Redding's Sundial Bridge and McConnell Arboretum
Marc and I knew very little about Redding's attractions. While in our hotel, we grabbed a free brochure about the sights of the city. It turned out the Sundial Bridge, the one of a kind, glass decked pedestrian bridge designed by Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, was its most famous landmark.
On the Sundial Bridge, actually walking on the glass flooring right above the Sacramento River
Upon seeing the Sundial Bridge, I knew I had seen a bridge similar to it. I did tell Marc about it and sure enough, it was similar to the one in Bilbao, Spain. They were both designed by the same famous Spanish architect
Here's the unique and impressive glass flooring that lights up at night.
A full view of the bridge with tourists and visitors admiring its design
The bridge tower and steel ropes
On our visit, some teenage boys and young men actually tried to hang from some of these steel ropes. Of course, none bent whatsoever. For sure, the architect and the engineers who built this bridge must have already thought that some people would try climb and hang from them especially since they were all very easily accessible.
A another view of the tower from the glass deck. Doesn't it look like a shark's fin?
This time a full side view of the bridge's tower. Impressive, isn't it?
The view of the bridge from underneath. Some parts of the bridge were actually supported by columns covered by mosaic tiles akin to Gaudi's works in Barcelona.
This was taken from the McConnell Arboretum.
This is how the Sundial Bridge looked like from below
The plaque on one of the columns underneath the bridge stating who built it.
The Sacramento River
A view of the water from the Sacramento River under the bridge
More of the water from the Sacramento River, this time, with reeds at the bottom.
Taken on one of the banks of the Sacramento River
Walking around the park surrounding the Sundial Bridge, we passed by this tiny creek.
I liked the image this bent tree made over the tiny creek. The branches of the tree looked artsy to me.
More trees and grass in the woods around the Sundial Bridge
A short walk from the Sundial Bridge was the McConnell Arboretum. It had lots of interesting and colorful flowers, trees, and plants.
This sign stood a few feet away from the main entrance to the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens
Flowers from the arboretum and gardens
and more flowers
and more
and more
and finally some pretty big and tall grass
A map of the trail
Two colorful pyramids dot the arboretum and gardens
Paul "Palul" Rideout, the man behind the pyramids