The "M" Bridge, Up Close & Personal

This is a more detailed view of the "M" bridge (M for Memphis :) that spans the Mississippi River, connecting Tennessee and Arkansas. Memphians also call it the "New Bridge", but its official name is the Hernando de Soto Bridge, as it was named after the Spanish explorer who explored this part of the Mississippi. You can read more about this bridge and its history here.

I took this photo at the base of the bridge on Mud Island. This is the same bridge that you first viewed, from a distance, here. I find its shape to be rather pleasing to the eye...


Memphis actually has two bridges spanning the Mississippi River. I will show you the other bridge, older than this one, very soon.

The Mighty Mississippi

This is the Mississippi River as viewed from Mud Island (Memphis, TN), facing South. You can see the "M Bridge" (M for Memphis) and a barge in the background, and driftwood in the foreground. We have quite a bit of driftwood deposited during Spring each year, as the thawing snow and ice to the north of us raise the river level.