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.

I think we can share that title, KG.But the SW facts are because of DH. He's such a SW geek. I did get that book for him - the one we saw at Border's. I think it's the first book he's actually READ cover to cover in about 10 years.
 
You'd think he'd be a Harry Potter geek, too.
 
Nope - he hates HP. Or professes to. If one of the movies is on TV as we're flipping though channels, he'll ask about it. And of course, he thinks the Simpson's parodies of HP are hilarious (there have been several, one with a Dumbledore-like character named Greystache, which is now how DH refers to Dumbledore).
 
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  • #184
Back to our regularly scheduled whine fest about bridges...
(sorry to interrupt your hijack Ann and KG...giggle snort)

I talked to our other mom who's driving, also scared of bridges, tonight. She said that she hates bridges too, but when SHE'S driving, its not as bad as being a passenger.

Then, I told her how long the bridge is (28 ft short of 5 miles, thanks kg), she said "WHAT??!? Are you serious?"

Yep. I'm serious.

I'm fearing it worse than she is though. Only like 10 days to psych myself up.
I can do this.

It'll be cool.......right? I am taking girls with me in my car that have no fear of bridges. That's already been determined.

You know, I was just thinking that when I get home from Mackinac, I'll look back at this thread and laugh. What a wuss I must sound like!! LOL!!!
 
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  • #185
AAAAAHHHHHHHH! Less than 20 hours till I have to go over the Mighty Mac!

I've the mindset at this time that it'll be a piece of cake. (That might change when we get there!)

So, unless I'm on later tonight, I'll be back Wednesday night, God Willing!

Don't talk about me too much while I"m gone...lol!!!
 
You can do it Chris. Let us know how it goes. Just get the girls to keep you distracted while you are getting close to the bridge.
 
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  • #187
Well, my friends, I am home...alive! Yes, I DID IT! I DROVE OVER THAT BRIDGE TWICE!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!

I do not feel like a wuss...I was scared almost to death! I think I have finger marks embedded in my steering wheel, but I got across the Mighty Mac!

It is a beautiful bridge...stunning, actually...and SO cool at night. I have several pictures, and probably will get them posted here if I can remember how to do that!

I had to drive on the steel grates to pass a camper (dang high wind warnings!) I was not about to get stuck behind him going 20 mph...and my girls were not real happy with me. (I wasn't real excited about it either!)

Just had to let you all know that I actually drove the bridge...thanks to all of you for your support...I was thinking about all of YOU when I was going across it...believe that?!?!?!

btw...Mackinac Island is a really neat place. But if I ever go up there again, I'm staying in St. Ignace and taking the ferry to the island! LOL!!!
 
pcchris said:
Well, my friends, I am home...alive! Yes, I DID IT! I DROVE OVER THAT BRIDGE TWICE!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!

I do not feel like a wuss...I was scared almost to death! I think I have finger marks embedded in my steering wheel, but I got across the Mighty Mac!

It is a beautiful bridge...stunning, actually...and SO cool at night. I have several pictures, and probably will get them posted here if I can remember how to do that!

I had to drive on the steel grates to pass a camper (dang high wind warnings!) I was not about to get stuck behind him going 20 mph...and my girls were not real happy with me. (I wasn't real excited about it either!)

Just had to let you all know that I actually drove the bridge...thanks to all of you for your support...I was thinking about all of YOU when I was going across it...believe that?!?!?!

btw...Mackinac Island is a really neat place. But if I ever go up there again, I'm staying in St. Ignace and taking the ferry to the island! LOL!!!
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YEA CHRIS!!!!!

I love the Mighty Mac at night! And when there is a really beautiful sunset - it is breathtaking!

Mackinaw Island is one of my favorite places. We go there every summer, and take our bikes and just ride our little hearts out!
 
Congrats Chris!

I crossed that bridge twice also last weekend, and thought about you the entire time!

Your girls I'm sure were so proud of you!
 
I'm so excited for you!!! Congrats on overcoming your fear (at least for as long as it took you to drive over the bridge)! Whether or not they realize it, you set a GREAT example for the girls and we are all so proud of you! Way to go!!!!!
 
I just got off the ferry in Manitowoc - I wasn't sure whether I should be looking for you or not!Way to go!
 
Yeah Chris!

And you passed a car!?! :eek: Wow. I'm impressed.

Hope you enjoyed your trip. Each year we spend a long weekend in September on the island. We won't be going this year. . .I already miss being there. :(
 
Way to go, Chris! I thought of you yesterday - wondered if you had been OK crossing. Next time it won't seem so bad!
 
Congratulations, Chris! You did it! Wahooooooo!

P.S. I think we all knew you could!!
 
Congrats Chris, way to go. What a great role model you make - showing that even when terrified of something you can go forward and push your limits.
 
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Thanks, everyone!

I had several of my girls say to me "I'm so proud of you" when we got to the hotel. That really meant a lot to me.

My daughter and the other girls in my car were pretty nervous when we had to go onto the grating part of it...

It was scary as heck...and I have to say that I really don't want to EVER go over that one again!!!

btw - I saw several Bridge Authority workers...sitting in a parking lot eating donuts and drinking coffee! I was thinking, like, don't you guys have a bridge to maintain??? LOL!!!
 
chefann said:
Way to go, Chris! I thought of you yesterday - wondered if you had been OK crossing. Next time it won't seem so bad!
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Next time? Somehow I don't think there will be a next time for Chris!
 
Congratulations!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I thought of you the other day when I went over our local bridge. I did get a mili-second to glance off each side...the views are so wonderful.
I have never been to Macinack Island, but it sounds like it would be a place worth looking into!
 
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  • #199
katie0128 said:
Next time? Somehow I don't think there will be a next time for Chris!
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Katie, I do believe that you are correct!!
 
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baychef said:
Congratulations!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I thought of you the other day when I went over our local bridge. I did get a mili-second to glance off each side...the views are so wonderful.
I have never been to Macinack Island, but it sounds like it would be a place worth looking into!
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The island is so cool....such history there! We had lunch at the Grand Hotel...it was amazing! The hotel itself is kind of "gaudy" if you ask me, but it is a beautiful place!!

I might go again, but I'll be taking the ferry from St. Ignace. That way I don't have to cross the bridge, I can just look at it. I would recommend the island though. It was awesome. The girls really thought it was neat, too!
 
Congrats Chris!!! So proud of you for doing it and even driving on the grates!!!
 
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Thank you Alison!

I'm actually kind of proud of myself too....I honestly didn't think I would be able to do it.We pulled up to the toll booth, and I thought...I can do this...piece of cake. Well, it wasn't fun, but I still can't believe I did it. When I look at pictures of that bridge, it freaks me out that I actually drove it myself. I think that's why I took so many pics of it! It really was freaky on the grates...especially when I saw a VERY obvious new piece of it. was like...AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, it's all good, and it's over...whew! Glad I was able to do it. I feel such a sense of personal accomplishment! The trip was well worth the horror of the bridge! LOL!!
 
pcchris said:
I'm actually kind of proud of myself too....
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Forget kind of proud... you should be dang proud! You overcame a huge fear of yours, that deserves more than just kind of! :D
 
pcchris said:
Katie, I do believe that you are correct!!
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Oh, why not? Now that you've done it for the first time, each succeeding trip is easier until it just gets to be old hat.

;)
 
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  • #205
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Oh, why not? Now that you've done it for the first time, each succeeding trip is easier until it just gets to be old hat.

;)
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Funny....

drove that sucker twice.....enough for me for a lifetime!! :yuck:
 
baychef said:
Congratulations!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I thought of you the other day when I went over our local bridge. I did get a mili-second to glance off each side...the views are so wonderful.
I have never been to Macinack Island, but it sounds like it would be a place worth looking into!
Click to expand...

There is no other place anywhere like The Island! No cars are allowed - but there are lots of horses and bikes! If you stay there - don't stay at one of the big resort hotels - We have found that the Island Experience is much nicer staying in a B&B or smaller Hotel.
 
What I did on my day offChris,

I spent this last weekend driving around West Virginia and Pennsylvania. One vista was better looking...

IM006294.jpg


than the previous one..

IM006304.jpg


But the best part was in hunting bridges. I thought of you whether I was crossing an old through truss like this one:

IM006221.jpg


Or one of my favorites, the George Westinghouse Memorial Bridge between East Pittsburgh and North Versailles.

IM006390.jpg


I thought of you, Chris, when I went to the top of the adjacent hill to take this photo...

IM006371.jpg


...and I took this one over the railing, just for you.

IM006406.jpg


It's a beautiful bridge and I love looking at it from below even more than driving on it!
 
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Wow - stunning pictures, KG!!!

Just for the record, I wouldn't go over that old metal bridge for anything!!!:eek:
 
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BTW - thanks for thinking of me!!!!!!! You're just a doll!!!! ;)
 
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ok....went and reread....ummm...over the railing?????? :eek:

All that, took your life into your own hands, for little ol' me?? WOW!

Thanks! I feel loved!! ;)
 
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