I recently spent a long weekend in Vegas with some really great people. Unfortunately, while I was there I came down with a horrible sinus infection / cold / whatever thing. Did I let this stop me? No. Should I have let this stop me? Probably. Especially since it's nearly 7 days later and I'm still wheezing and hacking like I've smoked for 50 years (which i most certainly have not!).
Anyway, the story which is about to unfold is set in the desert outside of Las Vegas in a town called Bolder City at a place called Bootleg Canyon. On this stiffling hot 105 degree, not a cloud in the sky day, we decided that it would be a good idea to take a Zip Line Tour. Now, it must be said that this decision was made weeks in advance BEFORE I got sick.
In order for you to get the full impact of my story you must also know the following:
1. I am highly prone to motion sickness and I spent 40 minutes in the back seat of a 15 passenger van on the way to our destination.
2. Yes. I was very sick already.
3. I had a hot dog for lunch.
It must also be said that I had no idea that this little foray into the desert included a "short" hike to our destination. Upon arriving at Bootleg Canyon, I'll admit that I was a little green from the van ride, followed by the non-air conditioned school bus ride over. But, me being the kind of person who hates to be perceived as weak in any way, I forged ahead. I was the first to get in line behind our guide to begin our ascent to the first release point. About halfway up I began to feel even more nauseated but I pressed on. Did I mention it was 105 degrees? We got to the top and I was definitely winded.
When you are the fattest person in a group, you never want anyone to know that you are winded or feeling nauseous in these situations because you always feel like people assume it's because you are so out of shape. The second thing you think is that the others must believe that you are hungover from the night before because this is Vegas after all. I grabbed a bottle of water and tried not to cough up a lung before being hooked into the harness for our initial descent. I would have been terrified, but I was literally willing myself not to puke in front of these people. My eyes were watering so badly from my illness that I could barely see.
But, once they hit the release and I began my zip line descent, a broad smile came across my face. This was freakin awesome. Then, I became blinded by my salty watery eyes and I was having trouble seeing the hand signals from our guide. Fortunately, I saw his signal to change positions just in time. For a split second I thought, "why am I flying past Tony when he dropped before me?" Then, I hit and instead of being "caught" by my guide I bounced back off the platform with a vengance. It did not feel good. They way back to the platform was to rock back and forth inching your way over. This was NOT helping my stomach at all. Here come the prayers "please don't puke. please don't puke. You just have to make it until they unlatch you and you can run up that hill."
Once I was unhooked I made a beeline for an "out of the way" place to hurl. Notice the picture below... There really was no "out of the way place".
During the next three runs, I tossed my cookies three more times, which resulted in being "asked" if I would take some Electrolytes.
Guide: Ma'am would you mind taking in some electrolytes? They are going to taste like 'poo' but you will feel a lot better.
Me: I'll take whatever you've got. I don't care how bad it tastes. Just give it to me.
The next picture would be after drinking said electrolytes which did indeed taste like poo, which caused me to vomit again.
My husband would be the one at the top taking the pictures. He would have helped me. But, he can't stand the sight of puke. He would most definitely "do it too."
My mantra on this trek was "never quit." There was no freakin way I was going to give up. But, I will say that judging from this next picture, it's safe to say that I was not hiding my dismay very well...
Suffice it to say that I did make it through all four runs and despite the fact that I was indeed sick as a dog, totally mortified and sweating like it was my job... I would definitely do it all over again. I left pride and dignity in Bootleg Canyon. But, I did not leave my gumption.
Let's end this on a good note.... At least at the beginning of the tour, I had a smile on my face. :)
Cheers!
Margaret
Painful! Sorry you went through this but, as always, you kept your head up!
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