Heather in Neverland Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I found these awe-inspiring pics of the Penang Bridge in Malaysia. They are on my blog. This bridge is over 8 miles long and connects mainland Malaysia to Penang Island (where we will live). I have a bridge-phobia. I HATE them. When I saw these pics I seriously felt overwhelmed with nausea. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Cool! Are ya gonna do it now? Can we watch? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlcricket Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 The longest bridge over water in the world is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. It's 24 miles long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I understand COMPLETELY. I force myself NOT to look down or to think about where I am when I'm on a bridge. I also have to do this with flying, which I also hate. You'll get stronger because of having to deal with that bridge! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Cool! Are ya gonna do it now? Can we watch? :lol: I tell ya what... I will have my kids videotape me as we go across it for the first time and if I barf I will post it on my blog. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 I understand COMPLETELY. I force myself NOT to look down or to think about where I am when I'm on a bridge. I also have to do this with flying, which I also hate. You'll get stronger because of having to deal with that bridge! :001_smile: Promise??? This is ALMOST enough to make me want to call it off. Ok, not really. But I can foresee myself NOT visiting mainland Malaysia very often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Promise??? This is ALMOST enough to make me want to call it off. Ok, not really. But I can foresee myself NOT visiting mainland Malaysia very often. honestly, I had such a deep fear of bugs that hubby wanted to send me to a survival camp. The thought of confronting bugs HEAD ON almost caused me to completely panic. Moving to the country and then building our barn was my own way of setting up my own survival camp. :D I can't believe how far I've come, and you will do the same! YOU WILL!!! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) The longest bridge over water in the world is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. It's 24 miles long. yes, I drive this one all the time. I'm fairly bridge-phobic, and I don't love the causeway by any means, but at least it's fairly low. the penang looks a lot higher. which is a psychological comfort only, as surely it doesn't matter much! but I'd still prefer not to look waaaay down at the water . . . edited to add that it could be worse; the penang looks pretty flat. what I really hate are the ones that climb upward like a darned rollercoaster, and you can't even see the other side until you are cresting the hill. //shudder// Edited May 27, 2009 by katilac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I feel for you. I had to drive on a seemingly high, narrow bridge when I went to Maryland, and I got so nervous I almost stopped the car. Seriously, I was sweating like crazy, felt dizzy and just plain scared. I hate that feeling -- worse, I hate no being able to control it. I am usually such a rational person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm in Louisiana and we have two very tall bridges that go over shipping lanes. I driven over them exactly once in the three years we've been here. I go out of my way to avoid them. I can ride in the car fine, now I'm off to google this bridge you speak of. yuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 I feel for you. I had to drive on a seemingly high, narrow bridge when I went to Maryland, and I got so nervous I almost stopped the car. Seriously, I was sweating like crazy, felt dizzy and just plain scared. I hate that feeling -- worse, I hate no being able to control it. I am usually such a rational person. I feel the same way. I complain about bridges all the time and my dh always said I was being irrational...until that one collapsed a few years ago (in Minnesota I think?). He doesn't say that anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I really feel for you! I don't like bridges either--especially bridges over water. It does look like you may be able to see across this one from one side to the other. I have an intense fear of heights. This made our very recent vacation to the Grand Canyon interesting. I do think you can become a bit desensitized though because after a while it got easier--until my husband decided we needed to take a path that was really only fit for mountain goats. :glare:. The view of the Colorado River was spectacular from that path, but the 30" (not railed) dirt trail and the 600' sheer drop made it a little tough to enjoy. No one took any pictures there. We were all too terrified to mess with the camera--even the ones with no fear of heights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Get yourself one of those emgency window breaker things. That way you know you can escape your car if you go off the bridge. The things that hit the window just right and it shatters the window. The idea is that you have the seat belts undone and are ready to swim for it when YOU are ready. That way you don't have to wait for the car to fill up with water before you can open the door. These tap the window just right and the window just shatters. They usually have a razorblade for slicing through seat belts too. Get one and velcro mount it where you can see it and know you'd be able to get to it if you go off the bridge. Explain what they are to your kids, bur REALLY explain they are NEVER to test the theory about how they shatter glass with a light tap. While I am comforted in having them in the car, I can still see how they have great potential for disaster when mixed with little boy curiousity and their need to test things! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Get yourself one of those emgency window breaker things. That way you know you can escape your car if you go off the bridge. The things that hit the window just right and it shatters the window. The idea is that you have the seat belts undone and are ready to swim for it when YOU are ready. That way you don't have to wait for the car to fill up with water before you can open the door. These tap the window just right and the window just shatters. They usually have a razorblade for slicing through seat belts too. Get one and velcro mount it where you can see it and know you'd be able to get to it if you go off the bridge. Explain what they are to your kids, bur REALLY explain they are NEVER to test the theory about how they shatter glass with a light tap. While I am comforted in having them in the car, I can still see how they have great potential for disaster when mixed with little boy curiousity and their need to test things! LOL! I have never heard of this before and it sounds like a FABULOUS IDEA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 No way, no how. No, no, no. Never. How's that for bridge phobia? I would need to be drugged. I feel for you. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I won't be any help. I like bridges. I especially like rope bridges. They're pretty cool. And the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan sways in a stong wind. Cool! See? Not any help at all, am I? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I won't be any help. I like bridges. I especially like rope bridges. They're pretty cool. And the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan sways in a stong wind. Cool! See? Not any help at all, am I? :tongue_smilie: I don't know about Heather, but you're definitely not helping ME. I live in Michigan and am planning a trip to the UP this fall. That bridge is pretty much the only way there unless you want to swim five miles. Oh, but thank you for spelling "Mackinac" right. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 I don't know about Heather, but you're definitely not helping ME. I live in Michigan and am planning a trip to the UP this fall. That bridge is pretty much the only way there unless you want to swim five miles. Oh, but thank you for spelling "Mackinac" right. :thumbup: I've lived in Michigan my whole life and I have never seen the UP for this reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I don't know about Heather, but you're definitely not helping ME. I live in Michigan and am planning a trip to the UP this fall. That bridge is pretty much the only way there unless you want to swim five miles. Oh, but thank you for spelling "Mackinac" right. :thumbup: You're welcome :D I've lived in both the upper and lower peninsulas, and have driven/ridden over the bridge many times. I wouldn't worry about the bridge...if it's really windy, they'll have the semi trucks going slower, and escorted by police cars. If you don't see that, then the winds probably won't be strong enough for you to feel the sway. If it helps any, the total length of the bridge over water is less than five miles. More like 4.5, if I remember correctly (or even less). The rest is actually over land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 ll, I have a bridge-phobia, but actually it has lessened just a bit over the years. I also have a tunnel-phobia which is great when you live near a city!! I once went over a bridge similar to the one you describe in Japan and survived. Generally speaking then the infrastructure in those palces (japan, Malaysia) is superb as they are made to withstand earthquakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Get yourself one of those emgency window breaker things. That way you know you can escape your car if you go off the bridge. The things that hit the window just right and it shatters the window. The idea is that you have the seat belts undone and are ready to swim for it when YOU are ready. That way you don't have to wait for the car to fill up with water before you can open the door. These tap the window just right and the window just shatters. They usually have a razorblade for slicing through seat belts too. Get one and velcro mount it where you can see it and know you'd be able to get to it if you go off the bridge. Explain what they are to your kids, bur REALLY explain they are NEVER to test the theory about how they shatter glass with a light tap. While I am comforted in having them in the car, I can still see how they have great potential for disaster when mixed with little boy curiousity and their need to test things! LOL! Thanks for the reminder of something else I need to carry with me. I had thought about this once and then forgot about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I used to have a bridge phobia, but I married a Sailor and unfortunately that has meant that many times to get home I'd have to drive over really tall suspension bridges (if those darn Air Craft Carriers weren't so big I wouldn't have that problem) at least here in VA they went under instead of over in most places. Now even though it's much shorter just be greatful it's not this one:tongue_smilie: The World's Tallest Bridge Although it's only 1.6 miles long, it's 891 ft. above a valley in France Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 ll, I have a bridge-phobia, but actually it has lessened just a bit over the years. I also have a tunnel-phobia which is great when you live near a city!! Me too! Tunnels and bridges really stress me out. But, guess what! I have actually walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and back! It was a moment of victory!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I can relate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugs Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 When I went to Penang (over 17 years ago - yikes I hate thinking I am that old) I took a ferry. Do they still operate? BTW - I am totally envious of your move. How did you decide you wanted to move to a very different country (with yummy food I might add)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 When I went to Penang (over 17 years ago - yikes I hate thinking I am that old) I took a ferry. Do they still operate? BTW - I am totally envious of your move. How did you decide you wanted to move to a very different country (with yummy food I might add)?There's another thread that explains the whole thing! :001_smile: Maybe someone can link it. I live west of Seattle, WA. We take ferries to Seattle for Mariner's games or the Science Center (including the Space Needle). I'd been on a Ferry once in my life before moving here. My kids have grown up with riding on ferries! I don't like water (well, I can handle clean swimming pools!), so it took a bit to get used to! Bridges---ick! Of course, dh and I used to live in the San Bruno Area of San Francisco---there are all sorts of bridges there! Before we got married, I lived across the water in Fremont, and we'd drive back and forth on those bridges almost daily! In fact, we went on the Bay Bridge the day before the big earthquake in '89! Glad we picked the day we picked to go across! Now THAT'S scary! No, I'll let you have that Penang Bridge, Heather! :001_huh::tongue_smilie: I think I may want to cancel my reservations for your guest room! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 When we lived in Germany, we went across a 10 mile bridge, the Oresund Bridge. That didn't bother me. Winding, narrow mountain roads, especially in Italy with Italian drivers, on the other hand... (And European roads are narrower than U.S. roads in the first place, so narrow European roads are very narrow. When we got back to the U.S., I kept wondering why all the roads were so wide.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 The longest bridge over water in the world is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. It's 24 miles long. The causeway is no problem for me. The Huey P. Long Bridge is terrifying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I can do most bridges, but if it is high off the water or very long, well lets just say I have some coping mechanisms that usually involve closed eyes. Just forget it if it's a drawbridge with a grate or if it is both high and long! I'm with you, I think I would barf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OHGrandma Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I hate crossing bridges, when I'm stressed it's even worse. A coping mechanism I've used recently is to sing. It helps keep me relaxed and breathing, otherwise I tense up, hold my breath, then start worrying I'm going to pass out, which makes me more fearful & tense but almost hyperventilating, which triggers other fears...you get the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 The longest bridge over water in the world is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. It's 24 miles long. Yabut, the water is shallow and you don't FEEL like you are on a bridge! Hang in there Heather - and find some drugs to help! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Yet another chance to trust the Lord. I have a feeling you will be flexing that muscle quite a bit in the next few months--:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Oh man! My palms got sweaty just looking at that picture! I really feel for you! We've been over the Mackinac bridge a few times. It's 5 miles long and is all grates. You can see the water under you. I HATE that bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemywhirlygirls Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) K, feeling a bit panicky just reading about all of these bridges. I've had an issue since an incident on one of the Mississippi River Bridges when I was 9. My dad ran over what he thought was a paper bag until it was too late. It was actually the door to a fold up camper. Caused a break in the gas line and an ensuing fire. All I can say is that this kindred sister will be praying for you as your cross. Keep us posted on when that will be--not kidding. I will pray. Deep breaths......deep breaths..... Edited May 27, 2009 by lovemywhirlygirls typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I don't have a bridge phobia...but that freaks me out too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Truly a cool adventure you are about to undertake. I can't wait to see the pictures. You will do fine with the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm another bridge phobe...Take a little comfort in the fact that most of the bridges aren't old and decaying like ours. I generally close my eyes and pray unless I'm driving... Bridges...they are a leap of faith.:grouphug: I found these awe-inspiring pics of the Penang Bridge in Malaysia. They are on my blog. This bridge is over 8 miles long and connects mainland Malaysia to Penang Island (where we will live). I have a bridge-phobia. I HATE them. When I saw these pics I seriously felt overwhelmed with nausea. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alegnab Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Virginia is 17.6 miles long. How do you like tunnels? The CBBT has two tunnels. I kinda like going on the bridge-tunnel, although I haven't been on it in a few years, and I've never driven on it. I've never minded bridges. There wasn't much to do in my county, so the only way to do anything interesting with friends or to go shopping at a mall was to go to "town," which required going over the bridge. My granddad had a fear of bridges. He didn't mind riding the ferry before the bridge was built, but he rarely went over the bridge. I'm sure it had nothing to do with a fear of water, because he was a waterman (worked on the water, doing things like clamming and oystering). Perhaps it was a fear of heights. There were no tall buildings in our county -- and by tall I mean more than about two stories. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm sick to my stomach just looking at that bridge :ack2:. It is very pretty but... I think I'll barf with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 bridges don't bother me which is good since I live on an island and have to cross a bridge most days. What I hate are tunnels and hairpin winding mountain roads (both really make me sweat even if I am not the one driving) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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