I’m not much of a risk taker. I don’t particularly like not being in control. But a lot of life requires risk and stepping out of your comfort zone. I know this and have spent a good chunk of time learning to embrace the fear and jump anyway.
So when Southeast Toyota asked to check something BOLD off my life list to help introduce the BOLD new 2015 Toyota Camry, I immediately said yes with no hesitation. Jason and I were headed to the mountains anyway to celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary. Why not add a little adventure to our weekend?
After a little contemplation (no camel riding as it had to be in Southeast Toyota’s territory) and some scheduling conflict (no hot air balloon ride), I decided on zip lining. I knew Jason would love it and, while I was nervous, I figured I would likely love it as well. See, I have this irrational fear of heights. No all heights, just some. Airplanes? No problem. Ferris Wheels? I kind of want to barf. So when I read about Big Mama, the highest SkyValley Zip Tours line at 300 feet off the ground, I felt the beginnings of a rather large pit in my stomach.
Wednesday night we picked up our 2015 Camry XSE in Blizzard Pearl. Thursday we hit the road. It was our first trip EVER with no kids, so we were just a smidge excited.
The drive up was a dream. I had no idea a Camry could be so fun to drive, but it was. We spent a day and a half just hanging around Blowing Rock and exploring. We did a little shopping and had a super yummy anniversary dinner. We even visited THE Blowing Rock and had to take a selfie. The view was AMAZING!! (I chose not to sit on the edge of the rock, but Jason was all about it.)
I woke up Saturday morning with a sense of excitement and a little bit of anxiety. It was pretty cold, so we layered up, and got on our way. (Thank goodness for adjustable heated seats!)
As soon as we arrived, it was time to suit up. Harnesses, helmets, gloves and other equipment were all put on and we were ready to start our “training.” We had a group of ten of us and we each did a short run to show off our skills. I was feeling pretty good.
Then it was time for Big Mama. GULP! Jason went first, so I knew I couldn’t chicken out. He was already on the other side, so what choice did I have? I checked my glove positioning (for braking) and hesitantly picked my feet up off the platform.
Holy mother, what a rush! It was amazing. I didn’t fully enjoy the views as I was concentrating on braking and hitting the platform, but I saw enough. Spectacular for sure!
After Big Mama, I felt like a pro. Every line after that was easy peasy.
We did a few more runs and then came the cliff jump. It sounded a lot scarier than it was as we were, of course, tethered to a rope. It was pretty much like a giant trust fall. I took a deep breath and fell.
Next up was the swinging bridge, or as our guide called it, the “wobbly” bridge. This was a piece of cake. I even sang and did the Wobble when I got to the end. (Because of course I did.)
The experience was SO ridiculously fun. When we finished (all in all, it was about a three hour excursion) we were both cold and famished, so we hit up a place called Coyote Kitchen and I rewarded myself with a sangria.
I’m so glad I decided to be uncomfortable and went for this. Sometimes you just have to be BOLD! Thanks Southeast Toyota.
Stay tuned for a more thorough review of the 2015 Camry later in the week. It’s a BOLD new design and we loved it.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (“Toyota”) provided me with use of a 2015 Camry for a short period of time and a gift card used toward the #CamryBold experience I participated in. I received no other compensation from Toyota. The opinions I have shared about this vehicle are my own.
It is always good to get out of your comfort zone. I tried zip lining in Belize on top of the rain forest. In my case, my glove got stuck in the pulley and I was stuck for a bit right in the middle. I stayed calm…glad I did it…and the kids got a good laugh!
What an awesome adventure! I have a 2015 Highlander, so imagine the Camry is equally nice. Blizzard Pearl is my favorite color. We love Toyotas. My hubby drives a 4-Runner. I’m glad that you got to be bold and try something new for your 10 year anniversary. Here’s to the next 10!
Wow! I want a day like that! It looks like you guys had an amazing time.
I have always wanted to try zip lining. Maybe hubs and I will give it a try on our next trip up to the mountains! Good for you for trying something bold!
So glad you went. I LOVE ziplining. And I’m hoping to plan a getaway with my husband to the NC mountains… this is full of great ideas. =) (Funny enough… he drives a white Camry… ;))
Whew!
I would have been crying all the way down.
I went parasailing in my early twenties and I concentrated on looking for shark shadows and attempting to hold myself up incase the safety rigging failed. It was comical. Congratulations on being BOLD!
That looks so fun! I’ve always wanted to do something similar!! Looks like you had a great weekend 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful anniversary weekend. Congrats on 10 years! 🙂
Ray and I did this for our anniversary this weekend, too, but our place was in Charlotte. I’m excited to go back with the kids.
I’m glad you decided to be bold 🙂
I’m so glad you did this AND enjoyed it!
Oh my goodness, I’m not so sure I could do the zip lining! Amazing photo of you there! I loved driving the new 2015 Camry in Florida a few weeks ago – the Camry is such a great car. So glad you guys got to do this! Looks like you had a blast!
I might someday attempt to conquer my (mostly) irrational fear of heights and give it a try. But the Camry? I can’t wait to check out the 2015 version!
I’m with you on the fear of heights, but flying is tops for me! Looks like a fun trip with Toyota!
Good for you for facing those fears!! My husband has a terrible fear of heights but when we went to Costa Rica a couple of years ago I convinced him that he couldn’t go to Costa Rica and NOT zipline. It was about the same height as Big Mama and there were 11 ziplines in all. He did awesome (of course my daughter was first off the platform and her only disappointment was that she wasn’t heavy enough to go on her own and had to go with a guide). The only part where he freaked out was when we had to climb a ladder to a small platform for one of the zips. He skipped a couple and met us further on. It is such a fun rush!
How awesome! Looks like you had an incredible time! I love your pose on the zip line!
I love everything about this! Good for you on facing those fears! I love ziplines and adventure parks…and even though I am not scared of them – some of the obstacles on the adventure park courses have made me dig very deep. I always feel better after completing them.
I am SO stinkin’ jealous. I am terrified and, yet, dreaming of an experience like yours. GO ERIN!!!!!
You are braver than myself! I have a serious fear of heights!
What an amazing experience! Ziplining is so fun and it’s been too long since I’ve been able to do it!
Great job going bold and saying yes!
Zip-lining is on my life list and I LOVE that you did it! Way to get way out of your comfort zone – I find it’s one of the best places to learn new things about yourself and what you’re capable of doing.
You are way more bold than I am. I have a heights thing and I’m pretty sure that an anxiety attack would have rounded out my day. More power to you!
This is great. So proud of you. Way to go.