Raising the Christmas star

Today a few of us climbed up to the roof of Luther Tower to raise the Christmas star which is lit during the Christmas season. Larry, Gayle, Kevin, and David arrived in outside the tower carrying whatever tools they thought they might need, the most important being the winch. Ferdie didn't get to come on this adventure.

Click to enlarge for high def views

As they walked to the Tower everyone tried to convince David it would be alright. David was concerned about the height and getting vertigo. And no wonder as this is the sight which greeted him.

Can't really see the very top, it's further up than that little jut out thing.

Climbed to the first level, not bad at all, easy peasy.

Out the small door which over looks the bell

And then up the long and winding stone stairs to the bell level.

Here is where David needed some asssurance, the last flight of stairs are made of iron and are narrow and wind around and around. See, David smiling? He's really sweating.

But we all made it and Gayle pointed out to Kevin and David some of the local landmarks.

There's two seminary quads and the chapel with downtown Clayton in the distance.

It's amazing up there.

Seminary library in the foreground with St. Mary's hospital in the background.

The Kaldi's neighborhood with the Skinker high rises in the background.

And the HIllcrest neighborhood on our north border.

Anyhow, after doing a 360 around the top, David was feeling better. Kevin had no fear.

And Larry was ready for us to end the sightseeing and get on with the star.

Gayle helped while Larry did something with the cables. 

Checked that the winch worked while Keven adjusted the strapping.

And up it went

With a few adjustments it was secure.

Gayle made a video of the process so that next year we'll remember how this works.

Then it was time to climb down. Here's a look from above of the same exterior wall as the second photo in this post. See that little bump out? It's pretty far down. This is a very high tower.

David is ready to go while Kevin is still enjoying the view.

So down we went, first the iron, curving staircase and we see a great view out the tower window and then the top of the bells.

Finally!! Off those iron stairs and ready to breath again and face the stone stairs.

David has a big smile while Kevin could quite possibly have done this a couple times today.

Thanks Kevin and David, seminary students just a little closer to heaven today.

Comments

[Norman Teigen]

I missed these very interesting pictures when you first posted them. Thanks. Very interesting.