Sundial Bridge At Turtle Bay In Redding

World famous, Redding, California's Sundial pedestrian bridge spans the Sacramento River and acts as a huge sundial.  Completed in 2004, this bridge cost $23,500,000 and is an iconic landmark.  Designed by Santiago Calatrava, it's a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge and was built completely on the riverbank, then pivoted across the river. No part of it touches the water. 

DJ, Wayne and I decided to see the Sundial Bridge last night. Traffic from Redding's big rodeo and an auto accident on the approaching highway congesting traffic, but parking was easy once we got to Turtle Bay.

Budweiser's famous Clydesdale horses were appearing at the rodeo (on the adjoining property) so we got to see a few of them (from a distance) in their portable stables. Even the horse transportation is impressive. There were at least four of these big rigs that we could see.

This was not the biggest horse in the stalls, but this is the one I could easily photograph.

From the Budweiser area we walked on over to see the Sundial Bridge.  We scheduled our visit at a time that would allow us to see the structure in the setting sun and remain there until after dark so we could see the lighting.

The entire weight of the sundial bridge's pylon is on a 12 inch diameter disk at the foundation.
To protect the salmon spawning beds, no part of the bridge structure touches the water in the Sacramento River below.
The State of California required this and also mandated that sunlight be unobstructed onto the salmon below.

DJ, Lexie and yours truly
Before sunset

Lexie sometimes likes to be held this way. We're snuggling.

Looking straight up from the base of the pylon.
My best attempt at modern contemporary photography.
ho hum.

DJ took this picture of us on the bridge.

The sundial shaped bridge is accompanied by markers set for the Summer Solstice ( June 21st) when the shadow moves one foot per minute between the hours of 11 and 3. The pylon is at a perfect 42 degree angle and is precisely pointed due north. 
The dial extends upward 20 stories; a height that requires the mounting of a red aircraft warning light at the top. 

DJ "getting into" her photography.

Just after sunset. The glass panels along the walkway have lights under them.
During October each year, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, the bridges lights are changed to Pink.
Lexie seems unimpressed but enjoyed the outing.

Because we were there for quite some time, and because we had Lexie with us, we naturally visited with some other dog owners.  Some of these dogs were just plain ole' photo-worthy so, with permission of course, I took these pictures.

This Pekingese is wearing "doggles" -- dog sunglasses.

This is the biggest dog I've ever seen.  Maybe Lexie on steroids! She looks horrified. 
The smiling fellow on my left owns this Great Pyrenees. Bicycle inner tubes are used for a leash.