March 15, 2006
Science Question of the Day: How Well Do Convertibles Float?
I was thoroughly amused by everyone’s expression of horror at the idea of a cement bridge that floats on water, disintegrates in winds over 40mph, and is one of the city’s main commuter routes. Perhaps I should also mention that even winds of, oh, say, 30mph will send water splashing up over the sides of the bridge onto your car—not gentle, dewy, refreshing sprinkles but, instead, robust and manly waves which fall onto your car from great heights, drenching your windshield, and making startlingly loud percussive sounds on the roof of your car. I kid you not.
But, Christina is, apparently, a True Washingtonian because in her comment she said, and I quote, “I laughed when I thought about the huge traffic difficulties it was going to cause for everyone.” As a True Washingtonian, Christina knows that disintegrating bridges are business as usual, that all you can do is roll your eyes and smirk, and that commuters will not take offense at your amusement. After all, let’s not forget Galloping Gertie:
- .avi version
- .mpg version
- Quicktime version
Or our second floating bridge, I-90, which sank in 1990 because someone, essentially, left a door open.
Or our third floating bridge, the Hood Canal bridge, which sank in 1979.
Or the Monorail, the two tracks of which were built too close together for the monorail trains to pass each other, which is why this happened recently.
Or the time they repaved one of the major downtown intersections with decorative bricks but decided—why, Lord, why?—not to use any mortar which meant that, mere days after the reopening of the intersection, large and deep undulations formed, which immediately filled up with one to two feet of water, hundreds of bricks popped up and out, and the road was rendered impassable.
Like Christina, TMK and I consider this all a great source of amusement, because what can you do, citizens of Washington, what can you do?
You can knit, that’s what.
Since I had so much fun knitting this, I immediately started on another one. I am using some VSY (Very Special Yarn) donated to me specifically for the Dulaan Project, a fantastically gigantic ball of chunky Wool Pak in rich, deep, variegated jewel tones of deep purple, mauve, tangerine, peach, pink and magenta. I am finding, however, that because the yarn is chunky, and the pattern calls for worsted weight, I'm following the instructions for the medium size but am getting, not surprisingly, a sweater which would fit a small football player.
Note to Naomi: Per your request in your comment, I've changed the Naomi on the list to "Naomi Kate" and added another "Naomi" to make sure everyone in my army of knitters gets credit for his or her hard work! Thank you to you and the "other" Naomi for your participation!
Also, you asked where our 2006, seemingly arbitrary goal number of 4,518 came from. You're right in that it was based on last year's number of 4,517. When F.I.R.E. and I decided to do Dulaan for a second year, I really wrestled with what our new goal number should be. On the one hand, we had more time before our deadline this time around, but, on the other hand, I didn't know if Knit for Kids was going to contribute hundreds of sweaters the way the did last year, so I wasn't sure whether the number should go up, down, or stay the same. Then my dear friend MaryB suggested 4,518, a mere one item more than the year before, and I knew instantly that that was the right number.
Question to everyone: I have been getting a few comments lately from readers who say they try to comment but can’t. If you’ve been experiencing this, please let me know.
I'm not sure which one is my favorite story: the Monorail or the decorative bricks.
And I can't possibly be your first visitor today. Can I?
Posted by: Susie on March 15, 2006 12:36 PMUm, I don't think I'd be brave enough to use that bridge. Or the monorail!!
Posted by: Donna on March 15, 2006 01:16 PMOK - so in all my 27 years of living here in the loverly Pacific Northwest, I have never in my life seen the 520 bridge open. I knew all those towers were there at mid-span for a reason, but I wasn't sure quite what that reason was.
Thank you, Ryan, for enlightening me :)
PS - the traffic is only funny if you're not stuck in it for 2 hours trying to get to Lynnwood from Redmond, and it starts to snow by the time you hit Bothell.
Posted by: Libby on March 15, 2006 01:21 PMI grew up here with floating bridges, monorails and earthquakes. I never think twice about them, until I see BLING's face as we climb on the viaduct or wiggle across the Hood Canal Bridge.
Posted by: Elain on March 15, 2006 01:23 PMIn the past,I've especially enjoyed going over the 520 bridge on a windy day, with waves crashing over the side, on my motorcycle. That's when you find out if you can ride or not. Great fun! TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on March 15, 2006 01:44 PMI got linked to! Whee!
I'm actually from the Spokane area, born and raised there. Washington is definitely Home.
And in addition to all the quirky engineering, you didn't mention we have our very own active volcano. http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/volcano/
Posted by: Christina the True Washingtonian on March 15, 2006 02:01 PMDon't all bridges float? I remember when 520 was a toll bridge, ok, I was 3 or 4 at the time but I remember, 25c for one driver 10c for a carpool. (I was incharge of holding the coins when we went over the bridge)
Posted by: Ginger on March 15, 2006 02:08 PMVery true, Christina the True Washingtonian, we do have our very own active volcano--however, as much as I'd like to, I don't think we can blame any of our state of Washington engineers for its eruptions the way we can blame them for sinking bridges, Monorail miscalculations, and unmortared bricks. :-)
Posted by: Ryan on March 15, 2006 02:09 PMAh, yes. Love our floating bridges. Rarely bat an eye these days, but I still freak out having to drive over the Tacoma Narrows. Gertie scarred me for life.
May make it to the Guild tonight, but might not. Major headache, and unless the ibuprofin kicks in soon, I'll have to see you there next month.
Posted by: moiraeknits on March 15, 2006 02:13 PMOk, see the plan is to come to Washington someday for a visit to meet a few of the Stalkees. I will obviously NOT be traveling anywhere once I get there. I'll let you know what hotel to find me in. It'll be real close to the airport with no floating anything or monorails. Yikes.
Posted by: Stalker Angie on March 15, 2006 02:38 PMGertie was my favorite. As an engineer, I truly believe there are few things cooler than tons of concrete waving in the wind. I was only scarred for life when I realized that last guy to get off the bridge left his dog in the car.
Floating bridges. >sighsigh< I can't decide if I'd be more annoyed with those people for realizing it early and doing nothing, or for not realizing it until That Happened. Good Holy Flying Spaghetti Monster.
That yarn is scrumptious, or something like that. (I don't usually use foofy words like "scrumptious"). The purple is glowing. It's staring at me. Its eyes follow me around the room. I wish it were mine. I wish you would tell me the colorway so I can get some.
Carrie, I'm scarred by the dog thingie, too, but if it makes you feel any better, according to a detailed, day-by-day, minute-by-minute description I read, he tried to save the dog but it bit him. Oh, wait, I still don't feel good about it.
So, Stalker Angie, I see you have a plan for when you visit here, but when are you going to after you are so enchanted by this state that you do decide to MOVE here?
Posted by: Ryan on March 15, 2006 02:59 PMWhat the damn hell are you people smoking out there????? I mean, REALLY!
Posted by: Norma on March 15, 2006 07:29 PMNorma, m'dear, U of Washington grows the best, purest strains of marijuana in the world. It's, um, "research". Yeah, that's what they call it. Duuuuude.
Posted by: Carrie on March 15, 2006 07:50 PMI haven't been having problems commenting (other than not having anything to say). I need to get motoring on my Dulaan knits. I only have about 10 items.
Posted by: Seanna Lea on March 16, 2006 05:22 AMAnd one that frequently drives the bridges I have learned sometimes its quicker to find a route around, and occasionally a whole lot easier on the nerves. After all I have to drive almost 600 miles to get there so what's another 100 or so.
Posted by: Socklady on March 16, 2006 07:19 AMI am going to be very careful about going to any links you may post from now on. Galloping Gertie was WAAAAAAAAY more than I could take so early in the morning.
It is still more interesting than living in a landscape that only moves in a spiral, upward, at 70 mph!
I'm a terra firma person - the more firmer, the less terror!
Boy, and I thought I had it rough when I had to cross the Mississippi River on a little two-lane bridge twice a day. The old Clark bridge from Alton, IL to St. Louis, MO was so narrow, two semis would have to stop and inch past each other. This happened often, usually when I was late leaving for school.
The new Clark bridge was in the middle of construction during the flood of 1993. Not only did the old bridge go under water on the Missouri side (not that unusual), the new bridge wasn't built high enough either. This despite assurances from all the Powers That Be that the new bridge wouldn't have to close every spring for the high water. Although, I guess we have to make allowances for a 1,000-year flood...
Posted by: Beth on March 16, 2006 10:40 AMThank you for the change, and the note. I did another three instant hats this week (well 4 really, but my host's younger sister asked for one very politely and I couldn't say no) And as soon as I finish the 2in of sleeve (and weave in 5 ends), I will have a finished sweater. Yes this is the same sweater that only needed 3/4 of a sleeve almost a month ago. UFOBOB I get, But UFOBOSAE (because of sleeve and ends) is just silly. I don't have many ends, and I've already done one. It is already assembled (knit in one piece) and it only needs about an hour, in front of the tv no less! to finish it. Maybe if I see my laziness in print(or at least in blog comment) It will be enough of a smack on the head to get me to finish it.
This was supposed to be a thank you, but turned itno a rant or a whine, I'm not quite sure. Let me turn it into an apology as well. Sorry about the ranty/whiny part.
Thanks again for the adjustment and for the explanation of this year's goal. Your Blog ROCKS!!
Ryan, I think it's a good thing they didn't try to build a tunnel. . .
Posted by: Elizabeth D on March 17, 2006 08:50 AMRRRYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN,
Are you ever going to tell me what the colorway of that yarn is?
I live on Capitol Hill, so I get to laugh at all you poor souls toiling Eastward every night. But I DO have to use the viaduct to go visit the siblings once a week and THAT I'm not OK with. Nooo.
Cerise
Posted by: Morphea on March 17, 2006 10:52 AMAll the conversations in your comments are hilarious - as always! And the bridges - the construction stories. Too funny. Just had to say. Too too funny. And no, I'm not having any trouble leaving comments.
Posted by: Laura on March 19, 2006 07:37 PM