I am in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right now, where in addition to taking a class all week, I've managed to sneak in more than 20 billable hours on projects after class sessions. Now the class is done, and I have two days to play before I return home.
Friday I will be doing the Zip Line Canopy Tour in the morning. This is the same Zip Line tour that I did when I was here two years ago. It was really fun and I can hardly wait. This is also the same tour that JulieS has done a couple of times. Here is the link to their website if you are interested. Los Veranos Canopy Tours
Saturday I'll be doing an "Outdoor Adventure... Canopy's Big Brother." Here is the description from the brochure:
For adventure and nature lovers. Boat travel, rappelling, hiking, ziplines, mule riding and hanging bridges.
Designed for maximum adventure, this experience takes place in an area of unspoiled tropical forest where scenic beauty and rich ecological habitats create a true tropical paradise.
Only by leaving the "civilized" world can one truly appreciate the pristine beauty and immeasurable vastness of the Mexican outdoors. The beautiful scenery, spectacular sights and incredibly varied flora and fauna you'll encounter while hiking and riding mules through the sub-tropical forest makes our Outdoor Expreience the experience of a lifetime.
This thrilling adventure brings out the child in all of us. (Like I really need an adventure like this to bring out the child in me). We'll journey to the heart of the Sierra Madre, where you'll learn a variety of wilderness techniques, splash through streams, rappel through waterfalls into natural river pools, and soar 200 feet above the ground over the jungle foliage on a 1,000-foot zip line! Don't miss the opportunity to discover and explore the extraordinary biodiversity hidden under the canopy of the jungle.
Sounds like my kind of adventure. Here is a link to the website for this adventure if you are interested: Outdoor Adventure
I just hope I survive since I'm still a bit sore from last weekend's skiing adventures! Too bad I have to return to work next week, although next week's work will include a trip to Chicago, so I guess it's not all bad!
The old-timers on this site are used to hearing this sort of thing. However, some of you may be asking what Jeff's travel log has to do with weight-loss surgery.
My answer is that it has EVERYTHING to do with weight loss surgery, and that is especially true with these adventures that have weight limits associated with them.
Full Version: Playtime In Puerto Vallarta
Jeff, thanks for the tour of your great time in Mexico! I almost can see myself there.
You are right, it has EVERYTHING to do with WLS when someone can get to the point that they can do things they only dreamed of doing in the past. Continue living the dream and have a great time on the Zip line!
You are right, it has EVERYTHING to do with WLS when someone can get to the point that they can do things they only dreamed of doing in the past. Continue living the dream and have a great time on the Zip line!
Pictures! All I can say is that I can't wait to see your pictures!!!
Love the run down and love you MOUJ! Way to LIVE my friend!
Love the run down and love you MOUJ! Way to LIVE my friend!
What a thrill MOUJ! Thanks for giving us even MORE incentive to drop this weight once and for all!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY the way to LIVE MOUJ!!! 
YOU ROCK!
Now....did ya have to go and mention the OUTDOOR ADVENTURE?? Look's like i'll just HAVE to make a trip back to PV!!!
Dont know if my back could handle that one...but the ZIPLINES ARE FOREVER!!!
I will be looking forward to pictures as well...this will give me the VISUAL on whether my back will withstand it or not!! lol..
I dont want to say I DID IT while coming home and not being able to walk!
LIFE IS GOOD!! GOOD LIVIN' LIFE!!
Julie S = Sunshine
YOU ROCK! Now....did ya have to go and mention the OUTDOOR ADVENTURE?? Look's like i'll just HAVE to make a trip back to PV!!!
Dont know if my back could handle that one...but the ZIPLINES ARE FOREVER!!!
I will be looking forward to pictures as well...this will give me the VISUAL on whether my back will withstand it or not!! lol..
I dont want to say I DID IT while coming home and not being able to walk!
LIFE IS GOOD!! GOOD LIVIN' LIFE!!
Julie S = Sunshine
Hey Jeff:
After all your buddies have finished the bottle of tequila, you can have the protein in the bottom of the bottle!!! Have fun and be safe..
After all your buddies have finished the bottle of tequila, you can have the protein in the bottom of the bottle!!! Have fun and be safe..
The Zip Line was FANTASTIC!!! I love the Zip Line.
It was funny that a couple of times I didn't make it all the way to the landing platform. Since I'm not as cute as JulieS, and quite frankly I didn't want the tour guide wrapping his legs around me to retrieve me, I had to go hand-over-hand. I asked what I was doing wrong, and they said that I'm probably just not heavy enough... especially when my buddy who made the weight limit by 2 pounds was behind me, and he weighed down the cable and decreased my slope down to the platform.
Also, staying at an "All Inclusive" resort is interesting. They are making their money off of me since I don't use alcohol and I don't eat much (I have enjoyed a few "virgin" drinks though).
Adventure Toure is tomorrow!!! Here is a picture from the Zip Line.
It was funny that a couple of times I didn't make it all the way to the landing platform. Since I'm not as cute as JulieS, and quite frankly I didn't want the tour guide wrapping his legs around me to retrieve me, I had to go hand-over-hand. I asked what I was doing wrong, and they said that I'm probably just not heavy enough... especially when my buddy who made the weight limit by 2 pounds was behind me, and he weighed down the cable and decreased my slope down to the platform.
Also, staying at an "All Inclusive" resort is interesting. They are making their money off of me since I don't use alcohol and I don't eat much (I have enjoyed a few "virgin" drinks though).
Adventure Toure is tomorrow!!! Here is a picture from the Zip Line.
MOUJ....this looks incredible! Wow...what an adventure! I would love to see pix and hear more adventures when you get back!
I too agree, the whole thing has EVERYTHING to do with SWL
Have a great rest of your trip!
Stephanie
I too agree, the whole thing has EVERYTHING to do with SWL
Have a great rest of your trip!
Stephanie
I am seriously living vicariously through you right now! What a grand adventure...and I agree with everyone else...living IS what wls is about, and you are a great representation of just that.
What a great picture!!! Thanks for posting it and I love that you are so dang healthy that you were able to GET yourself to the platform...hand over hand. Talk about a serious workout!!!
Thanks for taking the time to update us all here back home MOUJ! This is a great adventure. You inspire me. To face my own fears and to go for the gusto always.
hugs.
hugs.
Yea, the Zip Line tour was fabulous, but today's "Outdoor Adventure" put it to shame.
Julie S, before your next trip to Puerto Vallarta, you need to get in touch with me. I think this one beats the Veranos Zip Line Tour!
The Outdoor Adventure started with a 20-minute speed boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to an inlet near the Veranos area. Then a ride in a 4-Wheel Drive truck up a narrow and bumpy mountain road. Upon arriving at the base camp, you get strapped into your harness, you put on a helmet, and receive orientation. Then there is a short hike to the mule pen, where each participant is assigned a mule. You ride the mule up the mountain along a narrow, winding path for about 30 minutes.
Then there are a series of Zip Lines... not as long as those at the Veranos Tour, but they seemed faster. You work your way to the waterfall through a series of Zip Lines and about 20 minutes of hiking. When you get to the waterfall, it is time to learn how to rappel. It has been a long time since I have felt scared trying something new, but I have to admit that having never tried rappelling, I was scared as I stepped backward off the platform to begin rappelling down the waterfall. But as you can tell from the fact that I am typing now, I survived. The next Zip Line ended in a small but deep pool in the river which was quite cold.
Then there was some more hiking, which included a rope bridge and a tight rope (with another rope to grab with your hands), and several crossings of the river without any bridges, so you keep getting wet and dirty. Of course we were already soaked from landing in the water from the Zip Line. A few more Zip Lines, some more hiking, and some more river crossings, and the adventure came to an end. Back at the camp there were snacks, water, and the opportunity to purchase photographs (you couldn't take cameras on the tour due to safety concerns and due to the fact that they can't be kept dry). The tour ended with a ride in the truck back to town.
The cost of the tour was $95, and I would gladly slap down another $95 for the chance to do it again. And, I think I'd like to try some more rappelling.
Since I'm leaving at the butt-crack of dawn in the morning, they have to mail my photo CD to me. I'll post a couple of pictures once I receive them. But for now, play time is over, and it is time to go home, see my family, and make sure my business is still running well.
Julie S, before your next trip to Puerto Vallarta, you need to get in touch with me. I think this one beats the Veranos Zip Line Tour!
The Outdoor Adventure started with a 20-minute speed boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to an inlet near the Veranos area. Then a ride in a 4-Wheel Drive truck up a narrow and bumpy mountain road. Upon arriving at the base camp, you get strapped into your harness, you put on a helmet, and receive orientation. Then there is a short hike to the mule pen, where each participant is assigned a mule. You ride the mule up the mountain along a narrow, winding path for about 30 minutes.
Then there are a series of Zip Lines... not as long as those at the Veranos Tour, but they seemed faster. You work your way to the waterfall through a series of Zip Lines and about 20 minutes of hiking. When you get to the waterfall, it is time to learn how to rappel. It has been a long time since I have felt scared trying something new, but I have to admit that having never tried rappelling, I was scared as I stepped backward off the platform to begin rappelling down the waterfall. But as you can tell from the fact that I am typing now, I survived. The next Zip Line ended in a small but deep pool in the river which was quite cold.
Then there was some more hiking, which included a rope bridge and a tight rope (with another rope to grab with your hands), and several crossings of the river without any bridges, so you keep getting wet and dirty. Of course we were already soaked from landing in the water from the Zip Line. A few more Zip Lines, some more hiking, and some more river crossings, and the adventure came to an end. Back at the camp there were snacks, water, and the opportunity to purchase photographs (you couldn't take cameras on the tour due to safety concerns and due to the fact that they can't be kept dry). The tour ended with a ride in the truck back to town.
The cost of the tour was $95, and I would gladly slap down another $95 for the chance to do it again. And, I think I'd like to try some more rappelling.
Since I'm leaving at the butt-crack of dawn in the morning, they have to mail my photo CD to me. I'll post a couple of pictures once I receive them. But for now, play time is over, and it is time to go home, see my family, and make sure my business is still running well.
Sent ya a PM....I'm DEFINITELY INTRIGUED and cant wit to see your pictures!
ROCK ON MOUJ!!!
YOUR THE BOMB and what an incredible way to show us all HOW TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!
Julie
ROCK ON MOUJ!!!
YOUR THE BOMB and what an incredible way to show us all HOW TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!
Julie
QUOTE(MeanOldUncleJeff @ Mar 1 2008, 10:03 PM) 
Yea, the Zip Line tour was fabulous, but today's "Outdoor Adventure" put it to shame.
Julie S, before your next trip to Puerto Vallarta, you need to get in touch with me. I think this one beats the Veranos Zip Line Tour!
The Outdoor Adventure started with a 20-minute speed boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to an inlet near the Veranos area. Then a ride in a 4-Wheel Drive truck up a narrow and bumpy mountain road. Upon arriving at the base camp, you get strapped into your harness, you put on a helmet, and receive orientation. Then there is a short hike to the mule pen, where each participant is assigned a mule. You ride the mule up the mountain along a narrow, winding path for about 30 minutes.
Then there are a series of Zip Lines... not as long as those at the Veranos Tour, but they seemed faster. You work your way to the waterfall through a series of Zip Lines and about 20 minutes of hiking. When you get to the waterfall, it is time to learn how to rappel. It has been a long time since I have felt scared trying something new, but I have to admit that having never tried rappelling, I was scared as I stepped backward off the platform to begin rappelling down the waterfall. But as you can tell from the fact that I am typing now, I survived. The next Zip Line ended in a small but deep pool in the river which was quite cold.
Then there was some more hiking, which included a rope bridge and a tight rope (with another rope to grab with your hands), and several crossings of the river without any bridges, so you keep getting wet and dirty. Of course we were already soaked from landing in the water from the Zip Line. A few more Zip Lines, some more hiking, and some more river crossings, and the adventure came to an end. Back at the camp there were snacks, water, and the opportunity to purchase photographs (you couldn't take cameras on the tour due to safety concerns and due to the fact that they can't be kept dry). The tour ended with a ride in the truck back to town.
The cost of the tour was $95, and I would gladly slap down another $95 for the chance to do it again. And, I think I'd like to try some more rappelling.
Since I'm leaving at the butt-crack of dawn in the morning, they have to mail my photo CD to me. I'll post a couple of pictures once I receive them. But for now, play time is over, and it is time to go home, see my family, and make sure my business is still running well.
Julie S, before your next trip to Puerto Vallarta, you need to get in touch with me. I think this one beats the Veranos Zip Line Tour!
The Outdoor Adventure started with a 20-minute speed boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to an inlet near the Veranos area. Then a ride in a 4-Wheel Drive truck up a narrow and bumpy mountain road. Upon arriving at the base camp, you get strapped into your harness, you put on a helmet, and receive orientation. Then there is a short hike to the mule pen, where each participant is assigned a mule. You ride the mule up the mountain along a narrow, winding path for about 30 minutes.
Then there are a series of Zip Lines... not as long as those at the Veranos Tour, but they seemed faster. You work your way to the waterfall through a series of Zip Lines and about 20 minutes of hiking. When you get to the waterfall, it is time to learn how to rappel. It has been a long time since I have felt scared trying something new, but I have to admit that having never tried rappelling, I was scared as I stepped backward off the platform to begin rappelling down the waterfall. But as you can tell from the fact that I am typing now, I survived. The next Zip Line ended in a small but deep pool in the river which was quite cold.
Then there was some more hiking, which included a rope bridge and a tight rope (with another rope to grab with your hands), and several crossings of the river without any bridges, so you keep getting wet and dirty. Of course we were already soaked from landing in the water from the Zip Line. A few more Zip Lines, some more hiking, and some more river crossings, and the adventure came to an end. Back at the camp there were snacks, water, and the opportunity to purchase photographs (you couldn't take cameras on the tour due to safety concerns and due to the fact that they can't be kept dry). The tour ended with a ride in the truck back to town.
The cost of the tour was $95, and I would gladly slap down another $95 for the chance to do it again. And, I think I'd like to try some more rappelling.
Since I'm leaving at the butt-crack of dawn in the morning, they have to mail my photo CD to me. I'll post a couple of pictures once I receive them. But for now, play time is over, and it is time to go home, see my family, and make sure my business is still running well.
To hear that YOU had fear is really something. I thought that Big Brothers weren't afraid of anything!!!! You've blown my image!
I look forward to seeing what this rappeling thing looks like...or how you looked as you did it.
Have a safe trip home and give the family some big hugs!
I look forward to seeing what this rappeling thing looks like...or how you looked as you did it.
Have a safe trip home and give the family some big hugs!
To hear that YOU had fear is really something. I thought that Big Brothers weren't afraid of anything!!!! You've blown my image!
I look forward to seeing what this rappeling thing looks like...or how you looked as you did it.
Have a safe trip home and give the family some big hugs!
I look forward to seeing what this rappeling thing looks like...or how you looked as you did it.
Have a safe trip home and give the family some big hugs!
Fortunately they only took still photographs and not video of the rappelling, so you probably won't be able to tell from the photos what little itty bitty baby steps I was taking as I rappelled down the water fall.
The tour's website has a neat video of the adventure. You can get there by clicking the link in my earlier posting.
And Kim, come to think of it, I probably wasn't actually scared at all. If and when the pictures ever arrive, I'll be sure to post a couple of them here.
The tour's website has a neat video of the adventure. You can get there by clicking the link in my earlier posting.
And Kim, come to think of it, I probably wasn't actually scared at all. If and when the pictures ever arrive, I'll be sure to post a couple of them here.
Dang it...I lost that whole post!
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience with us Jeff and I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE PICS OF THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE!! BRING 'EM ON!!!
Thanks for all the info on it too...I am definitely going to check it out!!
THANKS!
Here is my most recent ZIPLINE PHOTO with my hubby in the background getting geared up! Jan. 2008
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience with us Jeff and I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE PICS OF THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE!! BRING 'EM ON!!!
Thanks for all the info on it too...I am definitely going to check it out!!
THANKS!
Here is my most recent ZIPLINE PHOTO with my hubby in the background getting geared up! Jan. 2008
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