| I had never been in front of the camera before I started as the Adventure Expert for VISIT FLORIDA. I still wince at some of my efforts, but as the year has rolled by I’ve gotten more relaxed about it. I can occasionally even sleep the night before a shoot -- which just goes to show you should never let down your guard.
A couple of weeks ago I visited Adventures Unlimited Outdoors Center in Milton to shoot a video of their “challenge ropes course.” In the ropes course, you do scary things like clamber up telephone poles and traverse logs far above the ground. I was crouched on a tree trunk, going over my lines one last time when Paul, my husband (who claimed to be unable to join me in being strung up over the forest because of a sore back), came up with a really slick idea.
“You should be hanging from one of the ropes when you do your introduction,” he said.
To my horror, George and Ben, the videographers, not only agreed, they embellished the idea.
“Upside down,” George said. “You should hang upside down about 20 feet off the ground when you do it.”
Yes, I did end up doing the introduction hanging above the forest floor, but I have my limits. I was right side up, and only a few feet off of the ground. I just wanted you all to know that while I do have a very cool job and get to do lots of very cool things, I occasionally have to suffer cruel and unusual punishment to keep it. Is there such a thing as an “adventure expert’s union?” Hmm, I thought not.
In all seriousness, the ropes course turned out to be fun, challenging, confidence building, and it made for a very interesting day. It’s safe, too --I was told they have run over 3000 people through the course without any injuries. Make sure you check out the giant swing while you’re there. It rocks!
You can also tube, kayak or canoe at Adventures Unlimited. The water feels fantastic after roasting in the sun. It’s clear, cold enough to make you gasp at first dunking, with a strong current that pulls at your feet. You can even camp there (like real camping, in a tent, or my sort of camping, where you rent a cabin with air conditioning).
The staff was friendly and professional. I particularly liked Bill, the resident host. He was obviously passionate about his work, nature and people.
The location was perfect. Picture towering trees reaching their branches towards the sky, with slivers of sunlight sneaking through them and dappling the trails. Now, imagine the sound of children laughing in the distance, and you’ll start to get the idea. The gift shop sells baseball caps that have Paddle faster, I hear banjo music printed on them. Yes, it feels that remote there. I was totally and absolutely impressed with the operation. Here is their website and here are some VISIT FLORIDA articles about them.
Milton is in the Pensacola area; more about it next week. |
