Post by bobby1 on Jul 3, 2011 2:38:03 GMT -5
I have travelled to the Madras Pow Wow a number of times and each time I have crossed the Crooked River but never stopped to admire its beauty. This last Wednesday my wife suggested that we take time off from browsing the dealers at the Pow Wow to take our grandson to see the site.
There is a small park and viewing area on the southwest side of the river. The river is actually 300 feet below the bridge and the walls are almost vertical basalt rocks. As you approach the viewing bridge (actually the old highway crossing) you are faced with this very interesting (and I admit a bit humorous though tragic) sign. You can see the bridge in the background.
This is a view looking down into the canyon.
Another view.
Still another view.
This view shows the still used railroad bridge that was built in 1911.
There is an interesting story about this railroad bridge and the old highway bridge that was posted at the site.
During early WWII a fighter pilot from nearby in Oregon was the one who shot down Admiral Yamamoto's plane in the Pacific. The Admiral was the one who masterminded the attack on Pearl Harbor. We were able to break the Japanese military codes and thus were alerted to the Admiral's flight. This pilot went on to make many other "kills" and shot down many more Japanese planes. He remained in the Army Air Force (later to become the Air Force) until his retirement sometime in the mid 1960's. In 1961 he somehow managed to fly an early version of a jet plane UNDER the railroad and old highway bridge! Something like this would be obviously banned in today's times but it was quit a feat at the time.
When were viewing the site it was very windy and cool but it was still a terrific site to behold.
When my grandson would drop a rock into the river below the rock fell for 7 seconds before hitting the water a long way down.
Here is a photo of the mountains to the East.
I hope you liked the topic!
Bob
There is a small park and viewing area on the southwest side of the river. The river is actually 300 feet below the bridge and the walls are almost vertical basalt rocks. As you approach the viewing bridge (actually the old highway crossing) you are faced with this very interesting (and I admit a bit humorous though tragic) sign. You can see the bridge in the background.
This is a view looking down into the canyon.
Another view.
Still another view.
This view shows the still used railroad bridge that was built in 1911.
There is an interesting story about this railroad bridge and the old highway bridge that was posted at the site.
During early WWII a fighter pilot from nearby in Oregon was the one who shot down Admiral Yamamoto's plane in the Pacific. The Admiral was the one who masterminded the attack on Pearl Harbor. We were able to break the Japanese military codes and thus were alerted to the Admiral's flight. This pilot went on to make many other "kills" and shot down many more Japanese planes. He remained in the Army Air Force (later to become the Air Force) until his retirement sometime in the mid 1960's. In 1961 he somehow managed to fly an early version of a jet plane UNDER the railroad and old highway bridge! Something like this would be obviously banned in today's times but it was quit a feat at the time.
When were viewing the site it was very windy and cool but it was still a terrific site to behold.
When my grandson would drop a rock into the river below the rock fell for 7 seconds before hitting the water a long way down.
Here is a photo of the mountains to the East.
I hope you liked the topic!
Bob
(when I get a yard that big) ;D 
