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 .
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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 .