Very cool project and some really neat ideas. I would definitely consider building the bridge high enough to get a small boat under. I would be a pain to pull it around every time you wanted to trek from pond to pond. And wouldn't your ice be thicker than 8-10"? If you're in southern Michigan you'd be about the same latitude as we are and we're looking at ice twice that thick right now. Anyway, can't wait to see the pictures of the project. Very cool.
Neat idea about the van trailer. Most van trailers are 48'.
