• Friday-What'sUP August 27 - 11:10 am

The Mackinac Bridge is one of Michigan's crowning glories, spanning the Straits and joining Upper Michigan and the Lower Peninsula. I'm guessing she's one of the most photographed landmarks in our great state, so it's no wonder that Paul Fifer and Philip Odum teamed up today to give us a couple of interesting views of our own Big Mac. Looking at Paul's photo, you first see just the Bridge standing there in the bright sunlight, but upon closer inspection, you notice there's a freighter sailing under her span. Then in Philip's shot, the middle length has disappeared in the fog, giving her a mysterious and somewhat eerie appearance.

The final shot was taken crossing over from Lower Michigan, heading back to the U.P. I like the way the thick cloud cover guides our way across and the visual of Big Mac's towers lined up together, in view. It doesn't matter how many times I've crossed the Mackinac Bridge, it's still an event that amazes me and puts me in awe of this Michigan wonder.

Wish I was crossing her today! I will be soon though!

What a sight for sore eyes! So many memories!

What a sight for sore eyes! So many memories! Lord willing I'll be there next year!

Omgosh!! Awesome!!! I absolutely love this bridge!! Thanks for starting my day off with this delight!!

Very Nice! The scene in the first photo looks very familiar, right Deb?.

I agree with Uncle Chuck--I wish I were crossing today, too.
I love seeing and driving across the bridge almost as much
as I love actually being in the UP.
Back in 1999, my husband, Dennis, bid on the opportunity
to climb to the top of the Mighty Mac in a public television
auction. We went up to the very top of the north tower.
AMAZING! It was one of the most fun things we've ever
done.

Hi
Because our vacation home is at Cheboygan, I've done the Labor Day bridgewalk about half a dozen times. The last time was at the bridge's 50th anniversary, when I was fortunate enough to have a freigher pass under while I was on the bridge. It was a rare thing to be able to look down on a freighter. It sounds like MarilynnB had a better view, though.

I'm heading up tonight for a week of vacation. I'll be at that park in the first shot at least once, and who knows, maybe a day trip to the eastern UP will occur.

Bob and my brothers were just there Tuesday. These are great pictures, but nothing beats actually being there!

LOVE the fog pic! Wow...

I remember "back in the day" when we traveled to Pontiac for Lake Linden's state football playoffs....and one time crossing that bridge, the icicles were SIDEWAYS.....I don't like crossing that bridge in those conditions.

The second photo is much like the Golden Gate Bridge a good bit of the time. I love crossing the Big Mac as long as we don't have to stop for repairs, etc, and I much prefer to stay on the pavement as opposed to the grating.:-O A beautiful man-made wonder!

Love that first pic ... absolutely gorgeous!

Our most interesting Mac crossing was the Good Friday of 2002 or 2003 when we were Houghton-bound from the LP, and the bridge was closed for hours so the thick coating of ice on the bridge could melt, and the icicles that clung to the cables could drop without posing a danger to the crossing cars. :)

Having been born as a Troll, and become a northerner by choice, I've traveled the bridge many, many times - in all kinds of weather! I have to say though - I love the crossing, whether on pavement or grating, and I've got to roll my windows down (at least a little) regardless of the weather. It's a good chilly pick-me-up in the middle of the long trip from one end of MI to the other.

My dad and I crossed the weekend after the Fitz went down. The bottom of the bridge when we got over was covered with waves. We were the last car that came over the bridge. My godfather died on the Fitz and my uncle Irving died the same week. There was a memorial mass for the Ransom at St. Cecilia and a funeral mass at St. Joes in Lake Linden on the same day. My dad commented that there almost was one for us when I drove thru the waves. We were surrounded by water. The little Duster went right thru it.

Love that blue and green water in the first photo. Great shots!

I'll be crossing it Sunday, about noonish. Can't wait.

Well the shot of the second photo was taken on monday july 18th the morning after the hurendous storm that claimed 2 lives in the chicago to mackinaw race. 15 other boats in that race aborted the race due to very bad conditions.I heard tale of 30+ foot wave winds of 60+mph I happened to be campming along us2 at hog island state park and decided to stay an extra night It was the worst storm of my 53 year career.

My daughter just crossed the Bridge yesterday and sent me a similar photo to the last one from her cell phone. She was on her way back to Houghton for her senior year in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech. Safe travels to all the students heading back to UP universities this week and next week.

Mikie, The Little Duster? As in Plymouth Duster? What year? You have my attention!

Just checked the Golden Gate Bridge cam and yep, it's socked in....as usual. That's also a very beautiful handiwork of man, but not nearly as scarey to cross as Mac! Speaking of which, once while going across, the painting was going on so we were stopped right in the middle, but it was a lucky stop because we got to look down on the magnificent Roger Blough!

I believe Mikie was talking about a Swiffer Duster, Janie.... ;-)

Beautiful bridge. What a spectacular accomplishment 4 Michigan!

EVERYTIME I see a picture of this magnificent bridge, walking it, or crossing by vehicle, I get goosebumps! How fortunate we are in MI to have this when you think of the ferry rides we used to have to take to get across; especially the wait many times of hours. Thanks for these awesome photos!

Janie, a 1974 Plymouth Duster. Maybe the good Doctor makes the Capt. use a swifter duster, but Precious says that is her tool. It was forest green with a 383 engine in it. Went down the line with it. Sold it to a fellow worker and he is still driving it. NO rust same engine, but new trany. Also had it reupolstered. And he wont sell it back to me.

A 74 Duster with a 383??? Another "heat strike" creation??

In regards to todays pictures. I can remember crossing the Big Mac bridge headed camping in the early 60's in a pickup truck camper topside looking out the front window, what a view and when dad drove on the grating looking down through the grating to the water was even more so.

Someone must have done a little "work" on that Duster. I didn't think a '74 came with a 383, just 318s, 340s or 360s. Don't remember the 383s being around anymore then. . . but, my old timers might be kicking in . . . .

Beautiful photos of the Mighty Mac.

Mikie, I bought a black '74 Duster new! I bought it Jan. of '75 it was a left over. Window stickered for $4000.00. It has the 318,V-8, with air cond, P.S. P.B. but it ran like a 383! It was the *Gold Duster* model, the fancy trim. I still have it, hasn't been ran for sometime now. Boy did Bob and I have a ton of fun with it!!

And don't forget the killer slant 6 cylinders.

The scene in the first photo does look familiar. I took one something like this.

One of my least fond memories crossing the bridge happened in November, I believe. It was so stormy out and I was driving myself, a couple of friends and a couple of our kids to a wedding down there. The bridge was rocking, and the snow was blinding us. I think they said we were gonna be the last car allowed to go over that night. Omgosh!! That was one scary ride and I really don't care to take it again. But when we're there during the summer months, there's no greater thrill than crossing that bridge!!

The last year for the 383 was 1971. The last year of the 340; 1973. After hearing the stories of heat strikes and other strange happenings at Chrysler from Mikie, it wouldn't surprise me if they stuck a 383 in a Duster, even in 74. After all, I have an original 68 Roadrunner with an original 440 that was supposed to go in a GTX. *shrug*