Tree Limin' WAAAY Extreme - Luanda and Trenette take to the trees!

The new zip line on St. Thomas is experienced and reviewed by our Office Administrator Luanda Kelly - who brings along our newest employee, Trenette Donovan (Reservations). Follow their adventure on the latest attraction, Tree Limin' Extreme!

• View the photo album and share the adventure!

 

Still friends!

Zip-lining with Tree Limin' Extreme was, for me, EXTREME!  I am not the most comfortable person at high elevations, so this was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  When Trenette and I arrived for our 1pm appointment, everything was prepped and ready for us.  Our guides, Shawn and Brandon, greeted us with smiles and laughter.  The theme of the day was SAFETY.  We were briefed on how to get in to our harnesses and adjust our helmets so that we would be secure and protected while on the lines and they also explained the purpose of everything that was attached to our waist.  Shawn and Brandon were already fitted with their safety gear and assisted each person in putting on their own.  When everyone was ready, we headed up to the 6-wheel drive ATV where our driver, Amy, was waiting.

After a short drive uphill, we arrived at the first of 6 platforms.  Before getting on the lines, the group was gathered for more detailed instructions and a short demonstration.  We were shown the "4 + 4" safety checks, what to expect while on the lines, what to do to avoid getting stuck, and how to make sure we have enough speed to make it to the next platform.  With Shaun hanging on the demo line, Brandon showed us what he will be doing to stop us and how he will retrieve us if we fall short of reaching the next platform.  Once they were finished and no one had any questions, we headed up the stairs to the first platform where, by Brandon's choice, Trenette was the first one on the line.

My turn was a bit more dramatic than Trenette's.  I was probably on the verge of a panic attack with me being up that high, and, on top of that, I had to step off into mid-air! That was not sitting well with me.  Shaun and the rest of the group that was waiting for their turn were all very supportive and encouraging.  With a big scream and my eyes closed, I finally took that BIG step of faith and trusted that all my equipment and safety gear would do what was expected of them and get me safely to platform #2.  What a relief when I made it, shaking limbs and all.  I joined Trenette on the bench where she was still trying to calm her nerves.  We both felt a bit more at ease with platforms 2, 3, & 4. 

Platforms 5 & 6 are for the thrill seekers.  On platform 5, I was volunteered by Trenette to be the second person on the line so I took a deep breath and approached the edge.  After about 3 or 4 false starts and with the encouragement of the group, I made the big plunge and went screaming down the line towards Brandon.  Trenette followed right behind and arrived just as shaky as she did when she landed on platform 2. Platform 6 took us up a flight of stairs to the "yo-yo" line.  Once again, I required Shaun's patience and encouragement as this line would have us swinging back and forth until Brandon, who was on the ground, brought the ladder to get us down.  I slowly inched closer and closer to the edge while Shaun held my harness from behind until I was comfortable enough and asked him to let go.  After a few minutes, I went screaming down the yo-yo line and Trenette, who also needed Shaun's encouragement, followed behind.  Once we were safely on the ground, we were proud that we could both say "I DID IT!"