Gasp, Wheeze, the Stillwater Stairs

Have you ever passed any of the Stillwater stairs and thought "Some day I'm going to climb those."  I did, for years.  About  a year ago, a gal pal moved downtown Stillwater, and that got us exploring walking routes downtown.  We like to "do the stairs" on some of our routes.  Now I'm not talking about the hard core "doing the stairs"  like those leaving water bottles half way up, or counting their reps (as in more than one!).  I'm talking about ascending the steps and figuring that when we can no longer speak, it is time for a 30 second rest. I love to feel how alive my body is during the process.  It complains bitterly with burning muscles, and the gasping and wheezing mentioned earlier.  All that being said, I always feel rewarded at the top.  First I made it!  Second, I am stunned by one view after another.  There may not be anything like the views afforded us after traversing the Stillwater stairs!