Another Bridge

In order to get from  Santa Rosa in the North Bay to Berkeley in the the East Bay, a bridge must be crossed. To get to San Francisco from the North Bay a different bridge must be crossed. Bridges are part of our lives here and they are falling apart. Today's picture is the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, which we crossed to get home from Berkeley today. It has never been my favorite span despite it's spectacular views of Mt. Tamalpias, San Quentin Prison and East Brother Island, from the top deck, shown here, with it's roller coaster construction, low rails inches from the fast lane and even a space between the deck and the bottom of the railing. It has always made me a bit queasy, and I would prefer to drive in the slow lane behind a slow truck than feel  as if I were suspended over the water. 

In February of this year, large piece of concrete fell from the underside of the upper deck onto a car traveling toward Oakland on the lower deck. The bridge was closed while repairs were made and then again in April when it happened again. It was with some trepidation that we decided to take the bridge on our homeward trip as studies are made and big wheels meet to decide  its ultimate fate. It is, however, the most direct route home, a trip we have made hundreds of times, and OilMan was anxious to get home to see Ozzie so we took our chances.... 

We made it without incident, but couldn't fail to notice the appalling condition of the all the roads we traveled this weekend. I think maintenance has been deferred for so long that there is neither the money nor the will to figure out how to really repair so many major thoroughfares. We pay the highest gas taxes in the country and people are always asking why. I know why. We have voted for tax increases several times over the years in order to get our roads fixed. The real question is why hasn't it happened?

Rant over...we walked by our old house this morning on our way to coffee at Peet's. The garden looks sad and neglected although the house still looks fine. We ran into two old Peet's buddies and enjoyed coffee with them on our usual bench in the patio. All in all, it was a good trip. We enjoyed walking around the old haunts, and enjoyed a margarita at a bar in a new restaurant in what was once a garage and towing service. We bought some olive oil in the olive oil store and some chocolates in the new chocolate shop, and enjoyed a good visit with old friends. But we are happy to be home now with no regrets.