Zip Line

Last week my house was taking over by family. I loved every minute. In my house we had a total of 10 people including my little family. We had my brother and his girlfriend... my cousin Austin... My mother and father.... Full house!!

Each day this week I will talk about a fun thing we did... It might take two weeks to cover it all! We did that many different adventures. It was nice to discover Alaska. It made me fall more in LOVE with this beautiful state.

On this trip I found my cell phone was dead most the time. I either forgot to charge it or just didn't care to bring it with me. I wanted to stay in the moment and enjoy every second I had with my family. My brother and I haven't spent time like this together since... !?!??!? I learned about a lot about him. Found we have more in common than not. With out the company taking photos for us ... We wouldn't have anything to show for it.

Our first day out we made a road trip bright and early to Talkeetna,Alaska. We left around 5:30 am...Dark early.. Actually the sun was rising ... It's summer in Alaska. Unfortunately the weather was not so great. The trip was about a 3 hour drive and rain the whole way there. We didn't let it damper our spirit's. Our first adventure was Denali zipline tour.   My brother bless his heart is scared of heights in turn he walked around the town and ate breakfast while we did the zip line. 

When we arrived we checked in and loaded up on a bus. It was about a 5 minute ride to the tent where the gear and zip line began. As I sat in the van I kept telling myself this is going to be FUN! This is going to be FUN! .... I was nervous but I would not let my husband see it if it killed me! As we walked in the tent all the gear was neatly laid out on the ground. We had two tour guides. I wish I could remember there names but they where amazing !! We each stood in front of our gear. I look down at the puzzle and pretend I could slip it on as easy as my husband next to me. 

Let me fill you in on my husband. My husband since I have known him has been a dare devil.  In his career he has mastered many skills. A few of these skills play a good part in Zip lining. His MOS (military occupational specialties) is paratrooper, jump master and was once an air assault instructor...Rappel Master..I am sure I forgot something and after he reads this ask me to add to this.... What does all that mean? Well he does this for his job... 
     

   

SO to say the least I knew my husband was going to rock at zip lining . Stubborn lady like me was going to show him I was brave!! As the instructor was helping me with my gear Tim had his on before anyone else. The rest of the family and I giggled nervously about how we looked in the hats and our leather glove to help us slow down. 

We followed the instructors to a "test" zip line. We learned had signals and showed we were physically capable of doing this adventure. Anyone who has known me for more than 5 minutes knows I can talk ALOT... When I am nervous I talk WAY to much. I could see Tim could sense I was nervous so I decided to keep my mouth shut and pretend I didn't see the zip line WAY to high over the parking lot. The instructors than told us to pay close attention to them. Since it was raining out we will be going extra fast.... I remember my stomach doing flops at that point... WHAT DID I SIGN UP FOR?

As we walked about the stairs to the first zip ...short and easy ...I plotted to keep Tim in front of me.. Than he couldn't see me nervous before the take off. That plan worked for the first few zips.

                 

This above photo I got from the website... This was the one that was a challenge. It was the third zip. You zip to the bottom and than walked up the stairs to the top. The thing was the tree was shaking with every zip and move. I held on the the tree for dear life. What was Tim doing ??! Leaning in the harness on the edge. No big deal. They mentioned this was the one that most people bailed on. NOPE not this lady. I am going to do this! Focus focus! I tired to find a photo but the worst part was it was right over the parking lot. In turn made it look VERY high.  I was scared but went for it! It was VERY scary but proud I didn't turn around. They mentioned later that the next 3 after where the same height but the fact it was through the trees didn't make it seem that high.

At one point we had to go from the top to the bottom like above photo. As I watched 3 people in front of my slip and fall a few inches... I began to doubt myself. I asked to Tim go in front of me since Mr rappel master knew what he was doing. Tim of course ...did it with complete ease. I sense his excitement to watch me try this out ... I was nervous. I in fact had no interest in going anywhere near the edge yet alone!! drop to the bottom. She instructed me on what to do and were to place my hands.. At the end I stood there ... I didn't move an inch. I just kept going on more second ... one more second... The lady than started to nudge my leg ... I went for it.... I than slipped and fell ... As I was let down slowly... I looked at Tim and said a few choice words. Lets just say we won't be going on a rappelling dates anytime soon. 

My cousin Austin jumped off the platform every single time with out hesitating once. He went for the cannon ball a few times. That is when you pull your legs to your chest. He was even enjoying watching me freak out as he leaned over the edge. 

My dad was like me clung to the tree and enjoyed the zip. I loved watching him come in. He was biggest in the group and would come in full speed. He had a huge smile on his face the whole time. The photo below of my father ,Tim and I is my all time favorite. 

Melissa my brother girlfriend was quiet most the time. Every once and awhile she would say something. Like this is fun etc. I later learned she was a bit nervous. It was fun having her come along!

In the end it was an AMAZING experience!