Yesterday my uncle drove us over a bit west . . across the scary but not the scariest bridge. I might could drive across this bridge if I had to but I’m not going to try it . . unless I have it. Like . . life or death . . then I’d try it.
210 Bridge
To go west from here, you can cross the really big and REALLY scary I-10 bridge.
I-10 Bridge
Not only will I not drive across the I-10 bridge but I will not ride across it either. Depending on who you believe . . well, I’m just not going to cross that one.
The 210 bridge (first picture) is the “new bridge”, which was built in the early 60’s. You can imagine what happens to this area when there’s a little ice on the roads and bridges. Total shutdown!
The third way to go west is to go north and cross the Highway 171 bridge. It has a bit of a rise but it’s not bad and I can cross that one. That’s the only way I can get into Lake Charles and it often means going pretty far out of my way but that’s how it is. It wasn’t always this way. I drove across the big, scary I-10 bridge twice a day for probably 20 years or more. I always lived west of the river. Went to college east of the river and worked east of the river. Once I started working south of Lake Charles, I crossed the 210 bridge twice daily for 8 years.
It’s funny in a weird way that I can’t drive across bridges now and I did it for so many years. It’s all in my head . . which is probably way more scary than any bridge in this town!
Kathleen says
How do totally irrational fears take hold? I have two – heights and snakes. I shivered just writing that last word. One time in Paris, my friend and I climbed steps to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral. I looked at the stairs and since they were enclosed, knew I could do it. I didn’t know that the stairs going down were open wire mesh. I was grasping at the rail, going backwards one step at a time cuz I couldn’t look down, and hyperventilating. Held up the line and looked a fool (which I was). Couldn’t help myself.
Cinda Moulds says
I don’t mind heights or bridges but the 1-10 bridge looks terrifying. What does it cross over and why does it span so steeply and so high?
Diann says
That DOES look steep and high. Maybe if you have to ride over then shut your eyes till the driver gets you to the other side.
Sue r says
I hate the ship channel bridges in Houston also. I have to be on the inside lane to drive over
Sherrill Pecere says
Yeah, I don’t get the whole scary bridge thing and what makes some scarier than others but we all have our little quirks, fears, things we avoid. It is funny that you did it for such a long time and can’t now. Think you could if you got some really bad news and had to be there in a hurry?
Jackie says
My husband suggested if you have to cross the I-10 you should 1st be the passenger and 2nd go at night. He thinks he has the answer for you lol.
Teri says
That looks steep enough to scare anybody!! Did something traumatic happen to you to cause the fear after many years of driving over?
Judy D in WA says
Are you like me and knit like a mad woman while someone else drives across the scary bridges?? We have 2 scary big ones to cross so we can go to the beach.
Susan says
With the age of our infrastructure these days, I’m not sure that’s an irrational fear.
Chris says
I grew a fear of tall bridges – and tall highway interchanges – sometime in the past decade. And my son lives in LA. They have some really tall ones there!
Carolyn says
Oh Dear! I now understand your fear of bridges. Those two put a knot in my drawers just looking at them.
Katie says
Why are they so high, what are they going over?? Can’t go around?? Yikes…
Susan says
I HATE driving across that bridge!!! I have to do breathing exercises the whole way across!
Rhonda L Russell says
I remember situations that I drove through when I was younger that never bothered me but now that I’m older and wiser about risky situations, I get nervous. I believe that it’s because I’m now aware of the dangers in those situations that makes me proceed more cautiously. Those bridges–I don’t think I could drive on them either!