Ok, so I’ve studied this bridge the entire time we’ve been in the UP, due to local folks leaving our campground early because of “trying to get back across the bridge.” Again, sometimes you just gotta listen to the locals.
I took note of all their anxiousness…. Fast forward a week and I’m at the base of the bridge. We have to cross the bridge today and I’m not looking forward.
Yesterday, the Bridge Authority’s website said, “Good to Go… Safe Travels”…. and Today was this! HIGH WIND WARNING!
Needless to say I wasn’t really looking forward to the bridge that connects the UP to the Lower Peninsula… I just wanted to get across…
But that would be delayed by a few minutes. We were approaching the toll both and I noticed we were extremely close to the other lane (toll booth) on our passenger side – my side! Not having much time as we inched along… I say loudly, “You’re about to hit – (BAM!) – the other toll booth!”
We had clipped the passenger side mirror and our booth operator calmly says, “Just pull over there and readjust”. You can tell many folks had hit the building! Those lanes are super narrow! Our mirror simply got knocked upwards and thankfully didn’t shatter.
Now, task two – getting on the bridge! They slowed us to 20 mph with flashers on, staying in the right hand lane. No problem…. just meant we were on the bridge for a while as it’s 5 miles long.
I will say, I never noticed swaying or anything like that. I had witnessed swaying yesterday “under the bridge on the boat ride over to Mackinac Island” but not today (the noon boat ride takes you under the bridge!) It’s still a bit of a creepy ride across the Straits. Parts of the lanes of traffic are just metal grates, which may be because of construction or maybe that’s the suspension part?? I have no idea!
It’s a beautiful bridge with rich history! And it’s the connection of the Upper Peninsula with the Lower! Plus, for us, a $16 toll.
Our long trip today will land us in Dundee, MI at a Cabela’s. I’m not sure what to expect. I’m only hoping for a level parking lot. We’ve got plenty of water on board, empty black and gray tanks, and the solar is doing just great. We don’t have reservations for a couple of days so we’ll be dry camping/parking lot hoping/rest areas/or truck stops for a couple nights. Stay tuned!
