The "Little Mac" Bridge: Mesick, MI
Although @mrsbozz and I have camped for nearly the entire 15 years we have been married, I would have to say that our trips lately are a bit different than they used to be. It's not that we never went on adventures before, but our dog Jovi had a high amount of anxiety which specifically manifested in the form of separation anxiety.
While we assume she loved to camp with us, being left alone in the car or in the trailer at the campsite was never really an option. We did it a few times, but we could tell it took a toll on her. For that reason, many of our camping trips were spent just lounging around the campsite enjoying the surroundings. Still not a bad way to spend your weekend, but if you are camping with other people, it can be a bit of a downer for them.
As Jovi got older, she stopped coming on as many trips with us, and now that she is gone, although we miss her dearly, there is still a nice amount of freedom that comes with not having to worry about her anxiety. Make no mistake, I'd have her back in a heartbeat if I could, but getting out and exploring has its perks too.
On our recent trip to Mitchell State Park in Cadillac Michigan, I notice that we were going to be very close to a location they call the Little Mackinac Bridge. For as much of the state as I have explored as a youth with my family, I'm not even sure I have visited this location before today.
After @mrsbozz and I played a round of disc golf (more about that another day), I figured why not make the short 30 to 45 minute drive over to Mesick, MI to check out this engineering feat. The bridge spans the Manistee River in the north western portion of Michigan's lower peninsula. The Manistee River is actually one of the prettiest in the lower peninsula. I have always been impressed by it and wish there were more state park campgrounds along it's course.
I feel the same way about the Muskegon River too. It's just beautiful, wide, and decently deep.
We started at the north west portion of the Manistee River Trail and it was actually a bit hard to find. I didn't have my map handy and I wasn't sure where the trailhead started to get you to the bridge. There is a small parking area, but you can't actually see the bridge from that spot.
We got down to the water just as a large group of kayakers were passing by. I wish I could have gotten some shots of them, but they were around the bend and long gone by the time we got there.
The bridge was also a lot busier than I would have expected for a Saturday morning. Sure, the weather was amazing, so I shouldn't be shocked that so many people were out for a walk.
Really though, beyond the bridge, there isn't much else to see in this area. We basically just walked down to the bridge, walked across it, then turned around and walked back dodging all the people who were standing in the middle of the bridge looking at the river.
It always amazes me how many people have those hiking poles with them. We tend to make fun of them, but I am sure they serve a purpose and as we get older we might find ourselves also using them.
While not nearly as long as the actual Mackinac Bridge, the construction of the "Little Mac" is still quite impressive. There are a couple suspension foot bridges spread across Michigan, but I think each of them are unique in their own way. This one definitely has its own charms.
Ultimately, I'm glad we stopped to check this out, but as I said, if you find yourself in this area of the state, don't expect to spend a lot of time here. It's basically a 15 minute sightseeing run unless you plan on throwing a line in the water or standing on the bridge and taking in the surroundings for a while.
The bridge is right near a dam, so as you can see from the photo above, there are a number of powerlines around. In fact, one of the roads we had to go down to get to this part of the trail is also used by the power company to access their facility I think.
As we were leaving I took a couple more shots highlighting the engineering marvel of this bridge. You can see the turnbuckle that goes into the ground where the suspension cables are anchored. It's pretty impressive how much tension there must be on those cables and how deep they must be anchored to support the bridge.
As I said, if you get a chance to visit, it is definitely worth it and it really won't take up too much of your time. I definitely recommend it.
@mrsbozz and I still have at least one more trip this year before our season is finished. We might try to squeeze two in if we are lucky. I can't wait to share them with you.
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Wow, that's really cool
Thank you!
You're welcome
Wow, what a beautiful place. You do find some nice parks and wild areas.
As to the hiking pole thing, yeah that has always left me scratching my head too. Here I see even people in their 20s using them. I never really saw the purpose. Unless it's a pacing issue. You know, to try to spread your energy out and such. If you can save 5% of the energy from walking without poles, I suppose that is a little longer you can walk. I don't know. But yeah, always looks strange to me.
I think a lot of it might have to do with stability and there being uneven trails with roots and rocks and things like that. I guess until I start falling all over the place I am not going to worry about it.
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Good night and best wishes for today.Nice place and the photography results are quite interesting.
Thanks, I appreciate it!
I definitely prefer the Little Mac over any Big Mac :) I thought McDonald's was cool as a kid, it used to be sort of a symbol of the "American life" here in the Czech Republic. When I was about ten, I realized how wrong I was - and then I watched Super Size Me for the first time, which confirmed my newly-acquired stance.
This is the "Big Mac"
Haha, I see :)
Hiking poles? I was completely against using trekking poles. But since, I learned to use them to distribute weight, and in the long term, it is good for your joint health. I have a carbon fiber trekking pole, and with cork handles! I think the best advantage to me of trekking poles is that they enable me to push off and propel me in every stride.
I had devoted 15 years of my life to my three yorkies, and they crossed the rainbow bridge one after another almost two years ago. I miss them, and they are forever in my heart.
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I guess I haven't used poles like that since I was skiing a long long time ago, so I don't really know. I think some people have them just so they can look cool. I get what you are saying though.
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What a nice place! I don't think I've ever been over a pedestrian bridge over a river before, I know I haven't been over a suspension anyway! What a beautiful area for a weekend walk.
Not having a pet at home makes travelling so much easier, I miss having dogs around but not having to worry about them when you travel makes life a lot simpler. I know what you mean you'd have Jovi back in a heartbeat, but the freedom to travel is really nice!
Yeah, this past week when I was home sick it would have been nice to have some company, but being able to just pick up and go is very nice. This place was pretty cool and while we may never visit again, I'm glad we swung by and got a few photos.
That is one of my favorite fishing spots just downstream from the bridge. There's a small path just before you get on the bridge that takes you to a nice bend in the river. There is some easy fishing with beautiful views.
That sounds amazing. If I would have had more time then I would have given it a shot!
I love that area if you go back just grab a cheap rod and you should be able to get trout in that area pretty easily.
I will definitely keep that in mind. Cadillac is one of our favorite parks, so we will definitely be back. We still have two more trips planned this year. Otsego Lake State Park and then we are going to stay at Traverse City State Park for a weekend to celebrate our anniversary. Hoping maybe we can get an Uber from the park to the downtown area so I don't have to try and navigate my 2500 after a beer or two!
If you need any tips on TC let me know you will not be far from my cabin
I think we are finally going to find our way to Rare Bird for sure this time.