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When I get a chance to visit a covered bridge or other older wooden structure I always enjoy the chance to examine the craftsmanship which when into building them.

Patrice and I recently visited the Campbell's Covered Bridge near our home in the Upstate of South Carolina.

The bridge was recently restored (again) and paint was added to the inside which somewhat covers the various carvings that people have felt the need to leave for years.

As much as I hate the carvings (same for ones on old trees or even most graffiti), I understand the desire to say "I was here".  For me, the images I make are my way to say "I was there..." 

The National Park Service always emphasizes "Leave no trace" when visiting historical sites and I believe in leaving the place the same for the next visitor and want my traces to be the images and words I leave behind.