August 28, 2008
Gratuitous Historickal Posting
According to Wikipedia, today is the anniversary of the discovery of Delaware Bay in 1609 by Henry Hudson.
As Johnny Carson used to say, "I did not know that." Indeed, I never knew that Hudson came this far down the East Coast.
The information is largely thrown away on me, however, because I rarely contemplate Delaware Bay, even when passing it. Why? Because I am too busy fretting about this:
Da! Da! Da! Daaaaaah!
Yes, it's the freakin' Delaware Memorial Bridge. Long time readers will know of my fear of flying. Well, that fear also applies to tall bridges, and this one is no exception. I've probably been over it 50 or 60 times in my puff, but even at this last crossing - on our way back from Maine - the Missus remarked on how white my knuckles looked as we came down on the Delaware side.
I've developed a couple of rules for dealing with the DMB:
1.) I drive.
2.) We stay in the center-left lane no matter what.
3.) Everybody in the car just shut the hell up.
4.) Make sure we have plenty paper napkins on board so I can wipe the sweat off my palms and the steering wheel once we're across.
I'm sure Mr. Hudson would be proud.
UPDATE: In response to some of your comments: I know all about the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, but unlike several of you, I've never actually been over it. I've also managed to avoid the old "Cuppah" River Bridge in Charleston of infamous repute despite the fact that my brother went to med school there.
Posted by Robert at August 28, 2008 09:10 AM | TrackBackWhen Husband and I crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge I kept my eyes shut the entire time.
Ditto for the section of I-95 South...
And NoVa...
YIKES!
Posted by: GroovyVic at August 28, 2008 09:33 AMAs a general rule, heights and bridges don't scare me. The exception that proved that rule was the trip over the old bay bridge in Charleston, S.C. Yeah - the one on which you could look through the steel mesh deck down to the water. I was the passenger the first time, the driver the second. It's a toss up as to which was more terrifying.
Posted by: Diane at August 28, 2008 10:02 AMI find the DelMem Bridge a breeze after crossing the Eastbound Chesapeake Bay Bridge -- my hands have a death grip on the wheel crossing that span.
Ms Diane is dead-on about the old Cooper River Bridge in Charleston though. That was my commute (both ways!) to work for 3 years. It was a roller coaster with out rails and YOU driving!
Posted by: NOVA Curmudgeon at August 28, 2008 11:24 AMAnd then there's the Ambassador's Bridge between Windsor Ontario and Detroit. Goes high up and is about due to be replaced (and by about due I mean it should have been replaced 10-20 years ago). Going from the US to Canada isn't so bad, but the return trip means going through US Customs, which means waiting on line, in your car, on the bridge. Added fun if there's a strong wind.
Posted by: rbj at August 28, 2008 01:26 PMI suggest you stay away from the Sunshine Skyway if you are ever in Tampa/St Pete Flordia.
Posted by: Zendo Deb at August 28, 2008 01:42 PMThe Bourne and Sagamore bridges are no treat, either. It's the cobination of high and exceedingly narrow that freaks me out.
Posted by: The Abbot at August 28, 2008 04:21 PMAh, you beat me to it Zendo Deb. I loved driving across it. Its probably the highest point in Florida.
Posted by: stillers at August 29, 2008 01:53 AM"The highest point in Florida"
After Rickey Williams, right?
Posted by: rbj at August 29, 2008 07:19 AMOhhhh....
Unsportsman-like conduct, RBJ. Fifteen yard penalty and automatic first down.
Posted by: Robbo the LB at August 29, 2008 08:40 AMI'll take the penalty and distract Rickey with a bag of Doritos.
Posted by: rbj at August 29, 2008 09:34 AM
Image courtesy of the lovely and talented 