Can't believe it's been 25 years since May 1987. That was the year the Golden Gate Bridge turned fifty and my family joined in the famous Bridge Walk.
Since my husband was working in San Francisco's Hilton as a maitre'd, he belonged to Local 2. The union offered a bus to carry anyone who wanted to the front of the line to walk across the famous span.
We put the kids to sleep in their clothes the night before, and then woke them at about 3 AM to drive to the union hall. There was a festive atmosphere as they served us all hot chocolate, and then co-workers and their families piled into buses to ride along together. When we were let off near the entrance to the Golden Gate, we had to wait because, if I remember correctly, Mayor Feinstein and some council people were going to lead the way.
Once the parade began, we fell in with our group.In the early morning light the orange towers looked pretty magnificent. It took quite awhile to actually make it on to the actual span. Our kids were already getting a little tired of walking, at ages 4-1/2 and 9, and the farther we walked, the crowd seemed to get denser. It was becoming less parade-like all the time.
We were surprised when we had crossed the half-way point, heading toward Sausalito, that we were all instructed to turn around, and keeping to the right, go back the way we came. I don't remember there being any Port-a-Pottys, and we all wished we could pee. Some men and boys used their male privilege, and relieved themselves over the side.
In the morning sun we watched helicopters fly overhead, probably reporting on this big event that we were uncomfortably a part of. My husband, Walt, picked up our son and put him on his shoulders. I tried to carry our daughter, but couldn't for very long. I worried about her being the short one in the crush of humanity, and I tried to protect her from elbows and such.Even now, 25 years later, I remember thinking that it was getting so crowded, I bet I could have lifted both feet up at the same time, and been carried along. I looked down at my daughter, sometimes with tears in her eyes, no doubt wishing that she could ride on Dad's shoulders.
Remember also, that this was before cell phones. A few people had transistor radios, and were listening to the coverage on the news.
Word was going around that the bridge was sagging with the weight of people. That sounded like a crazy rumor, since this famous span has held so many cars and trucks at once over the years. Never the less, it was interesting to see that the reaction to this news wasn't outright panic, but silence.
Everyone moved eerily slowly. What were they thinking..... that if they were quiet, they wouldn't weigh as much? Just "Please God just get us off this bridge!" I was thankful they weren't in a trampling mood, since so many would have been hurt. No..... just silence.
Then a man started singing "Trailers For Sale or Rent", a lonely voice, at first. I was happy to hear the familiar song, and joined in with just a few others. Anything to let us take our minds off our situation.
None too soon, we finally came to the end of our adventure, found a public restroom and began our long trek back home across the Bay. Safe at home we watched the fireworks display from our deck while listening to a symphony playing the "1812 Overture" on television.
The kids had the mementos of the foam bridge hats we bought them, and we all probably came away with a little aversion to crowds.
We put the kids to sleep in their clothes the night before, and then woke them at about 3 AM to drive to the union hall. There was a festive atmosphere as they served us all hot chocolate, and then co-workers and their families piled into buses to ride along together. When we were let off near the entrance to the Golden Gate, we had to wait because, if I remember correctly, Mayor Feinstein and some council people were going to lead the way.
Once the parade began, we fell in with our group.In the early morning light the orange towers looked pretty magnificent. It took quite awhile to actually make it on to the actual span. Our kids were already getting a little tired of walking, at ages 4-1/2 and 9, and the farther we walked, the crowd seemed to get denser. It was becoming less parade-like all the time.
We were surprised when we had crossed the half-way point, heading toward Sausalito, that we were all instructed to turn around, and keeping to the right, go back the way we came. I don't remember there being any Port-a-Pottys, and we all wished we could pee. Some men and boys used their male privilege, and relieved themselves over the side.
In the morning sun we watched helicopters fly overhead, probably reporting on this big event that we were uncomfortably a part of. My husband, Walt, picked up our son and put him on his shoulders. I tried to carry our daughter, but couldn't for very long. I worried about her being the short one in the crush of humanity, and I tried to protect her from elbows and such.Even now, 25 years later, I remember thinking that it was getting so crowded, I bet I could have lifted both feet up at the same time, and been carried along. I looked down at my daughter, sometimes with tears in her eyes, no doubt wishing that she could ride on Dad's shoulders.
Remember also, that this was before cell phones. A few people had transistor radios, and were listening to the coverage on the news.
Word was going around that the bridge was sagging with the weight of people. That sounded like a crazy rumor, since this famous span has held so many cars and trucks at once over the years. Never the less, it was interesting to see that the reaction to this news wasn't outright panic, but silence.
Everyone moved eerily slowly. What were they thinking..... that if they were quiet, they wouldn't weigh as much? Just "Please God just get us off this bridge!" I was thankful they weren't in a trampling mood, since so many would have been hurt. No..... just silence.
Then a man started singing "Trailers For Sale or Rent", a lonely voice, at first. I was happy to hear the familiar song, and joined in with just a few others. Anything to let us take our minds off our situation.
None too soon, we finally came to the end of our adventure, found a public restroom and began our long trek back home across the Bay. Safe at home we watched the fireworks display from our deck while listening to a symphony playing the "1812 Overture" on television.
The kids had the mementos of the foam bridge hats we bought them, and we all probably came away with a little aversion to crowds.
Enjoyed your article and loved the picture of your 2 children…I am sure they have enjoyed this article as grown ups and liked seeing their picture..🤗🤗🤗. Annette
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