Giving That Acrophobia of Mine a Run for Its Money

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Hello! I left the hotel about 11:15 this morning, and didn’t get back until about 7:30. Yes, I was very busy relaxing. Last things first: The Wheel. There’s a place in the center of Pigeon Forge called The Island. It’s home to the Margaritaville Resort, several restaurants, shops, a great dancing water/light show (every half hour), and some less-than-thrilling rides (e.g., merry-go-round, swing, etc.). It also has a gigantic Ferris wheel, known as The Wheel. You can see that thing at night from nearly anywhere on the main road in Pigeon Forge, that’s how big (and bright) it is. When your gondola is at the very top, you’re 200 feet off the ground. Now, I have acrophobia (fear of heights). I don’t know when or how I acquired it, but I started getting dizzy looking out the window of my apartment on the 12th floor when I lived in Hawaii. That may have done it. Anyway, heights — even a step ladder — and I just do not get along anymore. So, I figured, with the sun setting behind the mountains, why not give my acrophobia a run for its money. I plucked down $12 (senior discount fare) for a ride on The Wheel. And yes I was scared at first. But when I got to the top and could admire that gorgeous fading twilight, the apprehension seemed to fade. Not that I wasn’t glad to get off....but I wasn’t shaking like a leaf on the second go-round as much as I was on the first. No, I’m not cured. But I’m sure glad I did that, if for no other reason than the beautiful twilight view.