I’d rather do it after saying, “Yes!” or “I’ll try” rather than “No!” or worse, “I can’t!”
I am far from being an adrenaline junkie, but I am not afraid of a dangerous good time as long as I am strapped in a harness or there is a safety net somewhere in the general vicinity.
Doesn’t really matter if that harness only gives a sense of security.
That said, I nearly always almost chicken out when it is time to take the big leap.
That was the case during my recent trip to exotic, enchanting and crazy terrific Costa Rica as part of a trip with a group from Massachusetts’ Salem State College lead by “Dr. Tiff,” my home slice since my days at Ohio University.
The 2014 Fodor’s “Travel Intelligence”book on Costa Rica I borrowed from the library says Costa Rica included the concept of the canopy tour, an umbrella term for both zip lining and bridge or tram excursions through the jungle.
The tree-to-tree zip lining sends adventurers flying through the air anywhere from 60 to 300 feet above the forest floor.
Because I scaled down the 27-story KeyBank Tower ahead of Miami Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami Valley’s fundraiser event Over the Edge last year, I figured the zip lining wouldn’t kill me.
I did it without freaking out on the assumption that the cables wouldn’t break.
But the Tarzan swing Ecoglide that operates at the end of zip lining cable No. 8 near the active Arenal Volcano was a different story.
Tarzan swing!?
Thoughts of bungee jumpers crashing to the ground and skiers smacking against trees danced in my head like a shirtless Magic Mike.
I almost backed out and even told a zip line platform worker there was no way I would scream through the air like Jane’s favorite boy toy.
I wasn’t even moved when the sweet preteen in front of me pointed out all the little kids lined up to swing like Tarzan.
I pointed out that little kids don’t “really” have bones or fears. They will do anything.
Then the new you-might-as-well rule kicked in and urged me on.
As one of my of travel mates — a nurse for a Hospice agency in the Boston area — would later put it, we are going to die.
Her patients simply know what will likely take them out. Most of the rest of us have no idea.
You could be walking across the street and be hit in the head with a coconut or suffer a massive, life-ending stroke.
My travel mate encourages her patients to live the life they have to the fullest as long as they can.
Take that walk if your legs can still move, this pistol of a nurse advises.
Play golf. Dance. Jump from a cliff while strapped onto a swing cable. At this point, you might as well.
As I stood there and the you-might-as-well rule took over, I realized I was swinging in the name of life. I realized that there were tons of folks who would love to have had the experience.
There was no reason not to have a good time and I would have regretted it if I had backed out.
I screamed, cursed and called out for Jesus as I leaped from the edge of the cliff, but I did it.
AGHHHHEYEYAYAYAAAAAAR! I was Tarzan and the world was my Jane.
I was in love.
Contact this columnist at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth
About the Author
