Walkers strapped on their shoes, strutted across the Straits of Mackinac
MACKINAC BRIDGE -- All Michiganders are proud of the world-renown icon we have in our back yard.
Labor Day is a chance to walk across the “Mighty Mac.”
Every year, 30-to-60 thousand people put on their best walking shoes to walk across the Straits of Mackinac.
This year marks 53 years of doing so.
It's Labor Day! And it's another bridge walk across the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. People from across the state have come to walk the five mile span.
And a good morning it was. Amidst the fear of rain -- it never came, wind -- almost non-existent, and the temperature -- a fine and dandy one, tens of thousands of people picked out their best shoes for the "gorilla" walk across the Mighty Mac. Today, 85-year old Bud Brower was on foot and crossed the bridge for the first time.
"It's a tremendous experience. I would love to do it again. The first time was wonderful, the weather was just perfect, and the crowd was very gentle, so it was all a wonderful experience," said Brower.
The 53rd Annual Bridge Walk is a chance to experience something that many people say money can't buy, and that might be one of the best things about this Labor Day event, it's free.
"Some years it's more, some years it's less, but I've had a good time. I've had 29 years coming in right now, I got one more to go, and my Grandkids want me to retire," said Frank Crabtree.
The walk actually started with a few people getting to run. 400 Michigan residents, from every county across the state, hard workers and fitness aware, ran with Governor Jennifer Granholm this morning. This will be Granholm's final jog of her eight year career.
"It's one of the greatest privileges of being Governor is being able to come across this bridge, and I hope whoever the next Governor is, they continue the tradition of not just walking, but include running, but encourage people to experience the magic of the Mackinac Bridge Walk, and the magic of our state," said the Governor.
"It's good exercise, and the state of Michigan, we're proud of living in the state of Michigan," said Sue Weimer.
For many people who took the walk, it took them about an hour and a half to finish.
The bridge was jammed pack all morning, people taking the chance to encapsulate the beauty Michigan has to offer.
