Teh One Who Knocks
07-25-2022, 02:23 PM
By Heather Leah, WRAL multiplatform producer
https://i.imgur.com/rVVDHMl.jpg
LAKE LURE, N.C. — The 'Rainbow Bridge' is a familiar poem given to many misty-eyed pet owners on the day they say goodbye to their beloved, furry family member.
The poem promises grieving pet owners that their lost pet has gone to the Rainbow Bridge, where the pet will run and play in grassy meadows and hills, restored to health and youth. It's here at the Rainbow Bridge where beloved pets will wait for us until we find them again.
"When you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. You look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together."
Many people don't realize, however, there is a real Rainbow Bridge right here in North Carolina. Tucked away in an enchanted mountain wonderland, full of grassy fields and hills just as the poem promises, the real Rainbow Bridge awaits.
Remembered forever: Beloved pet collars dangle from the bridge's rails
A sign at the entrance to the bridge invites visitors to attach their pet's collars or tags to the Rainbow Bridge's rails.
"A place to peacefully honor and remember our four-legged family members," says the sign.
Across the bridge, the Rainbow Bridge poem offers a reminder of the site's symbolism.
https://i.imgur.com/ngf66T7.jpg
Countless pet-owners from across the state have left touching memorials to their lost loved ones. Names decorate the bridge: Indee, Thunder, Patches, Sasha.
Some have engraved messages to their pets. Others have left nameless collars – a quiet reminder of long walks, adventures and a lifetime of memories.
https://i.imgur.com/TFXq5ZB.jpg
Across the Rainbow Bridge is a garden where families can bring their dogs to play. The River's Edge Dog Garden has artwork meant to be appreciate by dogs – like a fire hydrant and pathway of stone dog footprints. There's even a 'Dog Stick Library,' where dogs can borrow a stick to play with.
https://i.imgur.com/mRK5x3k.jpg
Surrounded by an enchanted oasis hidden in a mountain valley
The Rainbow Bridge is part of a larger experience on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in the North Carolina mountains. Pets are welcome to come with families to explore an expansive garden wonderland, with hidden trails, secret doors and picturesque landscapes.
The 'secret garden' is hidden atop a century-old bridge, which was left abandoned after being decommission in 2011. Volunteers worked together to preserve the beautiful, three-arch historic bridge – and planted a dozen themed gardens across the entire 155-foot stretch. Today, that has blossomed into 30 gardens, each connected by shaded footpaths, eclectic artwork and even wooden doorways leading to mysterious staircases.
https://i.imgur.com/1ndNQKT.jpg
Bursting with dozens of flower and plant species, the garden draws butterflies and insects – and possibly even the occasional fairy.
Dogs are welcome on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Water bowls are placed throughout the bridge, as well as plenty of picturesque spaces to explore and capture memories.
https://i.imgur.com/hCMs5X8.jpg
With all the pet-friendly memories to be made on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, it seems possible some of the pet tags dangling on the Rainbow Bridge are markers of bittersweet memories made in this very valley – a poignant reminder of those happier days ... and a beautiful place to wait until you see each other again and cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
https://i.imgur.com/JkPlVaW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rVVDHMl.jpg
LAKE LURE, N.C. — The 'Rainbow Bridge' is a familiar poem given to many misty-eyed pet owners on the day they say goodbye to their beloved, furry family member.
The poem promises grieving pet owners that their lost pet has gone to the Rainbow Bridge, where the pet will run and play in grassy meadows and hills, restored to health and youth. It's here at the Rainbow Bridge where beloved pets will wait for us until we find them again.
"When you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. You look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together."
Many people don't realize, however, there is a real Rainbow Bridge right here in North Carolina. Tucked away in an enchanted mountain wonderland, full of grassy fields and hills just as the poem promises, the real Rainbow Bridge awaits.
Remembered forever: Beloved pet collars dangle from the bridge's rails
A sign at the entrance to the bridge invites visitors to attach their pet's collars or tags to the Rainbow Bridge's rails.
"A place to peacefully honor and remember our four-legged family members," says the sign.
Across the bridge, the Rainbow Bridge poem offers a reminder of the site's symbolism.
https://i.imgur.com/ngf66T7.jpg
Countless pet-owners from across the state have left touching memorials to their lost loved ones. Names decorate the bridge: Indee, Thunder, Patches, Sasha.
Some have engraved messages to their pets. Others have left nameless collars – a quiet reminder of long walks, adventures and a lifetime of memories.
https://i.imgur.com/TFXq5ZB.jpg
Across the Rainbow Bridge is a garden where families can bring their dogs to play. The River's Edge Dog Garden has artwork meant to be appreciate by dogs – like a fire hydrant and pathway of stone dog footprints. There's even a 'Dog Stick Library,' where dogs can borrow a stick to play with.
https://i.imgur.com/mRK5x3k.jpg
Surrounded by an enchanted oasis hidden in a mountain valley
The Rainbow Bridge is part of a larger experience on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in the North Carolina mountains. Pets are welcome to come with families to explore an expansive garden wonderland, with hidden trails, secret doors and picturesque landscapes.
The 'secret garden' is hidden atop a century-old bridge, which was left abandoned after being decommission in 2011. Volunteers worked together to preserve the beautiful, three-arch historic bridge – and planted a dozen themed gardens across the entire 155-foot stretch. Today, that has blossomed into 30 gardens, each connected by shaded footpaths, eclectic artwork and even wooden doorways leading to mysterious staircases.
https://i.imgur.com/1ndNQKT.jpg
Bursting with dozens of flower and plant species, the garden draws butterflies and insects – and possibly even the occasional fairy.
Dogs are welcome on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Water bowls are placed throughout the bridge, as well as plenty of picturesque spaces to explore and capture memories.
https://i.imgur.com/hCMs5X8.jpg
With all the pet-friendly memories to be made on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, it seems possible some of the pet tags dangling on the Rainbow Bridge are markers of bittersweet memories made in this very valley – a poignant reminder of those happier days ... and a beautiful place to wait until you see each other again and cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
https://i.imgur.com/JkPlVaW.jpg