We had a big adventure today. Everyone gather around on their nap squares with their juice cups, peanut butter crackers and blankies while I wax all philosophically about how I had a complete and utter panic attack at a castle. Or rather at some castle ruins.
my girl friday! and occupier of a lot of my free time!
Let's start at the beginning. Today we were to spend a good chunk of the day exploring the beautiful aged Alt Dahn castles or 'Old Dahn' for those of you that don't speak much German. And we did. Our party included myself, the hubby, his mother (the MIL), BFF Bridge, her hubby Larry and son KEEGAN! Keegan LOVES castles. We have him trained that whenever Bridge picks me up for GDO he instantly starts in on a litany of Are We Going To A Castle? NO? Are We Going To The Train? No? Are We Going To The Dinosaur Park? ... And repeat as only a 3.5 year old can do. So let's just say he was superduper excited to go.
The castle set is a trio of three (did I seriously put trio of THREE? what else is a trio ... four?) including Altdahn, Grafendahn and Tanstein. The ruins rise on five huge sandstone rocks standing next to one another just east of the town of Dahn. The oldest castle dates back to the early 1100s and the others shortly after. There is a really neat history about the Dahner family knights that we were inventing crazy stories about on the hill but that is wandering away from the WHYTHEHECKAREYOUCRYING bit.
Onward and upward we went, the parking area being at the bottom of a sloping 0.3 mile hill. It was a gentle shaded walk up to a sunny warm landing. There were plenty of cubbyholes, weapons rooms, stables and war rooms to stick our heads into. Ladders, concrete steps, ramps, grass and panoramic views as far as the eyes could see. We were really lucky and were some of the only tourists at the site. Made it really handy when taking photos or letting the munchkin run without disturbing anyone.
the subject of this story is that damn chimney peak of a tower
At the top of the castle (or rather dead center, highest peak) was a tower. You could actually mount a thin, tall ladder and climb to the top and look out over the whole structure. Brig took the challenge first. Mah, the Boy, I and Keegan lounged in the shade chattering at Larry. Fifteen seconds passed before she called for reinforcements on The Ladder. Her husband came to her rescue and shadowed her up. Agilely they scaled it misleading me into a complacency over the ease of ascent. We thought it a hoot and holler as I snapped their photos from the bottom and they got us from the top.
They came down, one step at a time and I decided to pull on my big girl pants and do it. If my BFF can do well than it couldn't have been nearly as bad as I thought. Right? Wrong! Shut the front door.
What a crock.
that is me looking up in disbelief, doubt, insanity (left) and bridge at the top looking down (right)
Hubby decided it best to come climb with the ladder with me ensure his favorite past time didn't kill herself because she really is TERRIFIED of heights and needs an adult authority figure to tell her no. First attempt: made it about a third of the way ... i.e. 10 steps ... i.e. 8 feet until I glanced out over the concrete hole to the valley below. My stomach dropped and knees started shaking. My ladder was a mere 8 feet off the landing, which was already 3 stories off the main ground of the castle, on a hill above the village. My hubby roughly estimates it as a 'ways down' or a good 300 feet from where we parked. I was staring out across that village. I stopped breathing and started seeing spots. My reflexes didn't feel like reflexing and my knuckles were locked around the railing. I descended that ladder like a crab, much to the ribbing and support of the husband.
Attempt two: completed maybe three steps higher than the first time to the same ending. Call me a chicken shit. Rib me about being a baby. I couldn't stop thinking that if I fell no amount of faith could break my fall and save me. I told the boy that this must be some kind of trust game. Like in marriage counseling right?? If I believe that you'll keep me safe I most assuredly could climb the damn narrow, rickety, rusty, concrete braced ladder.
After a few too many deep breaths and some jovial harassment by all I wanted to attempt it again. After all the third time must be the charm and I can master my fears by goodness ... even if a rapel harness would've made me feel safer. I sent the boy up first. Perhaps if I saw him safely perched on the landing above me it wouldn't seem so dangerous. Oh ye of little faith could it be so easy? Um .. no.
Remember that spot on the ladder I was telling you about? My FAVORITE spot? The place I could live forever. The place that a rational headed scar-edy cat couldn't cross? Yep. I got stuck AGAIN. I'd smack my palm to my forehead but I couldn't unclench it from my rusty trusty ladder. The boy was gently cajoling me from above. Come on baby. You can do it. Just 10 more steps. (Dude there could've been a million dollars on that 11th step and I couldn't have made my feet move.)
'Hey Girlie you have to move ... cause I'm coming up behind you!' I hear from below. Bridge's husband decided that my Boy needed backup. Between the hubby distracting me with nonsensical comments above and my favorite smart ass poking, prodding, threatening and sarcastically nudging from the bottom they got me up that ladder and onto the roof. I very cautiously crept across the solid 5 foot diameter concrete circle to glance across the 4 foot tall, 3 foot thick railing. My nerves gave me 3 seconds before I curled up in the fetal position to wait until we had to go down again.
see the tower? with the little people!? that would be THEM and not us. the husband wanted to STAND on that rail that he's leaning on and shooting over. that is me on the floor. i'm gonna need an air-evac. character building my ass.
Down. Oh goodness. Between the boys manhandling I practically flew down that ladder. I have never been more grateful to see solid ground. It felt like such a feat to overcome my fears for that moment. I do not, however, plan on repeating that accomplishment on that ladder ever again anytime soon. I will be the girl showing her friends the nifty tower ... from the safety of the ground.
my heroes!! the smug bastards were quite proud of themselves. i will admit they had a right to be. i didn't say i had to like it.
oh don't worry. i have photographic evidence that you really are 12 year olds at heart.
P.S. The MIL's supporting comment as she stuck her head into the base of the stairwell en route down the castle "oh I could've done that in a breeze. My knees just don't work as well as they used too. About the height of the dryers from the old mill we used to work at." Oh great ... even the 'old lady' has me beat by a mile. I bet next trip Keegan solo's it.
