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Fearful To Fierce! A True Adventure In Paradise

in Travel on 07/03/14

While on a trip to Puerto Vallarta I did some things out of my comfort zone. 

Way, WAY out of my comfort zone.

The day had started out rather like a fairy tale, we swam with dolphins and spoiled ourselves with some authentic Mexican cuisine.  Then our group of travel writers was presented with a challenge.  What did we think about jumping into an oversized open air jeep, taking a trek up into the mountains and trying our hand at zip lining, repelling, water rafting and riding a mule?  WHAT???  Well I can’t speak for the others in the group, but this Mama felt scared right down to the tip of her toes!  I am not an adventurer.  I didn’t jump off mountains or ride on donkeys?  Were these people nuts? For goodness sake I was wearing brand new shorts from Banana Republic and a pair of Toms.  Does this sound like “Adventure Girl” clothing to you?

With shaking hands and a fluttering heart I followed my group out to the over sized open air jeep that would take us to our destination; Canopy River.   Our adventure began immediately as we quickly left the city and began our drive into the mountains.  We had the unique and special experience of being tourists on these roads not often travelled.  We passed by small village towns, and humble homes, the cobble stone streets forcing us to slow down, wave at the locals, and allow a glimpse into real life in this part of the world.   

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We arrived at the top of the mountain, met our guides, put on our protective gear, received our instructions and prepared to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. 

I stood in line at the beginning of our hike, and held my breath until it was my turn on the zip line.  I steeled myself and then…. I threw my body off of the mountain. 

(I screamed a lot.)

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I repelled down the side of a cliff.  (and only screamed a little)

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I let go of that zip line and launched myself into a river.  It was a feeling of joy I simply can not explain!  I was free!

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My SassyHubby released himself into the river with much more style than I did.

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It was FFREAKIN AWESOME!!!

We swung like Tarzan and a very frightened Jane.

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I rode through some rapids on a tube, and took a moment to catch my breath. Astounded by the beauty that surrounded me, and feeling very blessed to be there.

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I then rode a mule back up the mountain to our home base of Canopy River. 

Me! I rode a mule!  (the wee donkey was very patient with me)

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I did the entire adventure in my Toms and frankly, I felt like a rock star.  Our fierce group of travel writers cheered each other on, supported one another, laughed and screamed until we were hoarse.  SassyHubby and I made memories, and I had some new bragging rights.  I was now an Adventurer! I could brag to my children that I conquered a mountain, did seven wild zip lines, threw myself into a river, tackled water rapids and rode a mule all by myself.  Truthfully, I knew my girls would be all kinds of proud and just a little bit jealous.  For almost three hours I didn’t think about bills, the kids, post deadlines, or what was for dinner.  I had truly left the real world behind and it was magical.

Thank you Canopy River for an experience I will never, ever forget!

Disclosure: I attended this tour as a guest of @PVVisist #pvpress trip, as always all opinions and thoughts are my own.  Please note that many photos were taken by our Canopy River Photographer, cameras were not allowed on this adventure.

  • « A Canopy Tour in Puerto Vallarta! I Did That! WW
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    Comments

    1. Amie says

      July 11, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      Just love this ! thanks so much for sharing !

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:14 pm

        You’re welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by!

    2. jan says

      July 11, 2014 at 11:21 am

      Good for you. it is so great to try something you never expected you would.

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:14 pm

        I can say I never thought I would jump off a mountain! It was incredible!

    3. Suzie M says

      July 10, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      Wow what a trip you had WTG

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:13 pm

        Thank you! It was fabulous!

    4. nicolthepickle says

      July 9, 2014 at 12:35 pm

      Ahh, I’m screaming with you. I’m scared of heights, but I still would like to try ziplining sometime.

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:13 pm

        LOL That zip line was SO long I ran out of breath and screams before the end!
        It was brilliant!

    5. Melinda says

      July 8, 2014 at 10:33 am

      Ziplining and rapids?! I’m so there! Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone 🙂

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:11 pm

        I vote you go for it! You will not regret it!
        (and thanks, I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone more often now!)

    6. Sandy says

      July 8, 2014 at 8:30 am

      Looks like an incredible adventure!

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:10 pm

        It truly was a great adventure!

    7. Soozle says

      July 7, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Oh wow! I am so proud of you for going outside your comfort zone and trying something new! The photos are amazing 🙂 What a wonderful looking experience for you and your hubs 🙂

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:09 pm

        Thank you! To be honest, I was a wee bit proud of myself! One day when I’m old (er) and grey and I can look back and say I did this!

    8. Lynda Cook says

      July 7, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      Happy to hear that you had the time of your life!

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:08 pm

        Thanks Lynda! Hope to go back and take my girls!

    9. Rob Brydon says

      July 5, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Looks and reads like a great time Stephanie, you sure had a strong grip on the float tube lol. The ultimate experience for an adrenaline junkie. 🙂

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:07 pm

        LOL How did you spot that! I was not falling into that river! 🙂

    10. RANDI COOK says

      July 5, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      What a great adventure!

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:07 pm

        I’m so glad I took the leap and went for it!

    11. MrDisco says

      July 5, 2014 at 12:59 pm

      now that’s quite a trip

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:07 pm

        It’s a trip I will never forget!

    12. Athena says

      July 4, 2014 at 10:18 pm

      It looks like such an amazing experience!

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:06 pm

        It really was an incredible experience! I’m ready to go back!

    13. shaunie says

      July 4, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      Looks like you had a lot of fun. Wish I could be fierceless and try this… just too afraid of heights

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:05 pm

        It’s not for everyone, but there was a great tequila tasting too!

    14. Jim says

      July 4, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      That looks amazing. I didn’t expect the water at the bottom of the sip line.

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:04 pm

        The water was only at the bottom of one zipline and it was INCREDIBLE! The guide screamed at us to let go, and I did! Swoosh! Right into the fresh water! It was refreshing and exhilarating. Gosh, now I want to go back!

    15. Darlene Schuller says

      July 4, 2014 at 7:49 pm

      Wow girl!! I must say, you have a smile that lights up the world around you! Great pictures!

      • Stephanie says

        July 18, 2014 at 11:03 pm

        Good Grief Girl! You leave the sweetest of comments!
        Thank you for always leaving a little bit of sunshine on my blog, you have no idea how much that means to me!

        • Darlene Schuller says

          July 18, 2014 at 11:10 pm

          HONESTY………….its the only way to live.. don’t hold back when it comes to saying nice things.. everyone needs to & loves to hear them.

          Heck just this week we had a store owner helping us locate something. They couldn’t, was later found it..and called them to thank them for their time, it meant so much that they put so much time and effort into assisting us.

          LIttle things like that make all the difference in the world. I changed a lot after Mayson died.

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    Travel addict, sun seeker, coffee drinker, fashion lover, picture taker. This is a peek behind the closed and competitive doors of the suburbs. A place to come to learn about the best places to travel with your kids in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and beyond! stephanie@sassymodernmom.com
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