Forest Adventure Park

Just Zippin' Along, Having a Blast!
November 22, 2008

Today we went to Forest Adventure Park- WHAT A BLAST!!

For those of you locally who have not yet tired Forest Adventure- YOU HAVE TO GO!! We had soooo much fun...even me, who is NOT thrilled about jumping off of things.

So, those of you who aren't on Okinawa, are asking yourself, "What is Forest Adventure Land"?

Well, it is pretty much just what it says...an Adventure (with a capital "A"), in a forest. This Adventure involves an outdoor park full of zip lines, rope bridges, a Tarzan swing, hiking paths...all kinds of fun stuff! It is located only about 20-25 minutes from our house, near Maeda Point (where we did our qualifying dives).

You check in at a small office right across the street from the beach at Maeda Port. This is where you pay and sign all the waivers- and your last chance at an "American" restroom. From there they load you up in their shuttle vans and drive you up to the actual park.

Now, I must say, this was the first adventure! After turning off the main road, we went off through the sugar cane fields....and these drivers were flying along these narrow twisty roads like you could not believe! With the 7 foot high sugar cane along the roads and hairpin turns, you could not see anything. I think the drivers know where the other drivers were so they could fly up with no regard for oncoming traffic. Didn't really feel unsafe... but visions of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" come to mind... Drivers were very nice- we where running back to our van to grab a few things, and the van chased us down to drive us there and back. Very sweet...and after realizing how far away the lot where Mike had to park, I was glad for the ride!


We were dropped off (pretty much in the middle of a field of sugar cane and pineapple plants in the middle of no where) and followed the signs to "Wipe Out Lodge". They were already getting in the Holiday Spirit and a employee full of smiles was handing out candy canes.The employees then harnessed us up. They make sure those things are on nice and SNUG! The smaller ladies would actually brace themselves and pull for all they were worth. Still, they were not uncomfortable...although I was glad for the relatively cool weather today. I think the gals had it easier then the guys...the guys really had things squeezed and pushed with those harnesses.

After everyone was harnessed up, we were led down to a "mini course" for a safety/How-to brief. We were shown how to clip on, climb the ladders, walk across a line and try small zip line. Our Tour Guide here was showing us how the safety clip is used.


Mike clipping on both clips. The first one to go on is the larger blue one. This is the one which actually slides along the cable. The second, red one, is the safety line. It is clipped on to something at all times- even while climbing the ladders or nets. The clips go on in opposite direction- just in case you grab them, you would only open one clip, not them both (but you are never supposed to touch the clips once they are on, or cables- for obvious reasons.
Here I go- I always knew I could walk a "fine line"!


Let's see...which clip comes off first?? Oh yeah, the red safety clip! Safety First...

As soon as the guide saw we know how to do everything, we were free to go! The first zip line is a nice long one- right over a forest ravine! Matt was the first to go through his safety check so he was off and Zipping first.



This one on the left was a LONG zip line- one of my favorites. I am standing at the end here- you can see the group of people WAAAYYY on the other side waiting to come across. Best advice I can give you- go before you think too much about it! The other zip line was towards the end...and you picked up some serious speed on this one.



These net bridges were fun- and very bouncy!

































Here goes David- right through the tree tops!
Amazing feeling to be gliding (zipping) over the tress across the jungle. That amazing feeling lasts until you get about 2/3's of the way across and you start worrying about landing...













Getting to the start of the zip lines there are wooden ladders, cargo nets, or peg ladders to climb.

















Some of the zip lines were right next to one another- others were a bit of a hike. Here Mike is hoofing it to catch up to the rest of the group. It was quite an uphill jaunt between these zip lines...fortunately this was about the half way point and there was a cooler with ice cold sodas- orange, grape or tea (one per person, please!) What a nice touch. Very relaxing to sit at a picnic table in the middle of the jungle and enjoy an icy drink.At the end of the course is a huge assortment of obstacles. To the left, front, is the landing net from the Tarzan swing, to the right of that is a swinging bridge over to a ladder. Up the ladder to the rope bridge. From the Rope bridge you can either take the rings across (Matt is in the red going across), or the wooden platform bridge. Then up another ladder to the platform for the last zip line.

The start of it is the "Tarzan Swing"...this was the one I was dreading! You climb a couple ladders to get to the top of a very tall platform. After clipping in and grabbing hold...you launch yourself off the platform, free fall until the line catches and swings you into a huge cargo net. I am NOT a fan of jumping off of things...or even climbing down. I will go up anything...it's the coming Down that always gets me! So here I am standing at the top of a VERY tall tower on a small platform...nowhere to go but down. Hummm...the thought of climbing back down the ladder crossed my mind...but with a herd of Boy Scouts cheering me on I said a quick prayer and stepped off. I'm not sure if I was screaming out loud, but I was certainly screaming on the inside! It is over amazingly quickly- and is incredibly fun! The first second of free fall is terrifying- but it is over so quickly you ALMOST forget about it. Although I loved it, I'm not sure it will be any easier to do again!














Here is Tarzan Mike...
Mike, David and I all actually bounced off the net when we hit. Mike was able to keep his feet hooked. David and I had to swing back into the net.




Here is Matt hanging out- watching and laughing at us during the Tarzan Swing. I have few pictures of him since I went off with the rest of the scouts and we didn't see much of him. Only zip line we were able to watch him do was the very first one.



The rings were tough too- took a lot of control so the rings didn't flip all over.

This bridge was harder than it looked. Each time you stepped, the step swung forward, making for a long reach. Not too bad after you get the hang of it.












Here is David contemplating his pending departure on the zip line.







This is the last zip line on the course. I took this photo as I was zipping down- Mike is standing on the platform watching and waiting for his turn.The view from the last zip line tower is amazing. You can see across the turquoise shallows and brillent blue waters to the Zampa Lighthouse and north across the fields and hills.

BloKarts

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Saturday we had a chance to try BloKarting. This was another trip won through the Schilling Center. Two hours of playing on the BloKarts AND transportation, all at no cost- what a deal!

We meet up at the center on Kadena at 3pm and they drove us and four other people to a field south of Naha. The driver said it was an hour drive, but it ended up only taking half an hour- which was a good thing since the van had the heater on and it was blowing extremely hot air along the floor. It was hot enough we had to lift our feet up on to the seats. So we were glad the drive was relatively short.

BloKarts are three wheel carts with a large sail to catch the wind. Here the guys were assembling one of the carts. They are very compact (have cool little storage bags) and put together quickly. Matt pitched in and helped put one of them together.

Our driver translated the directions of how to get into the carts, steer, and what to do if the cart tips over. From what we could gather, the group of locals have the BloKarts and they allowed us to borrow two of them for the evening. The locals set up the carts, showed us what to do, then pretty much sat back and watched. They were out in the field for a little bit, but I don't think the wind was strong enough for them to really enjoy it- they were too "hard core"!

David was the first to give it a try- he was a bit nervous!

You steer with one hand and control the sail with the other- very simple. Here David has the sail loose after just completing a turn. Ideally, you run 90 degrees to the wind. We were limited on what we could do since we had extremely little wind to work with.

Unfortunately, with the wind not being strong it was hard to get the carts going. For part of the time, we had to push start the carts after every turn. The wind did pick up for a bit later on, then died completely before we were supposed to be done. When we weren't in the carts we were helping out pushing the guys who stalled. Here our Tour Guide helps Matt get going again. The Tour Guide was very nice- and kept apologizing for the lack of wind. He got a real work out helping all of us on the go.













Here Matt is helping me get ready for my first turn behind the wheel. The gloves are to protect your hands if you tip over, and also when you use your hands to roll the back wheels in an attempt to get rolling again.

And I am off and on the go! I was lucky enough to catch some of the best winds of the evening. These carts are a blast when they get going! Matt took this picture (after wrestling the camera from David).


Here is Mike giving it a try...






One of the guys who came with us said he had gone last year and the wind was so strong they were up on two wheels most of the time. Sounds like Fun! He didn't ride the carts as much as the rest of us- I think he was spoiled from last time.

Even with the light winds, we had a fun time. I would definitely like to give them another try with better wind conditions. In some areas, they rent out the BloKarts to run along the beach...that looked like fun!

The Last Week or So in Review...

Mid November

It has been another busy week around here...mostly the routine day to day stuff that keeps your running around crazy but at the end of the day you wonder "WHAT exactly did I do all day??"

The boys had a short school week- just three days of school this week. David had a five day weekend, while Matt had a four day weekend (and yes, David did rub in the fact that he had an extra day off!). The schools combined Veteran's Day with Conferences so it ended up being lots of days off. Mike worked both Saturday and Sunday but had off Monday and Tuesday. A relaxing time, even if it did rain cats and dogs for much of it. When it rains here, it can really come down! Within minutes the water can be rushing down the street in front.

The boys and I stayed close to home due to car troubles, but I did take the boys to go PaintBalling on Sunday. We woke up to more rain on Sunday, but the boys insisted on going anyway since they were meeting friends. The start ended up being delayed over an hour due to the rain and lack of people. Weather ended up clearing for the afternoon and more guys showed up so the kids had a great time.








Matt started wrestling practice this week- he has been looking forward to it! He really likes the coach (a woman- can't remember her name as I have only heard it a time or two). This morning (Saturday) they had a three hour practice....Matt came home and crashed on the couch. Of course, getting up and being at practice by 7:45 am may have had something to do with it too!

David is disappointed in the fact that he will probably not be playing Tackle Football this year...and maybe not for the next three years. The only Tackle Football program for the younger kids here is put on by the Air Force and this year they didn't have enough interest to fill the teams...so they canceled to program. This unexpected announcement (made at a parent meeting) was not well received! They are still putting on Flag Football. David agreed to play Flag but is devastated that Tackle Football appears to be out. The only hope is a group of parents trying to put together a Tackle Football "Okinawa Youth League". We signed David up, but it is extremely doubtful they will have enough kids to fill out the teams needed.

One other recent "Happening" around the Payne household...
David attended his first DANCE! He was extremely excited- worried for a week about what to wear even. Since Big Brother attends dances, it was huge for David be able to go to one. Very amusing to listen to the brotherly advice being given before David left. Matt even walked him over...and Mom forgot to take a picture of her handsome man on his way out the door...Anyway, David had a great time, even if he said he didn't dance.

Another noteworthy news item- David made The Honor Roll! For him, this is HUGE!! David is rightfully proud of himself. Three Cheers for David on a job well done.

A Midnight Run Under a Full Moon

Thursday, November 13

Ahhh...the glory of a midnight run under a full moon! It was simply wonderful. The weather has been cooling and two nights ago it was just too beautiful out to resist (besides, Mike was working the night shift- I'm always restless when he works nights). I went out for 3 or 4 miles (just on base), then came back for Ty...he had been giving me the oh so sad puppy eyes when I left. He was in doggy heaven- especially when I took him down the side road to the water treatment area and let him run off leash (shhh...don't tell!). Felt so wonderful out- cool (but still humid- that's a given!) with a slight breeze and the world lit up from the full moon. Add in the bats swooping low overhead and the run was just perfect.

An added bonus was the fact that this was the first pain-free run I've had for months. I have been dealing with "Plantar Fascitis"- which is the inflammation of the tendon on the underside of your foot. About a month and half ago I thought I had just bruised my heel, but as the weeks went by it continued to worsen. A trip to the doc confirmed that it was Plantar Fascitis and he recommended lots of Motrin and stretching. Even with that I have been sidelined from running. I was spending time on the stationary bike in the gym...not my favorite! I was finally working my way back onto the treadmill (softer than the pavement), then short runs back and forth to the gym.

I can tell I'm not completely healed yet...the last two days my foot has been sore (maybe the fact that I keep forgetting the Motrin and haven't taken the proper time to stretch has something to do with it??), but at least not the exteme pain I had for awhile.

Can't wait to start hitting the road again...there are trails to run and roads to be explored...

Torii Station- Day 2

Sunday, August 10

We headed back to Torii Station (with all of our snorkel gear this time!) to give the Water Slide another try.

It was open and in full swing- and not nearly as crowded as we thought it would be. Guess there are some advantages to getting a late start in the day...everyone else must have gotten worn out and gone home already!

We wasted no time in trying out the water slide- what fun! Even though it isn't huge, it's a blast!
Hummm...which is better?? Feet first? Or head first???




After an hour on the water slide, we decided to hit the water again. Spent a lot of time just swimming around and enjoying the water. There was not a lot to see off of this beach...although it must be a popular hang out for those water snakes because this time I got to see one! Almost ran right into it as a matter of fact. Took me quite by surprise...it looked rather amused at how fast I turned and swam way. We did see countless sea cucumbers as well as some other sea critters. The water is shallow WAY out- a nice beach to get a feel for snorkeling again!

This is definitely a beach we will be heading back to time and time again...