Zip and Repeat

Up for an adventure, my friend Eric and I went on a zip line excursion at Virginia Canopy Tours in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah Valley. They put us in a group with seven lively women celebrating their friend’s 50th birthday. Our three-hour zip experience consisted of:

  • UTV trail ride
  • 8 zip lines
  • sky bridge
  • air stair bridge
  • 2 nature walks
  • 35-foot rappel down the face of the ridge on the last zip

Our certified eco-trained guides Kevin and Brent kept us informed and entertained the whole time. During the tour we took in stunning views of the Massanutten Mountains at speeds exceeding 40 mph and at heights reaching 90 feet above the hardwood forest of the Shenandoah Valley. Kathy, the birthday gal, was the last one to rappel. A few feet before she touched the ground Ben held her suspended while everyone went up to her and gave her “50” spankings!

I had such an awesome zip experience that I returned two weeks later for a private group tour with my friends Michael, Katrena, Birgit, Alfredo and Jean. This time around our entertaining guides were Sara and Benjamin. After our adrenaline rush zip tour, we went for dinner at a tasty Mexican restaurant and then headed to Naughty Girls Donut Shop for some sugary treats. Can’t wait for our next activity!

Weeeeeeee

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I noticed a zip line place while driving around during vacation with my cousin Alicia in Branson, Missouri. I asked her if she wanted to go on the zip line adventure with me. Afraid of heights, she was hesitant at first, but then said yes. It was off-season, so my cousin and I lucked out and had Wolfe Creek Preserve to ourselves! We had a blast with our two informative guides Nathan and Megan. We went on the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour, which included four zip lines and seven suspension bridges. The course was a lot of fun and the Ozarks provided a serene natural setting.

So far, my zip line checklist includes:

  • Whistler/Blackcomb Mountains in British Columbia — my first zip line adventure in 2010 that got me hooked on the sport
  • Rock Creek Park in Maryland
  • Ozark Mountains in Missouri

My next zip line dream destination is Italy or South Africa!