Ready...HEP!!!

Practice Flight

Legs up...hands off...catch...if you clicked on the video above you will see the cell phone movie capture of Kelly's first flight. Going where no Visconti has gone before, circus school. Though if you know my family you might find it hard to believe. :)

I've got to say 29 has set the standard for birthdays, first the Grand Canyon and then trapeze lessons. Liz came for the weekend to Austin TX and had a birthday adventure planned for Saturday.
A few days ago I got, "Are you afraid of heights?" Hmmm...no, but I am not interested in bungee jumping or sky diving. The day before I got was "pack clothes for hiking, swimming, and sort of tight but not too tight...yoga like clothes." Hmmm....okay. Saturday morning 8 am we were off and as we were driving she asked for my insurance card to fill out the accident waiver. Hmmm...okay.

Well about an hour later we pulled up to this very nice spa called The Crossings in the suburbs of Austin and as we drove to the entrance I saw it...the trapeeze...we were going flying.

The company is called the Trapeze Experience and they travel around the country set up for a few months at different locations and offer the chance to try out your inner circus performer.

http://www.trapeze-experience.com/

Peter has been doing this for 20-25 years and he was great, as well as his staff. They were all very friendly and supportive. It was completely safe and I was only scared a few times. Like the first time I jumped off the platform hoping I would be able to hold onto the bar and follow the commands to do the knee hang. Well I did hold on and fumble through it and even if I hadn't there are safety lines and a bouncy net that was fun in itself.


It was great and thoroughly enjoyable and yes a little scary and thrilling all at the same time. The first time I went when I came down I was physically shaking from the adrenaline rush. Fantastic! There are few things in life that really get that feeling for you and this one is in a very safe environment. Anyone interested? They are up in the Hamptons over the summers...

It was a small class but the other ladies had all done it before and were working other tricks so it was great to see what else you could learn.


Liz's Catch! NICE! First time...

Liz kicked butt and could do the knee hang trick no problem by the second try, took me a few more but we were working up to doing a "catch" where Peter actually gripped the wrists and through the air you fly. I just missed the first time, we touched hands but didn't connect. But they gave me another go and he was there and off I went. Like the circus. Cool.


We spent the rest of the day reliving the experience and chilling in the spa, yoga class and then to the Clay Pit for dinner. Great Indian food - experienced the downtown Austin vibe, saw Lance Armstrong's bar called "Six" (six tour de france wins), Oilcan Henrys and made our way back to the state park I am camped out at.

I've got to say the State Parks have been the winners for places to stay. Without fail great facilities, actual nature setting and nice people. Minimal services like laundry and internet but in a place like Austin there is not shortage of those things.

The Austin experience has been great, this very oddly placed liberal center of this conservative state. I'll be here for a few days figuring out my next move. Come October 19th I'll be in New Orleans area doing some Habitat work...very excited for that...

Cheers and happy flying...
Kelly