Acrophobia

“We will be going right by the Gateway Arch! We should definitely stop and see that,” I announced to my family as we figured out our plans for the next destination on our map. We had traveled from the frozen snow packed roads of our Alaskan home down through our neighbors in Canada and were making our way across the lower 48 states experiencing so many wonders.

The kids had long since stoped listening to my rant on what we would pass and see, ready to stop talking and start doing. Our sweet Kenai curled up on my lap and nudged his head under my hand giving me his hint that he needed some love.

“You are excited aren’t you buddy,” I said rubbing his head and under his chin where he liked it most.

“You love seeing all these new places just as much as we do don’t you,” I crooned to my little pup.

And, he had loved checking out each new place we came to, getting upset when he was not allowed to join in every exciting new experience. He loved to look out the window as we drove along new roads or to snuggle next to the boys as they napped the drive time away. He would be my companion walking around each new camp spot sure to warn me of any danger.

I finished off our trip planning, excited for the new sights we would see, the new sounds, and smells we would experience together, and then we hit the road again.

We had heard tales of the road chaos in St. Louis, but it was not until we got there and were trying to find our way that we truly understood. Exits were shooting off in every direction and you’d think you were on the right one only to find out you really needed to take the one just yards before or after. We went in several loops over the Mississippi in and out of Missouri and Illinois before finally making it on the road we wanted on the Illinois side. I had wanted to go to the overlook point they had on that side and get a view and nice pictures of us with the arch in the background.

Flustered and shaking from all the crazy maneuvering in traffic we had done we gladly stepped out of our vehicle to walk it off. Kenia and the boys went running in the lovely grass surrounded by large industrial buildings. I snapped pictures of everyone and after some time gathered us all together for a family shot.

Then we headed for the tall cement ramp up to the observation deck. It went up several stories and the boys were ecstatic to try their new shoe rollers on it. They would run up one level of the ramp and then go rolling down. Kenia was pleased as punch to start up with us, that is until we hit the second level.

We noticed his tail that was usually wagging happily was tucked under. That seems odd I thought, but he was still moving along with us and nothing seemed to be of concern. On the next level I looked down at our little pooch and was shocked to see him crouching down low to the ground and adamantly avoiding the edges.

It finally dawned on my what was going on. “Oh my goodness,” I bellowed out, “Kenia is afraid of heights!”

All our adventures we had gone on before, hiking in woods and up steep cliffs he had never once had a problem. Here now where he could look out around us and not see the ground below he was afraid! We were shocked not believing what we were seeing. Our dog who had yet to show a single fear of anything had acrophobia!

Wanting to be with us he moved along staying low to the cement path. At the top he found solace in the arms of our animal loving son, who whispered sweet comforting words to our beloved pup. Another site seen, another fun adventure checked off our list, our brave Kenia made the frightening trek down the ramp ready to move on to the next adventure hopefully on solid ground!

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Check out some of the adventures we have gone on here.