The Northland Adventurer
  • Northland Adventurer
    • Rum River 2017
    • Rum River 2019
    • Cannon River
    • Superior Bay
    • Upper St. Croix
    • Headwaters of the Mississippi
    • Namekagon River
    • Kalamazoo River
    • Taylors Falls - Lower St. Croix
    • Lake Pepin & Lake City
    • Lake Hamlin
    • St. Paul, MN & Raspberry Island
    • Tall Ships Duluth Festival
    • Stillwater, MN
    • Great Lakes Lighthouses
    • Bridges of Stillwater
    • Wisconsin Central Bridge Ruins
    • Soo Line High Bridge
    • Vertical Lift Bridges
    • Trains
    • Railroad Bridges
    • Tugs and Barges
    • Locks and Dams
    • Business and Industry
    • The Joy of the Journey
    • Overhanging Branches
    • Best of All It's Fall
    • Get Off the River!
    • Our Prized Grand River
    • Crossing Lake Huron
    • Straits of Mackinac
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2016
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2020
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.10.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.27.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 7.13.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 7.15.23
    • Crossing Lake Superior >
      • Helpful Hints
      • Packing for Great Lakes Crossings
    • SEVENTY48
    • Campus to Coast
    • Paddling the Pere Marquette
    • Avid Kayaker Brushes Death >
      • The Whole Story
    • A Narrow Escape 2019
    • Reflections
    • More about Mike
  • Contact
The Straits of Mackinac
Michigan's Magnificent Mackinac Bridge - The Mighty Mac. 
It is a cool, breezy day in June when I paddle underneath Michigan’s most famous bridge. With the threat of a storm, I am alone on the Straits of Mackinac and under Michigan’s most magnificent bridge where Great Lakes Michigan and Huron collide.

Leaving from the north shore at St. Ignace, the journey across is choppier than what I would like. When I make the turn back, the wind from the northwest picks up, the waves begin to churn, and a chilling rain starts to fall.

As I take in the incredible view of the Mighty Mac from directly underneath I touch its massive columns as I pass in between. I then look down and follow these towering columns as they disappear below the water where they continue another 200 feet to bedrock.

I find it difficult to look either up or down as vertigo begins to set in. Losing my confidence and sense of balance here will certainly prove disastrous so I quickly reset my focus on the shore far ahead.

Ever since I was a child my family would drive over this five mile span on our way to our family’s summer cottage on Drummond Island. The sound of the car tires over the grated road, the subtle swaying of the bridge during strong winds, and the vast view on either side both mesmerize and terrorize.

I have been blessed to drive over, walk across, and paddle under this most splendid bridge, which I will forever cherish.
Picture
Picture
Picture
At 5 miles long the Mackinac Bridge weighing in at 1,024,500 tons is the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world. Its roadway is 199 feet above the water and twin towers reach 552 feet.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Northland Adventurer
    • Rum River 2017
    • Rum River 2019
    • Cannon River
    • Superior Bay
    • Upper St. Croix
    • Headwaters of the Mississippi
    • Namekagon River
    • Kalamazoo River
    • Taylors Falls - Lower St. Croix
    • Lake Pepin & Lake City
    • Lake Hamlin
    • St. Paul, MN & Raspberry Island
    • Tall Ships Duluth Festival
    • Stillwater, MN
    • Great Lakes Lighthouses
    • Bridges of Stillwater
    • Wisconsin Central Bridge Ruins
    • Soo Line High Bridge
    • Vertical Lift Bridges
    • Trains
    • Railroad Bridges
    • Tugs and Barges
    • Locks and Dams
    • Business and Industry
    • The Joy of the Journey
    • Overhanging Branches
    • Best of All It's Fall
    • Get Off the River!
    • Our Prized Grand River
    • Crossing Lake Huron
    • Straits of Mackinac
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2016
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 2020
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.10.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 6.27.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 7.13.21
    • Crossing Lake Michigan - 7.15.23
    • Crossing Lake Superior >
      • Helpful Hints
      • Packing for Great Lakes Crossings
    • SEVENTY48
    • Campus to Coast
    • Paddling the Pere Marquette
    • Avid Kayaker Brushes Death >
      • The Whole Story
    • A Narrow Escape 2019
    • Reflections
    • More about Mike
  • Contact