| Sundial Bridge, Redding Ca. | ||||
| An awesome sight, the white pylon is 218 feet tall and the
Sundial Bridge free spans 500 feet across the river. At the base of the tower is the northern shore line and an access point to dip your feet in the water. The Sundial is functional and the northern shoreline has markings with the summer solstice and time of day. |
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 The
Sundial Bridge crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of
Redding California. Spanish architect and engineer
Santiago Calatrava was the creative thinker who came up with
it's unusual design. The bridge officially opened on July
4, 2004. It is a part of the Redding Sacramento River
Trail system and the Turtle Bay Exploration Park which includes a museum and arboretum . |
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The Sundial Bridge has many unique features including the surface, it's actually a translucent glass. The tall pylon and cable stays allow the bridge to avoid the nearby salmon-spawning habitat there are no supports in the water while encouraging public appreciation for the river. Plazas are situated at both ends; the north-side plaza stretches to the river's edge. Be careful because the water is very cold, it exits from Shasta Dam just up river from well below the surface and behind curtains that help maintain the water temperature for spawning Salmon runs. I find the best time to visit is in the twilight hours of the day when the lighting becomes a bit dim yet you are still being able to enjoy the entire experience in the waning light by being able to see the mountains, river, trees and natural beauty of the river. At the twilight time of day you also get to see how the bridge glows from the lighting below the glass deck. |
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Sundial Bridge, Redding California |
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| © Copyright 2009 Eric Lewis. All rights reserved. | ||||
