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Is anyone going to walk the Mackinac Bridge in September? DD#1 has talked me into it - 5 miles.

I have always talked about doing that "someday". Looks like a lot of fun!

OPlease tell me more about the bridge.
Years and years ago I remember going to Mackinac Island, but the only way to get there was by boat. It was a really fun place to visit because, at that time, at least, there were no cars or other moter veichal allowed on the island. I remember esp the Grand Hotal on the island that a great verranda(sp?) that over ooked the whole island and the water. I also remember taking a horse and carrage ride to tour the whole island.
But remember tht was at least 50 years ago, so I am guessing that the island has changed a lot, since I was there.
If you decide to do it, please post back and tell us more about it and how the island had changed!
TIA,
Mary

The bridge connects the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan and is about 5 miles long. You have to pay a toll to cross it, it does not go to Mackinac Island. The Mackinac Island Island web site says there are no motor vehicles allowed on the island. I think it would be a lot of fun to ride the ferry over for a visit.

DD#1 moved to Detroit last summer and the fist thing she saw at the entering Michigan rest stop was info about the bridge walk and she said "I want to do that." So who got roped into doing it with her. MOM, of course.

My Grandma used to walk it every year! My Dad remembers when they were building it and you had to wait for a ferry to take you to the UP. Have fun if you walk it on Labor Day!

The Island is still no-motorized vehicles, just horse carriages (watch where you're walking!). You can rent bicycles by the hour or by the day to tour the island. The Hotel is pretty much just the way it was in the movie Somewhere in Time (Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour). There's lots of B&B's. I was there about two years ago with my sister from England and my 2 yr old DGD. Favourite place was the butterfly house. Awesome - except for 2 yr old's tantrums on leaving.

Bridges freak me out. Not sure I could even drive/ride over it!

DD#1 went to Mackinac Island about 25 years ago with Girl Scouts. The driver of one car was scared to drive over bridges but riding a ferry to the island was OK. I think I would be more scared on the ferry.

There are 2 ferry's to the island depending on where you jump on...you can also fly in if you have a mind too. It is beautiful and unchanged really. The Bridge walk draws 1000's every year and all our past Gov**er*nors's have lead the walk I have not heard yet if Mr Snyder the man will this year.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TcMay,

I remember when they built the bridge and when they opened it! I was just a little squirt...lol
oh...I mean...
Since I am here it would be wonderful to walk the bridge! I think I'll look into it I have never done it!
Quiltinnana it says you're in the middle of the mitten...where is that? I'm in Midland...
Mrsmarymac here is some infor about the bridge
http://www.mackinacbridge.org/...ry-of-the-bridge-14/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: luvthosequilts,

WOW!! I found that very interesting, thanks for sharing.

I did the bridge walk several years ago, and it was a lot of fun. My advice would be to get there early, especially if it's going to be a hot day. Tons of people do the walk, and it really doesn't seem like five miles, cause you're so busy enjoying the beautiful scenery, and people watching!

I did the bridge walk several years ago, and it was a lot of fun. My advice would be to get there early, especially if it's going to be a hot day. Tons of people show up for the walk, and it really doesn't seem like five miles, cause you're so busy enjoying the beautiful scenery, and people watching!

Well you know I don't think the island has changed much at all in the last 50 years a few more little gift shops I guess. I was there 35 years ago and I don't see that it has changed.
You are not allowed to walk the long porch for free anymore it now costs $5.00 I think. There are a few markers on the island that talk about the movie "Somewhere In Time"

I was the co-leader of a girl scout troup and we walked the bridge and we had such a good time but I am from Michigan it was like a Michigander Rally of sorts. The weather can be fickle in Michigan....we went later in the morning because it was cold that day. You go to a large field and board a bus that takes you across and then you walk back...they have been doing it for years and it runs like clockwork don't forget to bring money for your "I Walked The Bridge T-shirt" It only runs for a certain amount of hours. There are people who do it every year.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: michelle1538,

Mackinac Island is a wonderful place. We have friends who walk the bridge every September. My favorite place on the island is the fort! In the houses inside the fort there are several crazy quilts
When you take the boats to the island, be on the top level.

quote:

Originally posted by luvthosequilts:

Quiltinnana it says you're in the middle of the mitten...where is that? I'm in Midland...
]

I live about 20 miles away, south of Mt. Pleasant! Didn't realize you were so close.

I grew up in Midland...when I married in 98 I moved to CA where I really live with my sweet DH...but am here in Midland right now taking care of my bro/cuz...he's really in bad health.
Maybe we can get together...I understand there is a quilt shop in Mt. Pleasant.

We are staying at the Super8 in Mackinaw City starting Friday. Maybe we can get together while I am there.

Dear Lov those quilts,
Thank you for all the information on the bridge to Mackinac Bridge. It explains why I never saw the bridge, since it was several years before the bridge was built that we visited the island.,
To tell the truth, one of my favorit memories of my childhood is taking the ferry to the island. I remember standing on the bow of the ferry and feeling the spray from the water in my face! ( and yes, I am a "river rat",) I grew up on both the Miss. river and the St.Croix River in Minn, and spent most of my childhood on both of these rivers, either boating,fishing or swimming in both of them. As a kid, the best excuses in the world to get out of just about anything was, "I'm fishing, or claming or whatever".
Thanks againe for the infor on the bridge.
Mary Mac

What an interesting conversation. I love the movie "Somewhere in Time" and didn't know where the hotel was. I watched it 2 or 3 times just to see the beautiful hotel.

Have fun walking the bridge to all of you who go! I am off to read about this island. I have never made it that far up north...maybe one day?

Luvthosequilts: would love to meet you while you're here. Sorry to hear about the reason, though. How long are you planning on staying?
The quilt shop in MP is very small but the one in Midland on Ashman Circle is quite nice.
Is there anyone else interested in joing us?
Joan

I've driven over the bridge but not walked and have been to the island many times. It's my favorite vacation place. Wish I could go more! the last time there was on my honeymoon 14 years ago and we stayed one night at the hotel. It was fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mackinac is pronounced 'Mack i naw'.

Also, a small car and its driver was blown or crashed over the railing and fell to her death.

"Yes, it's true... kind of. In 1986 a woman from Royal Oak was driving across the bridge and her Yugo went over the railing and she (and her Yugo) fell to her death. The accident was determined to be caused by her speeding, though there were high winds that day."

Also, some big bridges have a service so that someone will drive your car, and you, across. I don't know if they do that at the Mackinaw. It is a common phobia and they have to make allowance for it. I've never needed it, so I don't know if you pay or call ahead, or whatever. But I have read about it.

The island is lovely in summer. Full of visitors and Mackinaw Island fudge shops. YUM!

Let see.... I dont' know if they will drive your car across for you but you sure can see right down to the water and it is a long way down.

They do close the bridge when it is too windy and I believe that the rules are stricter since the U-Go incident. No one could have predicted that it would happen the car was one of the lightest ever manufactered at the time and the bottom of the bridge that you are driving on is only a grate the wind is able to pass right through...it was a very sad day when the car went over the side and I still remember it.

My son went to school in the UP and crossed the bridge many, many times in his compact car. On windy days they have an escort service (n0, not that kind). I've never seen them do it but it's my understanding that a larger car runs interference for you against the wind while you cross. It has to be a VERY windy day!

They will drive you across any day and they will escort you.

I am going to have to read on up on the island. Sounds interesting.
Quiltinnana, are ya'll talking about Midland and Mt. Pleasant, Texas? If so, my husband is originally from Crane, near Odessa. With the talk of the island in Michigan, I did not know if they had some towns with the same names.

Hi Sunnymontana! No we are talking about Michigan towns. Wonder how many other states have
towns of Midland and Mt. Pleasant?

I bet there are alot of states that have the same city names. I know that Springfield is in alot of states.

Mrsmarymac you are welcome...I still want to meet up with you next time I get to PA to visit DD
Quiltinnana I have been to the one at Ashman Circle and it is nice did you know about the one called Park Bench Quilt Shop they have a website @ www.parkbenchquiltshop.com went there too...very nice I don't think it is a large as Material Mart but has beautiful fabrics and seems like almost as much...

Michelle1538 I agree it was sad...I remember at first they were also saying she was "possibly" drunk but investigation proved that untrue...

I remember in 1959 our family vacation was mostly about crossing the bridge...my bro, 2 step-bros and myself loved it...mom kept her eyes closed because of the grating you can see the water!!! So kewl!

FYI quote from Wikipedia:

On September 22, 1989, Leslie Ann Pluhar died when her 1987 Yugo plunged over the 36-inch-high railing . A combination of high winds and excessive speed was initially blamed. Later investigation showed the driver had stopped her car over the open steel grating on the bridge's span. A gust of wind through the grating blew her vehicle off the bridge.

I've enjoyed the chat about the bridge. I had thought about doing the walk after driving over it numerous times. I was dating a guy who had a cabin in the "UP" and the first time I went up was in March, with 3 feet of snow on the ground!! and the bridge was quite an adventure--looking at all that water partially frozen. I had the pleasure of going up to the "UP" at least one a season and seeing the changes in the water, and the bridge!! with the constant painting/construction. We barely made it south across the bridge when a "lake effect" snow storm moved in, they closed the bridge about 15 minutes after we crossed. It is the only way to the "UP" unless you go miles west and around. I never made it to the island and no longer have the connection to go that far north. But I loved it when I was going.