We're lucky enough, here in Upper Michigan, to have two bridges that are "gateways" to and in the U.P. Of course I'm speaking of the Mackinac Bridge, gateway to the U.P. and the Portage Lift Bridge, gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula. These two bridges have appeared numerous times on the Pasty Cam and on this day in 2011, Donn de Yampert's shot of the Lift Bridge during the fireworks was featured. Fitting for this time of year with the Bridge Fest fireworks and coming up, the 4th of July Fireworks.

Then in 2013, Sue Uren was on the Keweenaw Star from Charlevoix to Sault Ste. Marie and she snapped the second shot of the churned up water after passing under the Mackinac Bridge.

The third photo was taken by Keith Baker aboard the freighter Cason J. Callaway as it passed under the Big Mac earlier this week. How neat to see it lit up from below like that!

Our feature video today was also taken by Keith Baker, again as the Cason J. Callaway was going under the Mackinac Bridge, this time during daylight. It's a shorter crossing from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan underneath the bridge, than it is from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace over the bridge.

VERY cool!

Speaking of "lighting it up"...

Mary's post from
yesterday: relevant to the Bishop Baraga sunset
photo, the President of the Bishop Baraga
Foundation has a post on her Facebook page about
selling today's photo and another to raise funds
to light up the statue as it once was.
This link has info how to order them or donate:
Nancy Haun on Facebook

In the event you don't access Facebook, here is
Nancy's post:

I am shameless-but when it comes to the Bishop
Baraga Shrine-it's all good! I am offering these
two 8 by 10 prints for a donation of $15 or more
each. plus shipping-11 by 14 is also available
for $25. The reason is many people dream of
"Lighting Up The Bishop"-it will be costly-in the
$20,000 dollar range-The Bishop was lit up years
ago and He will be again-we just have to have
Faith! Seems a little extravagant to you? Not
really when you think of some of the places our
money goes-all the work and time spent to build
this beautiful work of art and the upkeep and
time spent over the years-seems a shame not to
light him up again! Pm me if interested and
Prints will be available at the Shrine when I am
there-hoping this is a reality by the time the
Bishop becomes Saint! Photos taken by me this
Spring.

Bishop Baraga Foundation, Inc
Po Box 665
Baraga MI 49908

Please put donation for Lights on check.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

What a great idea to light up the Bishop again. I
just made a couple of placemats through
Shutterfly, and I put the picture that I took of
the Bishop's cross on my MN placemat. If you have
never had the opportunity to drive up the North
Shore of MN to see where the Bishop landed on his
way to Grand Marais, MN, it's a must.

Anyway, I just love the pictures of the bridges.
Great shots!

Do they still light up the Big Mac Bridge for the 4th of July with the red, white and blue lights? Seems to me I remember that from my sailing days on the Lakes.

Great ride under The Bridge.

I love both of those bridges and the one in the Soo!

I agree...great!