Breakfast On The Bridge

On a slightly chilly fall morning, with overcast skies above, I briskly walked over the Walnut Street Bridge. The noise of the waking city was all around me. Cars accelerated and decelerated as if to mimic the sound of the of tide coming in. I couldn't help but feel the urgency of the masses around me. As I approached the center of the bridge, my eyes began to focus on a small gathering of people. This group didn't seem to be affected by the intense feel of urgency. Among them were bicycles, breakfast foods of various kind, and the ever important jugs of coffee. As I came within ear range of the group, I was immediately greeted with a welcoming call, "Good morning! Would you like some coffee?" "Why yes, that would be great", I responded.

As I drank my coffee, my sense of urgency seemed to fade away; the sound of the city took a backseat to the warm conversations taking place around me. I watched one person after another, either by foot or bicycle, stop by and join in the morning activities. Some would only stay for a minute or two, while others stuck around for the duration. This eclectic group of people seemed to all be connected by two things: a human's desire for interaction, platonically speaking in this case, and coffee. It seems that good things do happen over coffee.

Chattanooga is an amazing city for many reasons. As I stood on the world's longest pedestrian bridge and watched people, of all social classes, take time out of there day to partake in breakfast and conversation, I once again remembered why I live in Chattanooga.

Background:Breakfast on the Bridge is every Friday morning, while weather is permitting, in the middle of the Walnut Street Bridge. Quint Mansell has been organizing Breakfast on the Bridge for the last two years. He single handily provides the coffee and breakfast foods. Quint's inspiration for Breakfast on the Bridge came from a visit to Portland, Oregon. While riding around Portland he happened upon a group offering breakfast on one of the bridges. After returning to Chattanooga, he decided to start Breakfast on the Bridge.

To view more photos from Breakfast on the Bridge, CLICK HERE

Note: The first Friday of every month is Bike2Work at Outdoor Chattanooga. Therefore, Breakfast on the Bridge will take place at Outdoor Chattanooga's head quarters on the first Friday of every month.