When I was child traveling the US with my parents, my mother’s gold standard for the perfect place to stop for a lunch break was a lovely shaded site with a babbling brook alongside. Not a rushing river, or a lake or an oceanside view, only babbling would meet with her approval.

How I wish she had been with us on the Thursday when we found by accident the Humpback Bridge, located near the city of Covington, VA. It is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the US that was built higher in the middle than on either end, hence the name “humpback.” It was built in 1857 and is also the oldest remaining covered bridge in Virginia. It spans Dunlap Creek for a distance of 109 feet and is four feet higher in the center than at either end. AND it had the requisite amount of babbling. Lunch was perfect.

It is also notable for being a LOVEwork, part of a campaign to promote Virginia tourism. Each of the materials in the picture below was chosen for its significance in the heritage of the Alleghany Highlands.

The “L” was created with historic bricks from the area.

The “O” is a gear from one of the retired paper machines at MeadWestvaco representing the history of manufacturing in the area.

The “V” is the natural feature created by a tree in the creek bank.

The “E” was created with railroad ties representing the history of the railroad to the community.