April 1, 2006:
Cooper River Bridge Run
It all started in Mt. Pleasant - the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. And
what a memory for me. When Ellen and I first moved to Charleston, we
lived in a small kitchen house attached to Bob and Benita Schlau's home.
As good fortune would have it - Sparky renovated Bob's first home.
Then I discovered that not only were Bob and Benita world class runners, but
that Benita was a major part of the annual bridge run. So a big thanks to
Bob and Benita for their introduction to the brige run.
Here is the start
and the serious runners
and real runners
and the walkers
But this is also a story about Sparky Witte and his family - here
with Liza and Sparky 2 and Liza's husband, Matthew. Lets watch them
walk the race course
Here is the family and the Ravenel Bridge - the virus that infected me with
this passion to track the building process and brought many many new friends
and here is the back span about one year ago
And, surprise, here is Pio and Richie with Sparky's family
A view of what remains of Pio's legacy - the base of Grace
High up on the Grace is Chucky and another ironworker. Like Jack Foley
and Michael Hebb and their sun glasses, you can always identify Chucky Squires
by the tight wrap of his jeans at his boots. No loose clothing to snag
anything!
Another view of Chucky, a piece of the Pearman and the Grace
Smiles all around
Walking down the west back span
and the back span about a year ago
Walkers along Meeting St
and then closer to Calhoun
Down King St. past Marion Square
Two inseparable Sparkys
Across Calhoun and down King St
and under the finish
Charleston and MUSC have given me much. Here was a small opportunity to give
back. The PBC team organized a helicopter flight so that I could get some
photos of both the old and new bridges. Just before I left for my move to
Singapore, the bridge folks asked if they could use it for the race. How could I refuse? Sparky found Jez Tomlinson, who flew from Scotland, to run the
race. Here he is with his plaque and a photo from my adventures with Palmetto
Bridge Constructors - the same image as at the top of this page.
Thanks to Charleston, thanks to MUSC, thanks to PBC and thanks to SCDOT!
Finally - Sparky's parents had their 65th anniversary the evening of the Bridge
Run - and here is the clan