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NDR - The top of the Mackinac Bridge

Posted : 7/12/2012 7:44:26 PM

Sometimes my job takes me to the coolest places. Today, it took me to the top of the Mackinac Bridge! For those not familiar with this bridge, it is 5 miles long and links Michigan's Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula and it basically separates Lake Michigan from Lake Huron. This trip happened on the spur of the moment so I didn't have my good camera with me. I only had my camera phone so sorry for some of the grainyness and lopsided shots. I was just worried about NOT dropping my phone 500+ feet to the water below lol.

The trip started through this little hole/doorway on the left of the bridge in this photo. It is like climbing into a submarine (or what I imagine it is like climbing into a sub lol). I looked at that and went "hmm, I am not as flexible as I used to be". Meanwhile, the guy (kid) showing me the way was like 18 and climbed around like a monkey haha. Nothing like feeling old and well....old! But I wasn't about to let that stop me so we carried on!

Once inside the tower, you crouch and climb through 2 more tunnels to get to the little elevator that would make Lisa faint ;) The 2 of us fit in there and that was about it. Suck it in and hang on! The elevator seemed to go on forever but it finally came to a stop and we climbed out and through a few more tunnels. I kept feeling like I was in one of those chuck e cheese play tunnels. It hurt like hell when I hit my head on the steel. I could not take photos inside - they do not allow it for good reasons. but basically after climbing about 6-10 flights of ladders (think the type of ladder bolted to the wall) and going through multiple holes we made it to the top of this tower

This is the hole you climb out of on top. This is not for the faint of heart or those with bad joints. The steel is not forgiving. And btw, as you are climbing around inside, you can feel the bridge/tower moving :)

It is all worth it though as this is the stunning view from the top :) This shot is looking south to Mackinac City, or Lower Michigan. That's I-75 down below and off in the distance

Looking north to Michigan's UP

Looking down...a long way down :)

And a few more misc "it's a long way down" shots

The very top. Look at how blue the sky was today :)

Here's the bridge from the UP looking south

I love my job :)

Oh, and I was also at the Soo today, another place I have never been before. I smiled at Canada across the way. No photos though. I will get some next time.

JackieG

Posted : 7/12/2012 8:15:23 PM

I was just looking at these on FB but had to look again. Absoulutely incredible! What a gorgeous view from the top and the water is so blue and lovely.

glenmar

Posted : 7/12/2012 8:30:00 PM

Julie, thank you soooo much for posting these!

Absolutely stunning!

Freedom

Posted : 7/12/2012 8:48:20 PM

Amazing! Wow . . . I could just gaze at these for ages.

I would NOT be climbing that ladder, though, lol. I don't do more than 2 sometimes 3 steps on a ladder. It's not the height; I don't feel safe balanced on just a part of my foot.

Aside from taking great photos for your pals on FB and on here, what were you doing? I don't know what your job IS. And what is "Soo?" please.

Jewlieee

Posted : 7/12/2012 9:00:14 PM

The Soo is short for Soo Locks (pronounced sue btw). It is a set of locks located between MI and Canada that let boats go from lake superior to the lower great lakes. as a side note, for those not from MI, Mackinac is pronounced Mackinaw. Northern people pronounce everything funny ;p

As for what I do, I am a highway engineer. MI's UP is my region to over see (along with a portion of the lower penn).

janobonano

Posted : 7/12/2012 9:18:51 PM

Wow! What an amazing thing to see! If I had made it to the top I think I'd be sprawled out belly-down on the floor! lol

griffinej5

Posted : 7/12/2012 10:30:15 PM

That's beautiful. I think I'd get to the top, then be too terrified to move once I was up there, and they'd have to send a rescue helicopter. At least that's what I think based on my experience climbing up on my roof the one time. I got over the top, looked down, and just froze there in sheer terror for a while.

shadowsgin

Posted : 7/13/2012 8:35:36 AM

Wow Julie awesome pics. Now I have to say just looking at the shots down from the top of the tower made my belly do flipflops, lol, I would definately not want to climb that tower. I am not clusterphobic but if I could feel the sway I might have panic'd. I have a friend that went to Mackinac on a family vacation when we were pre-teens and I have always wanted to go. I have seen many special shows on tv about Macinac Island I think it would be tons of fun to spend a few days there.

Thanks for sharing the bridge photos so if I ever go I will be able to recognize how extemely high that tower is.

Freedom

Posted : 7/13/2012 12:44:20 PM

Thanks for the reply! I've sent a few friends to this link to see the pics and read about the climb, everyone is in awe of you for doing it! LOL.

tacran

Posted : 7/13/2012 2:15:41 PM

shadowsgin
just looking at the shots down from the top of the tower made my belly do flipflops

That's exactly how I felt! I can't even imagine what I'd do if I were really there. I think I'd be like Jen -- frozen in fear, unable to get down. Holy mackeral, that looks creepy! Very cool photos, however. What an amazing view.

If that's kind of a normal thing in the course of work for a highway engineer, I would have to change careers because I wouldn't be able to perform an important job duty! Good thing I'm in the accounting field -- no scary heights involved in crunching numbers (but the views are pretty lousy)! Stick out tongue

Jewlieee

Posted : 7/13/2012 5:26:43 PM

I am glad you all liked the photos!

Tracy, this trip was really a special case, not my normal course of business. The stars just aligned and through lucky circumstances I was given the opportunity to get up close and personal. Not many people get to do it. I can't wait to visit again and tour the piers below the water. I hear that is just as cool if not cooler.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 7/13/2012 7:43:51 PM

I can't stop looking either. I showed the photos to everyone in the office. I giggle because DH won't come up to my office (33rd floor) because it's too high. He looked at this pics and was like no way.

You could not have had better weather! I haven't been to Mackinac Island in years and can't wait to take Riley. My brother worked at the Grand Hotel for a summer - he said it was awesome!

nymaureen

Posted : 7/13/2012 9:19:32 PM

Interesting Job. I didn't know what you did either. Thanks so much for sharing these photos.....just awesome. Not sure whether I'd do that climb or not. I've walked up on one of the Thousand Island Bridges and felt the sway you talk about. Didn't bother me too much there but to be inside would be a whole lot different when you feel that sway. Thanks again for taking and showing us these very cool photos.