• Wednesday-What'sUP March 31 - 06:59 am

I've always thought the Mackinac Bridge was a beautiful piece of architecture, but when you cross at night, with the lights swooping up each arch, it takes on whole different appearance. If you plan on snapping pictures while moving, like Danielle Mahoney did for us, make sure you have a designated driver. I'm assuming Danielle's 'D.D.' was Ryan, who seems to have done a fine job keeping the vehicle steady for these night-time photos. As kids traveling from downstate back home, it was always exciting to be the first one to spot the towers and then it was equally pleasing to see the 'Michigan's Upper Peninsula' sign. Of course being youngsters, we had little concept of traveling times, so we didn't realize that there was still a bit of a drive ahead of us to reach home here in the Keweenaw. If you drive from the tip of the U.P., to the border in the lower Peninsula, Michigan is one of those states that you can travel for a day or more and still be within the same border.

"...with the lights swooping up each arch..."
Yep, the "Golden Arches" of da "Big Mac"!

What a thrill it always is to catch the first glimpse of the bridge from south of Mackinaw City! I miss all the trips taking two of my children back and forth to Lake Superior State University and the trips we made to the U.P. as a family. Must go back up this summer.

The bridge is always a key to "Superiorland" - and our love of the UP - enjoy our first sighting as we approach Mackinac City. Have a great Spring day!!

Boy, are you people up early this morning! What a terrific picture, too! Mackinac is a very special place to us, its usually as far north as we get but we get there 2 or 3 times a year. We do play some golf in the UP and have ventured a little farther west on occasion. We've done the Labor Day bridgewalk 22 times and are planning to be there this year. Everyone asks why, if we've done it once would we do it again and the answer, of course, is because its there! Thanks for a wonderful start to my morning and everyone have a great day.

looks to be a little snow on the rear window of that mini van.i remember stopping at the union 76 station on u.s.2 just west of the "MIGHTY MAC"for a good hot meal.if it was early enough in the day and one of the warmer months(may-sept.) we would stop at lehto's for pasty's.

Love the pics, love the bridge & love walking it on Labor Day! It is sad to cross it on returning to troll land after a great visit to da UP, tho.

Mornin'. Kids at my school ask "where is that?" when they see the wallpaper of the bridge on the computer. Some have no clue about the importance of that bridge. By the way, from Ama to Brownsville, TX, is more than a day too.

"Commuter Lane Only"? Wah! Imagine having to cross the Big Mac every day to go to work! That would not be a bad commute. Sure beats the rat race down here under the bridge!!

When I see that bridge on my way up, I know I'll be in heaven in a few minutes. A breath of the best fresh air.

When I see the bridge, I know that I am half way to the home and land that I will be spending the rest of my life when I retire. Who needs Florida when you have the natural beauty of the U.P. to wake up to every morning.

When I was a kid, crossing on the ferry enroute to Detroit was always a lot of fun. Of course, that time period had drawbacks, like taking turns walking ahead of the car with a flashlight in the fog.

Made that trip and have seen those lights many a time since moving to Pennsylvania. It is difficult to explain the feeling of welcome and anticipation you get when first spotting the bridge. Even with another couple hundred miles to drive, you feel like your home as soon as you pass through those toll gates.

I miss the Bunny bread sign south of the Bridge. Always said HOME when I saw that and then the Bridge.

Mom has always said she dosn't feel like she is on vacation until she is north of the bridge. I believe she is right on this one.

Good Morning All,
Here is an excerpt from my grandmothers journal... "The whole family left Detroit by auto July 20th 1925 at 5:15 o'clock in the morning and reached Mackinaw all in good condition at 6:15 p.m. the same day, a distance of 348 miles. Took the ferry to St. Ignace and spent the night at "Love Cottage." I just thought you would enjoy seeing the difference of our trips to the U.P. Things have really changed and I think we do not realize the hardships they went through to get to God's Country.
Thanks for letting me re-tell this fine bit of history...Grandma did see the MIGHTY MAC shortly after it opened.

ditto... Barb,GR MI

I have always LOVED big Mac! What a wonderful part of the trip to the U.P. and one of beauty, as well. That bridge is one of my favorites, with only our liftbridge being better for me. (Smirk).

The pix in the past few days have just been so awesome, and it makes me ache to be there more than ever.

Last time I took that way to The U.P., my girlfriend and I spent
about $30 in tolls just giong back and forth across the bridge
taking pictures of the lakers chugging along underneath.

got to get up there for the charity walk across the bridge
someday. driving it is cool enough; walking it must be
spectacular.

We have lots of bridges in California, too -- Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, Tower Bridge in Sacramento -- but none that evoke the feeling of driving over the Mighty Mac! You can also travel a long day here and still be in the same state -- more than 1,000 miles top to bottom.

We always stopped on US 2 just west of the bridge as soon as we hit water. As pretty as this bridge is, the second one is the one that lets me know I am home, and not just half way. At 12,000 feet, I get to see the bridge, (well off to my right as I cut the corner to Manistique) a lot sooner that I used to...........

Beautiful picture. I have crossed this many times, always with fear in my heart. The last time I crossed this was Mon. May 31st 2004 as my husband and I were heading to the U.P. for our honeymoon. We had wind warnings that day and I think I had my head between my knees breathing deeply until we crossed.

As a native "troll", wantabe "yooper" stuck here in the rat race of southern California for the last five years I am anxiously awaitng my trip back to Michigan this coming spring and can't wait to see those spires as you are driving along I 75 coming from the south. You knew you were close when you saw those and your adrenaline would start pumping. I absolutely can't wait!!! My husband will probably have to drag me kicking and screaming when it is time to end our trip and head back to the land of "fruits and nuts"

I remember waiting in line for the FERRY - in the days before the bridge. I was little and it seemed like the line of cars was endless. I remember Mom and Dad being excited about the fact that the bridge was being built. We would leave the Detroit area before dawn; and by around noon we would be 'in line'. Mom would plan our picnic lunch to be eaten while we waited... I expect that was a good move on her part! I was awed when we arrived one summer and the bridge was "done"... I'm still awed everytime I see the BIG MAC! Thanks for sharing!

Love the Bridge! It's awesome to cross riding on a motorcycle. One time we went over it was only 44 degrees. Kinda cold!

Who knows where the FIRST spot is on 75 that you can catch a momentary 'glimpse' of the bridge on a clear day???

I remember traveling from Wakefield to Detroit in the days of waiting in line for the ferry on US 2. Nobody wanted to get out of line, so the gas stations had these long, long hoses that would gas you up on US 2.

Sillalla .. .


http://www.saunalahti.fi/werkko/sillalla.htm

Finnlander's Wife,

You can see the bridge before 31 ties into I-75, and when you first see the bridge it is off to your left, is it around mile marker 325?

Something about crossing the bridge makes me feel like I am home at last...and I am always so sad when I have to go south over the bridge.

Sniffle, sniffle, I miss Michigan! Waaa! There were many a day my daughter and I would get in my car and we would drive over the Mighty Mac...just for something to do. How I miss those days.

Driving from Grand Rapids to the western U.P. during my first year in the work place, I would always get my second wind once I saw the Mighty Mac. Even though I still had a good 6 hours ahead of me, just seeing that bridge boosted my spirits and let me know that the promised land was just a few miles away. On the way back down to GR, I would see how long I could continue to see the bridge in my rear-view mirror until finally my connection to the U.P. wasn't visible. Now I'm in MN so I don't see the bridge very often but it still holds a special place in my heart.

jAPEi: Thank you for another great bridge picture to contrast the Mighty Mac!

Just curious...how much is the toll for crossing? Is it a "one way" toll or do you get hit going both ways? I crossed that bridge with my folks every summer, going Up North for vacation but I have no recollection of the tolls and how much they were.

Thanks!

What a beautiful picture of the "Mighty Mac." I have loved the bridge and the U P (Curtis) since childhood. What a surprise to see this picture today, as it is my birthday! So many wonderful memories. What a present.
Thanks!!!!!

the worst part of a south-bound trip is getting many miles south of da bridge and seeing a sign-"welcome to northern michigan"

JoAnne, Washington state
"Just curious...how much is the toll for crossing? Is it a "one way" toll or do you get hit going both ways?"

Just click on the Fare Schedule link on the Mackinac Bridge Authority home page

Voy kauhia, jAPEi! What a beautiful place and an awesome picture. That would be a scary bridge to cross! Te hankkia erinomainen kuvataiteilija katsella!

I saw the "Mighty Mac" for the first time in September 2004 from Highway 2. It was so spectacular it brought tears to my eyes! My oldest brother had spent two years stationed on the Keweenaw from 1965-66 in the Air Force but had never seen the bridge ..... we stayed at Mackinaw City but crossed the "Mighty Mac" each day and looked forward to each crossing. We also walked to the park in Mac City each evening to look at the lights on the bridge. I loved every minute spent on the UP and want to go back!

Hi - just remembering taking a trip north from FL to show our granddaughters the UP. We stopped at the little part on the western side of the bridge in the UP to watch the lights come on. The southern part of the bridge lite first and the girls asked why - first thing to come to mind was "Maybe St Ignance didn't pay their part of the light bill" The lights came on shortly after that, but they remember that and so do I. Was fun. Girls were about 5 & 6 so that was 15 or so years ago. If this is a second posting, made a mistake and hit something I shouldn't have first time. Former Yoopers

As my husband and I say,(both native yoopers)you have to pay to get in to the U.P. and pay to get out! We look forward to our 2 weeks of vacation in the Copper Country this August.

Back in 1976, I was traveling north on my bicycle and needed to cross the bridge. Of course, no pedestrians including bicycles. They sent one of the bridge workers over with a pickup truck to take me across. Seems like it may have cost $0.50. I think that was the last time I ever had a chauffeur.
As a kid driving across with the family, my Dad would let the car "accidentally" drift over to the lane with the steel grating. The humming sound would freak my Mom out. Kids thought it was cool, though.

When I pass over the bridge, I know I have only 300 miles left to the Copper Country. Just a short trip in heaven

"HEAVEN IS JUST NORTH OF THE BRIDGE"

You're making me more homesick!!!

I did'nt have time to read thru all the posts, but can someone answer a question I have about the ferries. How much did it cost to go over on the ferry boats way back when... Also, how many ferries were there? What were the names of the different ferries? What about in the middle of the winter? How was it crossing then? And one more question--How many cars did the ferries hold?

I can't even count how many times I have crossed that bridge, but each time I see it, it is like a big welcome home sign!

Happy Birthday Lori, Ohio!!!

All of the Michigan state ferries over the years can be viewed at... http://www.michigan.gov/mdot100/0,1607,7-214-33279_33395-28669--,00.html

First time I crossed the Straits was on the ferry Vacationland. The towers on Mr. Steinman's bridge were up, but no cables or roadbed. It's a lot easier crossing now. BTW, go to the MBA website (Posted above) for a histoy of the ferries.

Last September when we were coming back to Florida from the Keweenaw after spending the summer, my father wanted "to go over the bridge one more time". We usually go through Wisconsin. Dad died on Palm Sunday. Thanks for the picture. God Bless, pegg

If you think that driving over the bridge is fun try going under it on a boat. I was on the Paul R Tregurtha this January heading for layup and the Mac Bridge can be seen for many miles both to the east and west. If any one gets a chance to go under the bridge take that oppertunity.

In 1957 while onboard the SS CRISPIN OGLEBAY we were sailing west under the bridge when the last piece of the span was still not in place..The sun was setting as we went under and would have made for a great picture...The bridge can be viewed first from down near the SEA SHELL CITY by looking a little North to West during the winter months when there are no leaves on the trees.

Before I moved "south" (northeast of Detroit) I used to tell everyone I had to stay in the U.P. because I'd get a nose bleed if I crossed dat der bridge.

Kraig is dead on in his remarks about going under the bridge. When I was on the Edgar B. Speer we would go under the mac quite often. It is rather interesting, when your on deck and you go under the bridge it feels as if the boat is going very fast.

Kraig, your still out sailing on the big boats? I thought you had that Keweenaw Star tour boat.

Have loved crossing the straits of Mackinac since the bridge opened. Two years ago my husband and I had the greatest thrill - we rode our tandem bicycle north across the bridge (on the annual DALMAC ride). The following day was Labor Day and we walked south across the bridge.

If any of you read the article in Saturday's Mining Gazette about the fortuituous find of photos that Julie Beck found of her family (Ida and Anna Hartman)... you can take a look at some of them. https://pasty.com/pcam/albuq66

She discovered hundreds of old photos covering several generations in a Houghton house.

I still can't get my wife to look down when we cross those open grates on the bridge. As soon as she hears the humm of the tires her eyes are shut.

Look for the bridge towers driving north on I-75 just past the 333 mile marker. You drive beneath an overpass and the road turns right.
The scariest crossing I ever had was in November on the way back to troll land. The wind was blowing right up Lake Michigan from the south so hard it made sand 'drifts' on US-2. Although cars pulling RV's and semi-trucks were pulled over, they waved us on through. The waves were so big they were washing over the approach. When the bridge began the tops of the waves were blown off, and freezing, rattled against the car. I asked my daughter, the driver, to take the outside lane. That way if we got blown over, we'd have three lanes to cross before we fell off.
Obviously, we made it.

Alex in GA -- Where is there still a lift bridge? Love 'em!

Candy, CA wrote:
"Voy kauhia..."

Though slightly mis-spelled (Voy = Voi) That sure is a familiar expression, one I've heard all my life,I never knew exactly how you'd translate it. I'm it must be pure "Finglish." ... I wonder what jAPEi made of it?

Out of pure curiosity I fed it to an on-line Finnish-English translation engine to discover that "Voi kauhia! means literally "Butter bucket!"

Although "voi" is indeed the Finnish word for "butter, it can also mean "can, may or woe", and kauha (close?) is either "clamshell, dipper, grab, ladle, scoop, shovel or lifting bucket!

P.S. Re: kauhia / kauha... All those Finnish case endings are guaranteed to drive you insane!

How long is this bridge? I once knew but have forgotten.

ert, GA
Where is there still a lift bridge?
Gee, you must not visit here very often! Click ® The Houghton/Hancock lift bridge
Or scroll down to the very bottom of this page and click on the "Bridge Cam" link.

How long is this bridge?
If you meant the Mackinaw Bridge, just click on the Facts & Figures link on the Mackinac Bridge Authority home page

Did you know that Cincinnati has what they call the Big Mac bridge? (How dare they?) It got its name because it is two golden arches. It takes I-471 across the Ohio River from Kentucky.

Walking the bridge in 1996 was a highlight of my life--and being able to actually touch it.

Recently I forced my new guy to watch the family home movies and got to see myself on the ferry and also saw a shot of the bridge while it was under construction. I was about seven.

Hey Lori from Ohio, (formerly Curtis)I took my husband for the first time last May to the U.P. for our honeymoon. We stayed at the Chamberlain Inn in Curtis. He fellow in love with the U.P. and can't wait to go back. Wants to go back to the Chamberlain Inn and stay and snowmobile. I keep telling him wait until you see Copper Country.

Pregnancy is beautiful eh?

Sure is Cindy Lou, sure is. My grandchild is expecting a baby this May. But what does pregnancy have to do with da bridge?

Zion--that's what the U.P. is for many of us
away from our spiritual home. Interestingly
enough, those of us from the U.P. have
passed this longing on to some of our
children. Children who have witnessed our
tears as we've crossed over Big Mac and cast
one last glance at it in the rearview mirror.
Sounds corny, but it's true that there are days
when I feel like I'm weeping and
remembering-- "By the Rivers of Babylon."
Toronto is a nice city, but Lake Ontario just
doesn't compare with Lake Superior. The
place has an intangible quality that draws me
and that's the reason I check out Pasty Cam.

Sorry, Ert... When I said "our" liftbridge, I meant the Houghton/Hancock one. Not one here in GA. :)

FEES FOR CROSSING THE BIG MAC BRIDGE ARE NOT UP TO DATE.IN FEBRUARY IT WAS TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS FOR A CAR AND A DOLLAR AND QUARTER MORE IF YOU WERE PULLING A TRAILER.THE BRIDGE PAGE NEXTS TO BE UPDATED.

I think we've all grown up hearing that Finn expression here in the UP. It's actually spelt voi kauhea. The word kauhea can mean dreadful, horrible or shocking. So "voi kauhea" can be translated as "how shocking". Kauhean kaunis yö-kuva sillasta! (shockingly beautiful night-pic of the bridge) Maybe a better way to translate voi kauhea could be... holy wah! :)

Living in Oklahoma now, its sad when I show people pictures of the Big Mac knowing how wonderful the sight of the bridge is, and they just arnt as impressed. Its a have to see in person to appreciate it type thing Im guessing. Have you ever noticed the beautiful smell once you get up to the bridge area and beyond. The smell of the upper pennisula air is just different from the air down around Battle Creek where Im originally from (guess smelling cereal would be different than the fresh air)

Mackinac Straits ferry fares in the mid 1950s were in the neighborhood of $3.50 or $3.75, for a family of four including driver...in an ordinary passenger car. I seem to remember the ferry fare dependent somewhat on how many were in the vehicle other than the driver. When the Bridge first opened, the toll was in that neighborhood....but not long after the Bridge toll was reduced to $1.50 (passenger car and occupants, as was the initial toll also per vehicle). It stayed at this rate for MANY years, until fairly recently being raised to $2.50. There are, of course, many other tolls for different combinations of trailers, big commercial vehicles, etc...but I would suspect the ferries had even more fee classifications. I have driven buses across Mighty Mac, and depending upon the individual toll collector at the time I was charged differently....depending whether the bus was classified as a "two axle vehicle" or a "bus"...go figure!! Interestingly, way back when, too, the State Hwy Dept termed the bridge toll a
"fare" (I always thought "fares" were for things that moved and brought you somewhere??)

Quite the bridge, The Mighty Mac. Drove over it for the first time back in 1985 coming back from a wedding. Dad was getting kinda tired at the wheel so daughter took over from Grayling to Munising. Mother said "Weren't you afraid of driving over it?" Nah, I said, just like any other bridge I guess. Wouldn't mind seeing it again sometime. Great picture of it on todays
Pasty Cam.

I often wonder why there is no spring walk north on the bridge

I'm sure this has been discussed before and probably will be done again. But what happened to the Vacationland? I've heard talk about it being used in the Pacific Northwest. Also, are the docks in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City still there? I remember the vendors with their carts selling food and drinks while we waited for the ferry.

She sank in the Pacific in 1987 while being towed to China for scrapping. THis is what happend to the Vacationland.

We took one of the last Ships across in 1957, we had a sick daughter, I told the attendant and he sent us to the front of the line , otherwise it would have been an 8 hour wait, those were great times

Where I live, if I climb up the hill near my house I can look a little east of north and just glimpse the top of the towers above the trees. A binoculars helps as they look pretty tiny from here, about 25 miles away. I love driving through the bridge wires; it feels like I am in a giant piano. Or maybe a harp.

i cant cross the bridge...im scared...wen i was younger my parents told me if i wasnt good they were gonna throw me of the bridge..

I remember waiting for the ferry for hours, especially after deer season. The picture of the Mighty Mac is awesome. I look forward to crossing it every summer on our way to the Keweenaw. Thanks once again for taking us home through this website.

GREAT SHOT!

I took my HS Band from the thumb area to State Band Festival in St. Ignace, shortly after the Yugo incident around 1993. Only 8 of the 36 had been across the bridge, let alone in a large vehicle. I assured them that even with the wind, it would be safe to cross the bridge. I did tell them they had to get their weight down as low as they could in the bus because busses are built top heavy. They actually doubted me, can you believe it? I told them the police check to make sure that students on a bus follow this guideline. They still didn't believe me until they saw the escort police car parked at the beginning of the bridge. I was amazed. I was driving our equipment truck behind the bus. All of the sudden, all of the heads on the bus disappeared. The bus driver got on his radio and confirmed that they had actually followed the proper bridge guidelines (and he said it without laughing!). They stayed that way until the first pillar and he finally had to tell them. Everyone on the trip had an excellent time performing in St. Ignace, and staying overnight in Cedarville, amongst all the tourist areas we visited. The trip was one of those most memorable experiences for all!

Thornton Construction Co of Hancock in its blacktopping days was the first one to blacktop the span. Dad was a foreman on the job. Spent many days away from home back in the 60's. That job among many in the Upper Pennisula.

Oh if they didn't build that bridge we still wouldn't have to hear how they did it below the straits. We need a 50.00 toll going north and then the south trip free. SUPERIOR LAND WHERE WHERE YOU WHEN WE NEEDED YOU??????????????????? tHAT DARN BRIDGE.

I sailed on the lakes in '59 and '60 and again for a short time in '63. Coming up to the bridge at night is so nice! The lights are just beautimous. When we're heading north, I can't wait 'til I see those towers, and after I pay the toll I feel like I'm already home, even though Cornell is still 'bout 2 1/2 or so hours away. I have some video of the bridge taken while driving across, one eye on the road, one eye in the viewfinder.

I always remember my dad when crossing the bridge. On the way down state, over the bridge he would cough loudly. On the way up to the UP he would breath deep and say "Mmmm...fresh air...Gods Country."

I know on a clear day as you come to the exit where the 'Giant Man Eating Clam' is you can see the bridge for a brief instance looking to the NW through the clearing. But it has to be a CLEAR DAY....

maybe we should call it the "Mighty Mac", which i've heard
before

Bill Eastmanville, wrote:
"I know on a clear day as you come to the exit where the 'Giant Man Eating Clam' is you can see the bridge"

I stopped there be was never able to see that Giant Man...

I was born in Hancock, Michigan. Way up there in Copper Country. When I was four my dad moved us down state cause that is where the jobs were at the time.It was 1957. But every summer we would go back up to visit my gramma. I remember taking the Ferry across, then came the mighty Mac. My parents could not tell me that we were going up north because I would get so excited I would throw-up.I was ok in the car until I saw the bridge and then I knew I was going to a place I loved, and naturally, I'd throw up. My mom made me drink Verners. I love the U.P. even with the brutal winters.I now live in Tennessee and tomorrow my daughter and grandsons are taking a rode trip to show them the awsome Mackinaw Bridge. I will probably throw up. ha ha