Saturday, December 15, 2007

Brittany's Wild Ride

Brittany was the last one to start the inner tubing and the first one to finish. She had a blast, and was able to stay in her tube unlike her parents. Read and see more pictures below, but here's Brittany's video.


Friday, December 14, 2007

Extreme Inner Tubing

Part of out adventure day included horse back riding followed by inner tubing. I had no desire to do the horseback riding, but the kids were looking forward to it so Brian went. We debated whether or not William should do the inner tubing and I convinced Brian it wouldn't be a good idea. On the way to the horseback riding we were told William was too small to go on the inner tube portion anyway. My dad rode to the drop off spot with me and picked William up. They hung out while we went on the ride of our lives.



The van riders arrived slightly before the horseback riders. We got outfitted in our vests and helmets and waited for the rest of the group. Then we were given instructions like if you fall out don't try to stand up and whatever happens don't let go of the strap on your tube.




Once we were suited up we had to carry our tubes down a very steep and winding side of the mountain. Then we climbed into our tubes, were pushed off and headed straight for the first rapid. To tell you how quick moving and rocky this rapid was there were about 8 guides strategically placed to help us. We would need all the help we could get.

Its a good thing Brian was a couple people ahead of me. I didn't see what happened to him not 10 seconds after being pushed off. Luckily the camera man did.





I don't even think I saw him as I passed him by. I was too busy simultaneously holding on, trying not to fall out, swallowing water, and realizing my contact just fell out.





Somehow, after regrouping my contact found its way and I could see again. But my troubles were just beginning. Soon enough I was stuck. My tube got stuck between 2 rocks and I was terrified I was going down the wrong rapid. I saw everyone pass me by. Pretty soon, I see Brittany pass me by. She was going down with a guide and was the last one in.











The guides came by and told me to rock me out so I did. This was the first of many times I would get stuck. The guides were amazing, gliding down these crazy rapids on their stomachs. They'd grab a hold of a stuck inner tube and start swimming. Once I got going one of them pushed me ahead to catch up with everyone. Luckily Brian was waiting for me.




I did fall out of my tube once. That was refreshing. It was a fun and wild ride, ending with a huge, close to 5 foot drop. Luckily a guide grabbed my tube and guided me down it. Inner tubing was a blast. It lasted a little over an hour and we all had a great time.




Here is a video of a bunch of us going down the big rapid.



Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Brian and the Gorge

Scary!





My brave boys ziplined all through the forest in Costa Rica. Brittany and my dad did the first 4 ziplines then took a break. William absolutely LOVED this. I asked if he was afraid and he looked at me like I had 3 heads. No fear from him. He had a guide take him on the zip line part (you had to use your hands to stop and start and I don't think he could have done that). He did go down the 60 foot gorge alone... and then across the river and climbed the rocks back up before continuing on.

William going down the Gorge





Here are some pictures, too.












I'll add the video of Brian going down upside down next!

Costa Rica

We are back from Costa Rica and already had a snow delay this morning. Going from hot, hot, hot and humid, to dry, cold and snowy! I was ready for the snow. Here are just a few pictures of our trip. I'll have to post more highlights later since not all of the pictures are from my camera. I am waiting on my dad's pictures (of Zip Lines, Jumping off a bridge 60 feet up, and a few others) and some videos and pictures of zip lines and inner tubing from Brian's computer. Soon I hope.

Here is the view from our room.


On our first full day we set off on a hike to find monkeys. We didn't see any, but we did have to walk through a river. Brittany enjoyed walking with Adriana, our guide.

While William and Brian took the shallow trail.
William loved building Sand Castles and both of the kids loved playing in the pool and getting Pina Coladas from the bar which opened at 10 am.






The second night we ate dinner at the reservation only restaurant. The food was fair at best, but it was fun ordering the "fire dessert", Baked Alaska.




And here is Mr. William dancing in front of everyone. He LOVED it!



So thats my quick over view of the trip.