Origins of Ornamental Ironwork
Wrought Iron
The Hittites, the ancient inhabitants of present day Turkey, invented a way to smelt iron ore around 1500BC. This technology allowed them to remove impurities from iron to develop a metal strong enough for use as weapons and tools such as the spade, spear, shield and ax. Known as wrought iron, this metal could be bent and worked into many useful shapes and structures. The Hittites grew to be well known for the fine detail and ornament of their wrought iron work. Although they tried to keep their process a secret since it was key to their prowess, their iron metallurgy spread throughout the entire Middle East and China, then west to Greece, Spain and Northern Europe.
During the Medieval Ages, wrought iron screens were fabricated to protect the inner sanctums of great churches and cathedrals. Castles were decorated with wrought iron ornament sometimes intricately inlaid with gold and precious stones.
In the 1600’s, Spain and Italy became masters in the art of producing wrought iron often in the form of geometric grillwork and railings. By the 1650’s, French architects and garden architects set the vogue for elaborate wrought iron fences, balconies and gates. The French ironwork of that period was exceptional in both design and craftsmanship but also quite costly. Only the wealthiest commissioned such design work.
Jean Tijou, a French Huguenot and master ironworker, immigrated to England in 1689. He was commissioned to work with Sir Christopher Wren at
Metal Fence Design
Metal fences are made of wrought iron, cast iron, bronze, stainless steel or aluminum. Wrought iron is prized for its strength and ability to be intricately detailed and textured. Cast iron is more brittle, softer in detail but far less expensive. Bronze and stainless steel share all of wrought iron’s attributes but will not corrode as fast as iron and do not need to be painted. Cast aluminum is characterized by high corrosion resistance, low maintenance, durability, strength, and the ability to be detailed while being light in weight.
All metal comes in standard dimensions with round, square and polygonal profiles. There are endless choices of preformed scrolls, finials and point tops for the vertical bars. The design of the ironwork should not compete with the architecture or the views beyond. It is imperative that the design ensures that all surfaces shed water and limits the accumulation of wind born particles in any crevices.
Iron has a number of advantages over wood including longevity, greater strength with minimal thickness and the ability to curve and twist to many designs. Iron fences are more expensive than wood but far more durable and require less maintenance. They are usually less expensive than stone, brick or stucco walls....
Metal Fences: Climate and Weathering
Metal fences do not block sun, wind, sound or views. Unlike wood fences, they can be extremely cold or hot to the touch but they are also less likely to sag, twist or swell in response to fluctuating weather conditions. With high temperatures and strong solar exposure, metal fences can heat up enough to burn tender vines....
Metal Fences: Installation and Maintenance
In most counties, fences require permits. It is best to have property lines, set back limits and easements surveyed and staked. After permits have been issued, present the plans to bordering neighbors. Since metal fences are tend to be the same on both sides it is usually not necessary to worry which side should face the neighboring property.
Bi-monthly paddle sports gear review for Adventure World Magazine website.
The River Gypsies Guide of North America, written August 2009
Publish date: April, 2010
Images of actual text coming soon.
Lower Yough Description:
Most Mid-Atlantic boaters attribute their passion—and obsession—with kayaking to the Lower Youghiogheny. Here, many feel the first taste air off a boof, the first flawless connection of technical moves or the first continuous surf session. While friendly enough for beginners, intermediate paddlers frequent this stretch to build and maintain their skills for the countless creeks in the area. Stop by the river on a weekday evening and you’ll find the local legends in the midst of a painful yet gratifying attainment session of Entrance, the first and longest rapid.
Yet the most unique aspect of the Lower Yough is the shuttle-free Loop section. The first, and steepest, mile and a half of the river bends around Ferncliff Peninsula making for a painless 1/4 mile hike back to the put-in. Many boaters come to town with no intention of setting shuttle, prepared to do several laps on this short, fun section. Put-in at the normal launch site just below the falls. Be ready for Cucumber rapid, the second on the loop stretch and often the most troublesome. Although only composed of one drop, the rapid notoriously surprises the novice boater with shallow rocks amist the waves and holes. So try to stay upright. Run just right of the large flat rock on river left and you should be fine. The loop take-out is easily recognized on river right just after Railroad rapid, identified by the towering railroad bridge turned bike path crossing the river.
Continuing downstream you will come to Dimple rock, an undercut on river left with a must make right move above. Thanks to Ohiopyle State Park, signs on the riverside will warn you when it is near, if you chose to scout or portage. Immediately after is Swimmers surf wave, a dreamy but shallow river-wide hole that’s so smooth you could take a nap while surfing on a hot summer day. Bottle of Wine comes next boasting one of the biggest boofs on the river. Enter from river right and boof center. Several more fun rapids follow before you see Brunner Run take-out on river left, again noted by a sign. Keep in mind during your day that most locals boof, splat or spin on every rock down this classic stretch of the Youghiogheny.
Perhaps you are wondering why the beautifully clean 20-footer just upstream from the put-in hasn’t been mentioned yet. That’s because its almost always illegal to run. Ohiopyle State Park has deemed the drop too dangerous for the amount of private boater traffic the area sees. While negotiations continue, there are a couple ways you can still try it out. The first is Falls Fest weekend in August where safety is set, races are held and everyone comes out to run the falls. Another loophole is going through one of the local outfitters for an instruction clinic, since they possess the necessary paperwork and licenses. Either way, the drop is as smooth and fun as it looks so do whatever you can to make it happen.
Logistics and Directions:
If your Lower Yough day falls on a busy summer weekend be sure to call the state park in advance for launch permits (724-329-8591). Most other days just grab a permit when you arrive at the boat launch area ($4). Not getting out there till the crack-of-one? Might as well wait until 3pm and launch without a permit or fee. Do be sure to sign in though, even if just going for loop run.
Brunner Run take-out can be reached by turning right just after passing through town going south on 381. Brown state park signs will remind you. Follow this road to the end and park in Old Mitchell Lot. A shuttle will bring you up the two mile hill from the river to the lot, but not if you’ve forgotten to get a shuttle token at the launch booth ($3.50).
Ohiopyle State Park, housing the small town of Ohiopyle, can be reached from the south from the Bruceton Mills exit, Rt. 26, off of I-68. This becomes PA 281 north where you’ll turn left onto PA 40 west toward Farmington. Turn right onto PA 381 before the Pizza Hut to take you into Ohiopyle.
If approaching from the north take exit 91 at Donegal off the PA Turnpike and turn left onto PA 31 east. After a couple miles turn right onto PA 711/PA 381 south. Normalville will appear after ten miles when you’ll follow PA 381 south by turning left. Another eleven miles and you’re in Ohiopyle!
Gauges and Levels:
Summer heat and drought hold no power in Ohiopyle. The Youghiogheny Dam ten miles upstream releases enough water to maintain recreational levels in the river all summer long. Expect good surf and mellower moves under 3ft. At higher levels, specifically from 4-6ft, big water play features can be found down the entire stretch. Check out the waves under the 381 bridge above the falls at these levels for easy park and play. Above 10ft expect holes that could trash your VW van in a blink, sucking whirlpools and wave trains to the moon. Kayakers might be absent from the Lower Yough at these higher levels as all of the local creeks in the area are more than likely going off. If you want more info stop by Wilderness Voyageurs, owned and operated by kayakers all year long.
Cheat River Description:
Think that deep canyons lined with unique rock formations and raging with big class IV rapids can only be found out west? Think again. Welcome to Cheat Canyon, an 11-mile wilderness run nestled in the mountains of northeastern West Virginia.
The scattered holes and large waves of Beech Run, the only major rapid before the river drops into the canyon, provide a taste of the river's character on a smaller scale. Most run on the right but other lines can be explored. Downstream the river seemingly calms, bending to the right. The flow is preparing to drop into Big Nasty, a river-wide, sporadic big surf wave below 1600 CFS, a river-wide boat thrashing hole at higher flows. Starting center due to smaller holes on the far left at the top of the rapid, work toward river left to just miss the hole. The higher the water, the harder you work. A trail on river right serves as the last chance to walk out of the canyon, in case you've gotten in over your head.
At the end of the large pool below Big Nasty, Typewriter awaits, one of the river's two best surf spots. A large, dynamic feature with great river right eddy access might entice you to spend all day here, but remember that you still have about 9 miles of great whitewater ahead.
The next three miles provide more meaty class III rapids with various lines and play. The main current will then flow to the left revealing the second greatest play spot, Cue Ball. Lap it using the river right eddy access and grab a snack at this mid-point spot on the run.
Teardrop rapid comes next as the main current flows toward the right side of the riverbed. Get as close as possible to the large rock the rapid is named for--shaped like a large tear-drop. Follow this current for a smooth, but aggressive ride.
A broad rock wall on river left emerges in the next half mile that will help you identify High Falls rapid just below. Scouting on the left helps greatly here as well as allows you to appreciate the quarter-mile, river-wide white chaos you are about to navigate. The most common line is just left of center through the some big waves and holes, but by no means is it the only viable line. Beware of shallow rocks here and the surprise peton.
After another fun class III rapid, think about heading to river right shoreline to take a look at Coliseum, the next big rapid. The main flow takes the right channel in the river bed and immediately forms a nearly channel-wide hole, Recyclatron, on the right. Similar to Big Nasty, this spot can be great play at lower flows, but a nightmare with more water. Run to the left of the hole, working back to the center of the channel to miss the next hole in the second drop. After Coliseum be sure to check out the canyon's distinctive rock formations, where the rapid gets its name.
Don't expect a break from the action after you're past these two drops. The river flows to the left where you will encounter more big holes and waves for your punching pleasure. At the end of this continuous stretch lies the last big rapid, Pete Morgans. Run down the center channel with a fierce determination.
