“Sanctuary! Sanctuary!” Yeah, I had to go there.
Posts tagged National Cathedral
This is the second spiral staircase on the climb up the central tower. The first was stone, enclosed, and got narrower and shorter as the climb progressed. The last was in the same room as the carillon, which filled that part of the tower from floor to ceiling. Both of these segments masked the perception of height, since you either couldn’t see how high you were getting or there was something massive in the room that helped mask the room’s overall scale.
This one was in a large, open room, which in a lot of ways made it the most unnerving part of the climb. The higher you climbed the greater the sensation you have of being really high up in a very large, open space. And going down is even worse. At least on the climb up you can stare at the posterior of the person in front of you (my wife Megan’s, in case you were wondering). On the way down you are staring out over the head of the person in front of you and it is just you, your thoughts, and a really large open space.
But it is so worth it.
The North and South towers, Washington National Cathedral.
One of the highlights of the Flower Mart is the Tower Climb. For $10 you can climb the 300+ steps of the central tower to where the bell ringers do their thing. The bell ringing demonstration is impressive, but for me the highlight is being able to climb out the windows and be treated to the most spectacular views of Washington DC. And by “climb out of the windows” I mean just that: you literally hoist yourself through a narrow window and onto a balcony of sorts. These balconies are only four people wide and one deep. They are not for the fainthearted, but as I said: the views are spectacular, and thus worth it, even for an acrophobe like me.
This photo is admittedly not art, but it gives you an idea of how high you are. That row of windows at the bottom of the frame? That is the normal observation level in the North and South towers. So not only are you at the highest elevation in DC, you’re a good hundred feet or so above the regular “best view” in the city.
Just one of the many reasons to go to the Flower Mart.
Abraham Lincoln, by Walker Hancock, Washington National Cathedral. The text is from Lincoln’s Farewell Address, February 11, 1861, Springfield, Illinois:
My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
South facade, National Cathedral (@WNCathedral), Washington DC.
