July 21-22, 2013 Travel to Dublin and Friends

On Sunday, 21st, we woke to another BEAUTIFUL day, packed up and off we went south through the Upper Peninsula:

Across the Mackinac Bridge - Lake Huron on the left - Lake Michigan on the right:

Some interesting facts about the bridge:

“The Mackinac Bridge is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world and  the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.

All suspension bridges are designed to move to accommodate wind, change in temperature, and weight. It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet (east or west) due to high winds. This would only happen under severe wind conditions. The deck would not swing or "sway" but rather move slowly in one direction based on the force and direction of the wind. After the wind subsides, the weight of the vehicles crossing would slowly move it back into center position.

The steel superstructure will support one ton per lineal foot per roadway (northbound or southbound). The length of the steel superstructure is 19,243 feet. Each direction will, therefore, support 19,243 tons.  So this bridge will support a total of  is 38,486 tons (2 x 19,243 tons). “

WOW!

We continued our way south into the Manistee National Forest:

We are at Sand Beach Campground near Dublin, Michigan for a few days.  The weather cleared up so we had a nice campfire, cooked steaks over the fire - YUM - and enjoyed the fire into the evening.

On Monday, 22nd, our friends Bill and Shelly came into the campground and we spent the day getting caught up with each other and a great campfire into the evening.  We have not seen them since April and it is great to spend time with them again.

Stats for Sunday:

Miles Traveled: 218 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Michigan: Shunk Road; Three Mile Road; I-75 Business; I-75; US-31; US-131; 34 Mile Road; SR-115; SR-55; Snyder Road; Sand Lake Road