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| Topeka Capital |
This past Friday, I attended my second to last
Leadership Greater Topeka (
LGT) class. We have one more class, which is a half day, followed by graduation. My time in
LGT has flown by, and I cannot believe the end is already approaching. We have covered so much through these classes and learned a great deal about the community where I live and work.
On Friday morning, we spent time talking with leaders from local and state government, including Kansas Representatives and Senators. It was an engaging day of listening and learning as they shared their journeys into public service and described what a typical day looks like when they are in session.
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| Washburn in the Distance |
Friday afternoon was spent at the Topeka Capitol, a place I have visited a number of times. However, I had never been to the top of the Capitol. On previous tours, the top was closed, so I made it a point to go all the way up this time to see the view. It was an incredible experience to climb more than two hundred stairs and look out over Topeka from the top of the Capitol.
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| Spiral Stairs to the Top |
The journey to the top was challenging. The guide mentioned several times that anyone who wanted to turn back could do so, but asked that they let her know so she could account for changes in the group size. There were three different locations where people could peel off and not continue. A few people decided they had gone high enough. I am very glad that I kept going and was able to take in the view of Topeka from atop the Capitol.
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| Looking Up |
During the tour, the guide also shared a few ghost stories, which were interesting. She explained that while she had never experienced anything herself, there have been reports of banging or unexplained noises near the top of the dome. When officers investigate, they never find anything. When we were up in the dome, it was extremely quiet, which felt a bit odd. There was no sound of wind and no noise from below. It was not until we started our way down and reached the third set of stairs that I began to hear the sounds of people far below in the Capitol participating in other tours.
It was a wonderful way to wind down the LGT experience. I have truly enjoyed the LGT journey and look forward to nominating others for future classes.
