That Beautiful Blue Bridge: My Indian River Inlet Accomplishment

This is a guest post by a long-time visitor of our beautiful, Bethany Beach. I think you’ll find it as inspiring as I did. Thank you, Lydia Johnson, for sharing your experience with us as a guest blogger!

The first time I saw it, I was in awe. There was something about the blue hue, it had a vibration to it. A kinda magical feel.

I had been over the Indian River Inlet Bridge many times, but it had mainly been during the daytime so I didn’t get to see it’s superpower shine at night for some time.  Actually, come to think of it, that bridge wasn’t the same bridge we rode across the many years we had been in and around the Delaware beaches area.

My husband and I started our many passings across the Indian Inlet River in 1996 when we first started dating. Yet, we had not seen it’s blue electric special version of the bridge, which was put up in 2012.

When we had our first encounter with the new blue bridge, we were both surprised and impressed by its structure, and creative coloring. From the start of our relationship we both knew we shared the love of salt water, and the ocean breeze in common. His grandparents lived in a small community along the Delaware beaches, so we were able to get to the area more than just once a year.

It became a treat and a routine for me to pull out my phone, and grab some shots of the bridge. This bridge in Bethany has an electric feel, an energizing feel. My whole body responds to the color and energy of it.

I love when I’m riding the passenger side, I can really appreciate the detail, and fully embrace the beauty of it all. We now ride over the bridge with our two boys and get to hear their reactions to the bridge. It’s so neat to see how not only our relationship but the town of Bethany Beach has evolved.

I began to desire to see the bridge a little closer, touch it, walk over it. So, In 2016 during a stay at Bethany Beach while on vacation with in-laws, hubs, kids, and my mom, I got that chance. We stayed at a beautiful beach house that was a little jog away from the beautiful blue bridge.

My husband suggested we run the bridge! The distance was a push for me, but I was up for the challenge. I knew the beauty of the bridge, the way it made me feel when we crossed it while driving through the Delaware bridges, so I felt that running would also be a joy for me. While I wanted to, I still questioned my ability.

Even though getting to the other side of that brought on some doubt.

I couldn’t help but think, “This is an opportunity to cross some limitations, connect to the next level of physical activity, and a chance for personal development.”

This introspective pull plus my desire to get up and personal with the bridge, to see the view and to connect with my husband over the view made this decision a YES for me.

“How could I not do it?! I’m on vacation at the beautiful Bethany beach, ready to cross the beautiful blue bridge, ready to cross over to another level of physical activity,” I said to myself.

It seems closer until you’re running it. I had to go deep with some mental stamina work, but the visions of reaching it made it so much better, easier. I had to remind myself of all the runners, walkers, bikers, I have passed while in the car along that road for many years. Always inspired by their glide, grace, and pace as they take on the challenge. As they work on their goals, inspiring all of us in automobiles to see.

The end result?

We made it! I can’t remember how long it took, or what my pace was, but we made it, and it felt so good. The view was beautiful!

Finally, we stood on that bridge we have been riding over for years. Finally able to see the view of the water crashing against the rocks. The achievement felt great.

From my experience, I’ve learned that I like to cross bridges, challenge myself when and where I can. Being that it’s a beautiful bridge, makes it a little easier.

Have you seen it? If you haven’t, go see it, experience it. Take a visit to the Indian River Inlet Bridge in Bethany Beach. My hope is that you’re able to enjoy it too. That it will inspire and motivate you, just as it did for me.

“ Bridges are a monument to progress.”
                                         – Joseph Straus