Ziplining Our maroon F-150 putted along the lengthy highway. The air conditioner was on full blast, sending shivers all across my body and chilling me to my bones. It was in the triple digits outside. One second without the cold air felt like an hour. So, I didn't complain. I had no idea where we were going. Every once in awhile, we take a road trip down to Branson and spend the day there. But on that day, my step-dad had something out of the ordinary planned. Something that I didn't know about until I heard the click click of the blinker and saw the sign. BRANSON ZIPLINE: NEXT EXIT. My step-dad, Bryan, turned the truck in the direction the sign stated. Oh boy, he must've gone insane. "Uh, Bryan… What are you doing?" my mom asked nervously. Bryan replied, "It's called trying something new. It'll be fun, I promise!" …show more content…
I felt nauseous and excited at the same time. I unbuckled my seatbelt and moved out. The blistering heat beats down on my body like an angry mob. It gets hotter than lava this time of year. As I walk inside, I felt more and more nervous. What if I fall when I'm up there? What if the zip line breaks in half? Oh, but what if I enjoy myself? Various thoughts filled my head. Before I knew it, we were inside. My step dad rushed to the front desk and began chatting up a storm with the workers. They shared a few laughs, he payed, and walked
Then we moved up in the terribly long line to pay for the conditioning. The tall, male cashier checked us out. Once we had got out the door, I was ecstatic. I thanked my father a million times I think. Every time he said “you're very welcome!”
On the Run Run. The only word repeats in my head: Run. I cannot stop, I am not allowed. No matter how much I am gasping for oxygen to reach my lungs, I cannot. No matter how much my legs burn and ache, I cannot.
Located in the popular Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in California. Every year, mother nature’s breathtaking beauty attracts millions of people from around the world. People hike for three long and fatiguing hours in anticipation of witnessing forceful water rushing down the steep mountain from 2,425 feet above. Last summer, my family and I backpacked through the Yosemite Falls Trail and I came to learn what a truly exhausting experience it is.
It is 6:25 in the morning. The outside is still pitch black; there is no hint of sunlight coming through the curtain. It will be hours before sunrise. I can barely see my fingers in front of my face.
As the day started to dwindle down, we got annoyed with all the little kids running around and trying to outrun each other and parents yelling at them, we thought we would call it a day. Before we would go back to the hotel we decided to expand our looking of the city and take in all the sights and smells of Tennessee. We thought we would go above and beyond of what we did a couple days ago and we got to see much more and also some very charming houses. My father asked my sister and I some questions on the way
Then came the horn at the gate. I was very sure it was my father's car. I started getting nauseous as I watched him park the car. Carrying his bag from the car was my usual routine but this day was an exception.
“Are you sure I can’t just transfer schools?”. A question I had asked a billion times over. “100%. I promise you, you will be okay”. My mom rubbed my back as my head dropped onto the cold kitchen counter. I didn’t want to hear that I would be okay. I wanted them to let me have my way. “You’re in your last year what difference would it make”. My brother joined the conversation as if someone had asked. I rolled my eyes, letting him know his opinion was being recognized and very neatly filed in the trash bin in my brain. I made my way to my bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, burying my face into the pillow. My parents were right, I could handle it. I just didn’t want to.
I felt the rumbles deep within my abdomen -- I have felt this feeling before, accompanied by the cold sweat and state of panic -- pressure and intense urgency filled my mind and body. “Lish! Pass me the trowel, I need to dig a cathole!” I exclaimed. (Lish was our beaver-resembling male camp guide named Elisha).
Crackling silently, the fire began to grow low as the orange glow it gave off weakened gradually. Leaning over towards it, I picked up a fresh piece of wood and tossed it into the flames. Since the fire would not need my attention again for some time, I went back to my original, comfortable position. Staring out into the darkness of the forest that surrounded my camp, I let out a sigh like a child does when there is nothing to do. “Something the matter, Edrick?”
The forest knew I meant it no harm and welcomed me as her impermanent guest.
Five minutes later, he decided to go to the ranch. I don’t if that was the best decision he has made. So, my dad risked and we took our way, over again, to the ranch. Obviously, the Cherokee was stopping every fifteen minutes. Finally, we arrived.
I hesitated as I opened the car door for I knew that it was not very pleasant outside. As I got out of the car I felt the cold seep into my bones and I started to shiver. The wind howled and nipped my nose, and ears, turning them a brilliant cherry red. I could hear the loud rushing sound of water in the distance. And the streets wher...
Atlas of the World The horizon seems so distant from my perch on the bow of the boat. The skies open and clear, the ocean vast and deep. It stretches out before me like an endless bubble of blue; so many possibilities laid out before me. Limitless.
“Do we have to go Mom” I asked. “No we have to go.” Once we got on our next flight it was only going to take one to two hours to reach North Carolina. During the flight I just sat there regretting leaving. After landing we waited an extra hour for our luggage because it was all on the other plane.
The air stuck to me while cool sweat droplets ran down my face. The dry season took a toll on the trees I usually hid under, escaping from the sweltering heat. Cars sped by me, their loud engines laughing at me. For the third time that morning, a car nicely pulled over to see if I needed help. The thought of jumping into the air conditioned car brought pleasure to me, but I was not helpless. I watched as the health workers strutted by. I could see the dollar signs in their eyes. I looked away in fear they would see me gawking at them.