The death of old Dewey Bridge last month, burned to death by a seven year old playing with matches, was almost more bad news than I could bear to hear. As one relic after another of the rural West’s past vanishes, this was one remnant I thought would survive. It was just a few years ago that Jennifer Speers, the millionaire with a soul, bought up the adjacent Dewy Bridge subdivision from a developer, plowed under the roads, dismantled the infrastructure and tore down a $600,000 home in order to restore the area to the way it had been.
It was a rare place of Hope. Now this. The fire triggered memories of my first visit to Dewey, more than 30 years ago.
I first heard about Dewey Bridge, believe it or not, from my mother. In 1973, I was still living in Kentucky, trying to scrape together enough money to come West again, if only for a month or so. The previous winter, I’d passed through Moab for the first time, on one of the coldest days in recorded history. With a can of flaming Sterno on the floorboard of my VW Squareback (the damn heater never worked), I stopped only long enough to gas up and then drove all the way to Grand Junction, where I used my dad’s Gulf Oil credit card for a warm bed at the Holiday Inn.
But I’d seen enough of this country to plan a return visit under better conditions. I’d hoped to leave in July for SE Utah, but my parents had booked a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with their friends, Bill and Vera Parker, and they asked me if I’d stay at their farm and keep an eye on the place. In exchange, they offered to help me out with gas money when I came West in August.
When they arrived home, I was eager to hear of their adventures on the river, and they had plenty to tell. But the highlight of their trip, it seemed, had been a 50 mile drive down a Utah back road, a dusty unpaved, corrugated “highway,” designated State Route 128. And they told me of a one-lane suspension bridge, Dewey Bridge, that crossed the river 30 miles upstream from Moab.
Weeks later, when they came home to the farm, and my dog Muckluk and I prepared to leave, my mom gave me very careful directions—it was the first exit to Cisco, not the second, she insisted. Look for the dirt road on the left, a couple miles west of the town.
I followed her directions and, incredibly, they were accurate (my mother has never been known for her navigational skills). We passed through Cisco—there was one café still open then, Ethel’s I later learned, but didn’t stop. Just as my ma had predicted, I spotted the gravel and dirt road, Utah 128, and turned left toward the river. I saw no one. Not a car or motorhome. No trucks or RVs. No ATVs. Nothing.
We came to the river, my dog and I, and figured the bridge was just ahead, but it was late afternoon, so I pulled into a stand of cottonwoods to make a camp. I pitched my cheap little blue nylon tent, fed Muck, cooked some beans on my Coleman stove and walked over to the Colorado to eat. The river was low, but the current was swift. I saw a Great Blue Heron, heard other birds whose songs I could not identify. And I could hear the rustle of the leaves in the great cottonwoods above me.
Finally, as the canyon filled with shadows, I heard the whine of a motor, coming down the grade from Cisco. It was a pickup truck, a local rancher I guessed. He saw me and waved and kept going. I could hear his truck for a few minutes and then the silence returned.
That night was one of the happiest of my life. An evening of “quiet exaltation” as someone once said.
The next morning, I found the bridge, just where my mom said it would be. We stopped for a while, Muckluk jumped in the river for a swim so she could later smell up the upholstery on my car. It was a glorious morning.
I knew it would be the first of many visits to Dewey Bridge. It never occurred to me that any of this would change or disappear.
But in 1974, much of the gravel and dirt road from Cisco to Moab was paved, though the asphalt was rough and pitted, and the “improvements” were negligible. Even better, because Dewey Bridge was only one lane wide, barely eight feet, large vehicles could not get across it. It was one kind of discrimination I could live with and even applaud. For another decade the road from Moab to Cisco remained quiet.
In 1985, however, UDOT construction began on a new bridge, just down river from the old one. And a year later, when it opened, traffic on highway 128 increased dramatically. Further “improvements” have brought still more traffic. Sometimes it is downright congested. Still, it’s a beautiful drive and those discovering it for the first time will be awestruck. But they’ll never be able to understand just what it felt like on that summer night in 1973. I’m not even sure they’d care to.
Last week, I stopped at the old bridge site for the first time since the fire. I could still smell the ash. The parking lot adjacent to it is now a staging area for mountain bicyclists and on this day, about a hundred brightly clad participants were prepping themselves and their bikes for a ride over the Kokopelli Trail. I felt peculiarly out of place in my Wranglers and Redwings—as much of an anachronism as the old bridge once was. I walked to the south abutment. The fire had burned every sliver of wood; all that remains are the cables. I stood there for several minutes, almost paralyzed by the sight.
One of the bikers walked up to me and said, “Hey I hear they might rebuild it…It’ll be just like it was before.”
I looked at him, smiled, and went back to my car.
The Feb/Mar Z (click the cover)
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and
sources back to your webpage? My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would truly benefit from a lot of
the information you present here. Please let me know if this
okay with you. Thanks!
If you are going for finest contents like myself, just pay a visit this website everyday as it presents feature contents, thanks
Awesome things here. I am very glad to see your post.
Thanks so much and I’m having a look forward to
touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing
is available on net?
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a
different page and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.
Hey outstanding website! Does running a blog such as this require a large amount of work?
I have absolutely no understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near
future. Anyway, should you have any suggestions
or tips for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject however I simply needed to ask.
Thanks!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this superb blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my
Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share
this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all
site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday.
It will always be useful to read content from other authors and
use something from other websites.
Wow, this article is good, my younger sister is analyzing such things, therefore I am going to inform her.
Howdy! This article could not be written any better! Looking at this article
reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this.
I most certainly will forward this post to him.
Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge about unpredicted
feelings.
I was recommended this website by my cousin.
I am now not positive whether this post is written by way of him
as no one else understand such designated about my difficulty.
You are wonderful! Thank you!
Highly descriptive blog, I loved that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet visitors, its really really good
paragraph on building up new weblog.
Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness for your publish
is simply great and i can assume you are a professional on this subject.
Fine along with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep
up to date with impending post. Thanks a million and
please continue the enjoyable work.
This is a very informative post about online casinos and betting platforms.
I especially liked how it explains the importance of choosing a licensed site before signing up.
Many players often ask where they can find reliable gaming platforms with
fair odds and smooth payouts. From what I’ve seen,
checking platforms like vn22vip helps users compare
features, bonuses, and overall experience.
Thanks for sharing these insights — they’re helpful for both beginners and experienced bettors.
I got this web site from my friend who told me about this website
and now this time I am browsing this site and reading very informative articles or reviews at this place.
I love what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and reporting!
Keep up the good works guys I’ve added you
guys to my blogroll.
I have read so many posts concerning the blogger
lovers but this post is genuinely a good article, keep it up.
Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about
this subject for a long time and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now.
But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive in regards to the supply?
Good day! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room
mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward
this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
Thank you for sharing!
Ridiculous story there. What occurred after? Thanks!
I simply couldn’t go away your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved
the standard information a person supply for your visitors?
Is gonna be again ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts
Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this
blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web
hosting provider at a reasonable price? Thank
you, I appreciate it!
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this
useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to a few pals
ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks in your effort!
I every time spent my half an hour to read this web site’s articles daily along with a mug of
coffee.
Asking questions are really nice thing if you are
not understanding anything fully, however this paragraph presents good understanding yet.
Helpful info. Lucky me I found your site accidentally, and I’m shocked why this accident did not took place
earlier! I bookmarked it.
Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also create comment due to this brilliant paragraph.
fantastic issues altogether, you just gained a new reader.
What could you recommend in regards to your post that you just made a few days ago?
Any positive?
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other
blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same
subjects you discuss and would love to have you share
some stories/information. I know my visitors would value
your work. If you’re even remotely interested,
feel free to send me an e-mail.
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am
waiting for your next write ups thank you once again.
Here is my webpage – รีวิวแก็ดเจ็ตรถยนต์
This is a very informative post about online casinos and betting platforms.
I especially liked how it explains the importance of choosing a secure site before signing up.
Many players often ask where they can find reliable gaming platforms with fair odds and smooth
payouts. From what I’ve seen, checking platforms like
vn22vip helps users compare features, bonuses, and overall experience.
Thanks for sharing these insights — they’re helpful for
both beginners and experienced bettors.
Rіght herｅ iѕ the petfect blog fοr аnybody who ѡants tо understand thiѕ
topic. You realize а ѡhole ⅼot іts аlmost tough to argue ѡith үou (not that
I ɑctually wⲟuld want tߋ…HaHa). You certaіnly put a new
spin on а subject tһat һas been wгitten aboᥙt fоr ages.
Wondeful stuff, ϳust great!
Mʏ web page :: web page
Thanks for sharing such a nice thought, article is good, thats why i
have read it completely
If you desire to improve your familiarity just keep visiting this web site and
be updated with the hottest news posted here.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad
and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so
she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has
83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Really no matter if someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other people that they will help, so here it occurs.
This is my first time visit at here and i am truly happy to read all at alone place.
Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and
would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your
work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send
me an email.
Hi! I’ve been following your web site for a while now and finally got the bravery to
go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Texas! Just
wanted to say keep up the fantastic job!
hi!,I really like your writing very much! percentage we keep in touch extra about your article on AOL?
I require a specialist in this space to unravel
my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to
see you.
OMT’s helpful comments loops motivate development ѕtate ᧐f mind,
aiding trainees adore mathematics аnd feel influenced fߋr examinations.
Established іn 2013 by Mr. Justin Tan, OMT Math Tuition hаs ɑctually helped
countless students ace exams ⅼike PSLE, O-Levels, ɑnd A-Levels
ԝith proven рroblem-solving techniques.
Singapore’s emphasis on іmportant thinking thгough mathematics
highlights tһｅ valᥙe of math tuition, which assists trainees establish tһе analytixal abilities required
Ьｙ the nation’s forward-thinking curriculum.
Ԝith PSLE math developing tо іnclude more interdisciplinary elements, tuition кeeps trainees upgraded
оn incorporated concerns blending math ѡith science contexts.
Tuition assistts secondary trainees establish exam techniques, ѕuch aѕ time appropriation f᧐r tһe
2 O Level mathematics documents, leading tto Ьetter oѵerall performance.
Ιn ɑ competitive Singaporean education and learning syѕtem, junior college math tuition ɡives
trainees thе edge tⲟ achieve һigh qualities neеded for university admissions.
OMT’s unique math program enhances tһe MOE educational program Ƅy consisting of proprietary situation researches tһat ᥙse mathematics tօ actual Singaporean contexts.
Gamified aspects mɑke revision fun lor, motivating mоre method аnd
leading to quality improvements.
Ԝith mіnimal class time in schools, math tuition expands finding ᧐ut һourѕ, critical foг mastering
the extensive Singapore mathematics curriculum.
Ꭺlso visit my site :: singapore math
hello!,I love your writing very so much! percentage we communicate extra about your article on AOL?
I require an expert in this house to resolve my problem.
Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to peer you.
It’s an remarkable post in support of all the web visitors; they will obtain benefit from it I am sure.
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people about this subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author
for your site. You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off,
I’d absolutely love to write some content for
your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Regards!
Hey! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading
through this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him.
Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for
sharing!