You didn’t begin swimming at eight-years-old, or execute your first gymnastics vault at five. It takes years of practice and hard work to make the cut as an Olympian. You think without youth on your side there is simply no chance. Not true…you can become an Olympian at the ripe age of 50 or older. Check out these Olympians who are not youngsters, but who are still going for the GOLD! Imagine it…You, entering the stadium during opening ceremonies, your head held high…even if it’s full of grey hair. What an honor to be part of the chosen few. Your bones may not muster the 400 meter race, and you may not be quite agile enough for diving. There are still sports that are kinder to the more mature anatomy. What Olympic sport would you choose?
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 20: Bernard Lagat of The USA celebrates winning the Men’s 2 Mile during the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at Horse Guards Parade on July 20, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)Britain’s Jo Pavey crosses the line to win the gold medal in the women’s 10,000m final during the European Athletics Championships in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)Germany’s gymnast Oksana Chusovitina celebrates after winning the silver medal during the women’s vault apparatus finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)Phillip Dutton of the United States walks with Connaught during the veterinary inspection for the Eventing competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 31: Australian Mary Hanna shows rthe gold medal she won on Mosaic II in the Volvo Pacific World Cup Dressage Final at the rTipapa indoor equestrian centre, saturday. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)
Why lounge on a lofty sundeck or drift on a floaty in a pool drinking a pina colada when you can board down a…VOLCANO! You heard correctly.There’s snowboarding and wakeboarding, but some folks have amped it up a whole other level. Check out these ten ways, NOT to chill while on your vacation. http://www.mensfitness.com/life/travel/10-death-defying-stunts-you-can-do-on-vacation/slide/7
Up above Fenton, Michigan some 8,000 feet in a hot air balloon, fifteen of my pals and our pilot could see as far as Ontario, Canada. It was a perfect June evening, the winds were calm, no precipitation, just a clear, bright day.
The splendor of the horizons below seemed majestic: vast farmlands, rivers glistening, and treetops where only those with wings and sharp claws could climb. Our pilot glided us so close we could actually touch the tops of the trees, and like a kid I was gleeful to do what I couldn’t without the aid of this flying contraption.
When we reached about 9,000 feet, internally I began to panic. My brain did an assessment. There was no ladder, no safety harness, no net to capture us should we fall, and no parachute. The sixteen of us were nestled tight in this basket, with a vinyl balloon a tank of propane…a nightmare ready to ignite. What was I thinking? I inhaled slowly, took several short breaths as I viewed our sister balloon some miles away, it too grazing the skyline, assuredly buoyant, determined to stay its course. I calmed and listened to conversations onboard, took selfies, and recorded videos.
I focused on the moment, the air tousling my hair, the warmth on my neck, the smiles and excitement of my fellow passengers. I took it all in, including when we safely landed in a seven-acre field owned by a neighboring couple, who were surprised, but delighted to see us. Jubilant chatter about the next ride began. “What about a sunrise tour?” someone asked. “Fall…that’s the best time,” another passenger offered. And like that, I quickly put behind me the frightful thoughts of earlier. One month later, July 30, 2016, the horrific hot air balloon that crashed in Texas taking the lives of the sixteen onboard brought the world and all of us who experienced our flight to a chilling pause.
The text messages I received were instantaneous. All to some degree saying, “See what happened?! Don’t do that again.” “Girl, that’s why I would never get on a hot air balloon.” “Sheri, you were so lucccckkky.” The funny thing is, more people die in auto accidents and even in their sleep than death by hot air balloon. No one ever texts me to say, “See, that’s why I will never cruise on I-75 again,” or, “Forget about sleep, I may never wake up.” I get it though, ballooning is a thrill ride, an adventure dump, we really can’t avoid driving (at least not in Detroit) and certainly not sleeping. If you never get on a hot air balloon the chances are you will never die from one.
But, the euphoria. If a hot air ballon is not for you, or even hair raising things like sky diving, that’s ok. But, I hope that you are always open to that quake in your heart, that flutter on your skin, that rapture of your soul. I dream of a Fall air balloon flight one day. Maybe, not soon. When I do, I will pray that all goes well. What do you think? Are there any adventures that make you pause?
I was the last one on board after some serious convincing and still I wonder how they persuaded me to go whitewater rafting when I didn’t even know what whitewater rafting was. But my friends’ energy, love, and excitement pushed me to a level of intrigue, trust, and adventure that I couldn’t have imagined.
Prior to that, I honestly didn’t have a desire or see a need to travel anywhere without my husband. Once I decided to go, I shared the news with him. He was actually all for it; so, in July 2009, we jumped into a truck and drove from Detroit to West Virginia for an escapade on the New and Gauley rivers.
The morning of the adventure I was excited and nervous. We prayed, we squealed with excitement, and we held moments of silence just to get our minds ready. For a city girl like me, even the drive-through town was a reminder that I was in unfamiliar territory.
Our hearts pumping, we prepared ourselves for our first rapid—a level 3! Our mission, to not fall out of the raft. When we conquered that rapid without losing passengers, confidence washed over us. Again, we took on this challenge a few more times and were simply thrilled with ourselves. There were high fives all around and a lot of exhaling.
Just when we thought things were settling down, a large wave swept our guide from the raft. Pure panic set in as we witnessed fear surge across our guide’s face. Thankfully, a few of us moved into action, holding out the end of the paddle as our guide instructed us in the beginning. Of course, that was in case one of us fell off, not her.
In just a few short hours, we shared moments of fear, excitement, and triumph. None of us fell out of the raft! We bonded and emerged victoriously!
Encouraging one another and sharing the adrenaline and excitement of the day felt great. While we were individuals with unique journeys, we came together to support and push one another to overcome any fears prior to our next adventure… Because there surely would be another adventure.
Has there ever been a feat in your life that seemed so insurmountable you had no idea how to master it, weather it, or endure it?
Those times in life can be chilling… basically, they can take your breath away.
We all have been there. No one will walk away from this planet unscathed from that one moment (or several) where the floor underneath your feet shifts and causes you to adapt, adjust, and somehow find your way.
The Dare Divas are set to tackle a big mountain. It is gargantuan. It stands 19,341 feet tall; the altitude is thin; and if not properly equipped, the trek can be hair-raising and dangerous. So there is the disclaimer.
WHY CLIMB?
Uluru Peaks, the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, is 19,340-foot climb. Credit iStock.
IT IS A JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa and has been trekked by both seasoned and novice hikers since the 1800s. You don’t need to be an expert climber to do this. This will be the first time the Dare Divas have ever climbed. We each will check with our physicians and get the OK, but we know it is DOABLE.
The eight-day trek is manageable, and we will have expert guides on hand to help along the way. We are doing it because, well, WE CAN. And so can you. Even if we don’t make it to the top — to be honest the top is not the goal, trying is the goal – we will be successful.
Won’t you come with us?
This journey, trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro can be your way to celebrate a recent accomplishment. Maybe you need to heal and need this outlet, or you need to add a zest of life to your mundane one. Whatever your reason, join the Dare Divas as we hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in September 2018.
Join in on the fun, the adventure, and the hike of a lifetime. Click on the following tab for additional info Mt Kilimanjaro Trek and Safari.
But, first let’s start the conversation, what about the hike makes you thrilled, nervous, excited?
We all were amped. We put on our Top Gun suits with pride, placed on our aviator sunglasses, got instructions about our parachute, walked toward the airplane like Navy Seals on a special mission, and boarded. We pranced and danced and sang “To Infinity and beyond,” our little chant to fire-up courage and quiet fear.
I felt like a top-dog, until I was next up to skydive. With my tandem instructor behind me, I did the unthinkable. I looked down. The wind violently coursed through my lungs as my tandem instructor counted, “1-2-3,” and then hurled us into the atmosphere. I felt like a boulder rushing to land. Nothing was in my control as I bolted toward earth with speed that felt like lightning. But, my spirit quieted and I relaxed.
Even before the second parachute deployed, softening the brutal speed, I knew God was holding my heart, and I was safe. The glide down was the best. I saw the beauty of earth…tops of trees, vast land, translucent sky, and tiny specs that were homes.
When all four DARE DIVAS jumped and landed, we formed a circle of love, hair tousled, sweat trapped inside our jump suits, laughing, hugging, and thankful it all ended with each of us solidly on ground and intact.
There are times when you just have to jump, and you have to do it alone; but it is so sweet when you land and others are there to celebrate with you. That is why skydiving on that sweet August 2014 day with the Dare Divas was my favorite dare of them all.
Find out how this thrilling skydive brought Sheri Hunter back to life.
Dare Divas™ are all about adventure… and support… and friendship.
On TheDareDiva.com, risk-taking, make-it-happen women share their exciting exploits and travels as they encourage women of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities to reach beyond their comfort zones and live their lives to the fullest.
