Waiting in Line for a Shuttle Bus at the Marin County Civic Center
Twenty-five years ago today, my two sisters–Kris and Kathy–and I woke up at the crack of dawn, bundled up, and caught a shuttle bus from the Marin County Civic Center to the outskirts of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. It was the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Bridge, and for the celebration the Bridge was closed to traffic for two hours between 6 to 10 a.m. so that people could walk right down the middle of the span.
Looking Out the Window of the Bus as We Approach the Golden Gate Bridge
Over 300,000 people came out to celebrate and re-enact the Bridge’s opening ceremony of 1937. At that time, the 4,200 foot long suspension span of the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest span in the world. That distinction lasted until New York City’s Verrazano Narrows Bridge was opened on November 21, 1964.
Out of the Bus and Walking Towards the Bridge
Starting to Cross
My Beautiful Sisters
Everyone was in a sunny mood–so excited for the opportunity to walk down the middle of the Bridge; it felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I stopped to take a couple of pictures, right in the center of Hwy 101, realizing that I would probably never get the chance to get these two shots ever again.
Looking Up at the North Tower
The North Tower
We tried to walk across the entire length of the Bridge, but somewhere around the middle, the crush of people became so great that we were forced to turn around. People from San Francisco were trying to get to the Marin side; people from Marin were trying to get to the San Francisco side. And there we were, stuck in the middle. Kris always reminds me that technically we didn’t really walk across the bridge. Whatever, Kris! It was awesome just the same.
Heading Back to Marin
Apparently the Bridge’s natural convex shape actually flattened out under the weight of all those people. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “Some people who saw it slowly straighten out, like a steel cat stretching, were alarmed, but not the people who know the bridge best. ‘There is no way to put enough people on that bridge to cause any structural failure,’ said Dan Mohn, the bridge’s chief engineer. ‘You’d have to stack them three high, and even that wouldn’t do it.'”
Kris & Kathy – 25 Years Ago
Still, there will not be a repeat this year of the Great Bridge Walk of 1987. Officials are too worried about the effects on the Bridge. If they did allow us to cross it again, you can sure that Kris, Kathy, and I would be there with bells on. Well, we can always hope they’ll change their minds for 2037!
My Sisters and I Looking Windswept and Modelish
P.S. Thank you, Michael, for staying home with Christopher!
WOW – was it really 25 years ago that we did this?? I cannot believe it! I never knew you had these pictures. The only one I have is Kathy standing at the entrance of the rainbow tunnel with no cars in sight! What an amazing adventure and memory. Thanks for sharing. Kris
Also, you forgot to mention we were the last people allowed on the last bus at the Marin Civic Center!
My beautiful Brother Dears. Wish I could see you this summer. Road trip? Meet half way for a night or two? Love you with all my heart and for the great memories we share. xo~ Lana
Thank you dear Lana. We miss you too! I’ll talk to Kris about that road trip. I would love to see you!
Great pictures! When I heard that the bridge would be celebrating its 75th anniversary, I had to smile at that wonderful memory we created together at the 25th. I vividly remember a smiling bridge worker joyfully playing a trumpet, and being stuck right in the middle of the bridge, unable to move forwards or backwards with a stroller at my knees and a small worried kid peering up at me. The there was that eerie walk up the deserted highway and through the rainbow tunnel, which as you said, was a once in a lifetime opportunity. What an amazing adventure we three sisters had!