Day 68

An old railroad bridge

June 2nd, 2010



I think. Anyone know for sure? It's just west of Rt. 55 as it crosses I-494.


12 Comments

  1. Stephen says:

    Matt, I’m not sure if this is perfectly correct, but I think it is part of the BNSF railway system. A lot of the construction dates back to the late 1800’s and I found these two links. Since they mention the proximity to Minneapolis, I thought they might be relevant. The second site (John Weeks) has TONS of old bridge pics around the Minnesota and Wisconsin area.

    Webmaster, feel free to smite me down with great vengeance if I am too far off base!!! Matt, keep on walking and posting these great pics!!!

    http://www.n0kfb.org/homepage/tc_rails/tc_rail1.htm

    http://www.johnweeks.com/minnehaha/pages/a13.html

  2. Will says:

    It is a railroad bridge. I just looked it up on google maps and if you follow it south you’ll see where the actual tracks are.

  3. Derek says:

    I’ve been following you on your website for a couple of weeks now and find your journey fascinating. I went to college at Winona State University and know several of the pictures you took in the southern part of the state. I was very surprised when I was heading to lunch today with some co-workers and saw you right by this bridge. You’re correct, It was an old railroad bridge but that’s about all I can tell you about it. It was fun explaining who you were to everyone in the car. Good luck the rest of the way.

  4. Cara says:

    It’s likely a bridge, but also a wildlife bypass…to encourage them across safely. Instead of getting stuck on one side of the median. But you probably already know this. =)

  5. Sue in NY says:

    Derek !!! Like you I have been following Matt via this site for a couple weeks and it is an amazing journey he is on. I only wish he had passed thru Central NY, not just NYC. Heck, I’m jealous really that I have to wait a couple more years until the kids are out in the world and I can go exploring myself – thou I’ll have to drive, frown.

    But Derek, you shock me that you didn’t at least yell ‘hello’, or like Micheal said give him some financial help. I know the economy is rough, but you said “going to lunch with co-workers” — so, we all know you HAVE a job and you afford lunch out. Not everyone can, but I’d be willing to bet they’re more likely than you to help out a fellow American! What was $2, $5, or even $10 to you? I’d have given him atleast that and I’m an unemployed student who’s Unemployment Insurance is gone (no extention, thanks Gov’t).

    You get back what put out into the world — so I hope this one doesn’t bite you to hard in the backside, Derek.

    MAT: Keep going, my hopes and prayers are with you. I love seeing the country through your eyes.

    • Derek says:

      Sue, I didn’t want to turn Mat’s web page into a banter back and forth about this kind of stuff but I feel I need to reply to you. There was a couple of things preventing me from doing what you asked. First, I was not driving the car but sitting in the backseat traveling about 50 mph on a very busy metro highway that time of day. If I would have been driving I would have slammed on the breaks and ran out to at least meet him. I was in a car full of people who had no idea who he was. Second, I rarely carry cash on me so I had no cash to give him but he seems like the kind of guy that would feel just as good with a hand shake and a pat on the back.

      When I got back to work, I grabbed a new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste (I work for a Dental Supply company) and drove my car out to try and find him to give him these as a gift for the road. I tried to figure out where he might have went based on his last heading. Unfortunately, I was unable to find him.

      Sue, I wish you well in your future but suggest that you refrain from questioning people without know the full situation. Thanks and god bless. to you.

      • Dad says:

        You’re right, Derek. What’s most important is that someone is willing to look a stranger in the eye, say hello and ask how he/she is doing. And if someone looks like they need help, to be willing to offer help (whether money, food, using a phone to call someone, or giving directions, or just to listen to a sob story). It’s nice that folks are giving material assistance, but what means the most to me, as a father, is that regardless of what we might expect from what we see in the media people are really being nice to Matt. Sure, he’s had a few say not so pleasant things, but the vast majority just offer up a dose of true humanity. That so many strangers would let him put up his tent next to their rural homes, even if they don’t offer anything more, says something so positive about the country he’s walking across. That strangers walk up to him (before the AP story let so many know who he is) and just ask how he’s doing and wish him luck is what makes me feel better about his journey. And that so many people have commented on this blog, wishing him well, is really inspiring.

        • Candice in Alabama says:

          Right ON DAD! – Matt – I’m still trying to catch you up – just can’t spend all my time at the PC – I’m trying to get by a couple of days here in your early June blog. Best wishes to you for a safe and enjoyable walk!

  6. Christian - Dubai says:

    I love seeing the country through your eyes. Well-said Sue..

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