Over the long weekend, Craig, Loren and Aidan Wright drove to High Point, NC, which is just over two hours from Roanoke, to Kersey Valley Zipline.

A zipline consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. There are two tours, “Coach Class and First Class.” Coach is 10 ziplines and approximately two and a half hours and First Class is 14 lines and approximately three and a half hours.

We decided to do the First Class tour. We filled out waivers, took a breathalyser test and headed to “flight school.” There, we were paired up with five other zipliners to make our group of eight. We were suited up in harnesses, gloves and helmets by our “flight crew”, captains Paul and Bryan. They were very knowledgeable, helpful and held our safety as top priority.

After we watched a pre-flight video and our equipment was checked again, we started the climb to our first platform.

“Zip Line Passengers will depart from the ATL tower at 58 feet high looking over the Maize Adventure corn maze area.  The sky towers are named after some of the world’s largest flying destinations.  There are 14 spans and 17 sky decks on 10 sky towers that make up the course at Kersey Valley Zipline. Distances from 200 to over 800 feet in length up to 100 feet off the ground.”

Our one flight captain,  Bryan, zipped to the next platform to catch us, then one by one we were hooked up to the Zipline by Paul and stepped off the platform.  I must say, the first step was a bit nerve-wracking!  I (Loren) am not the best with heights, however you don’t even notice.  Even on the towers, you are always tethered and really have complete trust in your equipment and flight captains.  Paul really helped and encouraged me to just take to flight.  Off we went!

Once we were close to the next platform, we were given the signal to break, and we did what they taught us to slow down. We were all tethered to the safety lines and were off to the next platform.  After that first run, which was a blast, we were all excited to zip again!  All nervousness vanished.

If flying through the air is not your thing, Kersey Valley also has a Segway Off Road Tour: “After a 20 minute Skills and Drills hands-on class, you hit the trail following your Segway Authorized Guide over the hills and through the woods for an total time of one and a half hours on the Segway.”

There is a huge cornfield maize the whole family can go in, even dogs!  A pumpkin patch, Gem Dig, a Fossil Dig for younger ones, a big bouncy jumpy thing that the kids will love.  A new attraction: Kersey Valley Laser Tag this fall.

“Spookywoods will highlight this amazing technology with a Zombie Hunt through our Military Base Camp. We are building arenas like our Urban setting with massive fire explosions and a military base camp and deep wooded playing areas with lots of places to hide.” Right up Aidan’s alley!

This was such a fun day!  We can’t wait to go back!  They even have a referral program, bring some friends and you can fly free!

Submitted by Loren Wright.