Getting stuck on the Woods Bridge is a pretty typical experience in Beaufort. Some people find it charming, others think it's irritating. If you like peaceful pursuits such as watching a slow barge go by, you will like this bridge. If you want to get to where you are going fast, stay the heck away. Use the other bridge -- it's called the McTeer Bridge, and a lot of people call it simply the New Bridge.
There's a traffic light at the top of the Woods Bridge. When it turns yellow, you're supposed to stop. When it turns red, you definitely should be stopped. Driver's Ed 101, right? But some impatient loser types floor it and try to get by before the gate comes down.
Things you can do while waiting for the bridge to close: take a nap, go for a short stroll, chat with other drivers, clean out your car, eat your lunch, watch the water. There's generally a good breeze.
