The Aqueduct

The Aqueduct

The Catwalk

The aqueduct is a 120′ tall steel structure that spans the Bear River in the Eldorado National Forest. Nothing but a narrow maintenance catwalk along the edge affords purchase to anyone who braves its structure. It is from this catwalk that a leap of faith will be made.

I climb up to the catwalk from the river below; a long, steep, slippery climb which leaves me out of breath and with my heart racing before I even get to the catwalk. Approaching it, I take a minute to relax, catch my breath and center myself.

I must not fear…

I walk onto the catwalk and greet my handlers. I sit down onto the catwalk as they strap the ankle harnesses onto my legs and attach the bungee chords. The chords are tossed over the edge. I can feel their weight pulling on my legs.

Fear is the mind killer.

I slip under the safety rail and pull myself up to a standing position with my back to the open sky. Final systems checks are made, pictures are taken and instructions are given.

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear.

I turn my body around to look out at the chasm of water and stone and sky. My arms are wrapped around the safety rail behind me. I can feel the muscles in my arms go taut. They are all that keeps me from going over the edge and plummeting below.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

The Gorge

Everything gets very quite. I can hear the river rushing past the granite boulders below me. A hawk flies past in search of prey. Everything is very still except for the beating of my heart.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. 

Somewhere in the back of my consciousness I can hear the team leader begin his countdown… MY countdown.

5…4…3…2…

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

How long is the space between heartbeats? Within that space, I become conscious of every little thing about myself; the tension in my arms, the weakness in my knees, and above all other things… the realization that I am truly ALONE.

Only I will remain.

…1

My body leans forward over the edge, straining the muscles in my arms to their limits. And just before that next heart beat occurs…

I let go…

Adding another adventure

OK, so here is an easy one! Zip-lining in the costal redwoods! Sonoma Canopy Tours still has plenty of spaces for a great zip lining adventure on Monday, July 2nd. I have not booked it yet but that is the date I am looking at. Who can i get to join me to experience 7 adrenaline-pumping ziplines, one almost 800 feet long, 2 sky bridges with picturesque views, a majestic spiral staircase, and a rappel back to the forest floor? Its only a 2 and a half hour long adventure! Come on! Let’s DO IT!

Announcing Feldy’s Death Defying, Life Affirming, Adrenaline filled week-long adventure

So here is the idea. Fill a week with the most adrenaline filled adventures that Northern California has to offer. One a day for 6 days. A SUMPTUOUS dinner every night. On day seven, spend the day at a spa where you are pampered and you can come down from the adrenaline filled week.

Here is a list of potential adventures.

Bungee jumping off a 100+ foot high bridge: http://www.icarusbungee.com/
Skydiving over Sonoma County: http://www.norcalskydiving.com/northern-california.html
Hang gliding off of Stinson Beach: http://www.sfhanggliding.com/
WWI biplane ride with loops, rolls and inversions: http://www.vintageaircraft.com/

White Water Rafting the middle fork of the American River: http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com

Hike to the top of Half Dome:

And whatever other ideas people have (these are just some of the items on my bucket list.) I would love to have at least 1 person join me on each adventure, but believe me, I WILL do them alone.

So who is with me? Join me for 1, a few, or all of the adventures. I am contemplating the 1st or 2nd week of July 2012, so I need to get going on making reservations. It is time to do the things you have said “someday” to. Someday is NOW.

email me at fgrios@me.com or comment below!

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

G’Day Mate!

Hello from down under! Today is my first day in Sydney, Australia. Here for a trade show which starts Tuesday night, so I have a couple of days to tour around before I have to work.

Very long flight to get here. 14 hours. I left at 11pm Fiday and arrived 6am Sunday. I did take a couple of tranquilizers which helped me sleep (if you can call it that), so I was fairly well rested when I got here. Good thing too since the room was not ready.

So i took a stroll and had breakfast and strolled some more, figuring out what I wanted to do tomorrow. Finally at 3pm the room was ready. I unpacked and took a nap. At 7pm I went out to dinner and then back in the room by 9. I will get a good night’s sleep tonight. Tomorrow I will walk the arches of the Sydney Bridge!