We got up late enough, but had time for a shower and breakfast before we were ready to leave for ziplining. We met up with Joyce, Lynda, Barbie, Becky Sharp, Connie Armstrong and Brenda Sanford. All of us were scheduled except Brenda, Connie and Becky. We were going to see if they had room for two more in our group. We walked to the appointed location and signed in. Had to sign waivers so that we couldn’t sue the company if we died - that was encouraging! Then we had to pay... wow, that was a chunk of our saved money. Hope this is worth it! Connie and Brenda are going in the group about 15 min. after us. We have a group of 10 that includes our 6 and a family of 4. The daughter is in college, but is working for the zipline company for the summer, so her family came to visit and try out the zipline.
After everyone had been through the process, we met outside with our guides: Dave and Baye. They walked us over to their base station, where we put on all sorts of equipment and gave up all our coats, etc. They told us we wouldn’t need a jacket during this adventure... we hoped they were right! Bob, Joyce, and Lynda took their cameras, but I left my iPhone in the locker box with the coats and other stuff.
We got suited up in the helmet and gear (buckles, straps and pulleys) that would keep us secured to the cables, then we hiked over a hill to the van stop and caught a ride up to the top of the trail. Baye and Dave kept up a steady stream of comments and information most of the way. The way up is pretty bumpy and we are going high up the mountain. We passed the 2010 Olympic Bobsled/Luge/Skeleton track on the way - it’s pretty impressive. They told us that people train there now and it is sometimes used in competition. Of course, right now it is ice free, so not being used.
Once off the van, we hiked to the first 700 foot zipline, which goes down one side of the mountain, but doesn’t cross to the other side. The family of 4 with us went first, then Lynda went first from our group - we were all amazed that she wanted to. Looks fun... and it is. A little nerve-wracking to step off the last step into thin air, but before long I’m to the other end and climbing up onto the next landing. It was just a short hike to the next start deck and through the process again. This time our group went first - 800 feet across a small creek from Whistler to Blackcomb mountain. Then a bit of a walk across two suspension bridges to the next platform... another 800 feet across the mountains back to Whistler, then yet another suspension bridge and an amazing site - 2200 feet down a canyon and across to the other platform 20 stories below. My fear of heights was back in force, but how do you say “I want to quit now”? in front of 4 good friends, husband and several strangers... so, when it was my turn I stepped down the steps and off, down at some incredible speeds to the next platform - this ride was nearly a minute long across the valley. Wow, that brake at the other end was quite a jerk for my neck, but then I’m down and waiting for the others. After that very long ride, we had a substantial hike down the mountain to the last of the ziplines which took us about 8-900 feet down a very steep incline to the valley - near to our starting base. On this line, the guides suggested we try a freestyle flight - consider flipping upside down!!! The family went first and three out of four did the flip, then several of our group went. A couple flipped over, but then it was my turn and I did flip my feet up, but the harness kept me from getting my head down, so I think it was more of a reclining position. I did it twice before coming in for a landing at the other end. Joyce and Lynda tried to flip. Baye was the last to arrive. She actually competes at this, so put on a performance for all of us.
We finally all made it safe back to the ground. There the group broke up, and Bob and I went to find some lunch. We went to Fat Tony’s Pizza and got Chicken Pita wraps. We had seen some others walking around eating the wraps, and they looked delicious... and they were. Loads of fresh vegetables inside two layered pitas, then rotisserie chicken, cheese and then heated up a little. They were so big we only ate half for lunch, then saved the rest for dinner. We did a little shopping, then back to the hotel to unwind, check email. A little later we went out again to walk along the Village Stroll and get some groceries at the market at the other end. We checked out quite a few stores, then back to the hotel for the rest of our wraps.
We did go to the exercise room again tonight! We managed a half hour on the elliptical and treadmill. Then we had a protein shake in the room. Hopefully we won’t gain too much weight on this trip.
We talked to the girls tonight for the first time since Sunday. When we first called they were in the pool, but we finally got to talk to them. The three hour time difference complicates things quite a bit. Kathy is still very excited about all they are doing, so it doesn’t sound like she misses us yet. We also called Rob for a few minutes. He is keeping busy, but enjoying his first week in Las Vegas.
Tomorrow it’s off to the other side of the Cascade Mountains and headed north.
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