Fall color at Humpback Bridge near Covington, Virginia.

With some travel time dedicated to leaf peeping this fall, we learned of a destination quite by accident from someone at a Virginia rest stop:  Humpback Bridge near Covington. This 100-foot long single-span structure, Virginia’s oldest covered bridge, is four feet higher in the middle than on the ends — and thus the name, Humpback Bridge. Built in 1857, the structure has stood empty, almost abandoned, except for a time a farmer stored hay in it. Thanks to numerous civic organizations, however, it has been restored and preserved in a park-like setting.

Looking below the bridge at the rock base and Dunlap Creek.

Below the bridge flows (ever so slowly) Dunlap Creek, making this area even more picturesque.

Reflections in Dunlap Creek, below Humpback Bridge.

And underneath the bridge, old wooden cross-beam construction belies the detail and age of the structure.

Looking under the bridge at wood beams and what seems to be ropes just waiting to be grabbed!

We couldn’t help but ask a couple of passersby if they’d take a picture of us below the “hump” where, again, construction seems pretty fascinating.

Below the ceiling of Humpback Bridge, oldest covered bridge in Virginia.

At least we think so.

For more information on Humpback Bridge, click here.

For more examples of Travel theme: Below from Ailsa’s blog Where’s My Backpack?, click here.