Have your ever had that feeling when you’re about to do something for the first time? Thats how I felt when I took the first step off a plat form 1,800 feet in the air. Zip lining in Hawaii was by far the best thing I’ve eve done.

I woke up one morning on my trip with the news that we were doing an “Island tour”, that included lots of hiking, kayaking, and zip lining with some stops in-between activities. When we had gotten to our meeting spot, we met up with our friends and tour guides. I wasn’t ll that excited that I had to kayak 2 1/2 miles but the experience was ok. My mom and I didn’t make that great of partners because we yelled at each other the whole time down the river and ran into the bushes. Finally it was over.

As we were walking through the jungle/rain forest to get to there truck that was taking us to lunch, I couldn’t believe how fresh and crisp the air smelled. It was all so fresh and organic compared to San Diego or anywhere else I have been. We finally made it to the truck and ate lunch. The amount of chickens in the Kauai is insane. They were everywhere while we were trying to eat. My brother was so excited to finally get to hold a baby chicken.

After lunch we had to get all of our zip lining gear on. That stuff is very uncomfortable and really not attractive. At this point I’m really excited, because this is what I’ve been waiting for the whole trip. Everyone around me is super nervous and I can feel it. We walked up the hill to the hipline and I hadn’t been paying attention…I looked up and saw what looked like a 20 foot latter. Before I could even ask who was going first, Maxx -my brother- and Dez -our friends daughter- were the first ones up there. After they got all the way to the end it was my turn. I got up to the platform that was only about 10ft long and 5ft wide and had no idea if I jump or just step off and let gravity, hopefully, do it’s job. All I heard was our tour guide say, “Ok. GO! Jump off.” So I did. The rush of excitement I had “flying” 8,000ft was amazing. Being above the trees was scary and exhilarating all at once. Before I knew it, it was over.

We walked back to the truck and it drove us to the river where a boat picked us up and took us back o meeting spot. I was really sad that experience was over but I’m happy that I get to go back and do it again over Christmas break.