I'm not sure if Hannah and Eli have yet figured out what danger and risk are all about - even the feelings associated with those concepts do not seem to be something that they have yet absorbed. Maybe blissful ignorance is still shadowing their little minds from reality. Or perhaps even in their own way, they too grasp at the chance to push the limits and experience that thrilling surge of adrenaline. Could it be that they too have the same need for heart-filling adventure that is so deeply entrenched into our hearts? A 40-foot-high wall studded from base to roof with hand holds begs to be climbed and that is what we did. Jon can be such a child at times - and I say that without an ounce of negativity. He simply portrays the same intrigue and peaked interest that I so often see on the faces of my kids when I offer an experience to them that they cannot wait to have. Nearly two weeks ago, our family packed up and headed to western NC for a 10-year Outdoor Education reunion for our alma mater, Montreat College. The college has a beautiful and relatively new high ropes course that came long after the days of my trudging through the woods and sitting in 'class' - class being the rocky surface of Hawks Bill high in Linville Gorge, a canopy of blazing stars, or a narrow trail skirted by tall grace - class, yes those were the days! I had no idea how good life was in those days! Okay, sorry for the rabbit trail - I can get in real trouble with reminiscing. Back to our day at the reunion.
Jon giving Eli the run-down on climbing gear
Naturally Eli expressed a desire to climb the wall, and in an equally natural fashion Jon decided to take it a step further and introduce Eli to rappelling. Much to my surprise, the reply from the high ropes coordinator to Jon's request to take Eli climbing and then rappelling was simply, "Well, how do you want to do this?" Secretly, I was fretting that someone was going to expose our bad parenting philosophy and frown upon our decision to allow our three-year-old to share this high element experience. No one balked - really, should this surprise me? It is after all the Outdoor Ed department.
Suited Up and Ready to Climb
Eli giving a 'Thumbs Up'
The Reliable Prusik knot. And don't worry,
that rope (as I was taught) can hold the weight of a several tons - 34lbs was no match.
Working their way up. Jon mostly held Eli and carried him up.
Almost There!
Starting the Rappel. Jon on rappel and Eli being lowered.
The Boys in Action
Hannah had her share of thrill. Much like Eli, she expressed a desire to try just about every element that they could see and understand. Her first element was the rope tunnel. She launched right up, climbing ragged hand hold after ragged hand hold - fearless. Somewhere along the journey upwards, the distance between her and the top was minimal BUT the distance between her and the ground was occupying her mind, and seeing Mommy cheering her on from a distance instead of right by her side unnerved her and she opted to call it quits. She did a great job!
Hannah latched onto Sarah for the day wanting to be by her side helping or playing.
Shortly after her climb through the rope tunnel, Hannah wanted to rocket up the 40' tower with me and rappel down the opposing wall. We had a great time. About 30' into the climb she panicked not wanting to go further. I gave her two options; either she could go back down or we could climb all the way to the top and see the mountains from there. Once she learned of the reward at the top, she was ready and determined to see it through. She took her experience atop the tower in stride, happily waiting and diligently listening to everything. Standing on a platform and waiting to be lowered can be intimidating for anyone, but she loved every moment and was ready to 'fly to the bottom like a bird.' She was so brave and such a little hero!
Hannah and Me
Eli and Daddy in the top of the rope tunnel
Hannah doing the big swing. She was too small to reach the release cord,
but the OE students made the experience just as fun!
Hannah Helping Clean Up
'Uncle' Nick
After the reunion, we retraced some favorite spots in Black Mountain. I caught myself on several occasions having to force my mind to digest the reality that this used to be our home. There were moments when I had that feeling that perhaps if I looked hard enough I could find our foot prints still there embedded in the sand from a walk round the lake earlier that day... the memories have not faded and it still feels familiar enough to be home.
I'm pretty sure it goes without saying (or writing in this case) that we had a great, great time. Jon and I enjoyed reconnecting with people from both our school experiences. We were also thankful for the opportunity to say goodbye to a favorite professor of ours who has taken a position with Wheaton College. Those places of our past still wear in my heart like my favorite tee-shirt. I'll wear those memories until they fall apart and ceases to exist.
