We live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, or as I am fond of saying, "you know, the stickie-outie part of Maryland".
The eastern shore is beautiful, but it's mostly rural, and therefore every so often I make a trip Over the Bridge. Today was one of those days, as Zack was off school for a teacher work day, and we'd planned an adventure day mixed with a few errands.
So, what does this bridge look like? Why, this!
Nearly five miles of terror. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Tall, imposing, three lanes going west, two lanes going east, with curves. And it's always, always got something under construction.When rush hour gets hairy and people are heading to the shore, there's this nastiness where they take the three-lane bridge and make one lane head east and two lanes head west. I call it Very Bad Names and drive with even whiter knuckles than normal.
It took me a while, but after seven years of living on the eastern shore, I can now drive this bridge day or night without my spine crawling or my pulse speeding or needing a Xanax. Today, however, was different. Today, I dealt with 30mph winds and pouring rain.
Now ordinarily, when faced with 40° rain that the wind was driving sideways, I would have said, "Feh, let's watch Bridezilla's on TiVO" and called it a pajama day. But I'd made a promise to my son, and I keep my promises.
Did I mention that we had to go over a bridge?
There really is a point to this post. Even though it would have been fairly easy to bribe Zack into believing that a rainy day would be a perfect day to hang out and watch TV and play video games and basically stay indoors and be DRY, I made a promise. That bridge is hella scary, but I've driven it a million times -- in rain, snow, wind, darkness, and fog -- really, I had no excuse.
So I left it to Zack.
"Hey, Zack-man. It's icky out. You still want to go?"
"YEAH!"
"OK then. Get your coat."
Promises. Keep 'em.
.
19 comments:
That's a big bridge. I hope you and Zach had a great day!
Wow! That would be quite a bridge to cross!
I agree with rosebud that WOULD be quite a bridge to cross. You're a super mom you know for doing that in a major rain storm! Hope it was all worth it =).
Lovely blog!
colormenana.blogspot.com
I've never seen a bridge like that, glad I don't have to drive it.
I agree, honoring promises to children is really important.
Great post! Kids really notice those things...like keeping promises. That is an awesome looking bridge. Glad to hear business is going so well for you.
Whoa. That is one scary-lookin' bridge! Kudos to you for going in that weather - in ANY weather!
I love bridges - it's almost like flying. But I understand that they are scary for some people and I applaud you for not letting your fears hold you back - Bravo!
That makes me nauseous just looking at the pictures! I hate bridges.
You? Are a better mom than me! I think I would have offered to bake brownies or something ;) Glad you were able to overcome your fear and keep your promise!
Zack is so lucky to have a mom like you!
Wow - now that's a serious bridge! No doubt exciting but scary (at the same time) to drive over!
Holy Guacamole - that's a bridge! I'm glad you get to cross it and not me :P
And...I just subscribed to your blog for my e-mail :D
OMG! I'm so lucky....in Italy we don't have bridges like these! I'm scared about them ^_^
Okay, just LOOKING at that puppy made my heart race and gave me a wee bit of anxiety o.O
Many kudos to you for keeping your promise! I'm sure somewhere down the line, you can bring this back in an argument sometime..."Hey, I went over the bridge in the wind and rain to take you to the LEGO store!" LOL
You are a really good mom. --Diane
What's even worse is driving a bridge like that with you GPS on... showing you going over this massive blue body of water. I do not recommend it.
YIKES! I could never live there. I have a huge bridge phobia.
Sounds like all's well that ends well.
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