TOP OF THE TOWER

Once again I, Cute, go forth on an adventure without Cutest by my side. Not to worry dear readers, for a forthcoming blog will detail our shared experiences of our road trip to……wait for it…Des Moines.

Ok. This in-town excursion took me to the top of the tower, also known as the Liberty Memorial and more recently the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Next year the Memorial will celebrate its 100th year of welcoming visitors to its world-renowned collection of WWI related artifacts, including written and filmed history. This is not the same collection you may have seen on an elementary school bus trip back in the day.

Yes, there are collections of weapons, medals and uniforms. However, now more interactive life-like videos share true accounts of what individuals did and saw in and around the world whether as battle participant or a civilian. This new exhibit is called Encounters and it is well worth a trip on its own.

This summer during the months of July and August on Thursday evenings, visitors could go to the top of the tower between 5 and 8:30 PM. Riding the clanking elevator 217 feet to its zenith is a novel, maybe fun experience, but not quite Worlds of Fun fun.

If you suffer from hypsophobia, you guessed it, the irrational fear of heights, it’s no fun at all. Reaching the circular concrete top, you see a spectacular vista of downtown KC sprawling before you. To the north lies most of the city’s iconic landmarks. Union Station, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Western Auto signature rooftop sign and much more lay before you and all the way to the horizon.

To view any other direction requires the art of shuffling as the observation platform can only  comfortably accommodate two persons standing between the inner tower, which houses the “flame,” and the outer ring. As you work your way around, the colorful I-35 Ferris wheel, Boulevard Beer’s distillery and lesser known structures come in to view. To the south, the Memorial’s beautifully landscaped lawn plays out below along with its soothing water feature. Very calming - unless you’re that hypsophobia sufferer.

Get off your duff as this Thursday (yikes, tomorrow) may be your last chance to view our fair city after dark from such a vantage point until next year. It only costs $8 and if you’re a supporting Memorial member, it’s FREE!

Cutest says this is my best video ever!