Making bridges

Record rainfall in late November on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, where we live, washed out the bridge into Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo, a laid-back beach town, is a source of employment for many and also houses our closest ATM, favorite shops, beaches, bars and restaurants. The bridge connects the town to the outside world. The flood damage was extensive leaving the concrete structure listing at a 30 degree angle. Although crossing in motorized vehicles was impossible, locals positioned a 3-foot wide plank between the broken bridge and the road leading into town to allow pedestrians and bikes access (see photo, the green hose on side of bridge was bringing water into town). Within the week flooding had subsided substantially and construction crews built a temporary crossing along the beach edge so buses and cars could again travel freely to town. By the following week construction crews had installed a new “pre-fab” bridge over the original structure. The rapid response as well as the solution was impressive.

Ironically, during this same time period access to our home in Tonto Basin, Arizona, was also blocked due to flooding. Rains had caused Tonto Creek to raise isolating residents on the east side of the creek (our side). Unfortunately this creek is too wide for a “pre-fab” solution, so I guess our activities – wherever we are -- will continue to be at the whim of the rain gods.