The Sentinel Tower (For CoreyBlack) by Chipka
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Description
I think if it was a bit warmer outside, Corey and I would have gone to Chinatown. It’s Corey’s birthday today (all day, as far as I’m able to determine) and so it’s a nice excuse to celebrate. Chinatown is a bit far; neither of us has a car, and even if we had cars, parking isn’t cheap. And so, as it stands, Chinatown was not on today’s agenda.
In lieu of Chinatown, here is a picture (taken from Chinatown.) It’s fitting, I think. For so long, this vertical lift railroad bridge has centered my attention, and Corey’s as well. For so long a time, neither of us knew how to reach it. Indeed, it was largely inaccessible until a new park was built along the northern border of Chinatown. The south tower of the bridge stands bare meters away from the edge of the park. The south tower (not pictured here) stands…well…over thataway.
On the day that I took this picture, I found a way to the bridge. Corey and I paused in our northward trek, just under the elevated track of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Orange Line. I took this picture, and realized that we were approaching the bridge from the wrong direction. You don’t get to the Renderosity Ninja Vertical Lift Railroad Bridge on a direct path; you have to approach it sideways…obliquely…and with the proper amount of tenacity.
Since it was too cold for Chinatown, Corey and I settled for burritos. We’ll hit Chinatown later, but since it was my desire to celebrate Corey’s birthday somewhere fun, here is a picture of somewhere fun, and so:
Happy Birthday, Corey!
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great (and warmer) weekend than has decided to grace Chicago.
Comments (21)
bimm3d
wonderful photo!!
NefariousDrO
Ah, man that's a great photo. As good as you are as a writer, you're just as capable as a photographer, and your mind seems to work in a similar kind of oblique manner as your path to the aging watchtower.
Sepiasiren
what I often love about your work is that you can take something that would normally not be considered noteworthy and give it a dignity and beauty that helps us see the object the way you do! This is fantastic Chipka!
KatesFriend
Well done Corey, he is a Sagittarius. All the greats come from that sign. The image is a curious juxtaposing of era of engineering. The spanning steel girders of the late industrial revolution and its erector set form - perhaps the hight of that discipline. Verses the molded concrete that came to embody the late 20th Century. The later imposing itself over the former. Though, I expect, less enduring for it was made with less care and purpose.
kgb224
Outstanding art work my friend. Congratulations with your birthday Corey.
whaleman
I know that feeling...you can't get there from here!
mbz2662
Happy Birthday Corey :) From my viewpoint, I consider vertical left bridges an architectural marvel. I saw my first, and only, last year in Duluth. I was enthralled, as I had never even heard of them. I still remember the old bridge in Galveston, that split in the middle and raised at a steep angle on both sides. I thought(not that I gave it much thought) all the bridges, boats/ships needed to go under, were still like that or just built taller :P ....and back to you... I love what you've done with the photo!
beachzz
A fitting birthday foto for Corey--bridges are always good things to find and take pictures of. From any angle they have something to say, and if you're really lucky, you might meet a troll to keep things very interesting!! Happy Birthday, Corey!!
helanker
This is a really beautiful dedication for Corey. I bet he will like it alot. I really like the postwork too. Hope You had a great day together :-) HAPPY BIRTHDAY COREY!!!!
bmac62
A monument to the age of steam and mechanics...not quantum mechanics...just old fashioned steel, nuts, bolts and rivets mechanics. Great shot my friend. And a very fitting dedi for our RR friend, Corey! Chinatown awaits you both...:)
auntietk
I love the vertical lift bridge. I'll never see another one without thinking of you and Corey! :) Happy Birthday, Corey!
durleybeachbum
A very Irish affair. As in "If I were you I wouldn't be starting from here."
lick.a.witch
Wonderful lighting and great dedication to your friend. ^=^ Many Happy Returns, Corey. ^=^
GARAGELAND
Alive & dangerous image.
makron
Great work. Very well done
danapommet
It is an imposing structure against that angry sky and I like both. A great dedi for Corey and a big Happy Birthday to Corey. Dana
MrsRatbag
What a cool structure, I can see why it fascinated you for so long. When you make it here you'll have to check out the Everett area, there are all kinds of bridges galore over all the sloughs and rivers, it's a photographer's dream! This is a perfect birthday dedi, happy birthday Corey!
RodS
There is something very stately about this structure - you are a master at taking the ordinary, the dilapidated, and the forgotten, and making something beautiful out of it. Brilliant work, Chip! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Corey!
CoreyBlack
Well, I had written a very nice(and rather long)comment here, but with typical sagittarian coordination, I somehow managed to inadvertantly delete it. Here goes round two. I love this shot! I especially like how the slight amount of post work you did makes an already dramatic shot that much more striking. That was a fun day together, as was my birthday, and i look forward to many more. Love the shot and the dedi as well as you, and thanks again for how helpful you've been during my protracted recovery!
three_grrr
Bridges are awesome affairs. When backed by a sky like that .. well, awesome becomes a bit of an understatement.
praep
The colors and the sky are breathtaking. Very well done shot my friend.