Small Town Elevator Love

Elias knows all the elevators in Seward, unless an Otis or Schindler sits in a private dwelling hidden from the public, otherwise he travels the town riding them all.

So when the National Park visitor's center received a facelift this winter, that included the installation of an elevator, Elias watched the progress with brewing excitement.

"When do yo think it will open?" He asked every time we drove through the harbor.

"I don't know Bud."

What he didn't know is Nick and I made tentative plans with both our friend Alan who helped lead the renovation and our friend  Shawna who works for the park to give Elias a sneak peek.

And so on Tuesday, before the doors officially open to the public Saturday , Shawna arranged a ribbon cutting with Park staff. 

Nick and I arrived first, Elias unaware of the event, came with his respite staff.

"So where's the elevator?" Elias asked the moment he walked into the lobby.

As we delayed the unveiling to introduce him to some of the people present, a Ranger asked him about the different elevators in town. Elias named some of the various models and locations and sure enough, when they led him around the corner to the small alcove with the newest elevator in Seward and a staff member asked him what kind it was without even pausing he answered: "Otis Series Seven."

As he took the inaugural elevator ride he commented, "The motor sounds good."

So the latest elevator to grace this idyllic small town has been blessed with Elias's approval.

"I'll be back to ride this elevator real soon," our boy said as we left.

Thank you Shawna--and thank you Seward for embracing our quirky kid.

Happy Friday All! 

 

Comments

[Deb Jacobson]

That picture in the elevator is priceless!!! Such a cool experience that you set up for Elias!! Gotta embrace his interests!!

[Carolyn Schwenzfeier]

Wonderful beyond words!
C and W
Charleston

[Christy]

He was so excited! Im glad Shawna snapped this photo of the three of us right when he was checking out the carrying capacity:)

[Rob]

Your son and my nephew are practically twins when it comes to this! He used to obsess about elevators. But my brother and his wife have successfully gotten him away from that and talking about other things. Now its fire alarms I believe. He will be 7 in a week and he is smart beyond his years. He is very high functioning on the spectrum. He can name ALL the state capitals, and can tell you the make and model of a vehicle just by looking at it. He used to watch videos of elevators on Youtube.