Travel plans and mapping mysteries

I found myself in a minor state of boredom earlier this evening, which is rather unusual for me, as I am usually too busy to experience that. So, I decided to begin scouting along the likely route I will travel when I go to Maine later this summer. I was looking for notable bridges, of course, as well as figuring out which portions I would prefer that my husband drive. Given that our route goes way too close to New York City, for sure he will have to drive that leg. The only large city I will drive in is Baltimore, and that’s only because I’m familiar with it. Also, it appears we will be crossing the George Washington Bridge, and if so I will be filming the drive over and taking pictures. But before we get that far, first up is Delaware’s big green metal monster, the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I screwed up the drive over footage I shot last summer (by following my husband’s advice to mount my phone to a dashboard holder) so I have the chance for a do-over.

Then, I began scanning other areas on the map and I decided to take a virtual trip over the steel serpent of the bay, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. As I took in the street view, I noticed something that caught my eye on the original eastbound span. This is the bridge that I trod upon last fall. There are two separate crossings under the Bay Bridge, the larger channel which is beneath the suspension span with its 185 foot clearance. The second crossing is narrower, with less clearance and is beneath a truss span. I believe the clearance there is about 100 feet or a little less. Both sections have emergency phones, but what got me was the sign that was posted near one of those phones upon entering the short span. It was one of those blue signs that offer a possible lifeline to a potential jumper. Then I got to thinking that I did not recall seeing that sign during my walk, so I went back to look at the pics I took. And sure enough – it wasn’t there! Now, I can’t help but wonder if they removed it for the walk or if it had been taken down earlier. They covered up the expansion joints, so it would not be surprising if they got rid of the sign as well. It’s just another way of hiding the monster’s morbid history. Since the Bay Bridge has had some sort of annual walk (or run) across it since the early 90’s, I suppose that could also be a reason to get rid of the signs. These are the sorts of questions that some (myself included) may ponder but almost no one would ever dare to ask about. 

I also had a look at the westbound side, and it was devoid of any signs. There was nothing at all on that span, not even any emergency phones! So what does this mean, if anything? Does the eastbound span attract more jumpers? And why would there have been a sign on the shorter span? Oddly enough, the Nice Bridge in southern Maryland does have those signs and it a much lesser of a deadly monster at 135 feet of clearance. I have heard that some have survived jumping from the Bay Bridge, so perhaps most of those who lived took the leap from the short span. The Key Bridge had the phones, but I’m not sure if it had any signs. I also can’t help but wonder if the new Key Bridge will have them…

And finally, I noticed that the annual Bay Bridge Run registration is now open. I just registered for it today! The metal monster of the bay awaits me this fall!