Zipping for Love

Her knees squeezed me a little harder as she let go of my waist, flinging her arms out like wings.

“This is the best!” she exclaimed exhilarated.

I smiled and popped a wheelie. She screamed, grasping my waist once more. “Not Funny!” she giggled.

“Better hold on,” I yelled back at her as I sped up. I zipped through the hills on the way to my surprise for her. As we rounded the last corner I slowed down, “Look,” I said to her.

“Oh, no way!” she whispered the excitement barely hidden in her voice.

Before us was a small building but beyond that was a huge metal walk out. Attached to it were all kinds of cables.

“Are you ready for this?” I said smiling as I held my hand out for her.

“You know I’m always down for an adventure,” she answered, grabbing my hand.

We walked into the small building and were greeted by a smiling young man. “Hello there folks, how can I help you today?” he said.

“Hi, I have a reservation for Reggie and Kara,” I answered

“Right! I have you here. My name is Dylan. Have either of you been Zip lining before?” he asked

“I have, just not through you guys. So im looking forward to this,” I answered

“I have not and have never been zip lining, but I am soo excited to do this!” Kara answered.

The operator smiled at her. “Well,” he said, “there are some things we need to go over before I can set you free.”

Dylan made short work of it but read us through all of the directions. The Do’s and Don’ts for safety, and had us sign all of the necessary paperwork.

“Annnnnd this is the waiver, making us not liable should anything happen.” he said putting the papers in front of us to sign.

Kara looked at me nervously, I smiled and nodded at her as I reached for the pen to sign the paper. After Kara signed, the young man smiled and stacked the papers on his desk.

“Alright let’s get you geared up!” he said. We followed him to another room in the building and he measured us and got out the harnesses and gear for us. We put everything on and he double checked and made adjustments.

“A little snug in the lower area,” I said, winking at Kara.

Giggling, she raised her eyebrows and said, “I think you will be fine.”

I put my hand on my heart, “You wound my pride.”

Dylan chuckled, “You both seem super relaxed, it's a nice vibe. A lot of people are usually really anxious when we start gearing up. You both seem like you are all set though. Everything feel good?” We both nodded. Dylan waived his hand for us to follow and we headed back to the main lobby of the little building. He opened the door and led the way to the metal walk out. “Ok, now is the time if you have any more questions, concerns, or no longer want to go through with this to say something.”

“I am good to go,” I said looking at Kara. She was adjusting the harness on her legs.

“I am ready to do this,” she said, a slight buzzing energy radiating from her.

“This way then,” Dylan said, leading us to the walkout. He started hooking the various clasps to Kara ensuring she was all set. She sat on the little seat and extended her hands to hold the bar.

I looked at Kara and noted the slight crease on her forehead, “It’s not too late to change your mind, but if you do want to do this I just need to know,” I said to her as I looked in her eyes and asked, “Do you really accept me and all my crazy?”

She looked up at me biting her lip. “Well…” she said. Then suddenly she turned and pushed off the platform screaming, “I DO!”

“I think she might be crazier than I am,” I sputtered in surprise as she flew down the line, her scream filling the air.

“You are up then,” Dylan said motioning for me to step up. He did his part making sure my harness was secure. “When you are ready.”

I stepped to the ledge and looked out. Taking a deep breath I stepped off and let gravity take me. I relaxed and enjoyed the scenery as I flew past it. The mountains in the background looked like a movie as I went past. The trees were so close it felt like you could touch them. As I was gliding through my thoughts were interrupted by screaming. I listened closely and could make out the voice. It was Kara. I willed myself to go faster. I had to get to her. As I came around a curve I saw her in front of me hanging on for dear life. I squeezed my handbrake and slowed down.

“Reggie!” she screamed, terror flooding her voice. “My harness ripped.”

As I slowly came towards her I could see the harness hanging off her legs. She was holding on to the handle bars as the only way of staying up.

“Do you trust me?” I asked as I slowly approached her.

“Of Course!” she exclaimed.

“I am going to need you to lock in. You look only into my eyes and do everything I say. Got it.” I asked. She nodded. I reached out to her to grab her trolley. I lifted my legs and wrapped them around her seat. “Crawl to me.” Not letting go of my stare she carefully maneuvered her body and crawled to me. Straddling my lap she wrapped her arms under mine and laid her head on my chest.

“It is going to be ok,” I said, feeling her body tremble. “Just hold tight.” I reached carefully into my pocket and got my knife. I unhooked her from her trolley where I could and cut her free of what I could not reach. Slowly I clipped her to my harness where possible.

“Don't let go.” I whispered in her ear. “I got you.” Slowly I let off of my brake line but we weren't moving. I reached up and grabbed the steel cables and began to pull us. Her trolley having no one on it wouldn't go on its own. This is going to be tough, I thought to myself. I pushed the trolley and it moved a bit. If I can get us some speed it should be ok, I thought. Grabbing the steel cables again, I started to pull us forward. Slowly but surely we started to gain speed. Kara tightened her grip on me. “It’s ok,” I assured her. After a few moments of pulling us we had enough speed and were able to ride the gravity.

As we rounded a corner I saw the metal walk out for our landing spot. I eased the breaks and slowed us down as we approached. I saw the worker jump to his feet as we approached.

“What in the world?!” he exclaimed seeing us as I came to a stop. Helping us onto the platform we told him what happened.

“You saved my life.” Kara said, turning to me with tears in her eyes.

I looked down at my ripped and bloody hands, “I didn't have a choice.”