Just zippin' along...

Many people have a so-called "bucket list." For those who don't know what that is, it's essentially a list of things that you want to do before your time on earth is done. Some of those things are more fantasy than anything and will never see the light of day, but others are quite possible and can be achieved with some good fortune or enough cash. My own bucket list is better known as my "kick-the-bucket list." I'm not like regular people. Fortunately, everyone knows that.

On the day of my 56rd birthday (Saturday, August 1), I was able to cross off one of the things on my list. Thanks to a free boat ride to and from Catalina Island and a brother who lives there and works at the zipline, I was able to get a spot on the Zipline Eco Tour gratis.

The zipline on Catalina is not just a single Point A-to-Point B ride. It's actually five runs in varying lengths that total about three-quarters of a mile. So it's kind of like getting five rides instead of just one.

You begin your Eco Tour at what they call "base camp." They get you all strapped up, and give you your gear. Next, they give you a demonstration on basic safety and what else you'll need to know. Then you get onto a bus and head for the top.

I'll warn you in advance: I left all of my stuff at Mark and Joanne's place so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Without my phone, however, I couldn't take any pictures. Mark let me borrow his GoPro camera, but unfortunately, the battery died before I could get any footage of my adventure. Darn! Now I'll have to go back and do it again! However, while I don't have photos or video, I did find a video on YouTube that you can watch (you'll see the link to it below).

You'd think that being the roller coaster nut that I am there would be no fear whatsoever about doing this. I can't say that I was scared, but admittedly a bit apprehensive. Not about the ride itself, but having to step off of a platform as much as a few hundred feet up is a little unnerving. But once you've made that first step on the first line, the rest get easier. Zipliners do have some control over riding facing forward or going sideways as there is some steering ability with the handles you hold onto. Because you're strapped to a rig that can hold up to 15,000 lbs. there's no fear that it will break and send you plummeting to your demise.

You can't beat the scenery of this zipline. It ranges from the mountains to a view looking out to the ocean. Of course there are plants right below or alongside you as you take your runs.

On the fifth and final run, they have a camera that can take essentially an on-ride photo of you as you coast into the final brakes. For some reason, the camera didn't flash when I came in. That's OK. I'll just buy a quart of milk and see my picture on the side of the carton...

Here's the video I mentioned earlier. I did not shoot this video; I found it on YouTube. It's about five minutes long and gives you a good idea of what your experience will be like. Of course, it's only a video. You have to get out to Catalina and experience the real thing. And I highly recommend it!