Remember when Emily, Allie, and I came up with Valentine’s Day Dates based on where we lived? And remember how I chose canyon-glacier swinging as the activity? Well, my Valentine is unfortunately across oceans from me and so we couldn’t go together. But, I was able to convince my other Valentine, Hannah, to join me for a major adrenaline rush! Yay!

We took the train up to Interlaken, which just so happens to be my favorite train ride because it is the most beautiful train ride. Then, we were picked up at the train station by the same company who took us canyoning last semester and driven halfway up the canyon. We had to hike the rest of the way up because it was too icy to drive up.

Once we made it to the top, we watched the group before us jump off the platform into the canyon and free fall for over 200 feet before the harness caught them and swung them across the glacier. Watching them definitely made me nervous. But, as soon as I got on the platform, I surprisingly felt pretty calm. The guide counted 3, 2, 1 and I jumped off without hesitation.

And let me tell you…it was by far the coolest thing I have ever done and the most amazing experience. At first you feel like you’re just floating and then you realize that you’re not floating but free falling…that’s when I yelled out “OH MY GOSH!” And as soon as I got those three words out, the harness pulled tight and I went swinging straight towards the other side of the canyon. It was so beautiful with the glacier below and the snow everywhere. As soon as my harness pulled tight, I wanted to do it again. When I got back on to solid ground, I was shaking because of the amount of adrenaline running through my blood stream. Next up was Hannah, and she jumped off without hesitation too! She barely even screamed because she said the wind knocked her voice right out of her!

This may have been my favorite day of the entire semester so far.

And guess what I’ve got video footage documenting the entire thing!

Also, I didn’t tell my mom that I was going canyon jumping until after I did it. And I told her by just sending her the video. Here was her reaction: “OMG!! MY BLOOD PRESSURE JUST WENT UP AND I HAVE 20 NEW GREY HAIRS ON MY HEAD!!!! WHY ARE YOU SO ADVENTUROUS?! AHHHHHHH!!!”

But, hey! I’ve learned that it is best to tell your parents after you plan on doing something a little crazy like that so that they don’t worry the whole time you’re off doing something crazy. By the time you tell them, you’ll be safe and sound and they don’t have to worry. Trust me…it’s just better that way!