The Christian camp I went to had 2 ziplines.  One was in the woods and the other was over a large lake and you dropped into the water.  The first few years I was okay with the water zipper because for some reason I had no fear of plunging into the water.  The wilderness zipper was a little more frightening for me and this is how it went.

I climbed a tree that led into a tower that was about 100-125 ft. in the air.  They put the harness on you and you stepped out onto a platform and on the count of 3 you jumped.  Well, I got to the platform and looked down and thought, "There is no way I'm going to jump."  So I stood there like a dummy.  The instructor asked me if that was my principal waving at me (we were on senior trip) and I looked down to see who he was talking about.  The instructor tapped my bottom w/his foot to knock me off the platform.  Well, his boot got stuck on my harness and the harness slid off my butt and up to my waist.  I went zipping down the line in an upright not seated position.  It gets worse: B/C I was so thin my weight wasn't enough to carry me to the end of the line so there I was dangling above the people below.  I started crying b/c I just knew I was stuck in midair.  With the aid of a ladder my principal grabbed my feet and pulled me to the other end.  Younger and smaller people enjoy this ride all the time but they said you get more buoyancy when you are seated and when I ended upright my legs were breaking the wind and not allowing enough air to pull me.  After that I did the zipline several more times but I enjoyed the water zipper a lot more. 

There was no landing per se.  At the end of the wilderness zipper is a large VERY padded post that you slide in to.  Usually the "flyer" will start slowing him/herself down before they encounter the post.  My youth pastor's wife did get scared on the water zipper and refused to drop into the water so she inadvertently slammed into the padded post at the other end--ouch!  The water zipper plunged us into an area of the lake away from the swimmers that was about 12-15 feet deep. 

Our church still takes adult groups to the camp each year and they all seem to enjoy both ziplines.  I hope you are able to find a park or campground that has one because it is an adventure of a lifetime ;+)

Okay, who is going to man the zipline?  I want a qualifed rigger and someone who will be patient with those who are afraid of heights.

After checking off on rigging and safety with an instructor, I would be happy to man the zipline. I can certainly be patient with people that are nervous about the height as I am a bit too, but it can be conquered.

 Wow, Gigi, how scary and exciting for you! That guy should not have tapped your bottom to make you jump. So glad you got down safely.

I still want to try but I don't want one where I'd have to land in water. I can't swim. I would mind going over the river though! Like here at our virtual retreat.

So CoreyA can work with the guys at the hotel. BUT is CoreyA also willing to try the ride? The zipline awaits!!!!!        : )

One of the camps Gigi is referring to is a Christian camp in the mountains of Brevard, NC called the WILDS.  I also went there as a teenager. 

Gigi, I remember the ziplines and I can just see you standing on that platform and telling that instructor that you changed your mind and wasn't going to jump after all.  We have sent Brantleigh and Christian to the WILDS and Jansen is all excited because this is the first summer he gets to go to junior camp.  In the past he has gone during family week because he wasn't old enough to go solo.

Oh, the memories of summer camp ;+)

Anna Leigh, we still take our youth group to the WILDS each summer and we even do college retreats, ladies retreats and couples retreats there.  I look forward to the day when I can go back and visit.  I haven't been back in years.  Did you ever go to the WILDS wilderness camp in Colorado before they closed it?

I am trying the ride, here I go! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

The viking lady shows up but can't find anyone.

We're all up in a 100 foot tree riding the zipline.  Watch out!  Corey is above you!

LadyMagic is on the platform and we are all encouraging her to jump.  She has flashbacks of Gigi's land trolley incident.  Come on LadyM you can do it--just jump!  Hmmm...I'm not sure if she is staying perched on the platform out of her fear of jumping or because the instructor is one fine looking hunk.  LadyM you better jump because the Viking Lady is making her way up and she's yodeling!

What's LadyM going to do and will the Viking Lady jump too or is she up to something.  Remember: Safety first--we are 100 feet up in the air!

LOL!

The viking lady makes low farting sounds to make it seem like someone else did that. :P

OOh the instructor is a hunk. HUBBA HUBBA! :P lol

hehehe I don't think he's a hunk. Also I only have eyes for my guy. (LadyMagic sighs smiling) Not fear,  a little bit nervous, afterall I neve did this before. Ok, a deep breath on the count of 3. Here goes - 1- 2- 3-....Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! WhooHooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, LadyM arrives safely at the end of the zipline.  She is still in one piece and what's that?  I believe she is ready to do it again!  Yay!

There's a wee bit of a commotion coming from above.  Oh no--it seems that Pippi and the Viking Lady both want the hunk a hunk a burning love instructor.  Hmm...whatever shall we do?  Does he have a twin? 

LadyM is making her way back to the tree.  She is ready to scale the 100 foot climb and go again.  Pippi is fully harnessed and ready to go.  Just as she begins to step off the platform she hears the terrible sound.  Oh no!  Viking Lady is blowing her horn and trying to yodel.  Everyone begins to laugh and Pippi falls off the platform.  Don't worry she will be okay.

Zooooooooooooooooommmmm!  Zooooooooooooooooooommmm!

Yes I'm ready to go again. I can't climb ladders so I'm riding up again on a special lift.

Pippi gave us all a scare there. Glad she's ok. Now VikingLady is yodeling again.

Ok, i'm hooked up. Ready - set - goooooooooooooo! Whoohooo!!!!!

I think we were having so much fun at the zipline that we forgot about the others.  It's been a few days, I wonder what's been going on?

Okay, LadyM where to now? 

Hmmmm, a hike along one of the trails, not too rocky please. I want to take some good photos. There'll be lots of brightly colored flowers and birds. I think there's a waterfall too. Not too big. I can wade in if it gets too hot. I can set the camera up so we can have a group photo. Uh, that is if there's a group. Where is everybody?

Sweet Pea has been taking long walks and smelling all the flowers. She is so glad Spring is here. She has seen the most beautiful butterflies. Sweet Pea is headed back to catch up with everyone else.

What adventures are we taking next????

How about we take photos of each other with the flowers and the waterfall when we find it?

That sounds like fun!

I'm all for the waterfalls!  I have donned some shorts and a tank and I am ready to get wet!  LadyM, I hope your camera is waterproof because I'm sure once we get the crowd here there is going to be some major splashing.  Anything to cool off.  Aaaahhhh!!!

I think some of our peeps are chilling indoors at the party pad.  So let's meander over to the slumber party zone too!

I'm waiting for someone to join me at the party pad.  I have a blanket, pillow, snacks and I brought the movie Mall Cop.  Is anyone going to join me?  You better speak up real quick before all my children show up!  We know how to have wonderful slumber parties. 

I think everyone is sleeping in.  They probably had too much fun yesterday.  I'm well rested.  I never left the house so now I'm also looking for some fun.

HEY!!  WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AT THIS RETREAT?  Did you pack up your things and go home?  I'm a fun girl.  Okay, I'm going to fold laundry.  Then I'm going to chill with a good book.  I'm reading My Sister's Keeper for the second time.  Wanted to refresh my memory so I could post a review.  I first read it last summer and by the time I joined VP I had already read several more books.