While staying in Chimacum, WA we crossed the Hood Canal Bridge a few times. The very last time, while towing the rig, we got to see the bridge open to allow sailboats to cross.

The bridge is a low one and it doesn’t open like you see so often in movies, where it cracks in half and each side tilts up to the sky. This one split in the middle and pulled apart.

We were about 4th in line so we got a good view, but it didn’t really show much as the bridge opened. But, it was very interesting! And, interesting that SO MUCH TRAFFIC got backed up so 3 personal sailboats could pass by. I don’t know how long the boats had to wait.

Here’s a video of it opening (not mine).

On the same trip, travelling from Chimacum to Chehalis (south of Tacoma) we crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It’s a massive and high bridge so it doesn’t need to open to allow boats to pass under. It does have a very interesting history as the original bridge was dubbed “Galloping Gertie” when high winds caused the bridge to buck and sway and a rodeo bull! It failed and had to be replaced in 1940, less than 1 year after being built. The replacement bridge from back in 1940 is still in service, originally serviced both directions but now is the northbound lanes. We travelled the more modern southbound direction. To read more about “Galloping Gertie” you can visit this website

Here are pictures of the two bridges.