• Thursday-What'sUP February 17 - 01:38 pm

On a recent drive down state, Laurie Bashaw was busy snapping photos, while her hubby manned the wheel and gave her a few pointers on taking pictures. Looks like Laurie is a quick learner, because today's photos are wonderful views of the Mackinac Bridge and our beloved Lake Superior, too. The Big Mac, surrounded by ice and clouds dotting the bright blue sky behind them, is indeed a treat. In case you didn't notice, Laurie's second photo was taken from the moving car and shows you the ice below the bridge, with all it's bumps and humps. There's even what looks like a frozen wave rippling across the expanse of ice.
The wintry sunrise and shores of Superior shots were taken along M28, when they were just beginning their trip, so they were treat to frozen views of three Great Lakes in their travels, Superior, Huron and Michigan. Nice captures, Laurie!

The Mighty Mac never takes a bad picture!

Hi
Right now I have a picture of the Mackinac Bridge in winter, from an old calendar, pinned to my bulletin board at work. The emphasis in this picture is a view of the icefield, which is dense blue-green slabs with snow on it, and the bridge just visible in the distance.

Right under the bridge, I know there is a channel of deeper water (200 feet if memory serves); I don't know if that would have anything to do with the frozen wave. Beautiful regardless.

Yep, can't wait to cross in the summer.

That Laurie sure has an eye for the UP. It's hard too when you're moving. Good work girl.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the so-called "frozen wave" is what we used to call a "shove" or "push" while ice fishing on Saginaw Bay. As the wind and waves push the ice sheet around, cracks occur, and sometimes chunks of ice get pushed up several feet high along the crack. I think what we're seeing is a small crack with a slight ridge that has caused a small snow drift to form behind it, giving it the "frozen wave" look.

Beautiful Winter scenes, and how wonderful it is Michigan has such a fine structure as the Mackinac Bridge.

I think Dale is right: that is a pressure crack with snow collecting downwind of the ice ridge. Beautiful photos.

It's our Golden Gate bridge of the Midwest!
Really is impressive isn't it. The History Channel has had it features from time to time
and they show the construction. I think it was completed in 1959? Hard to believe the bridge
is 50 years old already!

The Mackinac Bridge was built from 1953 to 1957, opening for business just before the Nov 1957 deer hunting season. I'm sure some of the pasty.com readers can remember riding the ferries before the days of Mighty Mac. Michigan is probably the only state where a resident can refer to "the bridge" and everyone knows exactly what you mean, even if it's 300 miles away!

PS....forgot to note that I think "the bridge" is still the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.

Thanks everyone! Seeing the Bridge in the winter made the long ride to the bottom of the L.P. more fun.

Great photos, Laurie! Can't wait to see the bridge and the U.P.
again. Soon...mid-March. Others head to Florida, but not yours
truly. Can't wait to see our gorgeous grandson again (and his
parents too).

Nice pix, Laurie!!! Wish they could have put them all on here.