In researching for the most interesting places to visit in No. Ireland, I ran across the website for the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The pictures of it were beautiful, but it definitely caused my stomach to flip at the thought of whether I could actually cross this rope bridge, which is almost 100 feet above the rocky, angry waves below.
The hike to the bridge was beautiful in itself, but as we rounded the bend to see the rope bridge, Rob, Bob, Jan, and I took a few deep, nervous breaths before we headed to the bridge. We were a bit (actually, MORE than a bit) concerned because we had been told that the wind was very strong that day and the bridge could possibly be closed if the winds increased. Seeing the swaying bridge caused some people to change their minds at the last minute. But we anxiously moved on.
We had to carefully place one foot in front of the other while tightly holding the rope railings. However, I clutched Dave’s ashes in my right fist so I could only rest my fist on the rope. The wind was buffeting us tremendously. Once over the water, I opened my hand and instantly clutched the railing. How exhilarating once we reached the other side! The view was indescribable–the blue, blue water, the clear blue sky, wildflowers growing on the cliff sides. The only problem was we had to walk back. Gulp!
We were told that sometimes people finally make it across and were so frightened that they wouldn’t walk back so boats had to be sent to the island to pick them up. If we had done that, Dave would’ve hung his head in shame at such a “wussie” family.
Friends exclaimed, “What, are you crazy!! You wouldn’t catch me doing that.” I can only recall how many times I said those words to Dave.
Well, Dave, I hope we did you proud.
Dave we must have made you laugh while we did that.Pat is being kind…I was wiggin’ inside. The wind through that pass was intense to say the least. Buffeting us back and forth, rope bridge doing the shake rattle and roll, hair blinding your eyes, no comforting harness and a belay slave to call my own. Saving grace was it was as quick as we could scamper across, and worst on the return trip. (Ignorance is bliss). Thinking of you all day today…Happy Birthday, hope you’re enjoying the hell out of your new adventures.