When I think about my recent ziplining experience at Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve, a few words come to mind: trust, introspection and surprise. As with all adrenaline-inducing activities, a person often finds his or herself testing limits, bonding with others involved and screaming in the initial moments. At Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours, who knew that I could learn so much about myself so close to home.
Nestled between Springfield and Branson, the towers can be seen from the highway. As always, there is more to it than meets the eye. So, hidden from the highway (because the entrance is down a steep hill) is a large lodge structure can be found. Inside of the lodge are all the usual Ozarks’ charms. The air is filled with homey scents, like baked apple pie and cinnamon. There are always a few hand-carved hillbilly toys and nick nacks. But most importantly, an Ozarks mountain business wouldn’t be complete without personable staff.
Trust
Trust comes in a variety of forms. For example, who can I trust to give me an accurate preview of ziplining? My sister, who has an extreme fear of heights and a smidgen of dramatics, described it as a terrifying and miserable experience. Another had described the experience as a blast. From such vast reviews, you can imagine my curiosity to experience it myself.
The next form of trust comes in trust that you have for your tour guide. It is up to them to secure your carabiners to the line and guide you in the appropriate direction, maybe even “encourage” you off the small plank. This trust seems to be the most vital.
Introspection
When completing a feat, like defying gravity, your mind begins to have a few doubting thoughts. You begin to wonder if you are one of those sick people whose joy comes from torturing yourself. I am being a little dramatic, but in the moment you tend to get a little crazy. Introspective thought 1) Who am I?
After climbing the increasing small staircase to the top, you start to wonder if you really that kind of a person who trusts someone they just met (a.k.a. the tour guide). Then, you quickly realize that you have no idea what you are doing. So, you had better trust the guide. Our guides made this experience a little more comfortable by remaining confident in their instruction and making you laugh. With a little support, I had no issues taking a leap of faith. Introspective thought 2) I am a someone who can trust a person doing their job well.
Surprise
It was a great surprise that after “psyching” yourself out on the first tower, you practically become a pro-zipliner. It was a surprise learning about how the Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours came to be. Finally, I was surprised that people zipline for many different reasons. I ziplined, because we were looking for something to do. The group we ziplined with consisted of people on marriage retreat. I saw pictures of athletic teams and families ziplining.
Overall, Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours was a great experience. I can see great potential for personal and professional team-building.
