Last year, we bought a family pass to the VA Beach Aquarium for Diego's birthday. He loves ocean animals (his favorite is the giant squid), and we thought it would be something we'd love to do as a family.
And then we realized Carmen hated long car rides.
And even without Carmen, Isabela almost got four teeth knocked out by an ocean wave after visiting the aquarium, so that put a damper on us going back.
But the pass was expiring soon, so we decided to brave the drive one last time.
I wish we could have seen more of the aquarium, but we had one main goal this trip...
...the zipline course!
We walked along the nature trail to get to it. There were pelicans and paddle boarders to watch.
A beautiful breeze was blowing and the temperature was perfect.
We paused to get a closer look...
...at the jets doing flybys. So cool.
Now here's a hint if you ever go...do NOT start at the starting platform. Notice those tiny signs on the steps that say clip in? Our wild bunch of kids, and Dad included, sprang up the steps only to be greeted at the top by the workers saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, how did you all get up here? You don't even have harnesses." I guess it's important to have the proper gear if you're going to be zipping around.
Getting gear and learning how to clip in took about an hour. But then they had 3 more hours to try the different courses.
From each platform, there were different obstacles to cross. I don't think any two are the same.
Diego was even able to go around by himself after awhile.
Here Isabela is holding on to trapeze rings and zipping across to another tree.
Diego suspended mid-air.
He would purposely jump off and dangle. No fear.
Isabela made it across on this fish, but almost missed the platform at the end. She had a surprised look on her face as she held on for dear life, but the harness would have caught her. Still, I was glad someone had to stay on the ground and watch Carmen. It may as well be me.
Diego loved doing the splits across these swinging logs.
Oh, look, there's Joaquin. He's getting ready to swing across on a rope and grab onto a net. That's pretty high up.
Diego unhooking after zipping across.
And that would be JP on the double black diamond course. He decided to tackle the hardest course in the last thirty minutes we were there. It looks simple enough. But then there was that darn incline at the end.
He didn't make it. Then ended up slipping and tried to pull himself across using just his arms. But after three hours, his strength was sapped. He had to be rescued.
Here they are lowering him to the ground. He's not giving up though. He's started up with a trainer to boost his upper body strength. I asked him just today if he's got any muscles yet, and he laughed and replied, "You have to get worse before you get better."
This was an amazing day of adventure that was so worth it. I guess if we ever go back, I'll have to work up the nerve to try it. I better start doing push-ups now.
Here's a video of Isabela zipping:
And one more of how much nerve it takes:
(try and ignore my annoying advice given from the safety of the ground).
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