I really didn’t want to give up the studio time I knew it would require to draw Craig’s idea. After the Fourth of July, the loosely conceived projects of summer are subjected to their first deadlines, and time reclaims its irrevocable, dictatorial pace. But, when Craig described to me an idea that he felt needed a visual rendering, I realized that I would be putting other drawings on hold while I attempted to illustrate his plan.

I have always recognized that Craig is a visionary. Importantly, I have also come to understand that pursuing every Craig idea would be exhausting- sorting the big ideas from quixotic dreams and investing my own efforts accordingly are the humble aspects of various behaviors that I have evolved during our thirty-five years together. This idea is a really good one. Dramatic, yet do-able, and as it has been true in the past, I thought that if I could draw Craig’s idea we might just woo others to its actual merits. (There’s a reason for the saying, “Draw me a picture.”)

This bridge is at the west end of Marion… just past the MacDonald’s as you come into Marion on Seventh Avenue/ Marion Boulevard/ Bus. 151.

After a fitful two-and-a-half studio days, I completed a rendering of Craig’s proposal for the “Gateway to Marion”. There’s a graphic “before photo” that makes the argument for a refurbished railway bridge with vintage railroad cars all folded into the recreational trail system very attractive. The bridge exists. It needs work. Acting on the proposal could signal that the town of Marion values its heritage as a progressive, railroad town, and is self aware enough to celebrate that as an historical asset. Marionites have been asked to dream by our city planner and city council. Planned change tangibly hangs in the balance. I’d be interested to know what you think of Craig’s, and now, my own dream!

THIS bridge is the dream. It has (local) limestone supports, is reinforced and holds a recreational trail into town AND a restored, vintage locomotive and r.r. cars.