Journaling: While on a Capitol Tour with groups of Kansas elementary students, I learned that the tour would include a trip to the top of the dome. We went through a locked door on the top of the fifth floor to climb an additional 296 steps. We walked by the inner dome of the capitol on our way to the outer copper dome that is 75 feet higher. I am so afraid of heights. But being there to take photos of the kids on tour, I felt obligated to go with them. The guide would stop at each landing and ask if anyone wanted to head down. At each stop, several parents and teachers would happily leave the tour. So our group was much smaller. I did okay as long as we were walking around the side of the tower. But to get to the outer dome, we had to traverse a stairwell that floated freely in space across to the center of the dome. From there, we went up a narrow spiral staircase with white knuckles. Not only was it scary, but it was a hot day and all of the heat rose to the top. By the time I stepped outside, I was completely soaked and in a need of a shower. I was grateful for the breeze, but death gripped the outside of the dome. One of the remaining adults snapped this photo of me. I may look like I’m smiling, but I was in complete fear at being 326 feet above the ground! Happily, we were then able to head back down. I don’t intend to explore any more heights for a long while! September 2022