When I was a small girl, my family regularly drove over the Story Bridge in Brisbane, Australia to visit our cousins. I was fascinated by the stairs I could see up the sides of the steel structure and wished I could climb right up to the top. My parents told me it was impossible: those were maintenance steps and only the bridge workers could go up there.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

I never became a bridge worker but in 2005, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb opened its doors so people could walk up those stairs and take in the view of Brisbane from the top of the bridge.

Two years later, I turned 50. I thought about climbing the Story Bridge as a birthday adventure but one day I was standing on my balcony at home. It is one level up, but looks higher because the ground slopes down from the house. When I looked down I felt scared. I decided that I was crazy thinking I could climb the bridge so put the idea on the backburner.

But that niggling childhood ambition kept intruding. By the time my 60th birthday rolled around, I decided to bite the bullet and climb the bridge.

Could I Really Climb the Bridge?

I was in no hurry, though. Summer in Brisbane is very hot and humid. Participants in the bridge climb are required to wear a two-tone long-sleeved overall. The colours are designed not to distract drivers of the 91,000 vehicles that cross the bridge each day. I couldn’t cope with summer heat while climbing 1088 steps in a long overall, even a lightweight nylon one. Another issue was who to go with. My husband hates heights and unequivocally said he would not come. My eldest daughter wanted to come but she had a young baby and wasn’t ready to leave her to go climbing any bridges. Somehow the bridge climb went on the backburner again.

Fast forward a year or so. I still hadn’t organised my bridge climb. Regular readers of Online Learning Success will know that I have been in touch with Barbara Oakley for a few years. As co-creator of three popular online courses and author of books about learning, Barbara has a worldwide following. She regularly travels the world for speaking engagements. When she emailed and said she hoped to meet me when she and her husband Phil visited Brisbane for an upcoming conference, I was delighted. I remembered that she had mentioned in an interview that she was inspired by bridges. I wondered if she might be interested in climbing the Story Bridge. It’s one of only three bridges in the world that people can climb as an adventure.

Barbara replied enthusiastically and the date was set. We booked our tickets. My eldest daughter couldn’t make it because she was now engrossed in study with a big assignment due, but my second daughter joined us.

I Must be Crazy!

As the day drew closer, I began wondering if this was such a great plan after all. What if I had a panic attack up on the bridge? Whose silly idea was this? Why oh why did I propose this adventure?

We made it to the Story Bridge headquarters. I was shaking as I kissed my husband goodbye. After a short safety video, we were each given our overalls and requested to put our phones and other gear into lockers. We put on waist harnesses and began our adventure.

Once we were secured to the bridge, I felt safe and my nerves disappeared. I’ll have to admit, though, I kept a strong grip on the handrail! I found the walk quite easy, with several stops to admire the views and so the guide could take photos.

The views were spectacular. The weather was perfect. The experience was amazing. When can I go again?

A Final Thought

Don’t give up on your ambitions, even when obstacles may seem insurmountable.

By Pat Bowden, published May 28, 2019.