George, if you do the telephone pole thing then make sure you securly anchor the ends down. We once had a real heavy downpour that washed the foot bridge out over the feeder creek and it took foot bridge clear down to the dam. It was secured with T-posts driven almost all the way into the ground and and held in place with chains, it still ended up washing out. BTW, the poles float great and and the 6'W x 30'+ foot bridge/floating dock can hold at least 3 people when it's floating. \:D