Can I Survive Crossing the Mackinac Bridge with My Girl Scouts?

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around a participant's anxiety about crossing the Mackinac Bridge while driving a group of Girl Scouts. Various participants share their personal experiences and coping strategies for dealing with bridge-related fears.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses fear of bridges and seeks advice on managing this while driving a group of girls.
  • Another participant suggests driving in the middle lane and gripping the wheel tightly as a coping mechanism.
  • One participant shares that singing songs with the girls could help distract from the fear of crossing the bridge.
  • Several participants mention specific songs that could be sung during the crossing to alleviate anxiety.
  • Another participant notes the importance of staying in the outside lane for a smoother ride.
  • One participant recalls their own dislike of bridges but shares that they managed to cross the bridge in winter.
  • Another participant mentions the bridge's safety record and encourages not to obsess over it.
  • Several participants discuss the pronunciation of "Mackinac" and "Mackinaw," sharing their thoughts on local dialects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on how to cope with the fear of crossing the bridge, with some participants suggesting singing as a distraction while others focus on practical driving tips. No clear consensus emerges on a single approach.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and fears related to driving over the Mackinac Bridge, particularly in the context of managing a group of young girls. Participants share a mix of humor and concern regarding the experience.

Who May Find This Useful

Participants in the consultant community who may face similar fears or challenges when traveling with groups, particularly in contexts involving children.

Of course it is. Years ago I learned that it does no good to correct these people. They either get snippy or act like they have no idea what I'm talking about. Wait. Maybe it's not an act.
 
Adding "R"s in places there aren't any usually goes along with dropping them were there are supposed to be Rs. My grandmother used to say warsh and Sheborgan, the name of a city on the west shore of Lake Michigan, just south of Manitowoc. (There's a Cherboygan on the Michirgan side, too.)That seems to be a trait of folks of English descent that came through the state of New York and it seems to get passed from generartion to generartion. My mother, thankfully, didn't pick it up.
 
My dad and his family put "oirl" in their vehicles. Having grown up in central Indiana, I have a great fear of mispronouncing words. When I read I look up unfamiliar words for their pronunciation, not their definition.
 
Can you ask any of the other scouts mons or dads to drive ,don't forget you have to go over it to come home too. I can be a hard thing to do so if you say to them For the kids sake I need another driver I'm sure some one will help you out.
 
I hate bridges too but I have to be the driver (control thing). White knuckled all the way across.

BUT we just visited the Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain and I loved that bridge. (by the way I am not afraid of heights - LOVE parasailing - I am clostrophobic) Go figure. My son who has no problem driving or riding over bridges and "makes fun" of me when we do absolutely did not like swinging bridge at all.

You got lots of good advice here. My only comment is that millions go over the bridge every year so "it must be safe" - I tell myself that every time...
 
Hey Chris, I walked that bridge with my GS troup when i was like 8. I had no problem doing it then but in my teenage years started really hating bridges. When we visit my sister in GA we have to go over a really big bridge to get to Jekyll Island and another one called The 9 or something like that. (9 is stuck in my head for whatever reason). (I have yet to go down to the keys and do that bridge) Well, Anyways, my dh REALLY wanted to walk the Golden Gate when we earned the free trip and I was very reluctant. Well, I'm very proud to say that I DID IT!!! I felt so good and believe me, I'm not a face your fear kinda gal!:p

My one piece of advice would be to NOT look over the sides, concentrate on the road and tell the girls of your fear. I think they'll be proud of your accomplishment.:D

Good LUCK!!! YOU CAN DO IT!
 
Chris,

You may be able to have someone drive your car over for you. . .or get a car to escort you if that would make you feel more comfortable.

My husband is not a bridge fan and we drive across every year. Last year was the first time we didn't switch drivers before crossing. I was very proud of him.

Who ever told you to stay on the outside lane was correct. . .that will keep you off the open grate which can be even more unsettling.

Go as slow as you want to. . .I rarely travel at 45 mph and the people behind you can just get over themselves. They won't have to follow you for long.
 
Another alternative...go to Manitowoc and get on the SS Badger to Luddington, then drive to Mackinaw City from there. (We sometimes refer to it as "The Polish Love Boat.")It'll be a little more expensive but it's another adventure and also cut a couple hundred miles off the drive. The crew of the Badger does a lot of things on board that cater to the young cruiser.There's also the Lake Express ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon but that's even more expensive. Click on the ferries to be taken to their websites.
 
The SS Badger...
http://www.ssbadger.com/images/gallery/Home-page-ship.jpgThe Lake Express...
http://www.lake-express.com/images/home-photo.jpgDistance from Milwaukee to Mackinac City by highway: 371 miles
Distance from Milwaukee to Mackinac City by SS Badger: 301 miles
Distance from Milwaukee to Mackinac City by Lake Express: 275 milesAnd remember, with either ship, you DON'T have to drive across the bridge.
 
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I asked my other leader about that...she said it would be too expensive to do it that way. (the SS Badger). She actually thought it was funny how I was freaking out about the bridge. (she thought I was joking, until I told her otherwise!) Now she feels bad, but our troop's finances are going to be pretty close to depleted with this trip, so the ferry is not an option....too bad I don't have the extra money to pay for it myself. Hmmm....maybe I need to book more shows so I can pay for it that way! LOL!!!
 
Girl Scout Fundraiser... specifically for the trip!
 
The operators of the Badger would probably give you a pretty good group rate, too!It would also be educational - I loved all the trips I made on the old Pierre Marquette 21 and Pierre Marquette 22 when I was a kid - smuggling contraband :eek: oleomargarine into Wisconsin!
 
you renegade, you
 
I was just a widdo kid. My brother and I were packed into the back seat of The Old Man's Buick with the luggage - the trunk was full of cases of oleomargarine!
 
My mom has an issue with bridges, too. What she's found is that she's actually better when she's driving because it gives her a feeling of control over the situation. Hopefully, that will help in this case, too.
 
When my dentist suggested a toll bridge, I went to find a new dentist.
 
Feeling better about this yet, Chris?
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, because I hate bridges too, but we just returned from "up north", and the outside lanes were closed on the bridge - so everyone had to use the "Grate" lane. I CANNOT drive over a bridge. I've tried, and I can't do it.
I have been told that you can stop at the bridge authority, and request an escort, and someone will actually drive your car over the bridge for you.

I just sit very low in my seat with a good book, and pretend I'm in my happy place!:rolleyes:
 
Go back in three days and the lane configuration will be completely different. Chris isn't going for 6 weeks yet, so it'll all be different by then, too.
 
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The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Feeling better about this yet, Chris?
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Just got back from a nice 3 day getaway...and no, not really feeling better about it!! I hope the outside lanes are open by August...

My DH told me about the "escort across the bridge", so I'm thinking about that, too!
 
Apparently, you can get someone to drive your car, so you can scrunch down behind the front seat and cower.
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Apparently, you can get someone to drive your car, so you can scrunch down behind the front seat and cower.
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Hey now! I don't cower - I read a book, and find my happy place!:o (Okay - I do scrunch down a bit.)Would you believe I go over the "Big Mac" several times a year? I think I may need therapy - seriously!
 
I have the exact same fear and I've been over the Mac many times... once my BIL stopped and opened the door to show us the grating. I nearly cried. I agree with KG about the outside lane and I know that will be hard because then you will feel you are too close to the edge but what I have found is that I am MUCH better off driving on a bridge than being the passenger because for whatever twisted reason I feel more in control. Drive whatever speed feels okay to you and let everyone else pass you. PRAY hard and breathe deep... try not to hold on to the steering wheel too tightly... it will help you relax. I don't talk too much while in the process... I'll be praying for you... I get choked up just thinking about it knowing how you feel. We're with you!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
Hey now! I don't cower - I read a book, and find my happy place!:o (Okay - I do scrunch down a bit.)


Would you believe I go over the "Big Mac" several times a year? I think I may need therapy - seriously!
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Just don't be Simon Cower and say nasty things about the driver.

;)
 
quiverfull7 said:
I have the exact same fear and I've been over the Mac many times... once my BIL stopped and opened the door to show us the grating. I nearly cried. I agree with KG about the outside lane and I know that will be hard because then you will feel you are too close to the edge but what I have found is that I am MUCH better off driving on a bridge than being the passenger because for whatever twisted reason I feel more in control. Drive whatever speed feels okay to you and let everyone else pass you. PRAY hard and breathe deep... try not to hold on to the steering wheel too tightly... it will help you relax. I don't talk too much while in the process... I'll be praying for you... I get choked up just thinking about it knowing how you feel. We're with you!
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The only reason I try to say anything funny about any of this is because of my own paranoia about driving across bridges. (Not that anyone would notice that I make smart remarks about anything in life.) I hate driving across a drawbridge because of the steel grate decking - it not only makes that awful sound but the grating tends to grab tire treads, making it like steering on snow. The grate on the Mighty Mac is of a different type and it really is like driving on snow.

What I haven't told you yet is that I have great discomfort driving the Mackinac Bridge, too. I also shudder when I drive the Newell Bridge from Newell, WV to East Liverpool, Ohio, and anyone who has ever been there will understand that one.

That said, my discomfort with it is more like the nervous anticipation you have just before you get on a roller coaster. You get an adrenalin rush while on the coaster, and once you get off the coaster (or drive off the other end of the bridge) there's a certain post-trauma thrill and relief that must be a result of the adrenalin surge being over.

One of the most terrifying experiences of my life was many years ago when I drove my 1930 Ford Model A across the Mackinac Bridge. The concrete lanes were closed and I had to drive on the steel decking. You have to understand that a Model A is tall with a flat surface to catch wind gusts, and it has tall, skinny tires (4.75 x 19 on a 1930.) That made it just that much more of a strange experience. I had white knuckles all the way across but when I got to the other side, I almost wanted to turn around and do it again!

Don't sweat it, though, it will all be fine and it will all be over much too soon.
 
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KG, thanks for your tale....and your honesty about the Mighty Mac. I know I have to "suck it up" and do it...and I'm sure I'll get over it okay (I'd better!!! my Girl Scout's parents would probably be pretty pissed if I crashed! LOL!)

I have a lot of time to look at pics and convince myself that it'll be a piece of cake! (wishful thinking!)

and, there always is the bridge people that wil drive fo me if I'm too freaked out to do it myself.

ugh. (icky feeling in tummy.)

I can relate to the roller coaster feelings you referred to...so I'm hoping that I'll have that big sigh of relief and feel better after I cross it (then realize I have to go back a couple of days later...ick!)

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom...and I'm very happy to know I'm not the only one with bridge phobia!!
I very much appreciate it!
 
Just go drive back and forth across the Hoan Bridge to practice.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/25/Hoan_Bridge.jpg/250px-Hoan_Bridge.jpg
 
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No, No, you must drive over the Huey P. Long Bridge in Louisiana, over the Might Mississip.

http://www.visi.com/~jweeks/lower_mississippi/pages/lmiss16.html

Oh, that thing in the middle? IT'S A TRAIN TRESTLE!!! BIG FREIGHT TRAINS, RIGHT NEXT TO ME!!!

I found a different, wider, sturdier bridge the next time I drove that way.

Robin
 
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Oh, yeah, that's a beauty. Appropriately named, too, because someone, somewhere, had to get paid off to build that monstrosity.I only suggested the Hoan bridge for Chris to practice on because it's close to home.
 
The Newell Bridge opened in 1905 and was the first all steel suspension bridge. It was built to faciliate the workforce commute across the Ohio River. (At one time, East Liverpool, Ohio and Chester, WV were, together, the pottery capital of the world, with many china makers located there. Today, Hall China still operates in East Liverpool and the Homer Laughlin Co. still makes Fiesta in Chester, WV.)http://www.bridgemeister.com/imgddm/ddoheliver1.jpgThe turn off the bridge on to West Virginia Hwy 2 is so tight that you have to stop on the bridge, several feet away from the intersection, to allow traffic from Hwy 2 to be able to make the turn. Traffic on Hwy 2 also must stop quite a distance from the bridge entrance to allow traffic coming off the bridge to make the tight turn. When you cross from West Virginia to Ohio, you are actually traveling in a north-easterly direction.) It is all steel grate decking - just what I love. (We need a sarcasm smiley!)
poohnewell3.jpg
It is a privately owned and operated toll bridge, that recently doubled its rate to 50¢. (The Newell Bridge and Railroad Company owns only one asset - the bridge.)There are several rather rickity-looking bridges across the Ohio River and as much as I hate bridges, I have a secret lust to cross this one because of the adrenalin rush I get from driving it.
 
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