More from Panama

Since I posted about Panama's Bridge of Americas below I decided to do another Panama bridge. I am linking up with Scenic Sunday and Sunday Bridges

The Centennial Bridge in Panama was built and finished in 2004 to ease the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas. It is the second road crossing the Panama Canal.  The bridge is a cable-stayed design and is a total span of 3,451 ft. The main span clears the canal by 262 ft. allowing large vessels to pass below.  The bridge was also built to withstand earthquakes which are often felt in this area.

 

These ship look huge from a distance and even larger when you are right next to them.

One of the Panama hotels we stayed at is the Radisson Rainforest hotel.

 The hotel had two pools, we were so busy sightseeing we did not have a chance to even swim.

 

The view from the rainforest hotel. There is also a golf course at this Radisson Rainforest resort.

The Radisson's lobby and bar. It was a beautiful hotel, I wish we could have stayed longer.

To see more beautiful and scenic photos,  please visit Scenic Sunday  and Sunday Bridges.

Thanks to both of the hosts, the Holleys of Scenic Sunday and Louis the host of Sunday Bridges. Thanks also for visiting my post and blog. I hope everyone has a Happy weekend.

Panama Scenes

I am linking up with Sunday Bridges  and Today's Flowers    and   Scenic Sunday

I am posting the photos smaller but if you like you can click on them for a larger image. 

These are shots taken during my trip to Panama, the bridge was seen during our boat ride on the Panama Canal and the flowers were seen on the grounds at the various hotels in Panama .

I have some info on the Bridge of the Americas was built to re-connect land that was divided during the building of the Panama Canal. The bridge is 354 high and 5,400 long. The bridge crosses the Pacific approach to the Panama Canal at Balboa near Panama City.  The United States built the bridge at a cost of 20 million. The bridge was part of the Pan-American highway until the Centennial Bridge was built in 2004 and at that time the highway was re-directed.

I wish I remembered all the names of these pretty flowers. I believe the photo above is Bird of Paradise but I thought there are two types of flowers that look similar. If anyone can id these flowers and plant, I would appreciate the help.


Edit: With the Help of Diane B and Bernie I found out the flower above is called Lobster Claw.

Bernie helped with all the flower id's. This is Red Ginger also known as Ostrich Plume and Alpina Purpurata

Again thanks to Bernie the plant above is called Alpinia Zerumbet Ginger. It also bears funnel shaped flowers.

Check out more photos at Sunday Bridges    and   Today's Flowers    and  Scenic Sunday

Thanks to all the wonderful host of these fun memes. Thanks also for stopping by to see my post and I wish everyone a HAPPY WEEKEND!

Covered Bridges of Frederick County, Maryland

I am also linking up with Sunday Bridges
Thanks to Louis for hosting Sunday Bridges. I hope you get a chance to visit Sunday Bridges. 


Remember if you like you can click on the photos for a larger image.


I was surprised to learn that Frederick County, Maryland was home to three historic covered bridges. There are a total of eight covered bridges in Maryland. At one time there were 52 bridges in Maryland but, neglect, fires, storms and progress have wiped them out.  Each of the three bridges in Frederick County are beautiful and are structured differently. I was able to take some photos of each bridge while on a daytrip with my hubby to Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland.

 The Loys Station bridge is 90 feet long and is the multiple kingpost design.

The first stop was at the Loys Station Rd covered bridge and this one was my favorite of the three covered bridges.

Why cover bridges? The answer is wooden bridges with exposed superstructures were vulnerable to rot. In the 1800's  farmers  needed inland transportation and wood was a plentiful building material.

It is 101 foot long and is called the burr arch design.

This is the Utica Mills covered bridge and as you can see the inside structure looks entirely different that the first Loys Station Bridge.

The Roddy Rd is 40 feet long and is a single span kingpost design.

This is the Roddy Road covered bridge and the smallest. It was the last of the three bridges on our 30 miles loop covered bridge tour. Each of the three bridges have a weight and height restriction. Now, I would like to find the other five covered bridges in Maryland. I am sure I find where they are located just by doing a Google search.

I hope you enjoyed my covered bridge post and I am linking up with Scenic Sunday.  Thanks to the Holleys for hosting. And I thank you for stopping by to see my post. Have a Happy Weekend!