Remember the first time you crossed Mackinaw Bridge? Or is it Mackinac Bridge? (I just looked on Google and they show it both ways.) Well, whatever, this shot reminded me how dizzy we were the first time we drove from Mackinac City (Mackinaw?) to Saint Ignace.

Maybe it was just from trying to figure how to spell the name :o)

The first time I crossed the bridge was when I was about 10 years old. My family and I were on our summer vacation to the UP. The more memorable crossings were when I attended Michigan Tech in the early 70s and would cross it on my way home to Muskegon for breaks between quarters. I remember a couple times with snow, ice and high winds that made the driving a real challenge. There were times I thought my 63 Corvair was going to become airborne. We always made it safely though and I still think the Mackinac is the greatest bridge in the world.

It's Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. I may be stuck in Oklahoma (forecast to hit 103 today), but growing up I spend every summer in Mackinaw City. Sure miss the ferry boats!

It's Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. I may be stuck in Oklahoma (forecast to hit 103 today), but growing up I spent every summer in Mackinaw City. Sure miss the ferry boats!

First off, awesome picture! I've always enjoyed the straits. A whole lot of family memories are there. Second, about the name. I myself went to Google and did some more digging. Here's what I found...in a nutshell. Mackinac was originally called Michilimackinak and there are two theories at the origin of the name. The first is probably the most likley. The name michilimackinac is the name of an ancient indian tribe that inhabitated the island and whose spirits still dwell there. (I'm not too sure about that). The second is from the French who called it "Great Turtle" and the name "Great Turtle Island in Michigan (which by the way is also an Indian name meaning "Great Lake"). I'm not sure if that helps but it's what I found. If you'd like more information just go to the floowing website:

www.usgennet.org/usa/mi/state/orphan/mackinac

If anyone out there is interested in further information just contact me at grizzly_adams@usa.net. I'd be more then happy to share information I have already gathered about Michigan and the upper peninsula as well as any additional information you might need. I love research and this is something I'm trying to work on. Excellant picture guys! Keep up the good work!

Paul Roberts

the mighty mac is the best of the best. born and raised in the u.p. it has allways been my favorite spot. grown up and living in minnesota now, I take my family up to the bridge every year.Why is it that whenever the subject of a spectacular bridge come's up it's allways about that rusty colored one out in the coast?

In my yearly trek to the U.P. from downstate, I never feel like I have gotten anywhere until I cross the Mighty Mac. I get all excited everytime I see a mileage sign on I-75 letting me know how many miles I have yet to go. Also always looking to spot the tops of the towers as you go over the hill on 75 by Sea Shell City (what IS that?!)

Any idea what the suspended guy is doing? And if he fails, is he suspended? And must he wear suspenders while doing it? Please answer--the suspense is killing me!

the last time I crossed the straits was way back in 54. /the bridge didn't exist then. we had to load up on big cargo ships. The name Petoskey rings a bell. one of the cargo ship names. If I remember right it tookk around 45 minutes to cross. Sometimes it took 3 and even more hours to load vehicles on. And there used to be venders selling food and drinks while we waited. Those were the good old days. Maybe someday I will go across the big bridge. It should be interesting.

I crossed the bridge in fog for the first time this summer. Weird not seeing it first from a distance. I crossed it many times on the way to visit grandparents and go camping as a child, after some years of crossing on the ferry. After all these years it's still impressive!

I agree with Liz from Livonia, getting a first glimpse of the bridge on 75 by Sea Shell City is a great feeling. Then seeing the entire bridge after the last slight turn on I 75 south of Mackinaw is pure joy. I still let out a loud cheer when the bridge is in full view. And once in the UP I leave all my cares and worries south where they belong.

How come the distance between Indian River and Mackinaw seems like hundreds of miles when in reality it is about 25 miles? Probably because after driving/riding for the last 4 or 5 hours and eager to be in the UP, the last few miles just drag on and on and on........

Will be crossing on Sunday for a two week stay at Eagle Harbor. HOORAY!!!!!!

I too really enjoy seeing the bridge from I75. It really does push all your worries to the wayside. It meant an even greater deal to me this past summer when I was able to see it for the first time in person (rather then via web cam) in over 2 years as I was achieving a life long dream of moving to the upper peninsula. Gotta love it!

Paul

In 1956 and 1957 I sailed on freighters Ben W. Calvin and the Crispin Oglebay and past under the Mackinac Bridge almost weekly as it was being constructed. Had some awsome views as we passed going west from Mackinaw City with the sun setting under the yet to be completed bridge. Yes I to had waited at the ferry docks in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City on trips from Hubbell to Detroit. In 1958 I sailed on the EDMUND FITZGERALD for it's maiden season and have had a article published on that experience. It is ironic that the little town of Hubbell had a sailor aboard the FITZ on both the maiden and final season (Ransom Cunday). Can send a copy of the article if you care to e-mail me.

When I attended Mich. Tech. I knew when I saw the Mackinac Bridge I was half way home. It was a awsome landmark to see on the drive from home in Clarkston.

I have a vague memory of crossing on the cargo ships when I was little. We made an annual vacation trip to camp on the shores of Lake Superior. What a wonderful sight the bridge was because it meant we could stop and stretch our legs and breath in the wonderful lake breezes. Clarkston was my origination point for the long drive.

I drive a truck and have been over the "Mac." Trucks are only allowed in the right lane and limited to 20 mph. This takes some time to cross but lets me enjoy the ride even more. I sit higher than most do in their cars and because of this I can see right through the metal grate in the left lane. The dark, churning, green water looks eerie. Thought this would be an interesting point of view.

I still feel like a kid everytime I see Big Mac. We try to get up 2 or 3 times each year. Going to walk the Bridge on Monday again. See you there.

Okay, okay, time to settle this once and for all. It is indeed Mackinac Bridge. The French spelling of the region is the traditional way of spelling it. The French named the mainland fort Michilimackinac. The ancient Ojibwa (Chippewa) name for the region was Michinnimackinong. The French thought they were hearing Michilimackinaw. However, the French phonics places 'ac' at the end of a word sounding 'aw.' They also named the Straits and the Island.

When the English founded the city at the south end of where the bridge currently is, they named it Mackinaw City, using the common English phonics.

The State simply named the bridge after the water beneath it, named by the French, the Straits of Mackinac.

Lots of history under that bridge. If you crave it; at Picture Michigan, go to The Galleries, then to Mackinac History for more.
http://www.picturemichigan.net

When you see the Mackinac Bridge for the first time it puts a mark on your heart, and draws you back. After visiting the Mackinaw City area for 8 years, we finally moved there. I can see the Mackinac Bridge everyday, my dream come true.

The Mackinac Bridge is still one of the most awesome wonders of the world. I was lucky enough to move up from Detroit with my family as a teenager and remember how amazing it looked for the first time.

I thank God every day when I look out my window and see the freighters passing by from all over the world, eventually crossing under the bridge. I get to watch the Lake Michigan and Huron waters turn hundreds of colors of blue and pink and walk the shoreline road with the bridge in full view. Living and working in the small harbor town of St. Ignace has been wonderful.

The U.P. is a wonderland of discovery and I can't imagine my life had I not ever crossed the Big Mac, (which I get to do a couple times a week). Each time is as exciting as the first and my heart still skips a beat when the bridge comes in view from I-75 and I enter the center of the freshwater world.