My Unplanned Run-In With A Zip Line (or 6 to be exact)

Unbeknownst to me, when planning our "last of summer" trip to the San Juan Islands, somehow an afternoon of zip lining was added to the agenda. I only learned of this the day beforehand, and I can't say I was too happy. But perhaps ignorance is bliss? I didn't have time to research the place, how high, how long, how many lines, dwelling on my fears, getting all nervous to the extent I backed out.

I did get nervous, however, when I saw this ladder leading to one of the first lines.

Did I mention I'm pretty much afraid of heights?

But I offered (demanded) to go first.

 I knew if I stood on the ground watching everyone else go I'd only have more time to worry and back out.

And it's a really good thing I couldn't see through the forest to where this line was taking me, 

a tiny perch some 50 feet off the ground. 

Before we started out on the course the guides told me I could opt out at any time, and that made me feel a lot more comfortable. But standing on this perch tethered to the tree, with no way down except to take the zip line to the next perch, I began to wonder exactly how "opting out" would be possible! (There were 6 zip lines and one suspension bridge in the course, moving from one perch to another, so sitting here writing this post I'm beginning to think I was told a bit of a story...)

Going first I got to enjoy the privilege of hanging out on this little platform while the remaining 8 people zipped over, the tree swaying with the weight of each new arrival. Deep breath, hug the tree.

But it didn't phase my kids, not one little bit.

Finally being able to leave this perch, one by one we arrived at the next, where the path to the next line was across a suspension bridge. It was much higher off the ground than this photo shows, probably 30 feet, and what was I thinking with each step? I was visualizing the big glass of wine I'd be rewarding myself with that night. Yes, that made me walk pretty fast.

The final line was some 700 feet long rising 50 feet over a lake. But with the end in sight it was actually exhilarating. The guides told us to remember to look down at the lake to see our reflection passing over the surface of the water, I did and it was pretty amazing! And then I was one very happy camper to finally arrive back on solid ground.

It ended up being a truly great time and I have to say, I'll be doing it again.