z
ZIPLINE
In 2005 I was fortunate
enough to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica. We spent several days working
with kids at a school for the blind and deaf. It was a truly amazing
experience. After our work at the school was over, our group headed up to the
Monteverde Cloud Forest for a couple of days.
On our final day, we hiked
up through the forest to the canopy. The trees were unbelievably huge, towering
over us for what seemed like miles. Along the trail to the zipline station (our
final destination), I happened across a giant black and orange tarantula, among
other strange and new creatures hidden in the foliage. We crossed over rickety
bridges and climbed old metal staircases that seemed sewn into the landscape.
But the real treat was the
zipline experience. Let’s get real for a moment. I am not a thrill seeker. Soaring through the air while hooked to a
thin line of cable was not something I ever planned on doing. When I stepped
onto that platform and listened to the clink of metal against metal as my
harness became one with the zipline, I nearly hyperventilated.
And with barely a word of
instruction, I was shoved off the platform, twirling round and speeding high
above the tops of those mile-high trees. At one point, I let go of my death
grip on my harness, leaned back and just let my body fly through the air. I
think several burbles of laughter escaped my lips, unchecked. Trees and
waterfalls and mossy green riverbanks waved hello as I passed by, under a misty
grey-blue sky.
All to soon, the ride came
to an end. I wrapped my gloved hands around the cable and squeezed with all my
might, kicked my feet out in front of me, and pushed off against the large tree
that waited at the other side. My friends were there, cheering and laughing and
jumping up and down on the platform. We hugged and whooped in that shared
excitement that only comes after something amazing accomplished together.
And then, as a group, we all
turned and watched and waited, as the next brave friend came hurtling across
the sky.
I'm not sure I would be brave enough, but you certainly captured the moment and made me think about it. Love the image of you leaning back and flying through the air.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to me what I can do when I am supported by those around me. It makes life so much sweeter.
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