The summer solstice — which occurred in Redding, California, at 3:34 p.m. on Monday (June 20) — is the one day of the year that the Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River tells the exact time.
Naturally The Idiot had to ensure that the gigantic local clock is still working properly (it’s still turned off after dark, though tonight there’s a rare summer solstice full moon) and that, on the longest day of the year, noon was noon.
The 217-foot pylon of the Sundial Bridge at 11:46 a.m. on Monday, June 20. It points due north at a cantilevered angle and serves as the gnomon of a mammoth sundial clock.
The sundial’s shadow at 11:50 a.m. on June 20 as it approaches the noon dial plate.
The Idiot, with his vintage Swatch clock face, at the Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA, at noon as the bridge’s shadow reaches the 12 p.m. dial plate.
(Photo: Kevin Devine)
Visiting tourists photograph The Idiot’s pal Kevin Devine holding the Swatch clock face behind the noon dial plate just after 12 p.m.
The Idiot on the Sundial Bridge a few minutes after noon on the 2016 summer solstice.
(Photo: Kevin Devine)
Is The Idiot crazy to make such a big deal about the summer solstice? Turns out he’s not the only one:
“The summer solstice is the time of the greatest light,” he read in 365 Tao Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao. “It is a day of enormous power…Those who follow Tao celebrate this day to remind themselves of the cycles of existence.”
To truly celebrate cycles, The Idiot spent the past few days admiring Redding’s $23.5 million iconic landmark, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened on July 4 in 2004, from various angles while he continued taking two daily 45-minute walks on the Sacramento River Trail as part of his rehab following spinal surgery.
Here’s how the Sundial Bridge would have appeared had you been with him:
Approaching the Sundial Bridge on a nearby loop trail.
Admiring Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge while walking upstream along the Sacramento River.
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Approaching the Sundial Bridge while strolling downstream on the Sacramento River.
The Sundial Bridge pylon appears above the trees from the Sacramento River Trail.
Everything you need to know about the Sundial Bridge.
The usually popular 500-foot-long Sundial Bridge is surfaced with translucent structural glass that makes it almost too hot to cross on a day when temperatures exceed 100 °F.
Underneath the Sundial Bridge.
Looking up at/to the Sundial Bridge pylon.
A sideways look at the Sundial Bridge pylon.
For the record, Where Does The Idiot Go To Check The Time On The Summer Solstice? was posted at 3:34 p.m. PDT, the exact time of the summer solstice.
Enjoy the full moon!
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