Day Five – Challenged!

Some of you may need to sit down for this…I climbed a 65′ pole today to cross tight wires, suspended logs, and a bunch of wooden ladders hanging between the pole I climbed and five others just like it.  After crossing these spans, the only way back down was a zip line to a platform 75 yards away.  Yes, I did it! No, I DON’T want to do it again! What was I thinking!?  I can hear Miss Agnes now saying, “You WHAT!?”  Yes, Ma’am, I did!

This was all part of a team-building day of mental and physical exercises that challenged our group of 14 in many ways.  It was a most enjoyable and successful activity–not to mention exhausting–which allowed us to interact in decision-making, problem-solving, and to test our own limits.  We had the opportunity to get to know one another and to learn each one’s strengths and weaknesses, some in leadership, some in the understanding of the laws of physics, and some in crossing a river of toxic peanut butter…blindfolded…without speaking.  You can check it out at http://campusrec.okstate.edu/outdooradventure/challengecourse.

We were at Camp Redlands from 9 a.m. this morning until 5 p.m. this evening.  Yes, it was hot (96° by the bank clock on the way back to campus), but it was a dry heat.  Unlike 96° in NC weather, where sweat runs into your eyes, streams down the back of your legs, and soaks everything you are wearing , we were perspiring but it was evaporating as fast as it was exiting the sweat glands–that’s the way it’s suppose to work. I could get used to this!

Back at the dorm, the only thing I wanted was a long shower, a quick supper, and to fall climb into the bed (I’ve got to lower that thing–it’s higher than my kitchen cabinets at home!).  I’ve had the shower, eaten, and the only thing left is to climb into that bed that is calling my name.

At least it’s not 65′ high!  “Come on, Kathy! You’re almost there! You can do it!”