Go Ape!
Zip lining through treetops, swinging like Tarzan
By Angela Storey | For Crossroads Magazine For those looking for some “treemendous” outdoor fun, a trip to Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure should fit the bill. Just ask Kossuth resident Chelsie Lozada, who describes the six zip lines and two Tarzan swings and much more as “Conquering.” Located in Shelby County at Shelby Farms Park just minutes from downtown Memphis, Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure is described as a gorgeous pine forest bordering Pine Lake, one of the park’s 20-plus bodies of water. It’s more than a canopy tour and promises each section takes one higher into the forest canopy and finishes with a zip line more exciting than the previous one. The 25-year-old Lozada and a friend, who lives in Southaven, visited in June. “They had just currently opened up this part of the park,” she said. “It was new to Shelby Farms this spring/summer.
“The adventure itself was amazing. Some of it was challenging, some of it was a little bit easier. “The zip lines were an experience, especially over the lake. You would see little kids in the paddle boats just waving to you as you zipped over them. While up in the treetops, you could also feel yourself second guess what you’re about to do because, of course, looking at the course, it looks challenging. But then you always remember, you’re safely hooked in by three safety straps at all times.” Overall, given there were short wait times with other tree toppers in front of them with their families as well, the adventure lasted an hour and half. Lozada, who works as an EMR specialist supervisor, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, had never done anything like this before. When she was 12 years old, she bungee jumped off a small tower in Gatlinburg. “But that doesn’t count,” she said. Clockwise from top left Chelsie Lozada shows the Go Pro Camera. She was able to video and take pictures hands free while completing the treetop adventure and ziplines. A participant makes his way across a rope bridge. An adventurer soars through the air along a portion of the Go Ape ropes course.
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“That’s over in like five seconds. This was an adventure. One that lets you live freely for a few hours without a care in the world, leaving you feeling like you’ve conquered something big.” She admits completing the course does take a lot of work, but there were all types of people and families out there the day she was. “It just takes motivation. The day I was there, it was very hot. So, you just need to stay hydrated. They keep water jugs at every station for you to drink,” Lozada said. It is suggested participants wear comfortable clothing. “The harness that you will be in may cause rubbing, so not necessarily wear pants, but definitely something longer than the harness.” The ticket cost per adults (age 16+) is $57; while for children (age 10-15) cost is $37 per child. “One thing we noticed that we thought was really awesome for the adventure and was complimented on by several families was the fact that we brought a Go Pro Camera. It was a great way to get awesome videos and pictures hands-free.” She recommends the tree-top adventure to anyone who loves the outdoors and she plans to go back later in the fall to experience it again. (To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/goapeshelbyfarmspark.)
crossroads Magazine- Outdoors edition
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