A guide is supposed to provide the most updated facts about whatever it is covering. The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans covers the historic bridges of the Oregon Coast. It was written in 2012, and at that time, it was totally up-to-date. Right from the get-go, it was a popular book. Folks liked that it fit in a backpack, tote, or glove compartment and that it guided them down the coast bridge by historic bridge.

By 2019, The Crossings Guide needed to be updated. For several months toward the end of 2019 and early 2020, I worked with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and updated what is currently being done to some of the bridges and added what is planned for the future of each of the bridges.

I learned that ODOT has a new, less expensive process in applying cathodic protection. The new process was used on the Umpqua River Bridge, which was the last of the historic coastal bridges to receive cathodic protection. That’s the preservation process that ensures these bridges will continue on for decades to come. The new process is explained in the introduction to the book. Once again the historic coastal bridges are cutting edge.

While nearly every page of text had some changes made, the cover photos and all other photos were not changed. So the book looks the same. On the cover, look for the two words “Updated Edition!!” in the upper left-hand corner.

Because I did not want to change the format of the book, I had to add changes without adding to the total number of words on each page. That meant some words had to come out. I removed extraneous phrases, superfluous adjectives, and out-of-date segments. And I totally rewrote the introduction, since there were so many changes there.

The newly updated guide became available for sale a year ago—last June––in the middle of the pandemic. That was terrible timing. Many bookstores, museums, and tourist hot spots that normally carry my bridge books, had not reopened or had not reopened their gift shops or were not investing much in inventory. So, I’ve waited a year to to get the word out that The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans has been updated. If you see The Crossings Guide somewhere and want to know if it’s the updated version, just look for the sticker in the upper left corner that says, “Updated Edition!!” Or the large words on the back cover in the blue box that says, “Updated Edition.” Or on the inside, look on the ISBN page for the words “Fourth Edition.’

It’s always available from the author. For those who want an updated edition, go online to crossingsauthor.com/books. Price $15 plus $3 shipping. The 100 or so copies I have left of the Third Edition, I’ll sell at a reduced price––$10 plus $3 shipping.

I like to say, “Whether driving, cycling, or hiking, don’t travel 101 without it.”