Above the Straits of Mackinac, St. Ignace to Mackinaw City, from the UP to the Mitten, Lake Huron on our left, Lake Michigan on our right. We were not alone. Leo and Marci, and her sister, Rita, and her husband, Merle, walked with us along with 57000 of our closest bridge-walking friends and 50 swimmers who swam the straits. We completed our walk in an hour and a half.
Our day began at 4 am when Leo awakened us outside blaring the car horn and yelling, "Let's go, people!" Packed the car and drove to pick up Rita and Merle a half hour away. Driving US-23, we watched the sun rise over Lake Huron and arrived in Mackinaw City about 6:30 am. Merle navigated us to convenient parking from where we walked a short distance to get in line for a bus to take us across the bridge to the St. Ignace starting point. Long lines of walkers moved slowly but steadily and we finally boarded our school bus. Traffic congestion attributed to an increased number of walkers kept us at a crawl and it took longer than veteran walkers remembered to cross to St. Ignace.
Looking out school bus windows we were impressed first by runners who began around 7 am and had gathered for pictures on our side after finishing their run, and then by the leading walkers who were already nearing the finish line as our bus began its ascent of the bridge (about 8 am). Then two five-mile lanes filled from one end to the other with walkers.
We were on the bridge in St. Ignace at 9 o'clock. I tried to establish a pace comfortable for me. It was slower than that of Kathy and the others but I was determined not to "go out too fast" and I didn't! Impressive views impossible when crossing by car. The sky overhead was clear, the sun warming us so we tied our windbreakers around our waists, a slight breeze keeping us comfortable.
Panoramic views: St. Ignace over my left shoulder, Mackinac Island and ferries shuttling passengers and raising rooster tails, Mackinaw City ahead, a freighter approaching the straits from our right, and the shores of the UP over my right shoulder. As I glanced over my right shoulder, I saw no signs of the still burning forest fire I first noticed returning from Canada on August 3. Support towers 360 feet (a football field) above us held observers stationed atop. The freighter sounded its horn approaching the bridge, passed under, then sounded again and turned north toward the Soo Locks and Lake Superior. Looking through the grate that forms the middle two lanes we could see the lower superstructure and the green water below.
After reaching the middle of the bridge the trek was all downhill so I increased my pace and could comfortably keep up with Kathy and the others. To our right was Fort Michimilimac and to our left the last group of swimmers made its way to the Mackinaw City beach.
Walkers of all shapes, sizes, and ages. There were families, groups of young people, young couples and older ones, babies and infants pushed in strollers, some people in wheel chairs, adult children helping their parents, and some people by themselves seemingly out for a good walk.
At the finish line I felt relief, satisfaction, pride. We had accomplished something we had intended to do for a long time. We got our certificates and then--now get this--walked around Mackinaw City shopping for T-shirts.
One great day!
Our day began at 4 am when Leo awakened us outside blaring the car horn and yelling, "Let's go, people!" Packed the car and drove to pick up Rita and Merle a half hour away. Driving US-23, we watched the sun rise over Lake Huron and arrived in Mackinaw City about 6:30 am. Merle navigated us to convenient parking from where we walked a short distance to get in line for a bus to take us across the bridge to the St. Ignace starting point. Long lines of walkers moved slowly but steadily and we finally boarded our school bus. Traffic congestion attributed to an increased number of walkers kept us at a crawl and it took longer than veteran walkers remembered to cross to St. Ignace.
Looking out school bus windows we were impressed first by runners who began around 7 am and had gathered for pictures on our side after finishing their run, and then by the leading walkers who were already nearing the finish line as our bus began its ascent of the bridge (about 8 am). Then two five-mile lanes filled from one end to the other with walkers.
We were on the bridge in St. Ignace at 9 o'clock. I tried to establish a pace comfortable for me. It was slower than that of Kathy and the others but I was determined not to "go out too fast" and I didn't! Impressive views impossible when crossing by car. The sky overhead was clear, the sun warming us so we tied our windbreakers around our waists, a slight breeze keeping us comfortable.
Panoramic views: St. Ignace over my left shoulder, Mackinac Island and ferries shuttling passengers and raising rooster tails, Mackinaw City ahead, a freighter approaching the straits from our right, and the shores of the UP over my right shoulder. As I glanced over my right shoulder, I saw no signs of the still burning forest fire I first noticed returning from Canada on August 3. Support towers 360 feet (a football field) above us held observers stationed atop. The freighter sounded its horn approaching the bridge, passed under, then sounded again and turned north toward the Soo Locks and Lake Superior. Looking through the grate that forms the middle two lanes we could see the lower superstructure and the green water below.
After reaching the middle of the bridge the trek was all downhill so I increased my pace and could comfortably keep up with Kathy and the others. To our right was Fort Michimilimac and to our left the last group of swimmers made its way to the Mackinaw City beach.
Walkers of all shapes, sizes, and ages. There were families, groups of young people, young couples and older ones, babies and infants pushed in strollers, some people in wheel chairs, adult children helping their parents, and some people by themselves seemingly out for a good walk.
At the finish line I felt relief, satisfaction, pride. We had accomplished something we had intended to do for a long time. We got our certificates and then--now get this--walked around Mackinaw City shopping for T-shirts.
One great day!
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