Mackinaw Bridge

We had a rocking time at Lake Michigan, but it was time to head north along the Lake Michigan coast. We decided to head north to go to Lake Millacs in Minnesota. Instead of heading south through another gauntlet of a City, Chicago.

Instead we headed for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Well worth the drive. Very, very pretty. It almost felt like you were in Alaska. Not that I have been to Alaska, but it is on the bucket list...

Also driving across one of Americas engineering miracles, the Mackinac Bridge. It is basically the mid wests version of the Golden Gate Bridge, in San Fran. Just way more engineered for the Frozen winter weather. With Ice flows and crazy gusty winds in the Strait of Mackinac, they had to make the bridge better and stronger than its counter part.

The Mackinaw bridge is now currently the third longest suspended bridge in the world the leader now is Japan and second is Denmark. I also read this interesting fact that all suspension bridges are designed to move to accommodate wind, change in temperature, and weight. It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet (east or west) due to high winds. This would only happen under severe wind conditions. The deck would not swing or "sway" but rather move slowly in one direction based on the force and direction of the wind. After the wind subsides, the weight of the vehicles crossing would slowly move it back into center position.

Crazy!! If you want to read more history or cool facts check out the web site or watch the History Channel on T.V. they have a whole show on Modern Marvels about the Mackinac Bridge. It is also pronounced Mackinaw bridge.
www.mackinacbridge.org

Peace

Patrick and Kara