I love riding over bridges. And I enjoy riding an occasional ferry when
travelling. which has nothing to do with my aversion to water-I sink rather
than swim, but for my love of the open road, and its extension over water. I
have ridden miles out of my way just to cross a bridge, or made riding plans
just so I could cross a certain bridge. Some of my favorites are the Mackinac
Bridge, over 5 miles long. Which between the wind, rain, and the only paved
lane being closed-the other is a metal grate so the wind can get through-try
riding over it with all three working against you. But still I will return to
Michigan's UP via it someday.
One of my favorites is the Astoria Bridge, over the Columbia River. Going
straight up while in a non-banked turn, it has a roller coaster effect-then
straightens out riding just few feet above the water. Always good for a few
trips back and forth while in the area. Even the Coronado Bay Bridge in San
Diego is neat, also being free when the bonds were paid off years ago, with only
the empty toll booths remaining to remind us of when it cost. And the only
public bridge I know of that cancelled the toll when the bonds were paid off.
In contrast to the Verrazano Bridge in New York-$14 to cross, only half for a
motorcycle-such a deal.
I have ridden over cover bridges, suspension and down, some beautiful like
the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, the Golden Gate Bridge, and have ridden on both
George and Martha-the Washington Bridge. I marvel at the Rio Grand Gorge
Bridge, and what a bummer it must have been to early pioneers, this 300 foot
gorge for 50 miles, and no way around it. I love the thunking noise a car makes
when going over the Royal Gorge, it is a plank road, that Theresa got off and
walked across-not sure why. Now it is close to traffic, but you can walk
across. Maybe she started something.
But some bridges need to be from below, like the New River Gorge Bridge in
West Virginia. Another must ride-take the 45 minute detour on the old road,
over the old bridge-you'll be glad you did. But long before bridges, we had
ferries, of which I have ridden on a few. My favorite, and longest is from
Anacortes to Victoria-almost 5 hours of peaceful sailing, with stops at Orcas
Island and Friday Harbor. People only at Orcas, cars ok at Friday, they even
have a Chevy dealer. Wouldn't you like to test drive a new car there? But even
the small $2 ferry going to Balboa Island is fun-just plan on waiting, and I
even survived a summer squall from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware. I stood by my
bike as the waves swayed the boat up and down, while the locals just watched-no
big deal to them. Despite the inclement weather, they were riding. Something
about the weather being nice that day, they mentioned...
But the king of all bridges, all 17 miles of it, is the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge Tunnel. With tunnels between the man made islands, each one 1 mile in
length, and a wonderful view when rising out-when you enter it is like going
under the ocean. Expensive, but so is a day at Disneyland. I'll take the
ride-I've seen Mickey! Figure in the bridges to Key West, Lake Ponchatrain, the
old bridge in Easton, the Bridge of the Gods, and the seven bridges I crossed
over the Mississippi one day, and they are out there. Just waiting for you to
ride them. So plan a trip around bridges, not around them to avoid them. And
enjoy the ride.
When Adam sinned, we became separated from God. A chasm of sin stood
between us, with nothing to bridge it. And then He sent Jesus to bridge the
gap, to atone for our sin, and allow us safe passage to God. A bridge of
forgiveness, if you will, not built by human hands, and open to all. It just
takes recognizing the bridge master, and then you can cross. But many don't or
won't, thinking this toll free way is not enough. They think they have to pay a
toll, by doing things to please God, and atone for their sin themselves. When
all the time Jesus has paid it all, invites you across, and sees you have a
great ride. A bridge of repentance, changing from the wrong direction, to the
right direction. Toll free, and the views are incredible. If you haven't
crossed this bridge, I encourage you to seek Jesus today, and follow His
directions-you'll be glad you did.
No ferry to heaven-only a bridge over the chasm sinned caused. Maybe that
is why I love riding over bridges so much, over 35 years ago I rode the bridge
to salvation, and that has made all the difference. It is open 24/7, and the
lanes are open to all forms of traffic-sinners.
So next time you face a a toll bridge, pay for the guy in back of you.
Have the toll collector tell them it is a gift from God. Make someone's day a
little brighter by doing them a favor. And when you notice the bridge only goes
one way, it is because no one ever wants to return to their sin. So God used
the extra lanes to accommodate all the traffic. Traffic you will never get
stuck in...
When Brother Willie sings "let's all go down to the river..." I think of
Jesus and bridges. And the way home. Enjoy the ride, ferries may be a good
thing, but nothing beats riding in heaven. There's this bridge I have read
about, it's only 2000 miles away, maybe a three day weekend ride....cross the
bridge with Jesus today!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
