Conquering my Fears in Memphis on the Big River Crossing

Conquering my Fears in Memphis on the Big River Crossing

I didn’t know I would be conquering more than one fear in Memphis.

I walked across the Big River Crossing.

After I was chosen to attend Blog house Memphis, I was both nervous and excited. I was looking forward to getting feedback on how to turn my blog into a business. But I was also scared to hear what people thought.

When I read that a bridge connects Tennesse and Arkansas over the Mississippi River, I thought it would be a cool idea to walk across. There is only one problem. I’m afraid to walk, bike, and even drive across bridges. When there is no other choice to drive across one, I do it, but most likely, I’m holding my breath and thinking, “please God, get me to the other side.”

Conquering my Fears

I got up early on Wednesday morning to start walking before it was too hot outside. It took about 30 minutes to get to the entrance of the bridge from the Peabody Hotel downtown. I walked casually and stopped and took pictures enjoying the city sites. It wasn’t until I arrived at the Big River Crossing entrance that my heart started racing, and I began to panic.

I know what you are thinking. I have traveled all over the world alone, jumped out of a plane twice, gone zip lining, survived cancer, but I’m scared to walk across a bridge. I’m still haunted by the memories of standing frozen at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, watching people pass me. I feel embarrassed to tell people that I didn’t climb or come anywhere near the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.

But 2018 is about facing my fears and not avoiding the things that scare me. When I arrived at that bridge entrance, I was determined to get to the other side. I am also training to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in March of 2019. Walking three miles a few times a week has become part of my routine, and I couldn’t miss it because I was in Memphis.

Big River Crossing

The Big River Crossing opened in October 2016 and is the longest public rail/pedestrian/bike bridge over the Mississippi River in the United States. The bridge is almost 1 mile long and leads you to a 70-mile path along the Mississippi River in West Memphis.

Credit: Big River Crossing / Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

I did manage to stop and take a couple of pictures of the views from the bridge.  You can see the Hernando DeSoto Bridge and the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid on the right.

Hernando DeSoto Bridge in Memphis, TN

Memphis on Big River Crossing

To distract me from what I was attempted to do, I started recording on Instagram. You can hear my screams below. I was terrified. People were friendly on the bridge, and they waved and said hello.

I did make my 10,000 steps goal that day. Walking back to Memphis across Big River Crossing was more comfortable than going to West Memphis, Arkansas. When I arrived back in Tennessee, I couldn’t remember why I was so nervous in the first place. That’s the funny thing about fear; your mind makes things seem more significant than they are.

I went to Memphis to learn ways to improve my blog Myles to Travel.  When I left BlogHouse, I felt more confident and learned some valuable information. I also conquered my fear of crossing bridges.

A special thank you to The Peabody Hotel, Memphis Tourism, and Mediavine for partially sponsoring the Bloghouse Memphis conference. As always, all opinions expressed are our own.

If you like it, Pin it.

 

Spread the love
Bisa Myles
bisa@mylestotravel.com

I am a breast cancer survivor and plus-size adventurer traveling the world and capturing every mile as I go. I still have miles to travel.

17 Comments
  • Mia Ransom Parnell
    Posted at 15:44h, 14 June Reply

    I’d say you slayed your fear! Congratulations on another achievement and encouraging me to be brave(r).

    View Comment
  • Jenny
    Posted at 01:53h, 15 June Reply

    Memphis looks like a blast! It was our pleasure to sponsor and congrats on conquering that fear.
    Wishing you safe and wonderful future travels!
    ~Jenny, Mediavine Marketing Associate

    View Comment
    • mylestotravel
      Posted at 07:35h, 15 June Reply

      Thank you! It was great working with Heather and Rose and they both gave me some valuable tips on SEO>

      View Comment
  • Lisa Lubin
    Posted at 12:05h, 19 June Reply

    Love it! I need to go back and do the bridge. Love the video you did…it’s so real. Of course I wish you shot it horizontally! 😉

    View Comment
    • mylestotravel
      Posted at 14:01h, 27 June Reply

      Thanks Lisa. You can see my fear in the video. 😧 I’ll remember to turn the phone next time.

      View Comment
  • Katy F.
    Posted at 08:28h, 27 June Reply

    What a neat addition to Memphis! I’ve been there a couple times and think it’s a great town! I’ll have to check this out next time we’re there!

    View Comment
    • mylestotravel
      Posted at 13:59h, 27 June Reply

      I love Memphis. I find something new every time I go there. Definately check out the bridge next time you go.

      View Comment
  • Amanda
    Posted at 12:58h, 27 June Reply

    Love this, Bisa! We should always challenge ourselves to face our fears!

    View Comment
  • Angela @ Tread Lightly Retire Early
    Posted at 13:34h, 27 June Reply

    Well done conquering your fears! That is one heck of a bridge. Now the question is, would you do it again? 😉

    View Comment
    • mylestotravel
      Posted at 13:56h, 27 June Reply

      That is a good question. Yes. I realized on my way back across that it wasn’t that bad and I can do it. Not to say I won’t be scared. But I can get through it.

      View Comment
  • Janet
    Posted at 16:09h, 28 June Reply

    YAY! for you! This is a really well done post and I love that you included video. That is my blogging fear to conquer in the second half of 2018. You are an inspiration!

    View Comment
  • Annick
    Posted at 06:27h, 29 June Reply

    Great job on conquering this fear! We should all strive to do that. I’d like to see Memphis someday.

    View Comment
    • mylestotravel
      Posted at 17:48h, 30 June Reply

      Thank you! Memphis is definately a must visit. Everyone time I go I discover something new about the city.

      View Comment
  • Darla
    Posted at 16:26h, 02 July Reply

    Congrats on making it over the bridge! I bet it was quite a view! It looks pretty amazing from the pictures!

    View Comment

Post A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

error: Content is protected !!