topic Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod in Community Chat

Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Sue98 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:37:31 GMT

Recently I posted a thread about DH and I going to Maine for our vacation this year. I got to thinking it would be nice to stop at Cape Cod for a couple of nights on our way up there. As I've posted before, I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks (most often while traveling), but I refuse to stop going anywhere because of them. My panic attacks come on with no warning and often for no apparent reason.

Crossing long and/or high bridges is one thing that brings on severe panic attacks for me. So, my question is, are there any bridges heading into Cape Cod?

If you do not and have never suffered from anxiety and panic attacks you will not understand this, but I'm sure some of you here do understand. Thanks!

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Krimpette — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:41:17 GMT

Sorry I can't answer your question, but I can certainly empathize with you. For many years now I've had a very similar fear, but mostly only if I'm driving. I have the same fear about high, arcing curves on a super highway. I wish you well.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Sue98 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:47:59 GMT

On 8/15/2014 Krimpette said:
Sorry I can't answer your question, but I can certainly empathize with you. For many years now I've had a very similar fear, but mostly only if I'm driving. I have the same fear about high, arcing curves on a super highway. I wish you well.

Thanks for understand, Krimpette! I know exactly how you feel. It's a horrible feeling!!! I even have trouble with smaller bridges. I still have panic attacks with DH driving, but at least when he's driving I'm less likely to cause an accident. Panic attacks are debilitating!

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

AngusandBuddhasMom — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:50:02 GMT

You can google it there are bridges depending on how you are getting there.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Marienkaefer2 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:50:09 GMT

Yes, I remember crossing a bridge when we used to go visit my uncle and cousins who live in Orleans and Harwich. I googled and there is a bridge. You can Google it.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

CouponQueen — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:52:57 GMT

It has been about ten years since we went so I don't recall but there has to be bridges somewhere..

the reason we won't go any longer is that one highway..can't remember the name..it is so congested on the weekend. It is a small highway and it can take you 45-min to go a couple miles.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Lynneuk — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:55:44 GMT

Yes, there is a bridge right as you cross onto the Cape. Would hate for you to miss out because of that. Cape Cod is beautiful.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

annie315 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:02:14 GMT

The only way to get on Cape by land is to cross either the Bourne Bridge or the Sagamore Bridge. They are parallel to each other and about three miles apart. The Cape is separated from the mainland by the Cape Cod Canal.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

BellaPaprika — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:03:44 GMT

Yes, either the Bourne Bridge or the Sagamore Bridge, both cross the Cape Cod Canal. Google them and you can get the particulars so you can decide if it's something you can handle. There's no way to drive onto the Cape without going over a bridge.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

I am still oxox — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:18:53 GMT

There is a bridge and its about a 6 hour drive

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Sue98 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:52:46 GMT

Thanks so much to all of you for your responses! I've done some research on both bridges, and I honestly don't know if I will be able to cross either one. I might be able to do it if it were a quick trip across, but from what I'm reading, traffic is very congested on both bridges. If we end up getting stopped on the bridge, I would probably freak out. Oh, how I wish I didn't suffer from panic attacks!

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Krimpette — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:56:50 GMT

Perhaps your doctor can prescribe something for you to take on a short-term basis, since you won't be doing the driving. Just keep in mind (obviously, I know!) that you'll need enough for a round-trip also. It would be a shame for you to not get to see Cape Cod. It's been many years since I've been to Cape Cod……back when I didn't have the phobia(s) I now have. I love Cape Cod!!! Good luck to you on your trip.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

------ — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:56:55 GMT

You may want to virtually cross the bridge/s using google maps and find out what you will be facing.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Sue98 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:04:36 GMT

On 8/15/2014 Krimpette said:
Perhaps your doctor can prescribe something for you to take on a short-term basis, since you won't be doing the driving. Just keep in mind (obviously, I know!) that you'll need enough for a round-trip also. It would be a shame for you to not get to see Cape Cod. It's been many years since I've been to Cape Cod……back when I didn't have the phobia(s) I now have. I love Cape Cod!!! Good luck to you on your trip.

Krimpette, given the opportunity, do you think you could now cross either of these bridges into Cape Cod, considering your phobia? Just wondering.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Marienkaefer2 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:44:24 GMT

As others have said, maybe talk to your doctor and see if he can prescribe you something. If you don't want to try meds, what about taking some meditation classes or speaking with someone who can help you practice some techniques to overcome your fear? Try planning your trip so you are crossing during a less busy time. Find out when the heaviest traffic times are and avoid those. Or, maybe just don't go to Cape Cod this time, and avoid putting that stress on yourself. It's okay. I don't have a phobia of bridges, but I do of other things, so I understand how you feel.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

KathyPet — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:47:38 GMT

I have the same fear of high arcing bridges but only if I am driving myself. I am convinced I am going to,drive right over the edge. Hands get really sweaty and heart starts racing. however I only have this problem if I am driving myself. If anyone else Is driving I am fine. I only have the issue with high bridges that have a high arc. If the bridge is perfectly flat I am fine.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

lulu2 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:49:59 GMT

I despise bridges. When I am in the passenger's seat I use a sleep mask I keep in the glove compartment. If I have to drive over one, I focus on what is right in front of me.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Burnsite — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:06:35 GMT

The Bourne and Sagamore Bridges are high above the water. I have a memory of finding going over it rather scary when I was a kid, because my mother was afraid of bridges. I was (and am) much more afraid of tunnels.

You may be able to get to the Cape by water from Boston: the ferries run until October. I don't know if they take cars or just passengers, though. The only stop is Provincetown, at the tip of the Cape, and it's near the lovely Cape Cod National Seashore drive.

The bridges do not have an especially long span--driving across takes only 30 seconds-one minute or so with light traffic. But the traffic can be slow at this point of bottlenecking, so it could take longer--and these are fairly tall bridges.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Junebug54 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:16:29 GMT

How do you do with ferries? You can take one from Plymouth to P'Town.

Re: Silly (dumb) ? about driving to Cape Cod

Krimpette — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:12:15 GMT

On 8/15/2014 sue98 said:
On 8/15/2014 Krimpette said:
Perhaps your doctor can prescribe something for you to take on a short-term basis, since you won't be doing the driving. Just keep in mind (obviously, I know!) that you'll need enough for a round-trip also. It would be a shame for you to not get to see Cape Cod. It's been many years since I've been to Cape Cod……back when I didn't have the phobia(s) I now have. I love Cape Cod!!! Good luck to you on your trip.

Krimpette, given the opportunity, do you think you could now cross either of these bridges into Cape Cod, considering your phobia? Just wondering.

It would definitely depend on the bridge. It's been a very long time since I went to Cape Cod. However, I probably would be more comfortable as a passenger. I seem to do OK with lower bridges and bridges that have those Jersey barriers on both sides so I can't see down. For me, it's a fear of losing control and falling/driving off the edge. I have a similar issue in walking over foot bridges. Phobias can be very debilitating, as you are aware. (Having said all that, I really hope you can get to Cape Cod.)