On Days 25 - 27 of our RV trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon, Tom and I enjoyed more time with my daughter, Sierra, in Bend, Oregon.
Tom went fishing at Mecca Flats while Sierra and I went on a 7.5 mile hike near Sisters, Oregon. We followed Canyon Creek Trail from the Jack Lake Trailhead toward Wasco Lake. Our goal was to see Three Finger Jack. Unfortunately, low clouds obscured the peaks and we even saw our first snowflakes of the season. If the peaks are Jack's fingers, we only saw the palm of his hand. It was cold and windy but we didn't mind because the snow/rain was desperately needed to tame the local wildfires. And, even if we couldn't see the peaks, the forest, meadows, and lakes were beautiful.
The following day was supposed to be even colder and wetter. That didn't deter Tom from fishing, it just changed his strategy. Instead of another cold day wading in a river, he took his kayak to fish on East Lake. Sierra and I spent the day exploring the charming town of Sisters. For those of you from my neck of the woods, Sisters, Oregon less touristy than Manitou Springs but more than Woodland Park. We walked through the souvenir and antique shops then stopped for ice cream at Sno Cap.
The rain lightened up by the time we headed back to Bend so we followed the "U-Pick" roadsigns leading to Well Rooted Farms. We might have got a little carried away picking fresh produce. We were just trying to do our part to save the fruit and vegetables from the cold snap. Since then, we've been eating tomatoes with every meal and haven't made a dent. I see frozen tomato soup in our future!
After a dinner of tomato sandwiches and tomato salad, Tom and I went dancing at one of the top country bars in Bend. The Cross-eyed Cricket is only half a mile from our RV site at the Bend Elks Lodge. We arrived in time for the free dance lessons and did our best to learn the Sweetheart Schottische. And, when the floor opened up for line dancing, I was happy to see they dance the same version of Shivers that I learned in Colorado. It's likely that I was the oldest one on the dance floor for that one. But dancing is ageless! What isn't ageless, is bungee jumping. I did it when I was in my mid-20s and I was excited (and nervous) at the possibility of seeing my daughter, in her mid-20s, bungee jump off a bridge the following day.
Jumping off a bridge
Sierra and her rafting-guide coworkers had been invited to bungee jump, for free. I could/should have been upset at the idea of my baby jumping off a bridge, but what could I say? She'd already seen the VHS of her father and I bungee jumping from a crane 30 years ago. Besides, she wasn't convinced she wanted to do it. She did, however, want to go and support her friends. And, if she decided to jump off a bridge, Tom and I wanted to support her.
When we arrived at Crooked River High Bridge, Sierra and some of her coworkers hadn't decided if they were going to jump. But, they filled out the waivers for Central Oregon Bungee Adventures just in case. Sierra may not have known, yet, if she would jump, but I knew. She loves adventure and challenge. How could she not do it?
One of Sierra's coworkers had arranged the bungee jump for the rafting guides in conjunction with the primary event which was for a large group of US veterans. Many of the vets were there to help them overcome fears and anxiety associated with PTSD.
Soon after we arrived and met Sierra's coworkers, they invited Tom and I to join them for their jump off the bridge. We laughed because bungee jumping isn't dancing and it isn't ageless. But, I used to love adventure and challenge so the thought smoldered in the back of my mind as we waited and watched the vets jump. Some were in tears at the thought of jumping. Others were in tears after the success of jumping. Several backed away, adamant that they couldn't jump. In the end, as far as we could tell, they all jumped and none regretted it. At least one woman jumped a second time. If they could do it, could I?
By the time the vets finished their jumps, I had signed the waiver... just in case I decided to jump. I asked Tom if he thought I was crazy and I jokingly asked him if he was going to jump. The responses I expected were "Yes", crazy and "Hell No", not jumping. What he said was "maybe". The Tom I thought I knew would never jump off a 300 foot high bridge suspened by a big rubber band. But, just because we filled out the waivers, listened to the safety talk, and had our names on the board, didn't mean we were actually going to jump.
Sierra was one of the first names on the board and she became increasingly nervous as her turn got closer. She was surprised at how calm both Tom and I were the entire time. But in her mind, she knew she was going to jump. If I knew I was going to jump, I didn't admit it to myself. I suspect Tom was the same.
I didnt find out until later, but Sierra had been watching James, the owner of Central Oregon Bungee Adventures, give a "pep talk" to the most reluctant jumpers. He usually didn't step in unless it looked like the jumper was going to back out at the last minute. Sierra requested his "pep talk" before she even got near the edge of the platform. Smart woman! She listened to whatever it was James had to say then calmly walked right off the edge of the platform without hesitation. After a successful jump and hoist back to the platform, she almost immediately jumped again, this time going off backwards. She jumped so fast we barely had time to process or record it!
It was my turn next and I was still completely calm... very strange since I just watched my baby girl jump off a bridge, twice! I didnt know about the pep talks or the option to walk straight off the plank. I was completely calm as I followed instructions to walk to the edge. I was not so calm as I looked down and was instructed to move sideways and stand on the pink X on the ledge outside the safety rail. My hands were behind me with a death grip on the rail. I saw the ground 300 feet below and thought of my bungee experience 30 years ago. My friends/coworkers on the ground had counted down at least 3 times before I finally jumped. Deja vu.
It was terrifying and I told the bungee guys next to me that I thought I could do it but I can't. They encouaged me and counted down 3-2-1 but my grip got tighter and, judging by the pictures, my face got paler. I could hear the cheers of encouragement from Sierra and her coworkers/friends and I remembered that I did this before, 30 years ago. The guys counted down again and, somehow, I let go of the rail, grabbed my harness straps and leaned forward. I screamed all the way down, and up, and down. My legs were flailing around like they were trying to find the platform and I didn't let go of my harness straps until I needed my hands to attach the hoist cable. It's amazing how much comfort there is in holding on to something even if it's falling with you.
Tom was next. I still couldn't believe I jumped and I really couldn't believe Tom was going to jump. He should get a pep talk! Before I could start my video recording, Tom walked off the edge with his arms out like a confident acrobat. What? No pep talk? No death-grip on the rail or harness? No flailing legs? According to spectator voices on the video recordings, Tom wins for the most flawless jump.
Sierra, Tom and I intended to explore nearby Smith Rock after bungee jumping. Instead, we went to Smith Rock, agreed it was beautiful, took a picture and left. We needed a drink more than a hike. Tom and I had planned to go dancing our last night in Bend but jumping off a bridge is exhausting. Maybe bungee jumping is ageless after all. Happy to be alive, Sierra, Tom and I celebrated our success with dinner and drinks at 10 Barrel then went to bed early.
Slideshow - Days 25 - 27
Here are photos from Days 25 - 27 of our RV trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon.
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