Staycation - Zipline

On Tuesday of our Staycation, we drove up to Historic Banning Mills to take part in their zipline course. Even Mom was planning to participate, though we were a little concerned about how her back would handle it. We didn't need to worry, though. The harnesses we wore were almost like a chair when we rode down the ropes, so there was very little pressure on her back. The hardest part was walking up the hill to the start of the course! We met our guides, put on all our gear, and headed out across the first and only bridge on the Forest Tour (the first and basic course). That bridge almost did Ben in - none of us were really comfortable with it - but once we finished that, the ziplines were so much fun. We had a blast flying through the treetops. It was really hot and humid, but so much fun!

At the end of the Forest Tour, Dad and I decided to take on the next level, the Flight Pattern Tour. We were excited about three really long ziplines (900-1000ft long), but I don't think either of us realized it included eight more bridges. Oh my! The first of the ziplines was 1000ft long and high above the Snake River Gorge - the view was amazing, though it was hard to watch it for trying to keep from twisting and watching for the landing track. Mom took a couple of pics of us from the ground as we flew along. Then we were back in the tree tops, 80 feet high, making our way across bridges with steps so far apart that I had to really stretch, octagonal steps that spun under your feet, and final steps onto the platforms so tall that I could barely reach. Honestly, the bridges were the scariest part, but the ziplines were amazing.

We all really enjoyed our zipline adventure, and agreed we would like to try it again in the fall when the leaves are changing and it isn't quite as hot.