Sam Bass Road, now doesn’t that name evoke images of outlaws? I’m not sure as to the validity of the image, but seeing the sign and I start looking behind the trees for shadows. Sam Bass Road, at this juncture of time is an arrow straight monkey asphalt line parallel to I35 just west of Sanger Texas. Indicative of it’s past there are a few 90 degree turns with 10 foot inside radii to keep you awake.
We have all seen these curves. They once used to define the boundaries of farmer fields. Now they stand guard as the frontier between gentleman farmers that install steel fencing painted white to stand proud of the surroundings and call attention to their presence. The road slips between the fields like a knife, cleaving a path of ownership between neighbors that likely do not know each other by sight, much less emotional connection.
Why do people yearn for new, more positive environs for raising their young, only to complain and ultimately construct what they departed?
As an architect, I am a student of human nature and this question has long wandered about my mind, trying vainly to find an answer to light upon that would satisfactorily flesh out reason. To date, I have found nothing and this ride is actually adding to the confusion. It was easy to tell the visitors from the residents. The visitors stop at every corner, looking this way and that, before proceeding. The residents? They breeze along rounding corners like they are at Sears Point or Watkins Glen, all the while, chatting on cell phones, yelling at children in the rear of the shuttle, or applying makeup.
I know my comments sound like a rant, and in a way I guess they are, but for the life of me I cannot imagine while people drag all their old baggage with them when the move.
Maybe I am just pissed because as we ride down Sam Bass we pass signs ...
Construction Zone Ahead
Detour 2000 feet
Detour 1000 feet
Detour for Sam Bass Road Turn Left
Road Closed Ahead
Local Traffic Only
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh ... I’m guessing this is not progress and we we get to the bridge, I am correct. There is pretty Truss Bridge sitting beside the road and a large hole where the modern bridge is going to be constructed. Well their goes the neighborhood. Now the folks can scurry about between Home Depot and their houses making them secure from the riffraff that can now find them.
Like my sig line says ...
Good roads bring bad people
Bad roads bring good people
Now, I am not knocking the pavement burners here, but I think everyone knows what I mean.
Gene heads off to the edge of the pit to see if a couple of wayward bikes can make it across, but from my vantage point, it does not look good. The entry is OK, but the exit is steep and up a very soft hill that has recently been removed and regraded. Lord only knows how soft it is.
Before leaving I take a photo of Gene and his new bike in front of the remains if the bridge.
Heck, maybe Denton will start a bridge museum. Dallas did that to save the buildings.
[ ... more soon ... ]
I have got to find some shop drawings.