Sandpoint Long Bridge Swim

SANDPOINT LONG BRIDGE SWIM - 2009

Today was the perfect day for a swim. The proverbial news on the airwaves called for temperatures to be the highest of the year so far. Not a cloud in the sky. The 1.76-mile swim was most likely in 65-70 degree water (usually the temperature is between 68-70 degrees) from the south end of the Long Bridge to the north. Two and a half hours was the allotted time limit for swimming the distance.

There were hundreds and hundreds of cheering onlookers, and with yesterday being the beginning of Sandpoint's Artwalk, the perfect day was underway.

The swim is not quite the distance of the two-mile span of the Long Bridge, which crosses Lake Pend Oreille from Sagle to Sandpoint.

The first Long Bridge began May 26, 1908, and was in operation until being torn down in the 1930's to make room for a new wooden bridge.

During the Great Dpression that the second bridge was built with help from the WPA and finished March 3, 1934. The bridge had the moniker of "The longest wooden bridge in the world" and was a tourist draw for decades, serving the region for 22 years. Heavy traffic of World War II (Bayview had a Naval training station during the war) took its toll on the structure and in June of 1956 the third bridge was built.

This current Long Bridge was dedicated on September 23, 1981 and it runs along side the previous one.

This Long Bridge swim is the fifteenth annual rendition of this event, and was very cool. Check it out.

41 South Restaurant at the end of the Long Bridge

The dock at 41 South Restaurant

Crossing under the Long Bridge

Crossing under the Long Bridge

The swimmers arrive!

Nice crowd to cheer on the swimmers

Getting ready for the plunge at the Long Bridge Swi

...and they're off!!!

The race begins - Long Bridge Swim

The Long Bridge Swim

The Long Bridge Swim

The Long Bridge Swim - Crossing the bridge

Sand Creek Byway construction

The finish line - Long Bridge Swim

The finish line - Long Bridge Swim

Pictures by Bill Schaudt

As usual, my promise is to work 24/7 for my clients, and always be available, not only in areas of real estate, but in mentoring new businesses, finding the right schools, and helping with your job search in this place, your new home.

Gary Lirette, REALTOR® Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty
208-610-1384
800-282-6880
gary.lirette@sothebysrealty.com

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