This is the Mitchell River Bridge in Chatham, MA.  It is reputed to be the oldest working wooden drawbridge in New England and was built in the mid 1800s.  Driving over it in a vehicle produces a teeth chattering ride.  Crossing it on foot, however, is quite pleasant and always seems like a step back in time.  It's on a route that I frequently walk and I always look forward to the experience and what I'll see in addition to the spectacular view.  Sometimes it's dads fishing with their kids, sometimes it's fishermen or pleasure boaters loading up dories with preparations prior to heading out to their "real" boats and sometimes the bridge is up so that a larger boat can navigate through.  My favorite sighting of all was a herd of deer peeking around a copse of trees with one deer being brave enough to venture right down to the water's edge!  To me the Mitchell River Bridge is a Cape Cod treasure and one of the many lovely structures that makes the Cape such a special place.

Jeanne Cahill (Steiner)