ARKANSASNURSE

Oct trip with Mom want the experience of crossing this bridge, but want to know how scarry is it? I plan to do this during the day (won't even consider it at night) and only in clear bright sunny weather. opinions please.

MelissaBeckoff

it is not scary. it is a great experience

Stephanie

The bridge crossing is great. It is a bridge that is close to the water but very well made and constantly upkept. Its great to see all the boats on the water, its a beautiful body of water.

weenie57

The bridge is fabulous - take it from a normally claustrophic type. There is a rest station about half way where you can park and get out to look at the view and use restrooms. It is a beautiful ride.

obxgirl

Not trying to be a doom and gloomer here, but if big tunnels and/or bridges make you nervous, you will probably find this one pretty high on the anxiety scale. As far as I know, the people at the toll plaza still offer an escort service for those who are "bridge challenged." The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has a website (cbbt.com) and there is a phone number for you to contact them directly.

Gekko

Scary? Only during the day? You're joking, right? You're safer on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at midnight in a thunderstorm than in your own shower. Perhaps you need to get out more . . .
Enjoy the view and beautiful coastal Virginia.

bookhall

There are two Chesapeake Bay Bridges. One is named just that. It crosses the bay from near Annapolis to Kent Island, giving access from Baltimore/Washington to the Delmarva shore tourist points.

The other is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. It's at the bottom of the Delmarva penninsula(sp) and accesses the Nofolk area.

Either one, for someone scared of bridges, should be approached with caution. The wind can be noticeable. I worked with a guy who had the same fear of bridges. He said he crossed the former one once--but never again.

The latter, as indicated, does have a rest area in the middle where you can stop for a sandwich or whatever, before entering the tunnel. I think it's a nice break and always enjoy the trip across.

obxgirl

Good point, bookhall, about there being two bridges.

Gekko, what kind of sage advice do you offer people with height and flying phobias?

Gekko

The original post didn't mention a phobia, just "how scarry [sic] is it?" I apologize if a phobia is involved; at the time, it just seemed like such a ridiculous question. But I realize now that my initial response might have been a tad . . . well, callous?

In any event, it's just a long bridge/tunnel. Not particularly scenic, and certainly nothing to be afraid of. Thousands upon thousands of people cross it every day and live to tell the tale!

Intrepid

It really would make more sense if we knew, for certain, WHICH bridge this person is talking about don't you think?

obxgirl

No, not really. Either bridge is going to be a hairy experience for someone with a phobia.
(ask me how I know)

I made two assumptions from the original post. First that he/she is talking about the bridge/tunnel because there is a related post about coming up from North Carolina en route to New Jersey. Secondly I assumed he/she has something like a phobia because (as Gekko so astutely pointed out) a grownup asking other grownups how scary a bridge trip will be is, well, ridiculous.

Perhaps arkansasnurse with check in and solve the mystery.

JennyL

I am slightly bridge phobic and this bridge did not bother me (did it several times while living in Norfolk). One thing to consider is they have a Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Day in October where you can walk the first part of the tunnel (on the south side) or bike the second part (on the north side). We did the biking part, and it was fun. The walking might be something to consider.

JoyinVirginia

Last October our family did the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel bicycle ride. There are TWO parallel bridges, which merge into one lane each way going thru the tunnel. Each year one side is closed to vehicle traffic for a day. From the Virginia Beach side, walkers or runners go to the first island, then turn around. From the Eastern Shore/ Cape Charles side, bicyclists bike to the eastern island, then back. We had a great time, including the 9yo who rode tandem with her dad. It was a lot scarier before they had the parallel bridges.

traveler24

The educational channel had a most interesting story of how this bridge-tunnel was built..The had to actually "build" two islands as anchors for the tunnel. I know the toll is $ 10. and I have heard fog and high winds are not the best time to cross I would go for it...
Along another sub ject---I remember reading that you were taking a trip with your Mom to see lighthouses..
I was hoping you might share your
plans or at least write a post upon your return.
My Mom and I had planned such a trip but due to health concerns, it didn't work out---Maybe next October..
California nurse--retired

cop513

It may be a little scary if you're driving a big vehicle (motorhome, etc), but not for a car. It's a great experience and one I would do again anytime. I was born in Chincoteaque, Va. and it's the best route for visiting my birthplace.

ARKANSASNURSE

I'M Back. What a stir I created. Ok, looking at the Rand/McNally Atlas 2003page 107, has a toll bridge crossing from Virginia Beach to Cape Charles as hwy 13. THIS is the bridge I refer to. Gekko, you dear, should get out more, I have travelled over 5000 miles this year alone. And by vehicle too. I drive a large customized van when travelling, Lake Ponchartrain Bridge was scarry as you could not see the sides of the bridge out the windows.

No phobias here, if it is such a great trip, why would you or anyone do it in the dark during a thunderstorm anyway, and miss the view?

Did not know there was a stop in the middle so this will definitely be part of our itinerary.

Thanks most of you.

ARKANSASNURSE

travel24, check out the post titled Oct trip to OBX with Mom, and yes dear, will gladly post a trip report. Sorry to read of your trip delay. My Mom and i enjoy our time together travelling. We have been to Niagara, Acadia, Virginia, etc. We seem to gravitate to the East Coast, maybe cuz there are grandkids in Jersey.

Gekko

Easy lady. As obxgirl pointed out, unless a phobia is involved, it's ridiculous for an adult to ask if a bridge is "scarry [sic]." What exactly worries you, that the bridge will collapse in the dark or fall to pieces on a cloudy day? If so, that's a phobia, gephyrophobia to be precise. Here's a link to help you diagnose and deal with the fear:

http://www.pe2000.com/pho-bridges.htm

Good luck!

ARKANSASNURSE

OK, I have am a medical person and I would have had to look up the phobia's name!!! Exactly why is it ridiculous to ask if it is scarry? That seems logical to ask if one doesn't know. It doesn't mean a phobia is involved, it just a question...one that YOU are really spending to much time on, and still didn't answer.

Gimme a break, ain't never been over the bridge, plan to ask the SAME question when I go to cross the Golden gate.
And I need to get out more? at least I didn't look up the phobia, how long did it take You, anyway?

Gekko

Just trying to help, wondernurse.

Two seconds to find "bridge phobia" on Yahoo. Suggested treatment and meds are there too.

And here's a tip: It's spelled "scary," not "scarry."

Please don't go to the circus; it will take us hours to deal with all those "scarry" things!