Over Thanksgiving, our family decided to take a short vacation with my husband’s sister and her family. We traveled to St. Louis, staying in the Drury Inn – Union Station (which I highly recommend). So, since we were so close to the Gateway Arch, the kids wanted to go there and travel up to the top. UGH! This was NOT something I wanted to do. First of all I don’t like heights, but have been up on the “Top of the Rock” at Rockefeller Center in NYC and did ok. But, the big thing I was worried about was traveling UP the arch in this enclosed pod like thing. I don’t like closed in spaces. So, as we waited to go through security, then waiting to get tickets, then waited for the documentary to start, then waited in line some more for our assigned tram-ride time, I got more and more nervous. FYI…if you go to the arch…plan for at least 3 hours and NOT 45 min-1 hour like the guide book said. So, as we got to the end of the line, ready to go up the arch, underground in this little tiny stairway….I saw the size of the tram our family was going to ride up in….and I started to freak out a little bit. The kids were so excited so I didn’t want them to see me being nervous, so I closed my eyes and started praying. I asked for strength and for God to calm my nerves, and to be with me as I rode up the arch as well as back down. Than
kfully I was able to calm down a little bit and we took the trip up. I didn’t realize how tight the area was going to be at the top. There were a LOT of people up there and it was windy that day, so I could feel the arch swaying in the wind. As soon as I got up there, I was ready to go back down. So, I stood in line immediately while the kids looked out the windows and loved every minute of it. I held myself together, but as soon as we got back in the tram to take our ride back, I let it go….I cried. I did not enjoy the arch, I did it for my kids, I survived, but I will NEVER do it again. So, next time you are faced with something you aren’t sure you can do…face it…be strong….pray for strength….and cry if you need to.
kfully I was able to calm down a little bit and we took the trip up. I didn’t realize how tight the area was going to be at the top. There were a LOT of people up there and it was windy that day, so I could feel the arch swaying in the wind. As soon as I got up there, I was ready to go back down. So, I stood in line immediately while the kids looked out the windows and loved every minute of it. I held myself together, but as soon as we got back in the tram to take our ride back, I let it go….I cried. I did not enjoy the arch, I did it for my kids, I survived, but I will NEVER do it again. So, next time you are faced with something you aren’t sure you can do…face it…be strong….pray for strength….and cry if you need to.
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