Have you ever explored TripAdvisor.com and typed in the name of your home town? I always got a kick out of doing that when we lived in Orlando because the most touristy attractions and theme park restaurants were always ranked the highest while the hidden gems (see this post for my favorites!) were harder to come by.
Of course this makes sense since tons of people come to Orlando for the theme parks and rarely venture out to downtown Orlando or Winter Park, but I always thought it would be cool if TripAdvisor had a section for “Local Reviews and Recommendations” where you could get a glimpse at what those who live in the area think are the best parts of their hometown.
When Ryan set out to create a “Tour de Ocala” for me for Christmas, he turned to TripAdvisor.com for some ideas, figuring that the site offers some quality restaurant and activity reviews.
He said that when he read about The Canyons zip lining tours, he was immediately sold.
I couldn’t wait to go and was really excited to get zippin’ when we arrived around 10:45 a.m.
It wasn’t called “The Canyons” zip lining for nothing. Check out the gorgeous views!
See that suspension bridge in the distance? We walked across it and I just about died. For some reason the zip lining didn’t phase me, but that dang bridge turned my legs to Jello.
Our tour group, led by two knowledgeable and entertaining guides, Jay and Erika, included one other couple and was nice and small. Everything ran really smoothly and the whole adventure was a blast!
Not that the harnesses look good on anyone, but they look particularly awkward on the guys. And now you all probably just looked at my husband’s crotch. Awesome.
The zip lining adventure lasted about two and a half hours, included nine different “zips,” two suspension bridges and one repelling challenge.
Here’s a video of Ryan tackling “The Break Out” zip. (The Canyons name all of their zips, my favorite being “The Speed Trap” where they say they’ll fine you for going more than 40 miles per hour on the zip!)
Everything was so well organized and the gear was brand new and high-quality. It was a great experience!
Lunch
By the time we were done it was close to 2 p.m. and I was starving!
When we got home we made BBQ pulled chicken subs using a big multigrain bread loaf that we picked up on the way home and briefly baked in the oven.
You can’t beat warm, fresh, doughy sub bread!
On the side I had a sliced apple and a few strawberries.
Ryan and I also shared some peanut toffee candy that I bought on impulse at the grocery store.
It looked too good to resist and tasted fantastic. You know I’m a sucker for peanuts!
The adventures for the day aren’t over yet. We still have date night tonight! Hope you guys are enjoying your Saturday!
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I love zip lining … even though I am afraid of heights … once I am off I love the feeling …
Sounds like a lot of fun! I never did zip lining, but always wanted! We just went for a trip to TN and saw a lot of signs for zip lining. But we had our sweet little boy with us and no one to watch him. Since we live not too far from Ocala I was wondering if we should do it here locally. Do you have to have some kind of experience? By the way, very cool and great gift!
Fun!!! We did zip lining in Costa Rica for our honeymoon and although I was terrified, I’m so glad I did it! 🙂
We went in Costa Rica and it was amazing! Looks like yours was pretty fun too!
Haha yes I did look. My eyes were drawn to it 🙂 I remember going abseiling in school aged 15 and all the boys in my class were so embarrassed of the harness highlighting their crotches. And being cruel teenage girls we laughed – a lot! It looks like so much fun though. Great idea for a date
Haha love that crotch comment 😀
“we made it, holla!” haha
looks fun!!
i’ve always wanted to go ziplining!!! i’m such a chicken though!
Sounds like a blast–zip lining is someting I’ve always wanted to try!
Oh my goodness how fun!! I have always wanted to go ziplinning…and even more so now after reading how much fun you guys had! Def on the to-do list for 2012! I also wanted to say a big thankyou for reminding me of that lovely post you did on your freelance stuff…it was soooo incredibely helpful and shed a lot of great insight into how to get started and get my name out there. After taking your advice, I am happy to say I may have just landed my first writing gig with a local newspaper!!! I can’t wait! Thanks so much chica! You are the bee’s knees! Glad you are having an amazing Saturday 🙂
oh my gosh! that is AWESOME news! congrats, wendi!!
Love love that you posted about this! My boyfriend and I have kicked off this year doing “One special date a month” and we had that on a list of ideas we’ve been brainstorming! Can’t wait, and I especially loved the video…
holla. 😉
My fiance and I went ziplining when we were in Maui, and by a wonderful stroke of luck the other group of 4 people never showed up!!! So we had a private zipline experience! I said it felt like we were on the Bachelor! (although now we have to figure out how to top that on our honeymoon!)
Your pictures are awesome too! Did you guys take them or get the ones you can buy afterwards?
we took them! they let us strap my camera to our harnesses!
CUTE SHOES!
Looks like a blast, ziplining is on my bucket list.
I have never been ziplining but i cant wait to do it one day! looks SO fun!
I would also REALLY like some of the butter peanut CRUNCH
I’ve never tried zip lining, but they opened a course near me not too long ago. I think I’m going to give it a shot this summer.
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I love zip-lining! 🙂
And what a yummy lunch! Warm sub bread = awesome!
Agh the sound of the wires was a little scary!!
Is it just me or is it so interesting to see when bloggers Vlog or do anything where you get to “hear” them. No ones voices ever sound how you imagine them.
I don’t think I could zipline (scary!) and yet fun all at the same time. And after you mentioned how the harnesses don’t look good at anyone, I did look again at the picture. LOL
I love how you did the pictures on this post. I’ve never been able to figure out how to put them side by side like that. It looks good!
Yeah! I love it!!! It must be really fun, and I ove your little video!
So cool and so pretty! One of my neighbors growing up had a zip line that we loved using but it def was nothing compared to the one y’all did!
I love me some Ziplining. Of course, I ran into the instructor. Shhhh…. don’t tell anyone. 😉
How fun!! i’ve always wanted to try zip lining! 🙂
That looks so fun!! I really want to check out zip lining soon!