Overcoming my Fear of Heights by going on a Zip Line

The truth is, I’m deathly afraid of heights.  It’s really bad, I can’t look over the rail in my two story home.  It makes me weak in the knee’s and panicky.  I’m positive that I am going to some how go over the top of the rail, fall and be broken for the rest of my life.  Unrealistic?  Maybe so, but that does not make my fear of heights any less. 

We went to Wisconsin Dell’s a couple weeks ago with my hubby’s family for a long weekend.  As we were getting ready to go, I looked online at all the options that the resort had to offer.  My son was looking with me, and he saw that there was a Zip line.  Ummm, no.  That’s not happening, I’m positive that he isn’t big enough to do this but he wants me to check and it turns out that he is big enough and comes up with a plan that he and I will go together.  Seriously?  Mom is scared of heights, Dude!  But, after much convincing on his end, I agree to it.  I’m really not sure why, but I did. 

When we got to the Wilderness Resort and started walking around, I quickly spotted the Zip Line and was in an instant panic.  It was really high and scary looking.  There was no way, not happening, but my son was pretty excited and kept talking about how Mom was going with him.  I had to get the nerve up to go, I had committed to going and he’s 10 years old so I had to suck it up.

When the time came the next night to go to our scheduled time on the Zip Line with my son and two brother – in- laws, I was ready to play sick or maybe just start crying in order to get out of going.  Seriously, it was bad.  But, I kept telling myself that I would be ok, and needed to do it. 

So, we signed our form that said we could die and the hotel was not responsible, at which point I am wondering how safe it could really be if I had to sign this paper. 

Then we went to get harnessed up and our helmets on, learn how this was all going to work and what to do.  I heard nothing, I was in such a panic. 

Somehow, I got the harness on correctly but made sure to have it checked thoroughly to ensure that I wasn’t going to fall out.  Clearly, my son was not worried at all.

We finished listening to the directions and you can tell by the size of my eyes, just how scared I was.  My son and hubby’s brother look much more calm and excited about this whole thing. 

So, let me tell you, walking up the stairs to the Zip Line was the absolute worst.  I knew what was going to happen and I was scared.  I’m really not sure why I was smiling in this photo because my heart was pounding and I was ready to cry.

The Zip Line experts that were helping us get hooked up and have a fun experience were amazing.  They ensured me that it was completely safe and that I would be ok.  They had never had anyone get hurt in all the years doing this and unless I tried to flip backwards, I would be ok. 

My little guy went first, he was a champ, no fear at all.  He loved it!

After he went, there was no way that I could back out.  He is 10 for crying out loud, I had to go. 

They told me that the first step off was the worst part and after that I would love it.  I was sure they were crazy …..

But, it turned out that they were right.  Well, I’m not sure that I loved it, but I didn’t hate it either.

So, I’m not sure that I have conquered my fear of heights but I have taken a HUGE first step.  I would do a Zip Line again and I won’t be quite as scared when I walk by the railing at home. 

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