IF YOU FALL, YOU'LL BE EATEN

Modern travelers are really into zip lines. 


Although they go back to the 19th century - H. G. Wells' 1897 'Invisible Man' mentions a guy zipping on a cable (called an 'incline strong') over various terrains  - they really got a big boost from the 1992 Sean Connery flick 'Medicine Man' where movie scientists 'zipped' high above a rain forest.


Adventure tourists saw this & a new travel experience was born - zipping along a taut cable between trees in some exotic location.


Today lines seem to be popping up everywhere. 


Hey, for a 20 you can even 'zip' at 30 mph under the arched metal canopy of downtown Vegas' 'Fremont Street Experience'.





Although I might think twice about the safety of 'zipping' at some 3rd world sites, here in the USA - as long as you follow the instructions to a 'T' - you should emerge from the experience avec all smiles & sans a broken neck.


Of course there's one place where if you tumble & somehow survive the fall, there's a fairly good chance that you'll be eaten.

St. Augustine's Alligator Farm - like Wells' invisible dude - has been entertaining visitors since the 1890s. Last year they jumped on the zip line bandwagon by offering a their own version:

Actually, this is a hybrid. A combo zip/obstacle course where you 'zip', tightrope, ladder climb & sort of 'surf' in the treetops above the open gator & croc cages of the entire 7 acre zoo.


There are 2 above ground trails: the lower, shorter Sepik River Course takes less than an hour. The higher, more challenging Nile River Course can be completed under 2.


To do either, you will have to sign a lengthy disclaimer where you take all responsibility for your oncoming death just to insure that your greedy Aunt Gertrude isn't the new owner the day after they bury what's left of you.


And they do have a few rules:


- Closed toe/lace-up shoes and valid form of ID are required.
- Participants must be at least 57” tall and 10 years of age.
- Maximum weight is 250 pounds. 
- No cameras are allowed in the trees.

Oh yes, you must also be willing to say good-bye to $25 for the Sepik & $65 for the Nile. But if you live in St. John's County, you save 20% ($5 & $13) so be sure to write down your hotel's address as 'home'.


For those who fear prison for such a fraud, there is a 10% ($2.50 & $6.50) break for AAA & the like.

You will need a reservation - but once you pay you are stuck. There are zero refunds for rain, so make sure the weather man is on your side before booking.


They will take groups up to 15, but Sandy & I lucked out. We were a party of 2. A real bonus. So we could take our time & actually watch the entire alligator show from our 40' high pedestal. 

So just how tough a course is it? Well, I'm 62 & Sandy has been 21 a couple of times (plus 15). Ok we did break a sweat but this wasn't climbing the Matterhorn.

However, if your main vehicle is a wheelchair, I'd take a long look at the entire course before buying tix. 


After all, you can walk - or be pushed - through the entire zoo for about a 20.


And then - afterwards - you'll definitely only be eating lunch...





... rather than being it.