The climb appears daunting, but just a few anxious steps separate Wenona Schoolcraft from the completion of her 3,100-mile journey.Casting eyes upon the intriguing structure towering before her, the final chapter of a 25-year adventure begins to take form.Finally, after logging 49 state capitols in her meticulously labeled travel journals, the Warrenton resident could fill the lone void — Juneau, Alaska.“At first, I didn’t really have that goal in mind,” acknowledged Schoolcraft. “My brother challenged me, so I started thinking of new ways to explore each state.”Schoolcraft, who volunteers for Child Evangelism Fellowship, has long possessed a passion for learning about the history and government bodies of each state.A native of New Hampshire, she began making weekend jaunts to nearby capitols in the New England states in the late 1980s. Maine, New York and Vermont were quickly marked from her list.Twenty-five years and two moves later, Schoolcraft has visited all 50 of the state houses.Her final three stops also included Sacramento, Calif., and Olympia, Wash.Missouri’s Capitol building in Jefferson City continues to be her favorite.“I enjoy the beautiful artwork and arches and the room with a painting from Thomas Benton — a mural of the history of the state from floor to ceiling around the room,” described Schoolcraft.Most recently she traveled to Alaska with a friend as part of a cruise package, visiting the Capitol on July 22.“We enjoyed meeting the native people, eating their wonderful salmon and finding out more about their past,” said Schoolcraft.She eagerly takes a guided tour at each stop, asking questions about the heritage of the state building. Schoolcraft is often enamored by the architecture and artwork of each structure.“I look for the history,” explained Schoolcraft. “What does each have that makes them outstanding?”Her favorites, she acknowledges, are the domed capitols.“I always go in and look up at the dome, because they usually decorate it very nicely,” said Schoolcraft.Other states have tower-styled buildings, like Louisiana, Nebraska and North Dakota.“I think the statues and sculptures are very telling,” added Schoolcraft. “New Mexico is the most mystical Capitol, with its dome of pastel colors.”Hawaii, she adds, has the most unique Capitol.While planning each adventure, Schoolcraft tries to invite a friend or acquaintance from that state to accompany her and offer detailed insight. She has enjoyed the company of many while traversing the country over the past two decades.“I’ve tried to introduce a lot of people to the Missouri Capitol, which is especially great,” said Schoolcraft.On occasion, like a trip to Nashville four years ago in the fall, she will venture out on her own for a day trip.“People are very intrigued,” Schoolcraft confessed. “They often ask, ‘why did you travel so far to see our Capitol?’ I tell them, ‘I want to find the essence of your state.’ ”Now that her conquest is complete, she plans to spend dozens of hours adding to her detailed accounts of each visit.She is perhaps even considering constructing a book to chronicle her accomplishment.

CAPITOL ACCOMPLISHMENT — Wenona Schoolcraft, of Warrenton, recently visited her 50th state capitol building as part of a trip to Alaska. She has traveled the country over the past 25 years, documenting her adventures along each stop.

Derrick Forsythe Photo.