Our World – Out with Old, In with New

Sunday afternoon Heather and I took off on a bike ride on the Tulsa RiverParks Trails. Not only was it a bike ride but we said goodbye to one community landmark and hello to a new one.

First up was the Pedestrian Bridge across the Arkansas River. It’s 103 years old, starting off life as a railroad bridge for the Midland Valley Railroad and then repurposed to a pedestrian bridge in 1976. I have walk, run and rode my bike over that bridge a bunch. In the summer you were shaded and there was always a nice breeze blowing up or down the river. Running on the wooden deck was a great respite from the asphalt. It’s been deemed unsafe to continue so we got a brand spanking new bridge coming in about three years. Here is the conceptual design. It’s all swoopy and swanky. The curmudgeons who never watch the news or read the newspaper are all coming out against it now, as the demolition crews start staging in. Hey Curmudgeons!! wake up, your asleep.

And then we rode a little further north where old Route 66 crosses the Arkansas River. Tulsa is putting in a Neon Sign Park using replica signs from actual Motels that are no longer around.

I think it is supercool. They have placards giving the history of each motel. The electricity isn’t connected but I’m told it is coming soon. It will be super cool at night when they get them lit.

So some lady came by and said she hasn’t been able to figure out how to get all three signs in the same picture. I couldn’t figure out what her problem is. I got all of them, and my beautiful wife in the image as a bonus.

Anyhow, fourteen miles and change on a hot humid afternoon. Sign me up.

I am linking with Our World Tuesday.

12 thoughts on “Our World – Out with Old, In with New”

  1. Driller's Place

    Will the new bridge provide equivalent shade and breezes? It is pretty swanky looking. Love the motel sign idea. would make a great location for some night time portrait photo shoots.

  5. Pat

    It does sound like that new bridge is a done deal, but looking at the photos it looks like it will be an asset when it is completed.

    I also like that idea of the neon sign park and it will be cool when they are lit at night. Not many of those original signs are around any longer.

  6. A ShutterBug Explores

    What a wonderful time for you and your wife and you have wonderful photos as well ~ those vintage signs are a great idea and neat photo too ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

  8. Grace

    The old bridge did pretty well, time to retire 😉 The new bridge looks pretty cool, wonder how long it will take to build? Loved the retro motel sign, loved your three in one shot ✨

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