Good for Another Year
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86755)
United States
January 29, 2025 11:34pm CST
As I’ve mentioned many times, I have acrophobia, a fear of heights. Once a year I will tackle this problem head-on. I did that on Tuesday, so now I’m good for another year. 
The Pensacola Lighthouse, located on Naval Air Station Pensacola, is the tallest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast. It’s 150 feet up. That amounts to 177 steps, all in a circle.
On the left you see the view straight down from the top. NO, I didn’t look, I just hung the phone over the rail and snapped the picture. On the right you see another view straight down, this one through all of those steps.
The enjoyable photo, of course, is the bottom: the view from the top. That’s why you climb lighthouses. When you don’t look straight down, but out toward the horizon, it’s a most rewarding view…now matter how scared of heights you are!
PHOTO COLLAGE:
(Top left) Straight down, over the rail
(Top right) My shoes on the steps, and all those steps I’d already climbed below me
(Bottom) The lovely bay photo from the top of Pensacola Lighthouse
The Pensacola Lighthouse, located on Naval Air Station Pensacola, is the tallest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast. It’s 150 feet up. That amounts to 177 steps, all in a circle.
On the left you see the view straight down from the top. NO, I didn’t look, I just hung the phone over the rail and snapped the picture. On the right you see another view straight down, this one through all of those steps.
The enjoyable photo, of course, is the bottom: the view from the top. That’s why you climb lighthouses. When you don’t look straight down, but out toward the horizon, it’s a most rewarding view…now matter how scared of heights you are!
PHOTO COLLAGE:
(Top left) Straight down, over the rail
(Top right) My shoes on the steps, and all those steps I’d already climbed below me
(Bottom) The lovely bay photo from the top of Pensacola Lighthouse14 people like this
12 responses
@DaddyEvil (174546)
• United States
30 Jan 25
I wouldn't look down at all! I feel like I'm falling when/if I do that! No thanks! I don't even like looking down steep hills from inside my car. 
When I was a kid, I'd climb a tree on the farm and stare at the tree trunk while I was slowly climbing back down!
I didn't try climbing trees very often.
When I was a kid, I'd climb a tree on the farm and stare at the tree trunk while I was slowly climbing back down! I didn't try climbing trees very often.4 people like this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
I know, that’s how I feel (like I’m falling). We need to have a meeting of the acrophobia club (in a basement, preferably ).
).3 people like this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
There was a lady who climbed the lighthouse but she wouldn’t go outside. I told her I have acrophobia, too. She managed to take one step outside. I told her “just don’t look down.”
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
31 Jan 25
@JudyEv — I should bring you along, then! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 25
@FourWalls Vin has a bit of trouble. We went to a lot of trouble once volunteering to paint a church roof. He panicked a bit about going up in the cherry-picker to spray-paint the roof. I told him he had to! He doesn't like heights but I don't think it is full-blown acrophobia but maybe he is just more scared of me.
He doesn't like heights but I don't think it is full-blown acrophobia but maybe he is just more scared of me. 1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169490)
• United States
30 Jan 25
As a sponsor on a youth trip I went up in the Seattle Space Needle, with one student who was claustrophobic (elevators) and one who was scared of heights. Elevator is much easier than steps, you did really well.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
31 Jan 25
Trudging up those steps, I think about the lighthouse keeper who had to climb up two or three times a night with oil for the light!
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Jan 25
I have never been to a lighthouse. I can see where that would be a good spot to go.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Jan 25
@FourWalls .....yes, I've seen how different they are. I like to New England at some point. They have some interesting ones up in that neck of the woods.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
31 Jan 25
Not much need for one in Idaho. They’re quite fascinating, and the thought of “seen one, you’ve seen them all” isn’t true. Sure, the design doesn’t fluctuate, but there’s lots of history with every one of them!
They’re quite fascinating, and the thought of “seen one, you’ve seen them all” isn’t true. Sure, the design doesn’t fluctuate, but there’s lots of history with every one of them!1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Jan 25
I have that too, Sometimes I cannot even stand up on a stool if there is nothing to hold onto,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
31 Jan 25
With age comes wisdom? Remember when we were little we kept looking for things to jump off of?
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Jan 25
@FourWalls That was not me I was a careful little kid. However, as a teen I went with my friends for a walk in the park, I saw a tree with a low branch that looked perfect to sit on, I managed to get up there but then my head spun and my boyfriend had to get me down,
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
30 Jan 25
I too have acrophobia and I too try to face it every now and then. And I have found a way to deal with it.. don't look down. The last thing that I did to face it was zip line across two hills with a valley in between. It was thrilling.
That's lovely view. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
I learned that riding the chair lift to Natural Bridge in Kentucky: look at the horizon, not down. I’m way too old for a zip line, but good for you!!!!
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
2 Feb 25
@FourWalls Looking at the horizon helps, it gives a sense of peace and security.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
30 Jan 25
Do you think you will overcome this phobia if you deal with it once a year?
Beautiful experience there I can see though.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
I seriously doubt it’ll cure it, but it helps me enjoy things more. I’m not ready for the zip line over a canyon, that’s for certain!!
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
30 Jan 25
Fabulous photos ! This time,you made progress and have a head for heights now !
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
Not a “strong” head for heights, but I’m doing better.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
30 Jan 25
You see such beautiful places..I have fear of heights too.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
Maybe I can be relaxed enough to try another lighthouse if I come across one (as if they don’t have any lighthouses in Florida 
).
).1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135819)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Jan 25
I don't think I would look down either.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
I always think about that line from a Boz Scaggs song: “Do like you do in New York City: don’t look down!”
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18115)
• Torrington, Connecticut
30 Jan 25
Love the pics, looks relaxing
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86755)
• United States
30 Jan 25
After that exhausting climb, it needs to be relaxing.
1 person likes this
