It is fortunate that I am not acrophobic because I enjoy being on high structures looking down on a lovely view.

     My first looong climb was to the spire of the Ulm Cathedral. It is said to be the world's tallest spire. I was on a road trip in Germany, with a very dear friend, Fr. Hans Hanus, CSsR and he told me that we were going to make a stop at Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein. He wanted to show me Ulm's splendid cathedral.  She was a sight to behold. As I stood at the front of the church,  admiring her exquisite beauty, Fr. Hans told me that we were going to climb the 768 steps up to the top of the spire .

     I looked at the steeple again and I seriously doubted if I would make it up there alive. However, I could not refuse  because Fr. Hans was way older than me and if he was going to climb up, there was no way that I was going to chicken out.

     As we stood at the entrance to the tower, waiting for our turn to climb up, a little boy emerged from the door breathless and he said to no one in particuler, "It is a long way up there, a loooong way.". Great, that was just what I needed to hear.

     So up we went the seemingly endless steps. I remember singing some songs from the Disney movie, "Hunchback of Notre Dame" just to distract my attention.

     It was certainly a long climb but, to my surprise, I made it to the top alive and in good form. The view was breathtaking. I was glad that I did not allow my fear and doubts to stop me from making the climb.

     The next three high structures that I have been up on were in the U.S. with David.

     The first was the Washington Monument in Washington DC. Thankfully, I did not have to climb because there was an elevator (though David told me that he used to go up the monument using the stairs. We needed to get tickets to make this climb but there was no fee.

     From the top of the Washington Monument, one gets a lovely view of Washington DC. Shown above is a photo I took of the White House. This is one of the best ways to appreciate and get a good perspective of the lay out of the nation's capital.

    The next two towers were from our two recent trips.

     We were at Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, home of America's tallest lighthouse. David and I had planned on visiting the light house but we were not absolutely sure if we could go to the top. Thankfully, we found out that they allow the public to make the climb.

     Since I have never been on top of a lighthouse, I was excited to make the climb. When we got there I saw signs posted at the visitors center warning the public that the climb was difficult and that anyone who wishes to do so must make sure that they are up to the task. It would be hot inside and the climb would be equivalent to that of a twelve story building, yikes! I started having second thoughts . I watched the people who had made the climb and they did not look exhausted so I decided that it would not be bad.

     The climb was easy. There were landings with windows where one could stop if one needed to rest. I don't think David and I stopped to rest, but we did take time to look out from those windows so we could see the view.

     Being on top of a lighthouse is such an enjoyable experience and the view is definitely very rewarding. 

     Last, but not least, you can't beat this view from the top of the Perry Monument at Put In Bay, Ohio. This monument was built to commemorate a great naval battle in 1813. While on top of the 317 feet monument, David and I tried to imagine that fierce naval battle that took place just a few miles away from where we were standing.

      Thankfully, I did not have to climb this monument because it has an elevator. David and I went there for a day trip this week and had such a great time.

     I guess the reason why I like being on top of high structures is that it gives me a different view, a different perspective of a place. Pretty much like life, every now and then we need to rise above a situation and get a different perspective of things in order to live a richer, more colorful and meaningful life.