What) The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a bridge spanning Tampa Bay, Florida.  It has a cable-stayed main span and a length of exactly 5.5 miles. It is part of I-275 (SR 93) and US 19 (SR 55), connecting St. Petersburg and Terra Ceia. Construction of the current bridge began in 1982 and the completed bridge was dedicated on February 7, 1987. The new bridge cost $244 million to build and was opened to traffic on April 20, 1987. It replaced an older bridge constructed in 1954 and partly destroyed in a collision in 1980.

    The Travel Channel rated the Sunshine Skyway #3 in its special on the "Top 10 Bridges" in the World. The bridge is considered the "flag bridge" of Florida. Because of its height above the emerald-green Gulf waters, length of continuous travel, location in a warm-weather state and modern architectural design.  It is also a popular spot for filming automobile commercials.

    Length - 5.5 miles (8.9 km)   Longest span - 1,200 feet (366 m)   Vertical clearance - 193 feet (59 m)   Toll - $1   Daily traffic - 50,500 (1)

    Why) Although we "had" to take this bridge to get to the next Buckys, I wasn't initially aware that it would be this spectacular.  Before I left, I asked my neighbour, who was taking in my mail, where he wanted me to send him a postcard from.  His three choices were Kennedy Space Center, downtown Miami and this bridge.





















This is my picture taken just before crossing the main span of the bridge.







As we were driving over, I was fascinated by the contrast between the concrete of the bridge ...







... the yellow of the cables and the blue of the sky.  Of course that contrast was nothing like ...






... what you can see here.  I suppose my excuse for not taking pictures like this one or ... (2)







... this one must be my lack of a boat or an airplane or that much patience. (3)







After crossing the bridge, we stopped for a walk along the beach.  Somehow, I was able to ...








... take one picture that I really liked.