In Pursuit of Wonder

September 22, 2024

At the foot of the bluff, I took in the steps winding up, five to six hundred of them. Not even the first quarter of the trail can be seen from the bottom. Those endless steps are daunting. I have traversed them many many times over my life, each time I wonder why I let someone talk me into it. Generally, the conversation begins, “It’s been a long while since we’ve climbed the Elba Fire Tower. We should go,” along with musings as to why it’s been so long. But begin hiking up those dreadful steps and soon you remember why so much time has elapsed since your last climb here. When Jesse suggested we climb the fire tower today, I was less than thrilled. Couldn’t we do Inspiration Point or Dakota Trail again? Or maybe go to Carely. But, I agreed to go with him – I prefer to let him choose what we do together when we escape from the farm since I get away a bit more than he does, and my first concern is his happiness. Although the climb up those steps and then the fire tower are quite the workout, the effort is well rewarded. 

Jesse led the way, having a faster pace, being taller and not distracted by a camera, he almost always goes first. Trees stand guard over the steps, some growing right up alongside. Lots of smaller plants fill the forest floor. Squirrels scamper about and sometimes chipmunks make an appearance. I love taking in the beautiful woods as we climb but I also read the steps; people help pay for the upkeep of the steps and in return can make a memorial to a beloved departed. I see the name of a classmate and am saddened that a car accident cut her life short at eighteen, she had so much potential. But there is happiness recorded in the steps too, a man wrote a proposal and it was accepted. Although there are benches along the way to stop and rest, Jesse doesn’t halt other than wait for me to catch up from time to time. As I trudged onward, breathless and struggling, I was baffled by the fact that some people run up these steps, and frequently at that. How?! And why?! 

Finally, the steps come to an end. I feel like I barely crawled up the last couple. The sandy trail continues onward, narrowly through the vegetation. I pause to photograph fading aster blooms and some characterful trees, particularly an oak. We catch a glimpse of the town of Elba below, even from here it is an impressive distance. And there is the fire tower, looming just over one hundred feet above us. People are in the cabin at the top, so Jesse and I sit down on the bench near the base to wait for them to descend. I am grateful for the chance to catch my breath. 

The tower was built in the early 1930’s and was used regularly to detect fires. Jesse loves reading Edward Abbey’s books about being a fire tower watchmen, and daydreams about having the job. I however do not fantasize about living in a fire tower. I am somewhat afraid of heights, especially rickety feeling ones like this fire tower. Going up is an adventure to be sure, and many people really enjoy it. But it scares me a bit. Again, Jesse led the way. I clung to the railing as I tackled each narrow, wooden step. Our climbing is noisy, a clanging resounds. The tower also shifts and shakes as we climb, adding to my fear. I know it is safe, only stupid behavior would lead to a fall, but I am still a bit frightened. Jesse enjoys it. We enter the cabin through a hole in the floor. Today wasn’t the best day to climb the fire tower, it was incredibly windy, which bothered my ears and again compounded my fear. Even so, the view is well worth the climb! I soak in the oxbows of the Whitewater River, relishing its winding path through the trees. I also like looking down on the tree tops. We enjoy seeing Elba as a tiny ant town in the valley below. Jesse took a turn using my 600 mm lens, zooming in as far as he could on the town and across the bluffs. 

Coming down the tower steps was more terrifying than going up, it swayed, also my legs felt like jelly. I am reassured that the descent makes Jesse’s legs feel like jelly too. Down the bluff steps was so much easier and faster than the ascension.

Don’t forget to purchase a copy of each of my books on Amazon – Dandelions https://a.co/d/96sAFHU, Raking Leaves https://a.co/d/fnbusTI, Making Applesauce https://a.co/d/bVbQ7Hw, and Pruning Apple Trees https://a.co/d/3qUIcoV