When it was constructed in 1882, the Kinzua Viaduct was the highest railroad bridge in world. A local tourist train used to cross it until 2003, when it was struck by a rare tornado. This was all that remained of it for years.
But in recent times, the half-collapsed bridge has been turned into a skywalk! That's to say, the portion that remains standing is open to the public.
I no longer enjoy heights, but here is a view of the valley floor from over the railing. About nine years ago, before hiking trails had been put in and the skywalk built, I hiked that valley floor. It was still illegal back then.
But now there are good trails all the way down to the Kinzua Creek, which is pronounced "KIN-zoo." You can even wander around amid the twisted metal wreckage of this once-great bridge.
And here are the fallen bridge supports as seen from the observation deck at the end of the skywalk.
So...look at the light coming through the deck at the very end of the bridge. That's a glass floor that people actually stand on. My wife made me stand there for a few seconds to get my picture taken, and I nearly retched with fear.
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