Down memory lane - led by Grace

Grace Memorial Bridge, Charleston, S.C.

Here is a trip down memory lane for you. The photo above was taken when a parade of Model A Ford's were the first cars over the new Grace Memorial bridge crossing the Cooper River in 1929. When the bridge was closed in 2005 to make way for the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, a parade of vintage cars were the last to cross it.

I waited on the Mt. Pleasant side to get a re-enactment of the earlier view but the vehicles came across the bridge one by one with passengers waving, celebrating and taking pictures so it didn't work out quite the same. Still, it was a festive occasion and I'm glad I was there to capture it.

Does anyone else remember the old rickety roller coaster ride of a bridge? Nothing beats Frank Starmer's photo story of the building of the new Cooper River bridge and demolition of the old ones. The opening of the bridge and fireworks display was just grand and felt like a city wide party.

More Bridge Run 2010

Cooper River Bridge Run 2010, King St., Charleston, s.C.

I've had well over a 1,000 hits from folks searching for Cooper River Bridge Run pictures. Here are a couple more to tide you over while you keep searching for the official site with your picture.

I'm off to bed, kids. Turn the lights out.

You know you are from Charleston if.......

Model A Club crossing the Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, S.C.

These are just a few of over 600 entries on the Facebook "You know you are from Charleston, S.C. if..........." site:

You know you are from Charleston, S.C. if....

The smell of a marsh makes you homesick.
You eat rice with every meal.
You don't understand cities that have to keep electing new mayors.
You've mowed your lawn on Christmas.
You've killed a cockroach with your bare hand.
Unless a cockroach is bigger than your hand, it's just a baby - no big deal.
The construction signs say "Let 'Em Work, Let 'Em Live"
You've seriously considered climbing on top of the Coburg Cow to take a picture.
It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy.
You get excited when you see a guy selling boiled peanuts out the back of a pickup.
You know not to pick up the orange "Half Rubbers with flags" that are found in the puddles on downtown streets.
People actually grow and eat okra.
You know exactly when high tide is - even if you don't own a boat.
You've driven over all the Cooper River Bridges.

Yours?