Finish before Friday

I am so excited to have this finish. This is an improv piece I did for our local Modern Quilt group challenge.  I was not sure how this was going to go. I started out just piecing a few things and then the more I added the more it brought back memories of the bridge that crosses over the Missouri River near my childhood home. It is a rare double decker bridge that believe me, struck fear in my heart more than once growing up.  

Meridian Bridge.jpg
 
This is a view from the South Dakota side. The risers were running that section up and down until the 80's.  The lower level was originally for rail traffic but than never happened by the time the bridge was almost finished so it is one way traffic on top and bottom.  The bottom has a super scary metal grate for a huge portion of it...thus the plaid fabric representing the grid near the bottom of my piece.
 
Meridian Highway Bridge
 
 
Upper level with an up close view of the structure of the risers. I tried to include some of this structure in my piece as well as the worn pavement with the stripe fabric.
 
Meridian Highway Bridge
 
The side view gives the cool triangular piece that I filled in toward the center.  When I was young I walked across that bridge quite a few times. It is not for the faint!  :)
 
Meridian Highway Bridge
 
Here is a view on the bottom level heading south. You can see the big beams framing this entryway and I tried to show those with my partial framing pieces in my quilt.
 
Meridian Highway Bridge
 
The final beams bring you right into "Nebraska  -  The Good Life"
 
 
Finally my piece is entitled "Early Birds" 
In 2009 this bridge closed because the new Discovery bridge was complete.  Some of my family were home for Thanksgiving in 2011 when this old bridge opened for walking.  I woke my sister up at the crack of dawn on Thanksgiving day and we headed down to walk the bridge. Cold, no frigid temperatures, windy and that was before we walked the top side! Glorious sunrise in gold and orange as we walked to the top. Truly a memorable morning.  When we made it back home everyone was still asleep...thank goodness  for us "early birds".
 
 
Bridge photos by John A Weeks III -Yankton Meridian Highway Bridge
 
 
Linking up to Finish it up Friday with Crazy mom quilts  and TGIFF hosted by Anja at Anja Quilts

Comments

Gemini Jen NZ said…
Super improv! You've represented the bridge really well - very cool to base it on something that has those memories for you.
Gemini Jen NZ said…
Super improv! You've represented the bridge really well - very cool to base it on something that has those memories for you.
Jean said…
I love it and your story that was your inspiration! Great job!
KrisPK said…
Oh my goodness, this quilt is breathtaking, Kris! I love it even more after reading your story.
KrisPK said…
Oh my goodness, this quilt is breathtaking, Kris! I love it even more after reading your story.
molly b quilts said…
beautiful quilt! i love the colors and fabrics you chose.
Thanks for linking up with TGIFF. Great improv piece.
Jen said…
I love your piece and the story behind it! It looks really great in the photo, too, different from how I saw it in person!
Acho lindo pontes e esta sua é maravilhosa!!!
Obrigado por mostrar.
Abraços
liége

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