52 WOOD AND CABLE SKY BRIDGES
High-flying thrills at
Banning Mills World’s longest zipline canopy tour is right here in Georgia
By KATIE VanBRACKLE
katie@northsidewoman.com
18 | northsidewoman.com | june2013
climb up
T
he view was incredible. Standing on tiptoe atop the 120-foot Screaming Eagle timber pole tower with the wind whipping my clothes, I looked out over an uninterrupted sea of green treetops, stretching to the horizon. Securing the “crab claw” hooks that connected my body harness to a thick overhead cable, I squinted my eyes, trying to follow the cable’s steep downward path as it disappeared into the trees far below, knowing that soon I would be zipping down the same trajectory at 65 miles per hour to a platform a half-mile away and 300 feet below. Swallowing hard, I tried not to feel dizzy. “All clear Ridge Runner,” came the radio signal as my guide double-checked my harness, then gave me a grin and a thumbs-up. Now or never. My heart hammering, I gripped the ropes, took a deep breath, stepped off the platform and…flew! Soaring over the treetops, then plunging into the canopy and whizzing through a narrow leafy tree tunnel at top speed, I felt like an eagle chasing its prey. Then, with breathtaking suddenness – whoosh – it was out of the trees and into the open air again as the land dropped away over a steep ridge, 20 stories down to the rushing waters of Snake Creek. All fear long gone, I whooped with delight, wishing I could pause time to enjoy the spectacular view just a bit longer. Extreme thrills like the Screaming Eagle zip lines bring people from all over the world to Carroll County, Ga., about an hour southwest of Atlanta where the Historic Banning Mills Retreat and Conference Center claims not one, but two spots in the Guinness Book of World Records. Located along a beautiful river gorge, Banning Mills is home to the world’s longest zip line canopy tour and the world’s tallest artificial climbing wall. It’s also home to some first-class scenery, making it a beautiful spot for an action-packed daytrip or unforgettable weekend retreat. Owners Mike and Donna Holder spent years transforming the previously neglected and overgrown “lost gorge” property into a nature-loving, thrill seeker’s paradise and they want their guests to get out and enjoy it. “If you are looking for luxury, this might not be the place for you,” said Donna. “We’re not trying to be the
PHOTO 4: JONATHAN HORSLEY; PHOTO 8: BRAD LYONS; ALL OTHER PHOTOS: KATIE VANBRACKLE
summer getaway
Ritz in the woods. When you come to Banning, you can expect clean lodging and good food, but our goal is for people to be outside connecting with nature and stepping out of their comfort zone in a new way.” There are ample opportunities to do just that with over nine miles of zip lines and sky bridges in a beautifully designed eco-canopy course. Guests can choose their level of difficulty, ranging from the Woodland tour that’s good for kids and those who want just a touch of adventure ($49) to the All Day Rush – an eight-hour tour including up to 60 different zip lines and 47 sky bridges ($249), where you experience the best thrills Banning Mills has to offer. And oh, what thrills they are! Hold your breath while hopping from plank to plank along a 600-foot-long sky bridge, 18 stories high over the Snake Creek gorge. Leap from the 10-story free fall platform or fly headfirst, Supermanstyle from the new Flight of the Falcon 3,400-foot zip line.
But what about those who are afraid of heights, you might ask? “Everyone is afraid of heights,” said Donna. “It’s totally normal. But we are here to help you work through that fear, one step at a time.” Strict safety protocols and two very patient and well-trained guides (thank you, Jonathan and Brad), helped my family feel confident and at ease during our four-hour canopy tour. Well, as at ease as you can feel while balancing tightropestyle between two tall trees on a cable sky bridge. My teenaged son, the adrenaline junkie, was totally in his element while my 10-year-old son, who had never zipped before, grew in confidence as he mastered each new challenge. After completing the difficult Pattern Plus level, he agreed to take on the Screaming Eagle, much to our astonishment. “People surprise themselves on our course, doing things they never thought they would or could,” Donna said. “It’s part of the magic of this place.”
Whether or not you seek high-flying thrills, there are plenty of ways to explore Banning Mills’ 1,200-acre property. Multiple hiking trails full of wildflowers follow the Snake Creek gorge, one leading to the red brick shell of a cotton mill built in 1860. At one time, Banning was a thriving mill community and one of the first towns in Georgia to produce its own electricity – long before Atlanta. A small museum in the Banning Mills lodge details the area’s rich history. Other outdoor activities include guided kayak trips on the nearby Chattahoochee River, horseback riding, skeet shooting, miniature golf and paddleboats and catch-and-release fishing on the lake. Or you can choose to simply settle back in a rocking chair on the lodge’s wraparound deck, enjoying the view with a good book. Popular with youth groups and corporate team-builders, Banning Mills is also a fun spot for a girlfriends’ getaway