Beeson Covered Bridge is what started my photography journey of the Parke County Covered Bridges. I find it only fitting that that is where we should begin. Not all of the covered bridges are easily found, but Beeson rests right next to a main road running through Parke County. Beeson is located at Billie Creek Village, and the village is a perfect setting for a 100+ year old bridge. I can only imagine what this bridge has seen. I imagine going back in time to horse and buggies crossing the bridge, couples stopping in the bridge to steal a kiss or two, and of kids playing in the creek below.

My favorite experience of Beeson Covered Bridge took place in the fall. Oh, and it was a sensational fall! The leaves on the trees were brilliantly colored- bright reds, oranges, and yellows, some still green- still hanging onto their branches, not yet ready to fall to the ground. The air was cool enough for a sweatshirt but not a jacket (and who can resist a hoodie, even in the summer?). Hardly a cloud was in the sky, and it was a beautiful blue. A few cars sped by behind me (Beeson is now by-passed, no cars can drive through it), but they were easily blocked out of my mind. And I just stood there near the bridge taking it all in. 

I had my camera and tripod with me. From where I was standing, I spotted a tree with beautiful red leaves framing the bridge for me. I knew this was the image that I was going to make. So, I set up my camera and tripod, made my composition, and pushed the shutter button. For a moment, I was all alone, in my own world. I realized in THAT moment, that this was what was going to be an amazing journey. A journey of not just photographing the covered bridges, but REALLY experiencing them, each and every one of them- who made them, what creek they cross, and their story. I made a couple more images, but none that compared to the one I had just made. And thus, the journey has begun.

"Framed In Fall" Beeson Covered BridgeBeeson Covered Bridge was one of the first covered bridges I photographed in my mission to photograph all of the 31 covered bridges in Parke County. We had a super fall, and the leaves perfectly framed the bridge for me.