and how it was built. You also have lots of time to take pictures.

But for those with zero sense of adventure, find a cafe and have a cup of coffee overlooking the river. This was our view at breakfast in Hinton.