A View from the Top

That December morning was frigid.  And gray.  Perhaps not the best morning for a climb to the top of Notre Dame, but time was running out on this visit and it was something I really wanted to do.  I arrived just as the ticket office opened and was therefore one of the first making the climb.  I was treated to the bells ringing as I huffed & puffed upward to the first level which is at the base of the tall skinny windows on the towers.

As I’ve said before, even on a gray day, Paris is beautiful.  I am sure he thinks so…

As does he who seems to be straining as I was to make out the Eiffel Tower off in the distance that was covered by the gray morning….  I wonder if he ever gets tired of posing for photographs?

I thought it was fascinating that there was barely a spec of color anywhere other than the cars…

By now my nose is frozen and my gloved fingers are getting numb.  But I take one last look down at the square in front of the cathedral before continuing my ascent (which earned me a big smile and thumbs up from the guard at the door going up or back down).  Look ~ Parisian ants…

My word, but it is cold and windy here at the very top ~ there is even ice. I tread carefully.  I am glad I came early as I was one of a small handful at the top.  It was a bit magical.  I pause to snap a couple dizzying views…

And then had the opportunity to snap several more because the price for being among the first out is having to wait while at least 60 new visitors pour out the door that you need to go through in order to go back down.

As cold, cold, cold and gray as it was it is still one of my favorite memories.

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