We've all had those moments when we have thought, "Why did I do this?" Normal people just have moments, whereas, I had an almost entire afternoon of this.
It all started when we took my sister up to college this past August. I ended up staying with a few guys from her freshmen (now sophomore) class. And we had a blast! It was truly fun. But then I heard that they were planning a trip. Just a day trip down to the Snake River. To go cliff-jumping.
**Before you read any further, I must forewarn you by saying that I am not as appreciative of heights as other people are.**
Now, I have gone cliff-jumping before. So, I was not that apprehensive about going with them. It ended up being a group of fifteen of us, and we had a great afternoon. We parked down by one side of the river and clambered out of the fifteen passenger. Some of us started unloading the one man canoe that we had rented for the occasion, while the rest of us climbed up to the point that we would be jumping from.
I glanced over the edge. It was probably about a thirty foot drop. Not too bad, I thought to myself. But I didn't really think that when I jumped over the edge a few minutes later. My stomach did drop out, but I was able to get it back at the bottom.
After we had leapt a couple of times, some of us (not I) started eyeing the cliffs on the other side of the river. Apparently, they were bigger. After some discussing and debating, we finally decided to swim across.
Although I am not a fantastic swimmer, I do enjoy the water. But when the river is over a quarter mile wide, you do become acutely aware of how far it is to the other side. So, it was definitely with a thankful spirit that I reached the other shore. By this time, many of the group had already started ascending, actually, hiking would be the best word, to the point.
Now, in my mind, when you have to hike to a certain point, you should not jump from it.
By the time that I joined them at the top, there was only about five of us left. As I reached the summit, I saw a guy walk back from the edge and say, "I shouldn't have looked.. I'm not jumping."
Of course, I'm thinking, Really. That's just great.
And so we stood there on the plateau for abit. None of us wanting to be the first to walk away, but none of us had the urge to jump. During this game of waiting, my mind was in a state of war. But, out of all the emotions that I was feeling, curiosity won out. Oh, curiosity, you foul temptress. I shuffled to the edge, and peered over.
Why?
It was quite the drop. That's definitely soft-serving it. Just imagine the rest of the group at the base waiting for us. Now, these guys aren't small, but from that vantage point, they looked small.
What had I gotten myself into?
When I walked, or rather, backed away from the ledge, I expressed the sentiment that we all shared. "I shouldn't have looked over." Thus, the torturous game of stalement continued. But, finally, one of us cracked, and jumped. Then the next followed. Then pretty soon I was by myself on top of the cliff, who hadn't jumped yet. It was the domino effect in real life.
I breathed in and out slowly, trying to collect myself. But I had a severe case of deerintheheadlights. I heard the encouragements from the base of the cliff shouted up through the different hemispheres. I looked over again. Nope.. shouldn't have done that.
And then, without thinking about it, or reasoning about it, I turned, ran, and fell off the cliff. I would be lying to you if I said that I jumped. Because I barely left the ground. Rather, the ground left me. I only fell for about four seconds, but four seconds is enough to prepare yourself for Heaven. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about being suspended in midair for too long, because my back soon made plenty of contact with the water to last me awhile.
Ouch.
That was the only word that was floating around in my head as I re-emerged.
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