New Way Across The Bay

When the new section of the Bay Bridge opened last month, people flocked to see what their taxpayer dollars had wrought. Traffic was tied up for weeks as people rubbernecked their way across the new span from both directions. Needless to say, My Beloved and I avoided that craziness, although we were very curious to see the finished bridge that we had watched go up ever so slowly.

We watched from afar as the span grew, and even sailed under it a couple of years ago, marveling at the graceful curve we could already see taking shape. We had lived through so many years of planning, changing, building, glitches, problems, naysaying and nonsense that we were eager to see what all the fuss was about.

Last week, My Beloved decided to risk it. We had dinner in Sausalito, drove across San Francisco's other iconic bridge, the Golden Gate, worked our way through the city, and came out onto the suspension section of the bridge as usual.  But when we exited the newly brightened tunnel under Yerba Buena Island, the feeling of openness and lightness was palpable, as if we could fly away into space.  Nothing blocked out the night sky and the graceful strands of the cables sliced through the dark.  The soaring white tower speared up into the fog, which also served to blur and soften the lights so they trailed gossamer wisps, as if they were moving through the night with us.

The taillights of the cars ahead divided the night dramatically into red, white and black. All we could think to say was "Wooooow," and "Cool!" and "Beautiful!"  Based on first impressions as a taxpayer, this costly structure was worth every penny of my money that they spent. The Bay area has another beautiful addition to what is already a glorious place.