Bungee

Episode #841

March 15, 2025

We were new skydivers when Paula and I jumped off the Bridge to Nowhere.

Bungee jumping was one of the things on our bucket list. I asked around and found Bungee America who own the Bridge to Nowhere. It is along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. The owner gave us cryptic directions to the bridge:

“Take Highway 39 north which is Beach Blvd in Orange County. SR 39’s name changes to Azusa Ave, then N San Gabriel Canyon. Turn right on East Fork Road, it will become Camp Bonita Prairie Forks Rd. Drive to the end and park at the San Gabriel River East Fork trailhead. Hike the trail for 5 miles to the bridge.”

The East Fork trail used to be a highway that connected Azusa, CA, to the Bridge to Nowhere. Just on the other side of the bridge is a partially bored tunnel which was proposed to connect to Wrightwood ski resort. The project was never finished. The 1971 6.6 Sylmar earthquake caused the San Gabriel Mountains to jump 6 feet, destroying the highway. Later, floods washed most of the highway into the river. The Bridge to Nowhere was left miraculously standing. There is no road into the bridge and the short length of remaining road dies in the tunnel to nowhere.

When we arrived at the bridge bungee master Danny, from Bungee America, was rigging the bungee equipment to the 120 foot span open spandrel arch concrete bridge. While he worked he told us about the bridge, the highway, the tunnel and the earthquake.

“I keep the gear stashed nearby so I don’t have to hike it in every time I come up here. Some of you might fear deterioration of the rubber bungee so I will jump first.”

Joseph shrugged into the harness and clipped on the bungee. He gave the connection on both ends a tug and clambered up onto the safety rail of the bridge.

“3, 2, 1 See Ya,” he said, falling backward off the bridge.

We all looked over the edge as Danny bounced to a stop, dangling from the bridge. Two of his assistants hauled him back to the top. “Who’s first?” he asked.

I raised my hand, frankly wanting to get it over with. I thought, “This is a lot sketchier than a skydive. What have I gotten myself into?” All geared up I climbed onto the railing, crouched on all fours, Danny’s steady hand on my harness. I could not bring myself to stand upright on the rail or to let go. “That’s OK,” said Danny. “3, 2, 1 See Ya!” He gave me a push and off I went.

I rocketed toward the jagged rocks 130 feet below. A scant 50 feet from the ground I stopped suddenly and was flung upward. There was no time to savor the moment of weightlessness. I was rushing toward the bottom to the bridge. I was not going to stop. They would have to scrape me off the bridge. At the last moment I stopped, hung in midair for a breath, then fell again.

Down and up and down and up I bobbed. When I finally settled at the bottom of the bungee I screamed, “YA-HOOOOO!” The crew hauled me up onto the bridge.

Paula was next. I walked down the road toward the tunnel where I had a side view of her jump. She stood on the rail, listened to Danny chant and stepped off the bridge. At the bottom of the fall she noticeably relaxed. Paula flopped on the end of the bungee like a rag doll marionette. This calm is one of the things that makes her such a good skydiver. 

After another couple of jumps we were ready to go home. Physically and mentally drained, we giggled about the experience as we began the long walk back to our car.

Footnote: Last week I attended an awards dinner for my high school graduating class. At my table was my favorite teacher of all time, Dennis Watson. Dennis is also a member of my writing club. His guest was his son Danny. Yes, he is the Danny from Bungee America who put us off the bridge 30 years ago. Small world.

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