After over an hour’s hike up, we arrived at the fire tower.
Its drastic height loomed above us.
We ate a sandwich at the bottom as two other hikers emerged from the woods and made a beeline to the firetower, quickly climbing the stairs to the very top.
Here’s the view from where we had our picnic lunch:
I felt scared about going up the firetower, but at the same time I was drawn to the challenge. I couldn’t just leave it behind me…I had to conquer it!
Because GVB was with us we had to climb separately. I wasn’t about to let her attempt the climb as I had a feeling she’d be skittish and I was worried about her pulling me and making me unsteady on my feet.
He went before me.
Up up up I watched him go and finally disappear into the enclosure at the top.
After a short exchange with the hikers he made his descent.
“Was it scary?” I called out to him as he climbed back down.
“Like knee shaking scary,” he said.
As soon as I stepped onto the first stair I just kept on going.
Don’t look down, don’t look out, don’t look anywhere, just keep climbing, I told myself.
The stairs were wooden and I tried not to notice the ones that were half missing or felt wobbly.
My legs were shaky too and my adrenaline was rushing.
I was short of breath once I reached the last set of stairs to the very top, where there was no more railing. I just wanted to be inside the safety (hopefully safe!) of the little enclosure at the top.
Red Hot Chili Peppers were playing through the hikers’ mobile phone.
“PHEW! Oh my god I MADE IT!” I let out when I stepped inside with them.
The girl laughed and laughed, and I with her, giddy from my fright.
“You have purpose,” she said, still laughing, and pointing to the words that were among the graffiti of the entire inside, the phrase scrawled across the front of the very top stair.
The sweeping views from the top were worth the climb.
A little cloud of bugs buzzed around in a swarm outside the glass-less window in front of my camera.
A look down:
The thought of going down seemed just as scary as had the climb up. Mainly that first set of stairs with the absurdly missing railing.
What do I do, crawl on my bum? I thought.
I walked sideways cautiously down, then resumed a normal decent.
Walking walking, not looking out.
GVB in her sunglasses wagged her tail at the bottom, waiting for me.
TELL ME, have you ever been scared or apprehensive to do something but still felt determined you had to? (Like how I felt with climbing the fire tower.) I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!
I have been to Ireland 4 times. I have a fear of tight enclosed spaces. My husband loves to go to the top of Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone. Me….went three steps up the walls touched my shoulders and I turned around and quickly got out of there. Bee returned three of the four times and I did not have the courage.
Our fourth trip, we planned a trip to New Grange. I was so excited to go and be part of the winter solstice reenactment. When we got there I realized how small and underground it was the fear inside me was boiling. They only allow 20 people in at a time. We all lined up and I froze. My husband ran in as usual. I Took two steps in and had to turn sideways to squeeze through rock formations. I started to turn around and there was a woman behind me she saw the fear in my face but would not let me leave. She said I would regret not going in.
I did go in it was absolutely amazing I conquered my fear. But let me tell you I was scared shitless the whole time lol
It’s funny because I don’t actually have a fear of heights perse, but that rickety old fire tower tested me! I guess I was nervous too because of how potentially dangerous it really seemed–it was built in the 30s and it definitely showed its age! But climbing to the top was also exhilarating!
I too have a fear of tight enclosed spaces BUT I was able to make it to the Blarney Stone without a problem. I remember though being shocked at the actual process of kissing the stone. I was there in the middle of winter and there was just one attendant person at the top, my friend and I the only 2 visitors, and to kiss the stone you just kind of contort on your back so that your top half is dangling backwards off the top of the castle, and there’s a little railing to hold so you don’t fall out the back! All worth it though for the gift of the gab, right? 😉
I’ve actually never heard of Newgrange somehow but I just looked it up. Wow sounds like a really amazing place. lol congrats to you for facing your fear there. It’s interesting because though many fears (or phobias) are irrational it doesn’t make them any less real or less difficult to overcome.
Wow!! Glad I didn’t know about THAT adventure until after the fact!! My biggest fears–claustrophobia (haven’t conquered that) & you-know-whats! (Cannot begin to deal w/overcoming that–the way to get over that would probably mean having to be in a small space w/one or touch one!! NOT going to happen!!) I’m not actually SCARED to drive, but have never driven more than 4 hours alone–last June, on an impulsive trip to Ohio to visit family, I drove the (supposed to be 8, but ended up being 12) hours by myself–had to deal w/detours, totally getting lost, traffic, thunderstorms, roadwork, etc. I made it, tho!! (Believe me, I was so ready for a cocktail by the time I finally arrived!) Would I do it again? Nope! But I’m proud of myself for doing it at all!
yes, certain fears or phobias would be hard to get over, and not necessarily worth it!
as far as your drive to Ohio by yourself, way to go!
Great Post!
One of my biggest fears or anxious moments was probably the simple fear of flying when i was younger! To this day i am a little apprehensive during take-off and landing, clutching the seat in front of me as though that would save me:) But i have come a long way since my initial fear as i have flown many times but usually avoid the window seat.haha
haha, well at least the fear is not so paralyzing that you’re still able to do it! and with repetition things usually do become easier! also little tricks you learn about yourself to get yourself through something are invaluable! (like you knowing to avoid the window seat haha), otherwise I’m sure you’d have missed out on some great travels!