I had told Jon that I was going to wait and give him his birthday present once he got to New Zealand. My gift to him was a bungy jump off of the Kawarau Bridge. This was the site of the first bungy jump ever, and the adrenaline was flowing as we got ready for our jump.
There was a definate moment for both of us when we stood up on the ledge and knew we had to jump. The thought was “no way can I do this,” but then you had to. There were a couple seconds of thinking it was a really bad idea, and then the bungy cord took hold and the free fall slowed.
This shows our jumps. I am on the left, and Jon is on the right. Beth took photos.
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My stomach droppped to my toes just looking at the photo. The first picture was awesome enough, but then when I discovered the two of you….Wow!!!!!!!
wowsers! Great pics!! Tell me more about what it felt like? And then they slowly pull you up by your feet? How close did you get to the water? Was jon surprised at the gift? Did he want to accept it? ;^) You’ll never forget!!!
Comment by Ron Windymiller — July 26, 2007 @ 8:18 am
…hahaha…love the comment about the first two seconds! You guys are having the adventure of a lifetime! I’m so happy for all of you! Thanks for such good postings! They are great!
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW FUN to look at the photos!!! (Good job, Beth!) That has got to be one of the coolest (if not coolest) birthday presents in the entire world! Bungee jumping from the first bungee-jumping place ever! And why am I not surprised?!? I love that quality–whatever you call it–in my sons! I think I’m glad I didn’t know about it ahead of time, though. Way to think up an awesome idea, Josh, and way to accept the challenge, Gunder! And how awesome that you got to experience it together! Dad is right–you will *never* forget it! I could genuinely rave on and on, but I better scoot, as I’m on Lakes Library time. Love you both! And so glad you’re safe and together!
Jon seemed pretty excited about the gift when I told him about it. I went first. Jon was a bit scared, but he got over it and jumped.
The jump felt pretty crazy. Your stomach drops and then you just wait for the cord to catch, then once it does you can relax and enjoy the ride. You could supposedly touch the water, but we only came within a couple feet of it. Then a raft came over and untied and we walked back to the top.
Holy cow what a rush! Who tied the bungy cord on you and did you ask how do they decide when they need replacing?
Comment by Matthew Smith — July 26, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
I’m so jealous, dude. Very creative b-day present. Sounds like a good 30th birthday present (not too far off for us). Let me know when you’re coming back to the states–I have to show you my second son Bryce, and hopefully get you a job so you’ll stick around .
- loser.baby
Hey Randy! There were a couple of guys who tied up the bungies. They wrapped a towel around our ankles, and then tied a rope thing around that fastened to the cord somehow. They make all the bungy cord there, and a sign said that they replace it every 6 months or 500 jumps whichever comes first.
Holy Cow! Oh my gosh! The photos are so vivid to let us all feel like we were there. How long do you think you were hanging upside down before they came and got you.
I do think it is a great birthday present, too. I think it would be something great for you to surprise your mom with for her birthday. She told me yesterday that she sort of thought she might like to try something thrilling like the jumping to sort of shake out some of her scaredy-cats. Literally and figuratively. Oh, I forgot, it’s a secret that she said that and now I’m telling the world! Well, something worth thinking about. For your mom. Definitely not for me. Remember, I would need to cry!
Comment by Les Moore(/Gradpa) — July 30, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Your Mom & Dad are here in Ames and got me onto your blog. Fascinating! I remember seeing that bungy jump off that bridge when Uncle Dale and I were in Queenstown. Continue to enjoy yourself. Love, Grandpa
21 Comments »
Comment by josh — July 26, 2007 @ 12:17 am
I had told Jon that I was going to wait and give him his birthday present once he got to New Zealand. My gift to him was a bungy jump off of the Kawarau Bridge. This was the site of the first bungy jump ever, and the adrenaline was flowing as we got ready for our jump.
There was a definate moment for both of us when we stood up on the ledge and knew we had to jump. The thought was “no way can I do this,” but then you had to. There were a couple seconds of thinking it was a really bad idea, and then the bungy cord took hold and the free fall slowed.
This shows our jumps. I am on the left, and Jon is on the right. Beth took photos.
Comment by Clara — July 26, 2007 @ 1:41 am
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My stomach droppped to my toes just looking at the photo. The first picture was awesome enough, but then when I discovered the two of you….Wow!!!!!!!
Comment by dadman — July 26, 2007 @ 5:52 am
wowsers! Great pics!! Tell me more about what it felt like? And then they slowly pull you up by your feet? How close did you get to the water? Was jon surprised at the gift? Did he want to accept it? ;^) You’ll never forget!!!
Comment by Ron Windymiller — July 26, 2007 @ 8:18 am
…hahaha…love the comment about the first two seconds! You guys are having the adventure of a lifetime! I’m so happy for all of you! Thanks for such good postings! They are great!
Comment by Peg Moore — July 26, 2007 @ 8:22 am
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW FUN to look at the photos!!! (Good job, Beth!) That has got to be one of the coolest (if not coolest) birthday presents in the entire world! Bungee jumping from the first bungee-jumping place ever! And why am I not surprised?!?
I love that quality–whatever you call it–in my sons! I think I’m glad I didn’t know about it ahead of time, though. 
Way to think up an awesome idea, Josh, and way to accept the challenge, Gunder! And how awesome that you got to experience it together! Dad is right–you will *never* forget it! I could genuinely rave on and on, but I better scoot, as I’m on Lakes Library time. Love you both! And so glad you’re safe and together! 
Comment by Peg Moore — July 26, 2007 @ 8:24 am
I’m looking at the pics again. Every time I see the bungee jumping ones, I just laugh and shake my head. And smile.
You guys rule! XOXOX
Comment by Peg Moore — July 26, 2007 @ 8:29 am
Who went first?!? And how did that make the second person feel before jumping?!?
Comment by josh — July 26, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Jon seemed pretty excited about the gift when I told him about it. I went first. Jon was a bit scared, but he got over it and jumped.
The jump felt pretty crazy. Your stomach drops and then you just wait for the cord to catch, then once it does you can relax and enjoy the ride. You could supposedly touch the water, but we only came within a couple feet of it. Then a raft came over and untied and we walked back to the top.
Comment by Miriam — July 26, 2007 @ 10:55 am
You two are nuts. I LOVE YOU!! Keep having a great time & doing crazy things that you’ll remember and laugh about for years. You guys rock.
Comment by Claire — July 26, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Haha, love it. Is Jon giving rock fingers? \m/ What a cool thing to do.
Comment by Claire — July 26, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
P.S. Did you scream?
Comment by Randy Moore — July 26, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Holy cow what a rush! Who tied the bungy cord on you and did you ask how do they decide when they need replacing?
Comment by Matthew Smith — July 26, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
I’m so jealous, dude. Very creative b-day present. Sounds like a good 30th birthday present (not too far off for us). Let me know when you’re coming back to the states–I have to show you my second son Bryce, and hopefully get you a job so you’ll stick around
.
- loser.baby
Comment by josh — July 26, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Hey Randy! There were a couple of guys who tied up the bungies. They wrapped a towel around our ankles, and then tied a rope thing around that fastened to the cord somehow. They make all the bungy cord there, and a sign said that they replace it every 6 months or 500 jumps whichever comes first.
Comment by josh — July 26, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Yeah we screamed, and Jon was giving rock fingers
.
Matt, not sure when we are coming back but when I do, we can party with Bryce and Brady. Give mom and the kids my best!
Comment by Louise — July 27, 2007 @ 5:16 am
Holy Cow! Oh my gosh! The photos are so vivid to let us all feel like we were there. How long do you think you were hanging upside down before they came and got you.
I do think it is a great birthday present, too. I think it would be something great for you to surprise your mom with for her birthday. She told me yesterday that she sort of thought she might like to try something thrilling like the jumping to sort of shake out some of her scaredy-cats. Literally and figuratively. Oh, I forgot, it’s a secret that she said that and now I’m telling the world! Well, something worth thinking about. For your mom. Definitely not for me. Remember, I would need to cry!
Comment by Peg Moore — July 27, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Hey Louise, I will if you will! (NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Peg Moore — July 27, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Louise, we can just stick to our vacuum and mopping blogs! Hehehe!
Comment by josh — July 27, 2007 @ 11:10 am
We weren’t hanging upside down for too long… 30 seconds manybe. I do think that would be a good bday gift for Mom.
Comment by Peg Moore — July 28, 2007 @ 6:43 am
Comment by Les Moore(/Gradpa) — July 30, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Your Mom & Dad are here in Ames and got me onto your blog. Fascinating! I remember seeing that bungy jump off that bridge when Uncle Dale and I were in Queenstown. Continue to enjoy yourself. Love, Grandpa
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