Black Bridge
In the desert like heat of the wild west of southern Colorado, lays a valley in the Rockie Mountains cut by the roaring waters of the Arkansas River. On one hot summer day, my friends and I got on our bikes and peddled as fast as we could to our favorite spot to swim in the river, Black Bridge. This spot was the best place to be during the extremely hot weather. On this particular day, the river was rather rambunctious as it was thrashing about. Knowing that the river was in a dangerous state I was reluctant to get in, but I was desperate to quench the immense heat. Once I got into the roaring water I had felt the mighty tug of the current. I was growing concerned, but all of my worries and anxieties were worsened when I
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The jump spot was a gap in the bridge that was marked by bright neon pink and white spray paint. I saw multiple names written in black sharpie in the white painted area of the jump spot. I felt a great relief to see my older sister's name written there because I knew that if she didn't break every bone in her body and die, I wouldn't either. I enjoyed the slight moment of relief, but all of the anxiety came rushing back in when I saw a line begin to form. I knew that there was no more procrastinating, because I was now in the line to jump. I was so terrified, I recall my eyes tearing up at one point. I genuinely did not want to jump, but I knew if I did not jump off the bridge I would look like a “sissy.” Slightly ashamed of myself for giving into peer pressure, I patiently yet extremely anxiously waited for my turn to jump. I watched my friends jump with complete and utter ease. They acted like it was a simple leap from a diving board. I discreetly watched as person after person took the leap. I was watching to see if there was any technique for jumping, or if it was just a thoughtless action. The line was dissipating and I did not know if I would be able to pull myself together to jump. Worried about the embarrassment to follow if I did not jump, I just prayed that everything would be okay. I was next to jump and I had come to the realization that I was not getting out of it. I
So I did it like 20 more times before finally resting up on the shore. As time passed by, it felt as if we spent the whole day swimming and jumping off a helicopter skydiving. Then the unexpected happen, my best friends Ivan and Nathan decided they wanted to get a go at the bridge. In my head, I knew this was not a good idea. The bridge was skyscraping, towering, mighty, I can’t even think of words to describe it. It was unmatchable and yet they want to jump off it. I tried to convince them not to, worrying that something might go wrong if they did. Quite frankly they didn’t care what I had to say and offered me to jump with them. I was already on the bridge with them and they were on the outside of the rails ready to jump. While all my friends are behind me they wanted to see all three of us jump at the same time. I was scared shitless. But being me I caved in and vaulted right over the rail and stood next to 2 of my best friends as we were about to jump a bridge. I’ve never been more scared in my life, looking down at my feet it looked like the people below me were ants. We stood there for a good 5 minutes contemplating on whether we should jump or not. The longer we sat there the worst it became, we were all trembling with fear. Both Ivan and Nathan had fear in their eyes like I’ve never seen before. I bet they were just as scared as I was. The sun was gleaming at all 3 of us as we stood there in shock and awe. But we had to man up and jump, so we did exactly that. The water was fragile, universe-blue-colour, making it appear like nature’s amphitheatre. At that very moment all 3 of us jumped, the air felt ice cold, it felt as if everything was statue still, like time froze on us. It was peaceful and comfortable, I have never experienced such a unique feeling. As we came racing down we smacked the water and plunged right for the surface gasping for air. It was a feeling that you can’t shake
The sweat in my head starts to run down to the corner of my eye and I immediately start thinking of a single thing, the ice cold Frio River, I suggested to my friend that we should start heading towards it so we did. By submerging in the water, my nervous system instantly reacted to the temperature but soon after, relief. At the bottom of the river floor I feel the rocks smoothed out by the water along with the algae and every so often some young fish that thrive there. Along the end of the “section” of the river there’s a little wall where water falls down from to another section, while sitting there I can feel the strong pressure of the water hitting against my chest, consequently, I reach a point of relaxation incomparable to all
All of us ended up arguing about it how we would go down it all together or one at time? Eventually we decided that we would all go at one at a time we jokingly said just in case one of almost dies we can get to them a lot quicker. My friend Josh goes first he made it all the way down and gave me the okay signal that i could go now. When i started making my way down it felt amazing the wind blowing in my air,how everything passed by me in a blur and that feeling of adrenaline, i honestly believed i could do anything well i was wrong. My Longboard started to wobble and i immediately panicked, I was going to fast to slow myself down. so i tried to jump into a grassy area, but that did not work out the way i planned considering i slammed into a brick mailbox Going easily past 21 mph. i don’t remember much about what happened afterwards. I remember being winded i could hardly breath and i couldn’t move i saw blood coming down from the side of my head going onto the concrete floor. The last thing i saw was my friend Noah running from the top of the hill towards me and my vision turning into a blurry
As I got ready to run, and jump off, Alyssa began to chant a count down, “5, 4,3,2,1!” I took a big gulp and started to charge forward I stopped just before I had to jump off. "I can't do it" I thought to myself. I couldn’t get over the fear of getting hurt. I’ve seen videos where a person cliff jumping landed in the water the wrong way, and got severely hurt. I just kept replaying that same video over, and over in my head. “Take a deep breathe, take a few steps back, and run and jump,” Alyssa shouted. “There's only one way down,” she said. I began to start taking slow steps back inhaling and exhaling. She suddenly began to chant again, I put myself in ready position “3, 2,1!”. “I’m just going to do it I'm not even going to think about it” I thought to myself. “Go!” she
In the words of George Washington Carver, “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” Unfortunately, the path to that freedom is snatched from the sights of many who lost the opportunity to pursuit an education and a better quality of life. The socioeconomic structure of our country; the resources and support available for many Americans, are easily accessed by a select few. This of course leaves a large number of people at an inherent disadvantage when they attempt to improve the situation life has placed them in.
John roebling was an immigrant from germany, john did not invent the suspension bridge but his bridges made him famous in the 1800’s. As a kid roebling dreamed of building bridges, he turned his dreams into a reality. The Brooklyn Bridge was built over the East River linking Manhattan and Brooklyn. The construction of the brooklyn bridge started in January 3, 1870 and was completed May 24, 1883. The civil war delayed the construction of the bridge. At least two dozen people died, including the bridges original designer
I was certain I did not want to jump, but my fear of being called a coward left me no choice. I jumped and ended up laying on the floor with a fractured skull. After being unconscious for a day, I woke up, recognized my failure, and started counting the seconds for the humiliation to begin. Fortunately, over the weeks which followed the incident, my classmates did not judge me for my fall. Instead, they comforted me during my whole recovery time. Their care helped me realize that there would always be someone to support me whenever I
I imagined how I would act if I wasn't afraid of heights and I tried to act the part. We got into line and we waited for our turn. When the two people in front of us got on, I rushed to the spot where they had been a moment before. Kevin had already explained to me that I needed to let the chair hit the back of my knees, and all I had to do was sit down. I did just as he had instructed, and consequently, everything went fine. My anxiety left me and I actually enjoyed the ride to the top. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be; in fact, it was quite the opposite. As we neared the spot where people were getting off, I watched other kids get off and I mentally prepared myself to do exactly as they had just done. But when we got to the ramp to get off, the front of my left ski got caught on the wooden railing for the ramp. The chair lift kept moving forward, pulling my leg farther and farther behind me until I heard a loud pop! I anticipated the pain, but none came. My ski had popped off! I then realized that I had missed my exit. In a split second decision, I jumped. I hit the ground and just as soon as I did, I was surrounded by the ski patrol in their bright red
Caught off guard by the splash as the young boy hit the water, my foot slipped and I lunged for a handhold on the rough rocky wall. By now, a line was forming behind me of other people that wanted to jump, and I knew I was not going to be able to walk back down without the others having to go back down as well. After what felt like an eternity of careful shuffling along the ledge, I finally made it to the jumping spot! For me, this was a turning point- either I would overcome my fear and jump, or shamefully walk back to the comfortable security of the ground. With adrenaline coursing through my veins, all 5 senses were heightened to the point where I felt as though I was superwoman. The sky was electric blue in stark contrast to the ominous cliffs towering above and the leafy trees were swaying with the gentle breeze. One step and my toes were touching the edge of the cliff. A second step and they were curled over the sharp rocky
Eager and hopeful, I rushed to put it around my chest and braced for my last shot of survival. With all their strength, they tugged on the rope, moving me inch by inch out of the treacherous waters and onto dry land. Trying to find my footing, I hobbled back to the four-wheeler bundling in all of the clothing I could acquire. I was rushed back to the camp where a warm shower was waiting for me. It took at least 10 minutes idling in the steaming water to finally regain feeling in my toes and fingers as they tingled when the warm water hit them. Realizing that I was going to be okay, I jumped out the shower to put on dry clothes to go express my gratitude to my friends for saving
Currently at the end, half-way around to the other side. Only having one hand on, as my other hand was reaching to grab the bar, was when the scare happened. As the aero-car jerked, my body went forward towards the edge, but was quickly pushed back. Knuckled were pale from gripping the bars, as was my face, or so I was told. Tears began to well up in my eyes, body shaking and lungs gasping for air. The event reminded me why the fear of heights existed with me, and made the fear worse when it was beginning to get
We were graduating soon. Newly leaf-covered trees dominated the scenery of every block in town. The sun shone brightly, later and later, curing the cabin fever of every student in town. We needed one last event to bring our high school career to an end. Cody devised a plan: a river float trip on the Smokey Hill. He would handle all the planning, he said, all we needed to do was get ahold of our own floatation devices and meet him at the starting point. We all arrived on a deserted country road, next to a concrete bridge overhanging the flowing, muddy river. The Smokey Hill, however, is a river in name only, resembling a mere shallow creek when compared to the Missouri or Kansas rivers. Nonetheless, we were more interested in the calm, spring day
I’m only 5’2, and the first plank was far out of my reach. I struggled desperately, wanting to prove that I was just as brave as my cousins, but I finally agreed to let Bailey try. She easily reached the first step, but I could see her trembling and whether it was from cold or fear, I couldn’t tell. She hesitantly climbed the tree, plank after plank, until she reached the top. She gripped the surrounding branches and she tried to make up her mind to jump. I knew she was playing out all the possible scenarios in her mind: What if she jumped on a branch hidden beneath the surface of the water? What if her life jacket got caught on a branch while she fell? What if she landed on her stomach and inhaled a bunch of water? It took a great deal of convincing to get her to step off the narrow platform and into the water, and when she did, she screamed the whole way
I seen him almost to the middle of the line and now he is hanging upside down. I thought to myself he’s showing off telling me he can do tricks can I? The answer maybe I could but I wasn’t going to. I stepped up on the platform looked at my guide and smiled. She said “It’s just like the last time, just pick up your feet. I’m not gonna help you this time you can do this!” I looked away after she smiled at me. I knew I could do it, but I was still nervous. I found the courage by closing my eyes and I found myself walking a little fast until I didn't feel anything under my feet. I opened my eyes in a panic. I almost let out a scream, but then I noticed the view. Looking at the bright warm sun I could feel on my skin. The smell of the sweat fresh mountain air filled my nose. I passed through the trees and I could see a little waterfall crashing into the lake. I remember how beautiful and peaceful it was. Then I let go of the handle very grate-full the strap still held me
Still dripping from the wet season, vibrant green growth coats the hills behind me. Warm moisture lines the concrete and seeps through the soles of my feet. Salt fills my nostrils as the ocean breeze fights the humidity of the land. An aeonian field of grey carpets the sky smothering the day’s remaining rays of sunlight.