If you live in Punta Gorda or have visited for any length of time you may have heard the expression “over the bridge”.  The bridge is the span over Charlotte Harbor that connects the city of Punta Gorda with Port Charlotte.  To the locals “over the bridge” is that arduous and seemingly endless journey to the great beyond.   It’s that chore that you just don’t want to do.  

Many residents it seems have an issue with going over the bridge.  Punta Gorda is a small city and we try to shop locally and support our merchants but now and again you want or need something and you can’t find it here and that is when you hear, “Aw geez I have to go over the bridge”.   The bridge is only about a two mile span and Port Charlotte while larger than Punta Gorda, is no booming metropolis, so what is the big deal? 

A long bridge to be sure, but the view is always great!

I am not sure what causes this phenomenon because it seems to manifest itself over a period of time.  It sneaks up on you gradually and you don’t realize it is happening.  Here is my theory.  When in Punta Gorda you are never more than ten minutes from any other destination here.  The traffic is minimal and so it easy to move around.  Port Charlotte is larger and the main road, US41 is more congested and filled with those pesky traffic lights that surely add minutes to the trip.  Basically we are spoiled by our little piece of paradise and we don’t want to venture away from it.  Interestingly enough the folks coming over from Port Charlotte don’t seem to suffer from this syndrome. 

Personally I don’t mind going over the bridge.  The view of the harbor is magnificent and it is a constant reminder of why we love living here.  I’ll go “over the bridge” but I won’t go any further north than the Mall.