avatarMichele Maize

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dn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*DbcjAUPqFzaOE0K65eJo0Q.jpeg"><figcaption>View from the top — Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure><p id="7d26">The Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois held the record for the tallest building in the world for 25 years after it was built in 1973. I am sure the two architects that designed the tower were quite pleased with that record.</p><p id="703c">I didn’t know this at the time but you can actually see 4 different states from the top. That’s impressive. I guess I missed the information on that when we were up there. I was too busy being enthralled by the views to even know what I was looking at.</p><p id="4a09">The Ledge, where you are standing on glass at 1700 feet in the sky, is a glass balcony that extends 4 feet from the side of the building.</p><p id="ab5a">When it was finally our turn to walk out onto The Ledge, I was surprisingly calm and ready to take it all in beneath my feet. It was such a cool experience to see the world below you.</p><figure id="7dbe"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ildj12YASGV3OfXSwHXN7Q.jpeg"><figcaption>Chicago beneath your feet — Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure><p id="6e22">It was a cold, partly cloudy day and I felt fortunate that we were able to visit on such a great day for viewing.</p><p id="2480">The Willis Tower is a tourist destination which makes it very crowded, especially on a nice day. That part didn’t bother us and I am glad we got our tickets in advance, which is always a good idea these days.</p><figure id="1812"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*M5gYq8c4imVk3G2a_dywiA.jpeg"><figcaption>For some reason it was less nerve-wracking to sit — Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure><p id="15e8">If you arrive early and buy your tickets online, it is a seamless experience and very enjoyable at the top.</p><p id="2260">After our time at the Willis Tower, we explored Chicago, had some great food, saw the bean, and even went to a hockey game.</p><figure id="823c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*HoiQnMLEBUvbdujUbAcdmw.jpeg"><figcaption>Chicago — Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figur

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e><p id="ba64"><b>Would you walk The Ledge?</b></p><p id="7631">Check out these other great stories for the monthly challenge.</p><p id="284c"><a href="undefined">Claire Elizabeth Levesque</a> writes about another skyscraper in Chicago.</p><div id="6b04" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/going-to-the-top-of-the-magnificent-mile-chicago-360-5d958aa30f9d"> <div> <div> <h2>Going to the Top of the Magnificent Mile: Chicago 360</h2> <div><h3>Seeing the Windy City from a new perspective</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*PbicMKQmiMhAzPEUnZZ9ig.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="4334"><a href="undefined">Bell KS</a> writes about the iconic views in New York City.</p><div id="5639" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/on-top-of-the-big-apple-93b3db8bc3b6"> <div> <div> <h2>On Top of the Big Apple</h2> <div><h3>New York, New York — how beautiful you are</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*K8rrvlH6cAeyMOH13U1eFA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="ca0c" class="link-block"> <a href="https://soberveganyogi.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Michele Maize</h2> <div><h3>As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…</h3></div> <div><p>soberveganyogi.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*ezA9Bmlcc8vB8c0P)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

GLOBETROTTERS MONTHLY CHALLENGE

Would You Walk The Ledge at One of the World’s Tallest Skyscrapers?

A weekend in Chicago left some lasting impressions

The Willis Tower Ledge — Photo Credit: Author

I am a wimp when it comes to the cold so Chicago and its wind chill never really appealed to me. But, my husband had a business meeting in the windy city so I decided to tag along.

When we arrived, we saw that our hotel was near the Willis Tower which has a glass bottom viewing center from the top. I’ve never been scared of heights but I’ve also never stood on top of a piece of glass 1700 feet in the sky.

I’ve been on top of the Empire State Building in New York and I loved it. I think it’s hard not to. Seeing the entire twinkling city from up high is something magical. You simply do not grasp how much is actually involved in the city.

You can take it all in from the top, just like when you are about to land in an airplane and you can take it all in.

After we check into our hotel, we walk over to the Willis Tower. With anticipation, we get in line for the ride up to the top. It’s a longer climb than the Empire State Building and when we walk out of the elevator, it looks like we are floating in the sky.

View from the top — Photo Credit: Author

Everything is glass and we see people taking pictures on the ceiling of glass. My husband starts to get a little nervous. He doesn’t love heights. I actually think I might join him in his trepidation although I doubt they would have people up there all day long if it wasn’t sturdy.

At least, I hope not. I will go on a rollercoaster and people have died on those, so with some things you have to take your chances.

Even if it is risky.

View from the top — Photo Credit: Author

The Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois held the record for the tallest building in the world for 25 years after it was built in 1973. I am sure the two architects that designed the tower were quite pleased with that record.

I didn’t know this at the time but you can actually see 4 different states from the top. That’s impressive. I guess I missed the information on that when we were up there. I was too busy being enthralled by the views to even know what I was looking at.

The Ledge, where you are standing on glass at 1700 feet in the sky, is a glass balcony that extends 4 feet from the side of the building.

When it was finally our turn to walk out onto The Ledge, I was surprisingly calm and ready to take it all in beneath my feet. It was such a cool experience to see the world below you.

Chicago beneath your feet — Photo Credit: Author

It was a cold, partly cloudy day and I felt fortunate that we were able to visit on such a great day for viewing.

The Willis Tower is a tourist destination which makes it very crowded, especially on a nice day. That part didn’t bother us and I am glad we got our tickets in advance, which is always a good idea these days.

For some reason it was less nerve-wracking to sit — Photo Credit: Author

If you arrive early and buy your tickets online, it is a seamless experience and very enjoyable at the top.

After our time at the Willis Tower, we explored Chicago, had some great food, saw the bean, and even went to a hockey game.

Chicago — Photo Credit: Author

Would you walk The Ledge?

Check out these other great stories for the monthly challenge.

Claire Elizabeth Levesque writes about another skyscraper in Chicago.

Bell KS writes about the iconic views in New York City.

Travel
Travel Writing
Monthly Challenge
Chicago
Skyscraper
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