What’s the coolest or awe-inspiring or just “wow” place you’ve ever stood?

I can think of some, like standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon on a beautiful day and seeing the amazing vista that seems to stretch forever.

For sure I got a “wow” moment in New York City, in Times Square in the evening and seeing all the people walking by, the traffic in the crowded streets and the bright lights of the signs and buildings in that famous area.

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How about standing in Tiger Stadium on a crisp fall evening, especially before a big game against a big-time opponent with championship implications on the line? Consider the sights and sounds and the electric atmosphere that seems to peak when the LSU band starts that pre-game routine, when you hear those first drum beats as the band gets ready to sound those first three notes from “Hold that Tiger.”

I’ve had the good fortune to stand in some pretty cool places and appreciating a “wow” moment about what I seeing.

I was thinking about the wow places I’ve stood after reading about “The Top 100 Places to Stand in the United States.”

There’s a Web site at “stoodthere.com” that is looking for your nominations of, and votes on, the greatest places to stand.

Besides the top 100 places in the U.S., there are similar lists for Europe, the U.K. and the world, You can even submit pictures of places you’ve visited and see them posted on the site.

Actually, the top 100 haven’t officially been decided as they’re taking votes through December.

But nominated among the best places in the U.S. are Moody Gardens in Galveston, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, Hoover Dam near Nevada, Niagara Falls in New York, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

I wonder what would be on a list of the 100 Best Places to Stand in the Teche Area, or Louisiana?

I’ve already put Tiger Stadium on a football Saturday on my Louisiana list. What about the view from the observation platform at the top of the state capitol in Baton Rouge? That’s pretty cool.

The Superdome in New Orleans is amazing, as is pretty much anywhere along the touristy part of Bourbon Street on a busy Saturday night.

What about around here? I’ve seen some extra beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Vermilion Bay near Cypremort Point. Standing in Bouligny Plaza on a Gumbo Cookoff Sunday with music playing and people crowded around the many booths selling gumbo can be pretty special.

I can think of others and know you can too. This column will be posted on our Web site at www.iberianet.com and you can add your ideas for special places to stand, and why, using the comments option, or you can e-mail them to me at dailyiberian@bellsouth.net or fax them at 367-9640 or drop them by the front desk and I’ll try to include them in an upcoming Sweet Talk. 

Describe your cool place to stand, and why.

There’s no prize or anything but we can have some fun if we can get a good list going.

WILL CHAPMAN is publisher of The Daily Iberian.