Ah, the fun of flying by the seat of your pants. A Groupon brought three friends and I to Dagaz…read moreAcres, which was just an hour's drive from Cincinnati. Located in rural Indiana, allow yourself some extra time to arrive for your appointment as you can easily get lost on those winding country roads.
My friends and I were part of a 14-member group of guests which was led by two guides: Kate and Patrick, the owner. We started by putting on gear which was double checked, first by Kate, then by Patrick. Next, we went to the practice zip line where we got a crash course on how to fly. The practice zip line is only five feet off the ground and teaches everyone the mechanics and safety of your equipment. Each participant takes a turn before heading off for the real deal.
The zip line course consists of seven dual zip lines that you can ride alongside a friend, three canopy zip lines, a high-wire Burma bridge, and a wooden plank pirate bridge. Throughout the course you get to launch off and land on various platforms, staircases, planks, and tree top forts. The fastest zip line is called The Big Nasty, which is 500 feet long and 70 feet off the ground.
Zip lining lasted a solid two hours and we definitely got our monies worth. Patrick was a riot; he reminded me of dear ol' Dad teaching me how to ride a bike. He was encouraging, made sure everyone zipped with confidence, and loved cracking jokes. He even showed off his advanced moves, spinning around on the line or swinging backwards. Most importantly, he made sure everyone was safe for each and every zip. When you call to reserve your tour, be sure to ask to have Patrick as your guide.
Pretty much anyone can go zip lining: children, retirees, avid rock climbers, and nonathletic people. The only requirements are that you are over 8 years old, weigh no more than 250 lbs, and are capable of doing a short walk up a hill. Our group had two rock climbers, two children, four teenagers, three middle-aged parents, and a handful of 20-somethings And we all had a blast.
TIPS:
- For attire, wear athletic shoes or hiking boots. Converse tend to slip if the trail is soft. Absolutely NO open toed shoes. Jeans and a tee shirt or exercise clothes are most practical.
- Helmets come equipped with camera mounts, perfect if you have a mini video camera.
- For regular cameras, bring at your own risk. Make sure you can securely zip line with it stored in a belt pouch or pocket.