THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: bridges


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Good Morning

There is a smile behind that morning greeting. Feeling better than earlier and ready to work on hobbies. Was doing some editing/housekeeping and found an old image I hadn’t used before. This one of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, one of my favorite bridges, but also intimidating.

An engineering marvel. Photo by Mike Hartley

Usually, I don’t get much sticking that old digital camera out the window. But occasionally an accident happens like above.

I don’t dare do that now. With age came discomfort crossing it. So somewhere in the last decade I began losing some of my nerve, I guess.

Oh, I still cross it without issue, it’s just that I’m much more conscious of it now in terms of it being more of a tense ride than in my youth. I’ve ridden across it in storms, (hail dented the car once at the top of the bridge), in winds, in the dark, in fog, at sunrise and sunset. On beautiful days watching ships go up and down the bay.

I’ve just lost that total inhibition I guess and now watching out for idiots around me instead of taking a peek at the wonderful views. I’ve also been getting a little more uncomfortable with heights than I used to be.

One of the things I was kind of interested in doing for years was the Bay Bridge Walk/Run. I always thought I could do that. Now I’m like that wouldn’t be comfortable. As a photographer I should suck it up and do it but it’s going to have to be really good weather.

This year was cancelled and there is no date for next year on the website yet. Wish it was done in warmer weather.


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A bridge too far, nope

One thing that was kind of nice on a motorcycle, was crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on a warm summer day heading to the ocean. The Atlantic, is just short of a 3 hour ride from home, but an hour into the trip I hit the bridge.

The official name is The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge. In truth, it’s two bridges. 2 lanes going eastbound and 3 lanes on the westbound span. They do us that 3rd lane to go east when summer traffic is heaviest.

A touch over 4 miles long and a max clearance for ships of 186′ in height. And it has some great views. It’s just beautiful in good weather and frightening in bad weather. We were at the top when a hail storm started in a light car one time. It felt like we were going to be blown off the bridge.

I’ve experienced some strong cross winds on the bike that had me leaning on the tank for a lower profile also. But most of the time it’s at sunrise on my way to the beach. And in the convertible it’s a real treat.

One of these days I’ll have to have my better half take the wheel so I can shoot with abandon. It will be one of my favorite targets this summer, with a good friend on Kent Island now I’ll be riding it much more than the past.

I’m not crazy about heights but and this one is high, but for some reason going over it has become fairly easy. So here is to a few dozen safe trips over and back this year.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Fitness used to just be part of my daily life when I was young. Being I’m pretending to be young in my advance years I thought I’d incorporate fitness again.
  • I had to retire my favorite pair of glasses. But I can see clearly now.
  • Too many cooks in the blog can make a mess of a post. It’s already crowded in here with me, myself and I.
  • Another snow event on the horizon. And here I am, flip flops in hand waiting for summer.


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Bridge

Amazing spans crossing expanses of water. Some are small, some not so small. Engineering masterpieces. But so frail at the same time. I bet most of us don’t even think about all the bridges we cross each day. We were boating this weekend and passed under the bridges at Kent Narrows.

Less traffic down here. Photo by Mike Hartley

The large one here is the R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. Bridge.

I love being on the water. I’d pass on being on the gulf today though. Photo by Mike Hartley

The smaller one above is the Kent Narrows Draw Bridge. The schedule of opening times.

Not a double-decker. Photo by Mike Hartley

It’s always nice to get a view of these structures.

This is a short one vs the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which you will cross in a few miles after this one. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m certain to cross this span again before the end of the season.

Keep on Truckin. Photo by Mike Hartley


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The Key is gone

I was up early this morning working on some photo editing and listening to some music. I was in great spirits till I took a break and turned on the news and saw the Key (Francis Scott Key) Bridge collapse after being struck by a ship. The day after Maryland Day we had a tragedy of epic proportions.

First the loss of life of the people who were on the bridge. My heart goes out to you. To the first responders trying rescue efforts in that wreckage in the dark in the cold, you have all our respect.

The impact on the port and shipping could be huge and therefore the economic impact on the area will be felt by everyone. Travel in the area is in for a major change, this is part of the Baltimore Beltway a huge ribbon that rings the city.

This is also a major route up and down the east coast and alternate routes are already overfull. The travel nightmare for many has just begun. This isn’t as simple as that I-95 bridge collapse in Philly a while back. We are talking about a 1.6-mile bridge over the Patapsco River that has a large clearance for ocean-going container ships.

It’s too early to contemplate the full impact of this but as a member of the community of the region, I’ll do my part to help things bounce back. But it’s going to take some time and some pain for many.

I have a neighbor who works at the Port of Baltimore and I know this will impact him greatly.

Thinking and pausing for the souls lost this morning. Photo by Mike Hartley


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I raise you one bridge

Almost looks like one sitting on top of another. I just had a second to grab a shot as we were leaving the Owl Bar at Kent Narrows yesterday. I love when I get a few seconds to grab an image or two when out and about.

One of the major bottlenecks getting to the shore many years ago. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m always conscious about not holding up the group or being separated from them for more than a few seconds. Like this shot when they had to hit the restrooms I wandered to the end of the parking area to snap this and was back at the car when they were.

It feels good again to have my cameras in my hand.

I would like to edit and share some more images but the grass needs cutting and we have company coming later today so off I go.