Quote

Ain't nuthin like ridin' a fine horse in a new country - Augustus McCrae – Lonesome Dove

Monday, January 23, 2012

To Ring a Bell!

Over the weekend, we did visit the PNER convention in Portland - we took a look through the trade show & said "Hi" to friends!   Brian found me sitting on a saddle!  I got a big hug!  So very happy to see him looking so "sound"!  :-)  Also took a good look at the saddle that will probably be my next purchase, more on that later.  
The Church Spire
We met up with our VBF Bruce, to take a tour of the amazing church where he is responsible for facility maintenance.  Over our years together - (Bruce has known Butch & I longer than we've been married :-) one or the other of us three have been involved in some incredible projects.  We've taken each other on "tours" that others would pay money to see.  This time though - it was a trip back in time.
Butch & Bruce admire the view from the roof~
This particular church is the oldest in Portland, built in the early 1800's.  The "Spire" or Bell Tower is part of a building who's architecture has withstood the test of time.  To maintain this facility takes dedication & research. 
The Spire against a blue sky~
The Spire dominated the skyline.  Housed within is a Bell, molded from a Civil War cannon.  Of course...  wanted a picture of it!  Bruce just smiled - I know that smile - it means I'm "in for it"!
The drop down ladder~

 The drop down steel ladder was only the first of a series of obstacles that were enough to make some faint of heart - but I'd asked for it!   Next, was a spiral rod-iron staircase - that went up, up, up...
Amazing craftsmanship on a staircase few ever see~
Once at the top - we arrived in the room below~
Rope for the bell hanging down behind Butch & Bruce
This looked like a room from a medieval novel!  Since the old wood stairs are the the next phase of the climb - it was one person at a time!
Going Up!
We arrive at the first platform...  Next...  ladders...  did I mention that I don't like ladders?
Another platform & another ladder, more going up & up...
First view of the Bell
So...  I hear my husband say...  "I thought you wanted a picture of the patent date?"  Well...  yes I did...  but I'm NOT going to climb up there to get it!  Guess who does?
It's an old Bell!

Butch on the ladder
"OK" I say... now get the heck DOWN from there!"  (He's wearing cowboy boots!
"Oh no" he says - we need a photo of you!
Honestly?  Do I look even 1/2 way as scared as I was?  Bruce was below to catch me if a fell :-)
Bruce waits to guide me back through the hatch~
The thing I've never liked about climbing up, is going back down!  In the room below the bell - was the rope that can be used to manually ring the bell.  Bruce asked if I'd like to ring it?  OH!  YES!  So - I carefully pulled on the rope - the clapper struck the Bell - & it RANG!  What an amazing sound!  I'm sure people in downtown Portland wondered at the Bell ringing - not on it's usual schedule?  :-)  What an honor! 
History of the Bell
 A day I will never forget!  Thank you Bruce~!

4 comments:

  1. Wow that is one beautiful and cool place. I love old architecture! Looks like fun!

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  2. Whew! Just the pictures of the ladders and the heights make me woozy:)

    I made it to convention and listened to the speakers, but didn't stay for the banquet.

    So which saddle are you considering?

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  3. That is SO cool! Great pics too. Like you, I'm marginally ok with climbing up, it's the climb back down I can't stop worrying about :(

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Always Welcome~