Petersen's

I’ve been meaning to get this last post up on our family trip to Neuvo Vallarta, Mexico, it just seems that life keeps getting in the way.

Jill saw the brochure on the outdoor adventure and really wanted to go.  Interestingly MJ did not want to do it.  So on Thursday, Aug 25th Jill and I had a father-daughter day.

 

The Outdoor Adventure consisted of zip-lines, rappelling and water slides.  To get the starting place, we had to endure a 30min trip in a 4×4 and then a 45min trip by mule to the top of the mountain.  4×4 and mule ride was an adventure in its self.  By the time we arrived at the top of the mountain we were well shaken and stirred!

The first zip line was about 1500′ long.  It took you over a canyon about 200′ in the air.  Jill was quite funny. She want to go first in the group.  The guide had another gentleman go first and then let Jill go second.  When it was Jill’s turn all of a sudden there was anxiety and trepidation.   The second zip line was about 1000′ long and took you over the tree tops.  The scenery was amazing.

At the top of the 3rd zip line we were standing on a small platform about 30′ in the air.  This zip line had a twist.  It was 75′ long and dropped at a 45 degree angle down into a valley.  The guides used the figure 8’s on our harnesses to control the descent. With the way we arrived on the platform, Jill had to go first. Amazing how fast she changed her mind and no longer wanted to go first.  But she had no choice.  The platform was to small to maneuver around.

I was the third person to go down the 3rd zip line.  When I got to the next platform I could hear Jill telling the other gentleman, “No way, I’m not going first!”.  The next challenge was a 100′ rappel next to a waterfall.  I hooked into the rappel lines.  I turned to Jill and pointed out that there was no other trails around.  The only way was to go down the cliff.  I went down, figuring that if I left her and the guides were encouraging her, she would attempt it.  And she did!

After a few more ziplines and water slides, we came to the second rappel.  It was a 110′ rappel off of a floating platform.  Amazing to see the confidence in Jill at the second rappel, now that she knew what to expect.  She had no problems at all in coming down.  About 15′ from the water the guides had us stop on the rappel lines.  They took up the slack in the safety lines and told us to place our hands on our heads.  As I put my hands on my head, I realized I’m about to be dropped into the pool of water below.  Before I could react, I was swimming in the pool.

The next zipline was a dueling race with a twist.  We were inverted and going backwards.  It was interesting to watch the ground drop away upside down.  Jill laughed the whole way.

 

The last zipline was a surfboard.  Jill and I had to ride the board together. The challenge was stepping onto the surfboard.  Everything moved in every direction!  Once to board started moving, the ride was actually fun!

 

The final challenge was a waterslide.  This was no ordinary waterslide and in fact I am positive this waterslide would not meet any safety regulations in the US.  We had to ditch our climbing harnesses and helmets.  They gave us full face hockey helmets and massive elbow pads.  We had no idea what this water slide looked like.  It was all hidden in the foliage.  The first thing was a sheer 50′ drop, then we went into a 360 degree turn, another drop and then into the water pool at the bottom.  As I went through the turn, I found out why the full face hockey helmets were necessary.  My head was slammed from side to side the whole time.  Jill lost an earring somewhere on the slide.  I was thankful that was the only issue!

What an awesome day of adventure!!