Yes, really!!!
We won a trip to the top of the Mackinac Bridge, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
After signing a waiver form and donning some oh-so-stylish Bridge Authority vests, our guide drove us to the south tower and opened the hatchway:
We then entered a very small elevator, maybe 2' x 3', which took us most of the way up the tower:
After that, we had to climb through a series of tiny hatchways and ladders, approximately 40' total:
And when we popped our heads through the final hatch, this was the view looking south, 552 feet above the water:
Looking north:
Looking towards home, Mackinac Island:
The cables are amazing:
One of the giant beacons on the top of the towers:
The towers don't allow a panoramic view to the east or the west:
Then it was time to climb down again, here's a shot of the entry hatchway:
If you look closely, you'll see the note, "This way out" penciled above this hatchway - it's a bit of a maze inside the towers and it all looks alike, it would be really east to get all turned around!
Every Labor Day, thousand of people walk across the bridge - the only day that's allowed, but only a handful of people are ever able to ascend one of the towers. I've been in a boat under the bridge and drove over the bridge dozens of times, but I never thought I'd be at the top of the bridge - it was a true adventure!
