Name:	GC -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/24/2018 3:05:11 PM

can someone explain the unfinished bridge behind chimney rock?

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/24/2018 4:07:28 PM

they're still looking for a buyer--you interested ?

Name:	Wakely -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/24/2018 4:53:02 PM

Are you familiar with the phrase "It's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission?" That was the mindset when the bridge was constructed, because the public outcry would have been tremendous and maybe even stopped the construction.

And all of the lies that came out when people finally realized that the bridge was there wound up hurting almost as bad, anyway.

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/24/2018 10:19:47 PM

I guess I’m in the dark on this. Care to explain further?

Name:	Wakely -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/25/2018 12:56:45 AM

There were many threads about this when it first happened, but you might have to do some digging, because I don't think the "Bridge to Nowhere" name had caught on yet. But in summary:

The bridge was built in the winter, and the first time most people first knew anything about it was when they saw it when boating the next spring/summer.

Their was some concern about such a landmark island being developed, but the Russell Lands official statement was "No, we're just planning to harvest the timber from the island, so that's why we needed the bridge." That line was repeated many times in a very short span, until...

Official documents were discovered that showed the island being divided into 60 lots... which a certain RL officer had just denied was ever considered, even though dates on the documents showed otherwise. That led to some failed spin, and embarrassment.

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/25/2018 8:18:40 AM

Did no know that they ever denied the reason if they did. An employee of RL told me that the bridge was being built when it was for economic reasons. He stated that the development was years away. That was several years ago. He hasn’t mentioned it lately.

Name:	jalcz -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/25/2018 12:18:01 PM

I remember a post from back then, wish I could remember the exact year now, but it was so good that I printed it out and hung a copy in the lakehuse:

ODE TO A BRIDGE

I stood, on the shore, and cried
because "the powers that be" had lied.
They said it was "ours,"
then spent thousands of hours
drawing bridges to span the divide.

Chimney Rock was a beautiful isle.
Rarely seen, but a sign all the while,
of the honor of standing
against the demanding
of time, of greed, and of guile.

Then "the powers that be" said 'Enough!'"
"Its a rock! Not stock, bonds, or 'stuff'."
Would anyone care
if the rock wasn't there?
"If "the people" don't like it, that's tough!"

First we'll tell them the timber's our aim.
Many times, we have won at this game.
Then as the time passes,
and memory lapses,
We'll sell all the lots, just the same!

So they quietly went on their way
to develop the island some day.
They filed tons of petitions,
ignoring the wishings,
of people who didn't have say.

And today, where the stately rock stood,
there's not even a sign of the wood,
that once helped defend
the rock from the wind
and the evils of greed and no-good.

For this place that was once called "the Lake"
has been sacrificed all for the sake
of the wishes of few
not the old, but the new
and the power and money they make.

Name:	dogleg -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/26/2018 5:25:35 PM

I was on the lake over there the other day showing some visitors around and it occurred to me that, unless you really love a party and a lot of boats around, owning lakefront on Chimny Rock Island may come with its own punishment.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/26/2018 5:55:42 PM

 The bridge to no where is not the actual island with the rock people jump from but the one behind it. It is chimney rock island where the bridge is.  Rest assured when houses go up rafting up will be a thing of the past. Just like the area of the ridge where people went to be private and no-one but like people were there (Secret Cove).  Awe the old days.

Name:	Crimson4Lif -	Reply
Subject:	Bridge to nowhere
Date:	7/31/2018 11:21:07 PM

I have no idea where I heard it but was septic issues ever a reason they decided not to build on the island?  Could be way off just thought I remembered that....