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.

Well, Chris - I found one that's worse than the Mighty Mac! You'd NEVER make it across this one! (I had trepidations about driving on this one, but it was a pretty good thrill ride!)http://bridgehunter.com/tools/posts/ia_boone_77850/1184552081-4-T.jpgIt crosses the Des Moines River, near Boone, Iowa, in the shadow of the high level Kate Shelly bridge. (Not to worry, the Kate Shelly Bridge is a Union Pacific railroad bridge.)You can see this beauty at the Bridge Hunters website.
 
AJPratt said:
I apologize now, because I know this isn't going to help:

Can I tell you that I used to have this reoccuring dream (maybe 10 years ago) of going up a really steep bridge and then the car had a problem and we started to roll backwards and lost control and wound up in the water. I avoided bridges for a long time, and finally, I stopped having the dream, and I would just deal with the bridge.

Well, 2 years ago, we went to Thousand Islands with my in laws. FIL wanted to show us this really great bridge. We paid the toll and got close to it. I took one look--OMG, the bridge from my dreams. I freaked out, I mean fr-eaked out--in front of everyone--5 other people, I became uncontrollably hysterical, and I very much like to remain in control of myself at all times. My FIL pulled over and said that we didn't have to go over it, he turned around. My DH thought I was nuts. About a week or so later, there was an accident on that bridge.
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I almost spit taco salad on my computer screen when I started reading this I was laughing so hard!!!

And - Kelly, I LOVED your response!
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
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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Really? Where are they so I can be sure to avoid them!
 
Waaaaaay over on the east end, crossing into West Virginia.
 
Psssst...wanna buy a bridge? This one, in Kansas City, is available.http://bridgehunter.com/mo/jackson/paseo/west-side.jpgPaseo Bridge available -- some disassembly requiredApril 18, 2007 - The Paseo Bridge in Kansas City is available for adaptive reuse. The text of the announcement says: The Paseo Bridge (L07345) carrying Route I-29 over the Missouri River in Kansas City may be available for adaptive reuse at an off-site location within the next 5 years. If the bridge, or any part thereof, is transferred to another party, deed covenants may require the new owner to maintain the bridge in accordance with established standards for historic bridges. Funds may be available for reuse of the bridge. Description: This National Register of Historic Places-eligible bridge was designed by Howard, Needles, Tammen, and Bergenhoff, and constructed in 1952-54 by several local construction firms. It is a 3- span self-anchored catenary cable suspension bridge with four steel plate girder approach spans. It measures 1,832 feet in length and carries 4 lanes of traffic. Contact: Missouri Department of Transportation
Phone: 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636)
E-Mail: [email protected]
 
  • Thread starter
  • #96
KG, sir...
The other bridges you posted are scary looking (especially the first one...), but I'd probably cross those. They aren't too long. We actually drove across a covered bridge in NH quite a few years ago, and I thought "this won't be so bad", as I love covered bridges (I think they're beautiful!). Well, this bridge was OLD...like wooden planks (no pavement to drive on), and we had to go reeeaaaaaaalllllly slow. I thought I was going to wet myself. Nice to look at, but not my cup of tea! (Kinda like the Mighty Mac!) I have pics of the covered bridge. I still get chills when I look at the pics and think we actually drove over that sucker. eek!

I swear EVERY DAY there is a High Wind Advisory on the Mighty Mac. I think that means you have to slow down. wonderful. i can hardly wait. (Can you sense my sarcasm?!?!?!??!)
 
That through truss bridge over the Des Moines, near Boone, was built in 1909 and it has a wood planked deck, too. The approach is the most fun...I swear, none of those planks are attached! What a racket they make when you cross them!You could buy the Paseo bridge and put it in your back yard. ;)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #98
How's that saying go..."I got a bridge I can sell ya"!! LOL!!!

At least I could say I conquered a bridge!
 
Check out these sites - built and maintained by people who love bridges.Bridgehunter for bridges of historical interest. (I have quite a few photos posted on this site, myself.)Bridgemeistger - a collection of suspension bridges and there are far more out there than you realize!
 
i hate bridges too!Bless your heart. Since having my baby a year ago, I too am terrified of bridges. I have been able to get over it with another person riding shotgun and trying to talk a lot to get my mind off of it. Prayer is also a big one. I will pray for you as well. There is still one bridge in town that I will go about 10 miles out of the way to keep from going over. I also, turn up the radio, get on my cell phone, roll down the windows, eat a cookie (hehehe), just about anything to keep busy while going over that bridge and keep my mind off of it. Good luck to you!
 
Which bridge are you talking about? There are a couple in Alabama and in Mississippi that I wouldn't go across, either!Check out the Bridgehunter site. It may be on there!
 
I would strongly advise to work through this fear and practice on some bridges in your local area.
Realize that it's just a bridge.

Take some low dose dramamine and any worry of motion sickness will be gone,with no drowsiness. I don't believe that you'd even feel the bridge if it's windy. You may feel your car move as you would on any road if it's windy, but I can't picture the bridge swinging so much you'll feel it. With dramamine you won't even notice if it does.

Work through it before you go and then it should be easier. Either directly yourself in your area or see a counselor to talk you through it.

Once you're on it, you'll wonder why you made such a big deal about it. You'll feel empowered that you conquered one of your fears.
Trust us nothing is going to happen to you over this bridge and you'll be fine.
Mind over matter.
 
pcchris said:
Yup, that movie was filmed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island...we're going to the hotel for lunch. :)

Regular bridges don't really bother me....just suspension bridges with the towers and cables and stuff scare the bejeebies out of me! The Mackinac bridge is like 5 MILES long....although the whole 5 miles is not the cable/tower part. ICK! :eek:
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The link you provided looks like it will have an awesome view. Focus on that and the girls will distract you.....
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
It is NOT 5 miles long!











It's 28 feet short of 5 miles.
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Just a reminder. ;)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #105
Mr. KG - would you like to come with us? That way you can drive across the bridge, and I can hide...just a thought!! LOL!!! Wouldn't you just LOVE driving a car full of 13 yr olds across the bridge?!?!?

WAIT! It gets better....most of the girls in our troop are afraid of bridges too!
Wahoo...this should be a blast!!! :)
 
Put the girls that afraid of bridges in the other car!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #107
Good thought...I'll have to think about that arrangement!!! But I still think KG should come up with us and drive my car across for me....
 
pcchris said:
How's that saying go..."I got a bridge I can sell ya"!! LOL!!!

At least I could say I conquered a bridge!
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Put the bridge in your back yard and you can practice driving across it...
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Waaaaaay over on the east end, crossing into West Virginia.
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Oh good. I don't think I have every gone into WVa from Ohio... definitely not going to start now.
 
Ok on second thought, perhaps your fear of bridges is legit..... breaking news out of Minneapolis that a bridge collapsed, Interstate 35 westbound over the Mississippi river.....

Again rare, but still possible.
 
Chris I thought of you the second I heard this!
 
Countrykitchenmichelle said:
Ok on second thought, perhaps your fear of bridges is legit..... breaking news out of Minneapolis that a bridge collapsed, Interstate 35 westbound over the Mississippi river.....

Again rare, but still possible.
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Exactly why I hate bridges! I bet they said this one was completely safe too!:(
 
Remember...out of the THOUSANDS of bridges in the United States - how many collapses have you heard of in the last 25 years?I know of an antique 4 ton weight limit bridge that was collapsed by a moron driving a 30 ton semi across it, but the bridge did not collapse until the moron backed his trailer on to the bridge AFTER he successfully crossed it.Do you give up flying after you hear of a plane crash? Of course not, so don't quit driving on bridges because of this accident.
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Remember...out of the THOUSANDS of bridges in the United States - how many collapses have you heard of in the last 25 years?

I know of an antique 4 ton weight limit bridge that was collapsed by a moron driving a 30 ton semi across it, but the bridge did not collapse until the moron backed his trailer on to the bridge AFTER he successfully crossed it.

Do you give up flying after you hear of a plane crash? Of course not, so don't quit driving on bridges because of this accident.
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Ummm, yeah, I don't fly much either!;)
 
Actually, neither do I, but mostly because A) I have little need to fly and B) the a$$hole$ who flew those planes into the WTC have messed up security to the point that flying is a real PITA.But I do drive across bridges ALL THE TIME.
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Remember...out of the THOUSANDS of bridges in the United States - how many collapses have you heard of in the last 25 years?

I know of an antique 4 ton weight limit bridge that was collapsed by a moron driving a 30 ton semi across it, but the bridge did not collapse until the moron backed his trailer on to the bridge AFTER he successfully crossed it.

Do you give up flying after you hear of a plane crash? Of course not, so don't quit driving on bridges because of this accident.
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You are so right.
Chris you will be just fine.
 
This particular bridge was having construction work. So I'm sure the one she plans to travel will be fine.
We have thousands of bridges in the US and this is a rare event.
 
Countrykitchenmichelle said:
This particular bridge was having construction work. So I'm sure the one she plans to travel will be fine.
We have thousands of bridges in the US and this is a rare event.
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The "construction" work was just to fill potholes etc....nothing to do with the infrastructure of the bridge.

The bridge she will be traveling on (The Mackinaw...or is it Mackinac - I forget which spelling they use for the bridge.:rolleyes: ) is ALWAYS having Construction Work - I go over it several times each year (hate it every time!) and I have never been over it when there wasn't some kind of maintenance being done.

I will say though that after seeing the pictures of the bridge that collapsed, and knowing the Mackinaw Bridge well - The "Big Mac" is a much sturdier looking bridge.......
 
Big Mac just celebrated its birthday!
 
chefann said:
Big Mac just celebrated its birthday!
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50 Years last week!
DH is fascinated with the Big Mac......we have a video of how it was built. There is a Pizza Place downtown Mackinaw City called "Mama Rosa's" - they had an incredible Mackinaw Bridge Museum above the restaurant. Last year, the restaurant burned to the ground, and everything in the museum was lost. So sad. We were there in June - the Restaurant is back in business, and they have been getting donations and loans of memorabilia and were hoping to have the museum re-opened in time for the big Birthday Celebration this past week.
 
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