Last week we went on our annual trip to Cape Hatteras North Carolina. Each year as the kids age we wind up doing more than just sitting on the beach and playing in the ocean. Of course, Frank still surfs and Colson spends every possible second boogie boarding or body surfing. But we have added lots of activities to our agenda: mini-golf, go-carts, half day charter fishing, ferry to Okracoke Island, Native Amercian Museum.
This year we added another one much to my fear and amazement: parasailing. Whenever we drove down to Hatteras Village we would see the parachute high up over the water and the kids seemed interested to know what it was all about. So Frank told them and immediately they both wanted to do it. Reservations were made for the following day for four people. When I counted the members of our family I realized I must have been included in that count. I began to get nervous.
You see, I am afraid of heights and I always think about what could go wrong. I have only been able to drive across bridges without white knuckles in the past few years (I used to close my eyes as a passenger - that doesn't really work when driving). So, the thought of parasailing was enough to really get me into a small panic (it was an internal panic though - I couldn't let the kids know I was scared).
So, the day of dread dawned and we were up with the sun to go fishing. We had a great time with Captain Fun except for when we were out on the ocean and Bella got sea sick. But, we ended up back in the calm sound fishing for blues and Spanish mackeral. We only got two keepers, but we had a great time. I wasn't really looking forward to the day of fishing to end because I knew soon after would be time to go up, up and hopefully not away.
So, we headed home to regroup. Frank went surfing and I took the kids to the Indian museum. We hunted for shark's teeth in the fossil pit and were eaten alive on the nature trail but had a good time all the same. When we got home, Frank was back from an awesome surf session and we started preparing to go.
We had the bathing suit/no bathing suit debate. I wore mine, Frank did not (more on that later) and off we went to the dock. We went to the desk and signed ours and the kids life's away. It's weird how we will sign a piece of paper stating that the activity we are about to do may cause death, and yet we signed anyway and hopped on the boat.
My stomach was really fluttering when the captain explained how everything worked. I tried some deep breathing which helped. I wasn't as scared as I thought I would be because I really thought I would chicken out at the last minute anyway and Frank would go twice.
So Colson and Frank got into their harnesses and life jackets. The chute was inflated. The bar was clipped to the chute. First Frank and then Colson were clipped on to the bar. They sat on the platform at the back of the boat and slowly they were lifted into the air. Smiles beamed across both of their faces as they raised higher and higher. They were only up for 15 minutes but it felt like forever. They dipped into the water and rose again. By the way, Franks choice was not the wisest - his wallet and shorts were soaked, so I'd go with a bathing suit if I were you.
When they were being reeled back in, Bella and I got into out harnesses. I thought I'd play along and get geared up. I could still back out and was pretty sure I would. Then I saw Frank and Colson's faces as they came back down. They had a blast. How could I not see what it was like?
As I stepped up onto the platform, I began my outward panic. "No , I can't," I said shaking my head. The captain wasn't having it. "You'll be fine," he said. So I took a deep breath and got hooked on and took my seat on the platform. Bella got hooked on too. I asked,"What if I change my mind?" "Just wave your arms and legs and we'll bring you back in." So, with that they let us out and very gently we rose in the air.
I was scared to death and told Bella so. She looked at me and said, "Mom, your not dead!" and smiled and waved to the folks on the boat. So I waved too. The feeling of rising into the air was very peaceful but I was still really freaked out. I was talking a mile a minute. All the while, Bella was sitting next to me swinging her feet, smiling, leaning back and generally having a great time. She looked as relaxed as if she were on a swing at the park. So I decided I needed to calm down and just enjoy the ride. And I did.
The view was amazing and the water was so clear Bella saw some rays swimming. The birds looked tiny below us just like Colson said they would. We played I Spy, Cloud Shapes and gave each other the highest high-five ever. When they dipped us in the water Bella got in up to her mouth which she got a big kick out of. It's funny how silent and peaceful the descent is. We went up again and I couldn't believe how high we were. Frank said it was about 700 feet! I still can't get over that.
Eventually our time was up and we were slowly brought back to the boat. Frank was amazed that I did it and frankly, so was I. I was proud of myself. The most interesting thing to me though was how calm and matter of fact the kids were about it. It's as though flying through the air at 700 feet is something that happens all the time. I asked Bella if she was scared and she looked at me like I was crazy.
So, I guess parasailing will become an annual Hatteras event for us. I just hope they don't find out about bungie jumping.
Posts
Why are you so angry about Obama?
14 years ago
