But to get down to the heart of it, for Christmas I struggled with Graham's "big gift." The man has everything he could want; plus, I always like to surprise him with extra special gifts. So figuring I should know him better than anyone I thought about what he enjoys- eating out, having new adventures (ones where he won't be embarrassed- he is a stickler about that) and he usually adores when I handmake him gifts. I racked my brain for a great idea and then I remembered how that he confided to me once that he had never went ziplining, alas it was (secretly) decided! If you live in northeast Florida, like us, it's easy to see that there is lots of options. But I really wanted to go on one that was sure to be the most fun. Of course, I turned to the handy, dandy internet! TripAdvisor listed each nearby zip lining course with several reviews from various individuals, which was so utterly convenient. A few were axed off because they were said to be exceptionally slow, some were outrageously priced and a few of the locations I didn't like. Yet one stood out as fun, quick and worth the money: Gatorland's Screamin' Gator Zipline!
Christmas night, when just the two of us were at home alone, we had our first Christmas with only the tree glowing with steaming hot chocolate. It was a very special night between just the two of us. All in all, he was excited about the gift and I was thrilled!
Flashforward. Our trip was scheduled for January 4th at 10:30am. We nearly froze to death the night before so I wasn't playing any games. We each were decked out with two shirts, thick jackets, and long johns under our pants. Gatorland itself was really neat. A park dedicated strictly to Alligators, Crocodiles and snakes it was basically my personal nightmare in real life (only half joking here, people). There were gator wrestling shows, a train ride around the breeding marshes and the actual Zipline! We were rushed into the Zipline area because we had to watch a safety video and grab our gear- we were running behind, as usual. When we reached our first location we met our companions for the trip: a nice family of four with two young kids (7 and 11), a man of about fifty accompanied by his seventy nine year old (YES! 79!!) mother. We had to climb to the top of the first tower and I realize I am very high up with only a thin wire to save my life as I fly over alligators. I dreaded to ask Graham to go first since this was what I planned so I jumped in life ahead of him.. While buckling in to go across I became slightly hyperventilative while my brain flooded with "what if..."'s. The guide, referred to as "Cranky Spanky," by the end of our trip was strapping me in and offering directions. I asked if he would mind pushing me off when I was ready so he gives off a huge laugh and shoves me off before I expect it. I scream the whole way across! Bare in mind the children as old lady did it with smiles on their faces. But man, it was fun. Later on we went higher up, ran across a rickety bridge made of thin wire and had two zip lines so graham and I were able to race! Technically, he made it across first, but he left a second before I did so I am calling it a tie ;) It was a trip that I am glad we took- my baby boy had fun and I loved it.
Flashforward. Our trip was scheduled for January 4th at 10:30am. We nearly froze to death the night before so I wasn't playing any games. We each were decked out with two shirts, thick jackets, and long johns under our pants. Gatorland itself was really neat. A park dedicated strictly to Alligators, Crocodiles and snakes it was basically my personal nightmare in real life (only half joking here, people). There were gator wrestling shows, a train ride around the breeding marshes and the actual Zipline! We were rushed into the Zipline area because we had to watch a safety video and grab our gear- we were running behind, as usual. When we reached our first location we met our companions for the trip: a nice family of four with two young kids (7 and 11), a man of about fifty accompanied by his seventy nine year old (YES! 79!!) mother. We had to climb to the top of the first tower and I realize I am very high up with only a thin wire to save my life as I fly over alligators. I dreaded to ask Graham to go first since this was what I planned so I jumped in life ahead of him.. While buckling in to go across I became slightly hyperventilative while my brain flooded with "what if..."'s. The guide, referred to as "Cranky Spanky," by the end of our trip was strapping me in and offering directions. I asked if he would mind pushing me off when I was ready so he gives off a huge laugh and shoves me off before I expect it. I scream the whole way across! Bare in mind the children as old lady did it with smiles on their faces. But man, it was fun. Later on we went higher up, ran across a rickety bridge made of thin wire and had two zip lines so graham and I were able to race! Technically, he made it across first, but he left a second before I did so I am calling it a tie ;) It was a trip that I am glad we took- my baby boy had fun and I loved it.
Knowing I planned a trip that made him happy makes it worth all the time, effort and money put into it. I love my husband.
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