Modern Marvels

[Brent Burns]

History Channel's show, Modern Marvels is to blame.

I was impressed with the planning and construction of the Mackinac Bridge when watching History Channel last night. That bridge is in Michigan as it goes over the Strait of Michigan. Currently, it is the 3rd largest suspension bridge in the world [Japan (1st) and Denmark (2nd)].

You will be in awe when looking at the bridge below during the springtime:

[Tim Whitehead]

Thanks, Brent. That is pretty cool.

[lil lady lax fan]

Having been born and raised there, would you believe I've never crossed that bridge much less seen it?!!

Every labor day weekend they have the annual bridge walk. This is their 48th year!

http://www.mackinacbridge.org/

Click on Annual Bridge Walk for more information.

[mbuff]

I've driven over the bridge four times. My wife was a Troll from Cadillac and we would drive up to go to the Island and see the U'pers.

I was really kind of annoyed that she and my in-laws kept telling me that if I was afraid to cross it, that they have state workers that would drive you over and back. Really, I never got the big deal. It's not like some of the dirt fire roads in Colorado.

But I guess that with a "Party Store" on every corner in MI, one might get a little jarred driving over a big long grate in the air.

[mholtz]

From what I've heard, more than one small car has blown off it on a windy day.

That's gotta be up there on worst ways to die.

I went to San Francisco a few years back, and I'd heard all about the famous golden gate bridge.... After seeing the "Mighty Mac" the golden gate is lame.

[laxfan25]

We vacation every year at a campground with a view of the Mighty Mac. We drive back and forth across it just because it is such a cool view.
I am aware of one car that went over the edge a few years ago. I believe it was a Yugo. The driver lost control (maybe wind related), and there is a round pipe guard rail (about a foot high) on the side of the roadway. she hit that, bounced up, on and over the four-foot high railing on the side of the bridge and into the Straits of Mackinac. (Just missed hitting the Edmund Fitzgerald on the way down). The railing on the bridge isn't all that high, and can be intimidating to people. You are correct, they have staff that will drive your vehicle across if you are afraid.

[laxfan25]

Another interesting bit of Mackinac Bridge lacrosse-related trivia. At the foot of the bridge on the Mackinac City side, off ot the west side is Fort Michilimackinac. This is the site of one of the great lacrosse stories of all time.
The British were running the fort, and the local Indian tribes said that they wanted to have a lacrosse game in honor of King George's birthday. The game was held outside the fort walls. During the play of the game, the ball was "accidentally" thrown over the wall of the fort. (They didn't have extras lined up on the endline - this incident might be the reason for that now). The soldiers, who had been enjoying the mayhem, opened the gate to allow them to retrieve the game ball. The players ran to the sidelines, where the women had tomahawks hidden under their skirts. The players, now warriors, proceeded to massacre the residents of the fort. True story, and there is no report of the final score of the game.

[Danny Hogan]

I went to San Francisco a few years back, and I'd heard all about the famous golden gate bridge.... After seeing the "Mighty Mac" the golden gate is lame.

i saw the golden gate for the first time last year. the scenery is amazing, but it definatley looks waaay bigger on TV

[mholtz]

Another interesting bit of Mackinac Bridge lacrosse-related trivia. At the foot of the bridge on the Mackinac City side, off ot the west side is Fort Michilimackinac. This is the site of one of the great lacrosse stories of all time.
The British were running the fort, and the local Indian tribes said that they wanted to have a lacrosse game in honor of King George's birthday. The game was held outside the fort walls. During the play of the game, the ball was "accidentally" thrown over the wall of the fort. (They didn't have extras lined up on the endline - this incident might be the reason for that now). The soldiers, who had been enjoying the mayhem, opened the gate to allow them to retrieve the game ball. The players ran to the sidelines, where the women had tomahawks hidden under their skirts. The players, now warriors, proceeded to massacre the residents of the fort. True story, and there is no report of the final score of the game.

I've heard versions of that story. Slightly different, but the gist is the same.

[lil lady lax fan]

I think one of the Central Mich players said that a group of them would go up every year and toss a ball over the wall in tribute. Wonder if they still do that?

Favorite UP-related bumper sticker: Say Yeah to da UP, eh?

[laxfan25]

Here is a little history from the Smithsonian:
"Early French and English settlers at first were both startled and horrified by the game. "Almost everything short of murder is allowable," one noted. "If one were not told beforehand that they were playing," another wrote, "one would certainly believe that they were fighting." Soon, however, they fell under the spell of the game, learning to watch (and place side bets) among themselves. So much so that lacrosse played a role during the period of Pontiac's Rebellion in which several Indian nations fought to reclaim lands from occupying British forces in what is now the Midwest. In 1763, during King George III's birthday celebration, Indians staged a game outside Fort Michilimackinac on Lake Michigan. While His Majesty's soldiers were caught up in the game's progress, warriors took the fort. "

Here is the link if you're interested in more history of the great game:
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smiths ... dec97.html

[Brent Burns]

In 1763, during King George III's birthday celebration, Indians staged a game outside Fort Michilimackinac on Lake Michigan. While His Majesty's soldiers were caught up in the game's progress, warriors took the fort. "

One of the world's oldest diversion tactics.