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The Mighty Mackinac Bridge - the Most Exciting Way to get to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...



Mackinac Bridge



WOW... What a amazing sight... You hear all kinds of stories of the Mackinac Bridge but nothing will ever come close to seeing it with your own eyes.

The Mighty Mac has connected the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for 50 years now. To this day, the minute I see it, I get that exciting feeling inside just like I was seeing it for my first time.

As you approach the bridge you will see the main towers standing some 552 feet above the water. The bridge itself is 199 feet above the water and is 5 miles long (thats 26,372 feet). Now if that does not seem too intimidating, then you are ready for the drive over.

There are 2 lanes each way. The outer lane is a concrete surface while the inner lane is a grate surface.

Now I don't like the inner lane, and Jim doesn't like the outer lane. (Jim says the outer lane is too close to the edge, very high above the lake.) This makes it difficult when we are traveling together ;-) Well not really because Jim is usually the one to drive over and I get to sit there in the passenger seat with sweaty palms, gritting my teeth.

Mackinaw Bridge



Now dont get me wrong. I love to go over the Mackinac Bridge. It gives me one of thoes exciting yet terrified feelings each and every time. There is just something so amazing about the Mighty Mac, like it is trying to tell you all about its history.

One of the best parts of heading North over the Mackinaw Bridge is it brings you into the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is truly a whole different world there.



Upper Peninsula

Upper Peninsula

Now the people who live above the bridge in the beautiful upper peninsula are Yoopers and those who live below the bridge in the lower peninsula are Trolls.

Now before the Mackinac Bridge was built the only way to get to and from was by ferry. This was not easy do to the fact there could very well be a really long wait. Especially during hunting season, waiting to go back south.

Construction began on May 7th 1954 and after 3 long years the bridge opened to traffic on November 1st 1954. It is said that well over 3 million vehicles have traveled over the Mighty Mac.

They have the Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk every year and this year is the 50th one. The walk begins in St.Ignace and ends in Mackinaw City. The Governor's party is the first to go and as soon as they are done it is open to all who wish to take the 2 hour walk over the bridge. They do have buses to bring you back across if you need or you can park your vehicle on the Mackinaw City side so when you are done you have your car there.

Some year I will get up the courage to try this... I have always wanted to but could never find a friend to go with me.

There will also be a 50th year celebration on July 27 & 28, 2007. Two fun filled days to celebrate one of the most extraordinary man made wonders of the world.

First trip over Mackinac Bridge




Leaving the Mackinac Bridge Return to Homepage


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