Everybody OK?

Stay connected in the wind. This forum is for anyone who rides the wind, winter or summer, on whatever board suits their fancy. Share the stoke, find out where people are going, ask any question, share your discoveries, and discuss any esoteric idea you may have related to the pursuit of wind. Please keep it positive.

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DRPayne
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:37 pm
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Everybody OK?

Post by DRPayne »

Hi
Just wanting to "count heads" and make sure our Twin Cities friends are all ok, after the bridge disaster this evening.

Prayers will be full tonight - Take care,
D
steveb
Posts: 2146
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
Location: sblain@frontiernet.net

Post by steveb »

Crossed that thing twice yesterday, makes you think.
I feel for the poor people experiencing that .
Regional Ozone Team rider
Denis
Posts: 639
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:08 pm
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Post by Denis »

I usually go over that bridge on my way from work to school. It was windy today so I was on the lake instead. My thoughts go out to the people affected.
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Micky
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:29 pm
Location: Seattle,WA
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Post by Micky »

My wife and I crossed that bridge 2 hours prior to the disaster on our way to White Bear Lake. We stayed till 8:00, then found out.
SteveJ
Posts: 121
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2002 1:25 am
Location: Shoreview, MN

Post by SteveJ »

Was stopped at Washington exit at 6:10 on North 35 just before the bridge. 5 minutes difference in my travel time home would have put me right in the middle of the disaster. Emergency crews were just tring to get through as I was tring to get out of the traffic jam not knowing what had happened.
champlin
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:43 pm

Post by champlin »

I was out about last night, luckily not owntown, I try and avoid downtown like the plague anyway, didn't hear until like 9:30 or so, my heart goes out to anyone involved in the calapse!
North Regional Rider.
Ride til it hurts!!!!
JRN
Posts: 2001
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:38 pm

Kite Life Saver

Post by JRN »

I'm all over that bridge usually, but had some comp time to burn & kited the afternoon away at Rutherford. Did kiting save my life? Hmmmmm. :wink: Jim N. P.S: Sympathies to the victums' families & kudos to all the heroic actions taken.
thewavebb
Posts: 279
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:11 pm
Location: Coon Rapids
Contact:

Post by thewavebb »

I was downtown and pretty close to that area right after it happened. I was impressed at the speed of the responders. I was down near the scene within 15 minutes and there were tons of people helping out already. I did have my camera with me and shot a few photos. They can be seen on my blog...http://benberndtphotography.com/wordpress/
Terry Dunklee
Posts: 187
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 12:02 am

Post by Terry Dunklee »

We're OK. Kathy and I went to the twins game last night and crossed the bridge shortly before it collapsed. Fortunately we were meeting my family early to grab a bite to eat on the plaza. Sobering.
champlin
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:43 pm

Post by champlin »

maybe us kiters can try and raise some funds for the peoples family's that didn't make it through the disaster, I'm sure there will be some information afetr this is all calmed down that we could try and donate to? I'll keep and eye out for a fund if they set one up, maybe give free kite demo's or something like that for donations to benefit the families, any other idea's will be helpful.

I'm glad to hear everyone so far that I personally know that use this website are safe and O.K. my prayers are with everyone else involved in the accident.
North Regional Rider.
Ride til it hurts!!!!
chanrider
Posts: 503
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:04 pm
Location: Chanhassen

Post by chanrider »

I'm no expert, but looking at the 35W bridge next to the 10th Ave bridge it certainly looks less sturdy to me, but carried way more traffic. Kind of makes you wonder.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2& ... &encType=1
Mark F
Professor Robae'
Posts: 353
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2003 12:18 pm
Location: Minnetonka

Post by Professor Robae' »

Many of you know Charlie Leekley - aka the KooK. He is a charter boat captain on a boat that runs on that stretch of the river. He was running a charter with 52 people aboard and was in the lock right in front of the bridge. He said 10 minutes later her would have been right under it.

As it was he had a front row view of the disaster. He said he saw several cars do "an Evil Knievel" into the chasm (glad about your timing SteveJ). He asked the lock operator to let him down; he could have been the first boat on the scene. But the operator said no way and to clear the scene. Ol' Chuck was pretty shook up when I talked to him about two hours later.

Unreal...
DavidKnight
Posts: 138
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2003 12:26 pm
Location: Fridley, MN
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Post by DavidKnight »

Everything was lined up to put me, my dad, and my brother Andy on that bridge around 6:08 pm. But, through a small twist of fate, my schedule changed that morning and I went south over the bridge a little after 4 pm. A 50/50 decision kept my father and brother off the bridge.

We had dinner reservations at 6:30 pm at Lucia's in Uptown. My brother, father, and I work in New Brighton (north of Minneapolis). Since it was rush hour, I would have left my work about 5:50 pm to arrive in Uptown around 6:20 pm. That would have put me on the bridge around the time of the collapse. But, that morning, I called to reschedule a hair cut
appointment to 4:30 pm (instead of the next day). I usually cut my own hair- this was my second paid haircut in 20 years.

When my dad and brother were leaving work around 5:55, my brother asked my dad if they should go on 35W or 94 (it's about the same
time-wise to drive from New Brighton to Uptown). My dad said 94, because the 35W bridge was under construction. Had they went on 35W, they too would have been on the bridge around the time of the collapse. Just looking at the pictures, I think most of the missing submerged cars were headed south.

I'm not sure I believe in fate- but 50/50 choices and rescheduling an appointment for something you've had done 2 times in 20 years are not very good odds. I don't think food ever tasted so good.

-Dave
champlin
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:43 pm

Post by champlin »

My sister in law was on that boat at the lock and has a bunch of pictures, pretty scary stuff, she is still shook up about what she had seen first hand, I wish I knew how to post pictures to this darn site I would post them.
North Regional Rider.
Ride til it hurts!!!!
chanrider
Posts: 503
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:04 pm
Location: Chanhassen

Post by chanrider »

Scott:

Just upload the pix to a free image hosting site like this one:

http://s165.photobucket.com

Then copy the IMG Code for each uploaded pic into your post and you're done. Pretty easy (once you get used to it)!

You can also just link to the URL (won't show the pic in chat, but provides a link), although I have not tried this. Also you can use the New Riders Gallery to upload directly without using an image host I believe.
Mark F
Tighe
Posts: 5274
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 10:06 pm
Location: Here, Now

Post by Tighe »

Glad to hear no one was hurt.

I'm over in Wisconsin still waiting on a good forecast for the Crossing. We haven't had nearly the wind you guys have had in the last few days.....lucky ducks.

It's hard watching the bridge collapse news upfold from over here. Really feeling helpless, though there wouldn't be much to be done if I was in town. Hope no one had loved ones effected.

thoughts go out to those who did.
Tighe
Hank
Posts: 104
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2002 8:41 am

Post by Hank »

Heard this one is ready to pop next! :lol:
Image
thewavebb
Posts: 279
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:11 pm
Location: Coon Rapids
Contact:

Post by thewavebb »

We better all go inspect that one. I'll bring my windsurfing gear to help.
scottchapman
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Location: ScottChapman.com Bloomington, MN
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Post by scottchapman »

I just saw Charlie the boat captain on CNN giving his account of the event.
Kook has gone National...Strange world we live in...small one too. Stay safe and drive as fast as you can over the bridges...Scott
Professor Robae'
Posts: 353
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2003 12:18 pm
Location: Minnetonka

Post by Professor Robae' »

"Kook has gone national"

Now I know I have heard everything!!! :lol:
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