Sometimes there’s an interesting tale behind the story.

It happens more often than you think.

And because it’s been exactly one year since I retired, I thought it appropriate to look back at one such example. A day I’ll never forget.

In 2004, the Times News was invited to cover a wedding ceremony.

Of course, that’s something we don’t normally do. Weddings are news in a sense, but they’re not typically a news story. They’re more of a social announcement.

But this one was different.

The Rev. Clifford Herring, a Tamaqua native, was scheduled to perform nuptials Sunday morning in Allentown for a couple who wanted to be on top of the world.

The big event was planned to take place 205 feet high atop Steel Force Roller Coaster at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

The crazy ride was still fairly new. It had opened in 1997 as the tallest free-standing coaster on the East Coast.

Truth is, it’s higher than high.

The coaster is 54 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty and was first to break the 200-foot barrier.

It’s so high it was included in Discovery Channel’s television production of the world’s top-10 coasters.

According to plans, the minister would ride in the front car, the bride and groom directly behind, followed by the wedding party.

The coaster cars would be pulled by chain to the apex of Steel Force’s highest hill and remain there for the vows.

Of course, special arrangements had to be made. Dorney would only allow the event to take place in early morning when the park was closed to the public.

And here’s the clincher: the sky-high ceremony needed to be recorded from a vantage point outside of the coaster cars.

There was no room for a reporter and equipment to ride along.

So in order to cover the wedding ceremony and take photos, a reporter would have to carefully climb all 205 feet to the top of Steel Force, carrying equipment the entire way.

Dorney Park assigned a security officer to go along. I could only imagine why such a precaution was necessary. But I agreed to do the story anyway.

I showed up early morning.

The guard explained that the wedding party already was in place at the top. I hadn’t been allowed to go up there first, he said, because movement of the cars would cause the top of the hill to swing and sway. If I already were positioned up there, I could lose my balance.

With that pleasant thought in mind, I began a nerve-wracking ascent up a stairway that clung to the side of the structure’s framework.

At that moment, I was grateful for extra planning. For instance, I figured out how to strap a tripod to myself so that I could carry a camera, notebooks and pens yet still have hands free.

Plus I remembered not to drink anything at breakfast for fear I’d need to pee when I got to the top. Can you imagine that predicament?

About three-quarters of the way up, the wind picked up considerably.

“I must be crazy,” I yelled back to the guard. “The wind gusts are really something.”

I began wondering why I’d agreed to do this at all.

“Whatever you do,” he said, “don’t look down.”

Why did he tell me that? Of course, it’s the first thing I’m gonna do. Yikes!

“Why are there so many ants down there? Oh wait. They’re not ants, they’re people.”

I really didn’t want to continue but already had gone way too far.

“If I panic and freeze when I get to the top, at least we’ll have good cellphone reception to call 911,” I said.

Of course, they’d need a helicopter to rescue me. And that means being lifted even higher. OMG.

But sometimes we reach deep within and find a way to persevere.

Turns out, a surge of courage greeted me when I made it to 205 feet. I’m not saying I turned into Clark Kent, but I did just fine. The ceremony went well.

To be honest, though, I really wanted to jump into the coaster and ride down with everyone else.

Instead, those seated had to wait and watch as I left. So I turned into Indiana Jones inside the Temple of Dorney and slowly climbed back down to safety, clutching all of the equipment. A day to remember.

Opportunities to do the unusual greeted me constantly at the Times News.

Another time, I spent days in an overcrowded state prison to write a sobering series about life behind bars.

I also spent time visiting with the world’s oldest female conjoined twins, and worked many weeks researching police “cold cases” and unsolved crime.

It’s rewarding to work on projects with a staff the best anywhere, and for dear friends — the readers who make it all worthwhile.

When I sit down at Thanksgiving in a mode of appreciation, the special experience of being part of the Times News will be among my warmest thoughts. Have a great holiday.