by Derek Knight

Created on: February 03, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The day promised sun and warmth, so I got the bus at around 9.45and found my way to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. I approach through a tacky gift shop, up some steps and through a gate - with a sign saying that you can't walk on the bridge at night - but you can cycle - hmmmmm

It has turned into a warm day, but as I start walking it's breezy up here, and the back-draft from the big lorries is amazing, and a little scary at first!. As I walk towards the middle the views become spectacular - the deep blue of the bay itself, with its islands. The San Francisco skyline - so familiar from television, but so different when you're actually there, is shimmering in the heat haze. Boats going back and forth - and the currents! I stare in amazement at the swirling currents, visible even from way up here on the bridge. The water is fascinating to watch - and I can understand the telephone boxes on the bridge with a line to a counselling service - yes there is a certain mesmerising quality in that water.

Mine you there is a certain fascination in the people too! The path is shared by walkers and joggers, people on bikes and on blades - so many people going in both directions. One man passes me dressed head to foot in the American flag, with two smaller flags on his hat - he gets lots of cars tooting him! I guess most people walking the bridge are tourists, there are certainly a lot of pictures being taken - I have my new camcorder, so am trying to walk and film at the same time!

AS you get to the middle of the bridge the cable comes way down low to the walk way - and I get the fell of just how amazing this construction is. to think that that thin bundle of steel is holding up the concrete walkway, the cars and trucks going by - and me! You can read all the statistics you like, but it's not till you are standing right in the middle that I get any real feel for the construction.

As I walk further over, the path goes behind the massive towers that support the bridge - and suddenly the traffic noise is cut off, and for one brief moment I get to be alone with the wind and the water and really feel the beauty of nature - but then I turn the corner, the noise comes back, and the sign says I'm in Marin county. This end of the bridge is functional - it's just the end of a bridge:) so I turn and walk back.

Coming back somehow seems longer - I guess it's just that it is over a mile each way - and a hot walk too. Getting back to the tacky gift shop, I buy some Golden Gate water - no not a souvenir, just that I'm very thirsty! As I am drinking, busses of school children arrive to walk the bridge - and I'm glad I made it over in the relative quite I did.

A truly breathtaking way to spend a morning, and proving that a bridge is more than just steel and concrete.

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