One of the main reasons we chose to stop in Topeka on our route was because it was a Capitol city. (We've bagged 11 Capitols now.) And a beautiful capitol it is. Even as it is going through a major interior 11-year renovation...it remains stunning.
The details, wow! From the woodwork, to the ornate hinges (comparable to TX), to the multiple colors of marble, the metalwork, the murals, where should I stop gushing? The Senate Chambers were so gorgeous, Andy wants to be a Senator.
What we didn't know when we stopped in Topeka, was that we could take a Dome Tour...
The tour took us up 296 steps from the fifth floor of the Capitol to give us the behind-the-scenes look at the dome....
This meant climbing *above* the inner dome via a very narrow, steep, and winding staircase that lead us OUTSIDE the Dome!
Here's the last leg of the hanging staircase to the outer balcony of the capitol dome...
I'm not normally afraid of heights, but I have my moments - and this was one of them. It gave you the sense you were flying being up there with nothing beneath you.
The views were unobstructed. You were now thee highest point in Topeka. Stunning.
According to our tour guide, Topeka is the only Capitol that has tours to the outside of the dome. I hope they never cancel these tours. Believe it or not, they used to allow free access to this area - unguided. That explained all of the graffiti in the upper levels. What an experience. If you are not too terribly afraid of heights, I'd recommend it. Highly. If you are afraid of heights, I don't - this is not a place to have a change of heart...or faint...or anything of the sort.
Now, they will be temporarily closing the Dome Tours effective this December ('09) due to the continuing construction. So either go now! Or, you will probably need to wait til 2011 or 2012 for the climb of your life.
More pictures in my Missouri/Kansas WebAlbum.
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