Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Facing Fears and Having Fun at Capilano

Tuesday March 26th 2013

This morning we got up and headed downstairs where we met up with Lynn, Lindsay and Maggie for breakfast at Rosies. After breakfast we drove to Capilano Suspension Bridge. We purchased our tickets, collected our maps and began our adventure. The boys were having fun collecting the series of stamps along the way to ensure they received a certificate at the end of the visit. The early part of the visit was easy, reading about the history and viewing the totem poles. It was what was coming next that I really was not at all looking forward to.





Next was the main event. Time to view, and cross, the Capilano Suspension Bridge - 137 metres across a bridge that is 70 metres above the Capilano River below. Being scared of heights this was always going to be an issue. I stood and looked at the bridge swaying and moving up and down and concluded there was no way I could do it. Instead I would just stay at the coffee shop and wait for everyone to come back. Lynn, Lindsay, David, Ryan and Connor took off across the bridge. After a few moments I decided that I really should give it a go. I climbed down the stairs and headed out one slow step at a time, absolutely terrified. I made it as far as where the land ended before I had to turn around and go back. There were many people on the bridge stopping for photos. I think had the path been clear I could have just walked straight across I may have been ok.

In this moment Connor truly stepped up and amazed me. He had seen me turn around and came back off the bridge to see if I was ok. He decided if I wasn't going he wouldn't go either. David also came back and tried to convince me to try it. I can't explain the fear. After a few moments, with David walking in front of me and Connor holding my hand, and my other hand on the railing I made my way out across the bridge. I was terrified but did it. David tried to take my photo but it was not a face of happiness. I was very emotional when I got to the other side and could not have done it without Connor. He is amazing!!!



On the other side we visited the treehouse, did the nature's edge walk, and the tree top walk and the boys completed the Rainforest Explorer Challenge before it was time to face my fear again and go back across the bridge.










When we returned to the main entrance side of Capilano most of our group braved the cliff top walk before we explored the Trading Post shop. It was here that from one of their voucher the boys got to close their choice of fudge flavours for successfully completing the Rainforest Explorer Challenge. I had completely forgotten about this but Connor was quick to remind us that it was part of the fine print on their voucher. So we bought - rockie road, milk chocolate, cookies and cream, chocolate and walnut and chic mint fudge. When asked what he had learnt from all this Connor replied "Your parents can't be trusted".




In another show of his wonderful nature, Connor decided to buy me a gift for being so brave. Once we got back to the car I was allowed to open my gift. He had chosen me a carved jade bear sitting on top of white crystal. It was beautiful and very apt given in local cultures the bear symbolises courage. Connor never ceases to amaze me. This bear will forever serve as a reminder of how wonderful he is and how much he helped me today.



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