Bridge Walking

Almost across the bridge to Mackinaw City

I took Emaley on a nice weekend for her birthday on September 4th.  I wanted to complete the annual Mackinaw Bridge Walk as a significant achievement in my recovery process from an injury in winter 2012 and I also wanted to take her to a unique event for her birthday.

Cruising on Torch Lake

 Everywhere you go in Northern Michigan is great on Labor Day,  but this Michigan tradition is kinda cool.  After spending much of the weekend with my family at the cottage we decided to head to THE BRIDGE, that is what we call the Mackinaw Bridge in Michigan.  We arrived late from boating at the incredibly deep Torch Lake,  did you know Torch lake has an average depth of 256 ft.  Oh, and on the way up north we stopped at Shorts Brewery in Bellaire (Emaley's fav brewery- Soft Parade will seriously knock your socks off for a fruity beer).  Michigan is just blessed with great brews and even better places to drink them.   These adventures resulted in a late night crossing of the bride, in the car,  to camp in the U.P.   That's Upper Peninsula of Michigan for those of you reading from abroad.

Bridge Walk Day was Sweet.  We got up late, nearly the last wave of people to start walking the bridge.  The Bridge is different when walking it at 3 mph. For one, it is taller, much taller and you really get to see the craftsmanship of all the rivets but one thing remains constant it never seems to be a full 5 miles. Don't worry it is,  I checked it in the car.

The Weekend was another first for us as neither of us had walked that 5 miles of the North Country Trail known as The Bridge. (Seriously check this route out. If you walk it, you have to plan to cross the bridge on Labor Day or else consider the only honorable option. Take a ferry to Mackinaw Island, walk 5 miles, and then take a ferry back to the other side.)   I believe I can speak for both us of when I said we enjoyed it.  After all what is not to love,  another hot day in Northern Michigan.  I had my girl by my side and I got to talk to the locals after most of the "fudgies" left because of the work week beginning Tuesday morning.  Ahh, the life of a college student with energy.

Pro tip: Start on the UP side in St. Ignace to beat the crowds of people needing to be bussed over the bridge from the south

The bridge walk took us 1.5 hours and was well worth the expeince.  People come from all over Michigan and even abroad to walk the bridge.   Along with the barefooted folks we saw walking the bridge we meet a few Canadians along the way.  Nice folks. 

Michigan Love,
KB