North Carolina Bridges – Feb. 22-28, 2026

This weekend, long term volunteers Brenten and Caleb joined us.  They served in Asheville for three weeks in February and wanted to spend a week doing some bridge building so they will spend their last week of volunteering here in Bat Cave. Then on Sunday evening, a group of six young men arrived from PA, willing and ready to start work on Monday.

The work on the Lyda bridge began on Monday with taking off forms, finishing the rip rap and the start of welding the beams.  The welding was finished on Tuesday and the beams were set.  By Wednesday, forms were set and poured and the decking was begun.  At the end of the week, bumper rails were finished and final grading was done.  Another bridge finished!!

On Monday, footer excavation was started on the White bridge, along with cutting and bending rebar. By mid-week, pilings were driven, footers were set and poured, and the week was finished out by setting beams and getting the deck started.

On Saturday the long term team ventured to Chimney Rock State Park and enjoyed the climb (or the elevator) to the top of Chimney Rock, where the views were spectacular! We then took various hikes that were available, some higher and more strenuous than others!  We finished the day together with a meal in Chimney Rock.

This weekend will be a time of transition. Keith and Mark will be ending their month long term and heading back to Ohio. Brenten and Caleb will be heading back to Manitoba and Jim, our cook, heads back to Virginia.  Mike and Linda will be moving to West Asheville to continue their roles as Project Director and Office Manager there for the month of March.  New volunteers will be coming in to fill these roles and continue the work of building the  much needed bridges in this area.

From the long term team:  Mike & Linda, Jim, Keith and Mark