Jerry in full zipline regalia
Gladys Lujan
Jerry Lujan had been looking forward to tandem skydiving on his 80th birthday — a long-time number one item on his bucket list. Jerry had met all the physical requirements of the skydiving station in Eloy; however, because he had had both knees replaced, his orthopedic doctor did not think this was a good idea, responding with a pithy “no” when asked his opinion. So, the next best thing on his list was to zipline. (Jerry said that bungee jumping from nearby bridges was out of the question as the drop wasn’t far and only sand at end, not water!) Fortunately for Jerry, there is a zipline company in Oracle (ZIPARIZONA.com) which he visited, liked what he saw and pronounced to me and to some friends that that was how he wanted to celebrate his 80th on Sunday, June 5. Ken Shelton, a friend and neighbor (and one of this country’s premier Kentucky rifle builders), decided to accompany Jerry as it was something he had been wanting to do as well.
As Jerry and Ken described it, “It was a fun and exciting adventure.” Zipping from post to post was exhilarating. Between some stations, however, the zipliners had to hike to get to the next jumping-off spot. No problem for either. Until the very last looooooong, arduous uphill trek to the final station. Although Jerry tries to stay fit by playing tennis and visiting the fitness center two or three times a week to stay toned up and get his cardiac workout, he found out that the last hike was a real endurance test! After struggling to get to the top of the very steep hill, he saw a wooden tower that went all the way up, up, up into the clouds (so he imagined). It was built somewhat like a fire tower in a forest. Going up it was eight steps, landing, turn, eight steps, landing, turn, for maybe four stories, until the top was finally reached. At that point he breathlessly told the guide that the others should go first and he would go last, giving him a little time to recover. “Oh, no,” said the guide, “You are going first.” Then as he hooked Jerry up to the zipline, he radioed down to base saying, “The Old Man is coming down first and you better get him into the air conditioning and some cold water.”(Knowing that this was his birthday celebration, the guides had been referring to Jerry as the “Old Man.”)
Ken, being a number of years younger, did not have the same difficulty with the last long uphill trek, scampering up the hill and having no problem at all with the multi-storied tower (ah, the physical capacity of youth!).
Jerry was hooked up to No. 5 and Ken was on No. 6, both lines ran parallel so the zippers could race. Off they went with their legs tucked up tightly so they could go faster. Jerry, outweighing Ken by many pounds, got to the bottom first—and how! Jerry said he didn’t think the brakes were working very well as he hit the bottom with a terrific whack and bounced back about 20 feet – so far back they had to tow him in so he could dismount. “A perfect ride,” said the guide as he unhooked Jerry.
When Ken and Jerry were walking back to the office the next group of seven was getting ready to go. Included in that group was a boy about 10 years old! After they were out of their harnesses, a young couple in Jerry’s group said, “Wow, did you feel the rush?” “Rush, what rush?” thought Jerry as he and Ken left, looking forward to some cool refreshments at Jerry’s house.
All in all, for Jerry it was a great way to celebrate his 80th (despite his disappointment at not being able to skydive). He is quoted as saying that he would try ziplining again — only if it doesn’t involve climbing any loooooong hill and a multi-storied tower!
To make his 80th celebration complete, his daughter Lisa was visiting from Nampa, Idaho; our sons, Michael (California) and Christopher (Virginia) called with their birthday wishes. And our Virginia grandchildren, Kyle, Tyler and Katelyn, sang him their birthday wishes over the phone, adding “Grandpa, you are cool!”