BCoF's Virtual 50 State Bucket List

Colorado

         What, another adrenaline rush defiance of gravity and acquiescence of extreme height? I appreciate the clever and descriptive name of this zip line, Cloudscraper. Even before experiencing it in all its soaring glory the name evoked immense expanses of endless sky and a feeling of being but a tiny speck hurtling through the air.

         Once again, I am not petite enough to excuse my participation. The personal stature requirements are quite lenient though. One need only be at least four-foot nothing, or tower at six-foot eight inches. I'm within that broad frame and I am a broad. I was a nervous, jittery broad, but determined to face my adversion to heights encore.

         How did I react to hurtling twelve-hundred feet above a cascading river amongst towering rocks? My first instinct was to hold my breath and squeeze my eyes shut. I will admit I promised myself it would be quick and not prolonged. I followed the tried and true grit-my-teeth-and-it-will-soon-be-over method. Oh, and I hung on tight not quite trusting the harness.

         With the wind whistling in my ears and my long hair streaming behind me, I recalled careening down a hill on my bicycle as a child. I kicked my dangling legs. I whooped and hollered. I waved at the tiny dots far below. I remember heart-pounding adrenaline. I marveled at the gorgeous scenery whipping past me.

         As I'd wished initially, my zip lining ended far too soon. Sure, my legs were wobbly and my eyes teared, but it was fun.