September 7th

We woke up early again today to take our annual Labor Day Bridge Walk across the mighty Mackinac Bridge. The group that we were camping with planned to leave the campground at 8:00am, so we attempted to do the same (even though this is earlier than we typically start). We did manage to leave the campsite a little after 8:00am, walked down the trails to the rest area along I-75, and started walking on the bridge at 8:20am. We finished the walk in one hour and forty minutes - not our record, but not too bad either considering that Drew walked by himself the entire way. After our walk we stopped once again for donuts before heading into town to do some window shopping.

2009 Mackinac Bridge Walk
	This is the trail that we took from the campground to the rest station along I-75. It was freshly mowed for the bridge walk, although I didn't notice the haziness when we were actually walking on it.
	The view of the bridge from the beginning of our walk.
	A freighter in the fog as seen from the bridge.
	We are slowly approaching the first tower.
	Looking through the grating at the cross members and the tower supports in the water.
	Our walking group - Grandpa Gary, Drew, Tyler, Tara, and Samantha. Drew only complained about his legs hurting once in a while, but he refused to stop walking.
	The fog started rolling in as we approached the towers...
	...and got worse after we passed the first tower.
	Sam and Tara didn't let the fog slow them down.
	Looking through the grate the fog prevented us from seeing the water down below.
	One of the towers being covered in fog.
	Grandma Terry and Jayden driving the van to Mackinaw City to meet us for donuts.
	Almost to the finish line!
	Looking back at the bridge from along the shore near Fort Michilimackac.
	A view of the foggy bridge from the shore in front of the lighthouse.
	For several years we have seen a building from the bridge that looked like it was a hotel or something similar. As I ran from the beach to the donut shop to meet up with the rest of the family I passed the building - which turned out to be this house. Man, do I wish I was loaded!
	After we left the donut shop we had to wait for Tyler and Grandma Terry (who stopped in the rest room before heading out). Jayden, Samantha, and Drew all crashed in the grass to relax for a moment.
	Jay, Drew, Sam, and Tyler playing in the water fountain inside Mackinaw Crossing (an outdoor mall).
	Drew sitting on the edge of the fountain.
	A statue located outside of "The Depot" restaurant.
	The building that houses "The Depot".
	This man is painted all bronze and stands like a statue - only moving to acknowledge people who donate money (he did move when Tyler poked him in the back, though).
	Drew went up and put a dollar in the bucket and was rewarded with a statue fist-bump.
Please click here for page two of the photos

2009 Mackinac Bridge Walk

This is the trail that we took from the campground to the rest station along I-75. It was freshly mowed for the bridge walk, although I didn't notice the haziness when we were actually walking on it.

The view of the bridge from the beginning of our walk.

A freighter in the fog as seen from the bridge.

We are slowly approaching the first tower.

Looking through the grating at the cross members and the tower supports in the water.

Our walking group - Grandpa Gary, Drew, Tyler, Tara, and Samantha. Drew only complained about his legs hurting once in a while, but he refused to stop walking.

The fog started rolling in as we approached the towers...

...and got worse after we passed the first tower.

Sam and Tara didn't let the fog slow them down.

Looking through the grate the fog prevented us from seeing the water down below.

One of the towers being covered in fog.

Grandma Terry and Jayden driving the van to Mackinaw City to meet us for donuts.

Almost to the finish line!

Looking back at the bridge from along the shore near Fort Michilimackac.

A view of the foggy bridge from the shore in front of the lighthouse.

For several years we have seen a building from the bridge that looked like it was a hotel or something similar. As I ran from the beach to the donut shop to meet up with the rest of the family I passed the building - which turned out to be this house. Man, do I wish I was loaded!

After we left the donut shop we had to wait for Tyler and Grandma Terry (who stopped in the rest room before heading out). Jayden, Samantha, and Drew all crashed in the grass to relax for a moment.

Jay, Drew, Sam, and Tyler playing in the water fountain inside Mackinaw Crossing (an outdoor mall).

Drew sitting on the edge of the fountain.

A statue located outside of "The Depot" restaurant.

The building that houses "The Depot".

This man is painted all bronze and stands like a statue - only moving to acknowledge people who donate money (he did move when Tyler poked him in the back, though).

Drew went up and put a dollar in the bucket and was rewarded with a statue fist-bump.