Fall Destinations
Open Labor Day Weekend Sept. 2 & 3 and every Saturday thru October 29
Monday, August 29, 2016
Fall Destinations
11C
I went zip lining!
This is me on a zip line called“ Kong” at Kerfoot Canopy Tour, located between Henderson and Belle Plaine.
If I did it, so can you.
PHOTO TAKEN WITH GO PRO CAMERA
BY STARRLA CRAY Associate Editor
“ I think you’ re going to chicken out,” my husband half-teased, two days before our zip lining adventure at Kerfoot Canopy Tour north of Henderson.“ I will not,” I assured him. Gliding through the sky on a zip line, high above the trees, has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Ever since I was 12 and went on a mini zip line at a friend’ s house( we’ d jump off into her pond), I’ ve longed to try the“ real” thing.
I thought I’ d have to travel far away to accomplish my wish, but it turns out that a scenic place to zip line is only about 45 minutes from home. Lee Kerfoot and his wife, Eva, opened the course in June 2013, but I hadn’ t heard of it until this summer.
The excursion includes 14 zip lines and a suspension bridge, situated above 82 beautiful acres of Minnesota countryside.
When I was given the opportunity to go, I immediately asked my sister to go with me. She does brave things like cliff jumping and milking cows, so I knew she’ d be up for it.
My husband also wanted to share the experience, and I made reservations for the three of us.
Zip line day
The drive to Kerfoot Canopy Tour – located on Scenic Byway Road – was scenic, with very little traffic. We missed the sign to turn into the parking lot, but fortunately made it without too much trouble.
After signing waivers, our two sky guides, Joey Duerr and Ben Kroehler, helped us put on harnesses, gloves, and helmets.
We then rode an ATV to a wooded area, where we got to see the first zip line. It was low to the ground and pretty short – a non-intimidating way to learn about safety and technique. Our guides were excellent in making sure we knew what to do and what not to do, and I felt completely safe.
We were taught to slow ourselves down by placing one hand on the zip line behind us and pushing down with an open palm. The more a person pushes, the faster they brake.
Ben said if we accidentally stop before the end of the zip line, we can use our hands to monkey-bar to the platform.
“ Or, we can come and get you in case you get tired – or if you’ re on vacation and don’ t want to do any work,” he added.( Our guides had a good sense of humor, and we were laughing throughout the excursion.)
Like a monkey in the trees
After two fairly low-to-the-ground zip lines, we were ready for our first“ big” one. My sister was the first in line. I thought she’ d leap right off the platform, but seeing the distance and height, she hesitated for a moment.“ I – I’ m good to go?” she laughed nervously.
“ Oh, man. I don’ t know.”
But then, she lifted her feet and off she went. My husband was next, and sailed away without comment. If he was afraid, he didn’ t show it.
I expected to be a little uncertain when my turn came, but I felt so safe and excited that fear wasn’ t part of the ride at all. I love the feeling of being high up! I also love that zip lining doesn’ t require advanced coordination skills, so I didn’ t have to worry about getting hurt.
Never too old
Zip lining seems to be an activity that just about anyone could enjoy. At first, I was worried about the physical requirements of walking up stairs due to persistent knee and foot injuries I’ ve been battling, but everything went smoothly. Many of the zip lines are connected, which kept time on my feet to a minimum.
One happy reviewer on TripAdvisor. com noted that she had undergone two knee replacements, and was able to zip line with her grandson for her 80th birthday.
“ What’ s the oldest age you’ ve had do this?” I asked Joey and Ben halfway through the tour.
“ Last week we had a couple where the husband was 95, and the wife was 90,” Ben said.
That couple was probably faster at walking up the stairs than I was, but I was grateful to be able to finish without too much pain.( My sister and husband both gave me piggyback rides on the short trails, which helped, too.)
Bird’ s eye view
Each zip line on the course is a little different, with names like“ Gorgeous Gorge” and“ Mellow Fellow.”
My husband’ s favorite was“ Red Tail,” the longest line at 1,200 feet( 1 / 5 mile), because it gave us the most time to soak up the view.
Two of the zips are off a large tower. The first, called“ Dragon’ s Back,” goes through the trees, so we couldn’ t see where we’ d end up. The second,“ Kong,” is a 900-foot line 175 feet in the air. That one was also exhilarating, because we were well above the treetops.
Another neat one is“ Shoot-Out,” which has a steeper drop for a faster descent. I felt like I had a new favorite after each zip. I guess they are all my favorite!
The last line was over an open field, and took us straight back to our starting place. When we got done, I felt accomplished and content. It was the best day ever.
My companions had a great time, too, and my husband has even mentioned that he might take me again soon. I can’ t wait!
To see a three-minute video of us zip lining, go to YouTube. com and type“ Kerfoot Canopy Tour Herald Journal” in the search bar.
My husband and sister posed with me while on the tower at Kerfoot Canopy Tour. We had a terrific view of the treetops.
PHOTO TAKEN WITH GO PRO CAMERA
Ready to go?
Address: 30200 Scenic Byway Rd, Henderson, MN 56044.( There’ s also a zip line tour near Brainerd, at 9898 County Road 77 SW, Nisswa, MN 56468)
If you’ re planning to zip line at Kerfoot Canopy Tour, here are a few things you’ ll want to know:
Phone:( 952) 873-3900 Email: kctinfo @ ziplinemn. com Website: kerfootcanopytour. com
Requirements: Guests must be between 70 and 250 pounds, and 10 years old or older.
One of our skyguides, Joey Duerr, snapped a photo of himself and fellow skyguide Ben Kroehler.
PHOTO TAKEN WITH GO PRO CAMERA
Wright County Swappers Meet
Open Labor Day Weekend Sept. 2 & 3 and every Saturday thru October 29
Free Admission and Parking for Visitors
• Quality Handcrafted Items
• Sporting Goods • Re-purposed items
• Country Treasures Antiques • Fresh Farm Produce
• Food, Snacks and Beverages www. wrightcountyswappersmeet. com( 320) 274-9005 • 13594 100th St NW, South Haven, MN 55382
Tips for zipping
• Handheld photography isn’ t allowed on the tour, but you can bring your own GoPro camera or rent one for $ 20. I’ d recommend this, because it allows you to record and remember the adventure.
• Shoes with closed toes and heels are required. Tie back long hair, and either wear pants or shorts long enough to be comfortable with a harness. If you have dry eyes( like me), it’ s a good idea to wear sunglasses. The amount of wind feels similar to riding a bicycle.
• Consider zip lining in different seasons. Kerfoot Canopy Tour is open yearround, weather permitting. In addition to zip lining, kayak rentals are available May through September.