San Fransico Bay before The Golden Gate Bridge was built.

"A unique aspect of the bridge's construction was the safety net set up beneath it, significantly reducing the expected number of deaths for such a project. 11 men were killed from falls during construction, and approximately 19 men were saved by the safety net. 10 of the deaths occurred near completion, when the net itself failed under the stress of a scaffold fall. The 19 workers whose lives were saved by the safety nets became proud members of the (informal) Halfway to Hell Club." Here

The Mighty Task is Done

By Joseph P. Strauss, Chief EngineerGolden Gate Bridge and Highway District
Written upon completion of the building of the Golden Gate Bridge in May 1937

At last the mighty task is done;Resplendent in the western sunThe Bridge looms mountain high;Its titan piers grip ocean floor,Its great steel arms link shore with shore,Its towers pierce the sky.
On its broad decks in rightful pride,The world in swift parade shall ride,Throughout all time to be;Beneath, fleet ships from every port,Vast landlocked bay, historic fort,And dwarfing all the sea.
To north, the Redwood Empires gates;To south, a happy playground waits,In Rapturous appeal;Here nature, free since time began,Yields to the restless moods of man,Accepts his bonds of steel.
Launched midst a thousand hopes and fears,Damned by a thousand hostile sneers,Yet Neer its course was stayed,But ask of those who met the foeWho stood alone when faith was low,Ask them the price they paid.
Ask of the steel, each strut and wire,Ask of the searching, purging fire,That marked their natal hour;Ask of the mind, the hand, the heart,Ask of each single, stalwart part,What gave it force and power.
An Honored cause and nobly foughtAnd that which they so bravely wrought,Now glorifies their deed,No selfish urge shall stain its life,Nor envy, greed, intrigue, nor strife,Nor false, ignoble creed.
High overhead its lights shall gleam,Far, far below lifes restless stream,Unceasingly shall flow;For this was spun its lithe fine form,To fear not war, nor time, nor storm, For Fate had meant it so.

Golden Gate, Opening Day May 27, 1937

TollsBridge tolls began at the modest sum of $0.50 each way, with a five cent charge for more than 3 passengers. In 1950, the fare dropped to $0.40 and by 1955, it was $0.25 each way! But in 1968, a southbound toll of $0.50 was instituted, with the northbound trip free of charge. Today, that southbound trip is $5.00.

On a personal note...

I like to read. A lot. I am never without any reading material of some kind. Anyone who knows me personally knows that it is true. What they don’t know is that I habitually read well over one hundred and fifty blogs (current updates) daily. Some of you may be thinking…gee, she doesn’t have that many on her sidebar. The links in my side bar are written by many wonderful men and women who challenge me to be better person, inspire me to greater heights, make me laugh and make me go hmmm, on a daily basis.

Does this mean that all the other blogs that are not in my side bar unworthy? Absolutely not. In fact, I just recently added a few new ones that I have read for over two years. Common, I am a woman…I can have secrets! Have you ever seen blogs out there that have hundred and hundreds of links simply for the exposure? I don’t see any thing wrong in doing so, it’s just not me. I’m just saying..

However...
It saddens me that there is so much bickering, bad mojo and some serious ass kicking karma flying around in our bl**ing community. Between three sites there have been threats, alleged police involvement, lies and a very real basis for a law suit that includes some undeniable and compelling evidence that could be filed anytime now. All of this could be avoided if all of us simply take the time to read this.

Please do not ask for links to any of the sites involved, I will not add any more fuel to the fire.

Educate yourself...its important! I did and so should you.

N Posted by Rain at 5/27/2006 02:25:00 AM

2 Comments

 Anonymous posted at 5:02 AM  
I feel honored to be included in your links. Thankyou for the thoughtful posts that you write, its been a pleasure to have crossed your path.

 Rain posted at 11:42 AM  
Ah Sheila..You just made my day!BTW until all of the bad karma...I had seen the word bandwith of course, but I really had no idea what exactly it meant. I learn something new everyday. Have a great day!~Rain

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