Anniversary Trip Part 2: Zip-lining & Treehouse in Georgia
I'm back for part 2 of our anniversary trip! We checked out of our TN cabin and headed to Whitesburg, GA.
The drive from Benton to Whitesburg was right at 2 hours and 40 minutes. We made it to our zip-lining/lodging loc ation about an hour and half before our scheduled tour. I found this place online by searching for zip-lining in the southeast. I had never heard of it before, but was intrigued by it's Guinness Book of World Records Longest Canopy Zipline accolade. Once I looked further into the place I was totally sold. Historic Banning Mills is an 'adventure resort' and offers lodging from cabins to tree houses! They have many activities including rock climbing, horseback riding and team building. They offer kayaking and use of the putt-putt golf course for free when you are staying with them!
We still had a little time left, so we decided to explore the property a little. We walked down below the lodge towards the gorge and creek. We were in awe of how beautiful and natural the setting was. The area is rich in history and was the home to the Creek and Cherokee Nations. It's history also includes a role in the mills industry. You can see the remains of some of these sites as you walk the property. (Check out more history here.) We also walked over the creek on a bridge about 15 feet above it. On the other side of the gorge we noticed lots of nature trails and saw a few of the tree houses dotted along the hillside. The total property is 500 acres, and the owners have dedicated 250 acres to conservation! How awesome?!
We made our way back to meet our tour group at the lodge. Our guides took us out to the outfitting deck to gear up. There were about 20 people in the entire group. Each of us were shown how to suit up our harnesses and helmets. We were also given our pulleys and shown how to work the plate system that keeps everyone connected to the cables at all times throughout the course. We were given a chance to practice the system. I was very impressed with this and it made me feel safe. After instructions were given we set off for Level 1: Forest and Woodland Tour.
Level 1 is the beginners course. Thank goodness, because this was both Matt and I's first time! The course is around 1.5 hours and includes 9 ziplines and 1-2 small sky bridges and is $49. There are weight and age restrictions, so be sure to check! The group hiked up a tall tower and Heath hooked up his pulley and zoomed across the trees to a platform and waited. Once we were up here, Matt and I looked at each other like maybe we had both been way too ambitious by signing up for Level 4! It was pretty intimidating looking down from the tower, but Matt and I had somehow gotten to the front of the line and it was go time for Matt. One of our guides hooked his pulley up and told him to go. Matt stepped off the tower and away he went through the trees. It was hard to see the other side so I trusted all was good and took a deep breath when he told me to go. It was so scary, but was awesome at the same time. I saw our guide and Matt on the platform and watched for the 'brake' signal. Now the braking I was nervous about. You are wearing heavy duty (gardening-like) gloves, and when they signal you are told to take your right hand behind you and press it on the cable your zipping on to slow down. They said about the pressure of when you're petting a dog. I must have been scared because I grabbed the cable a little too hard and it jerked my arm back a little before I loosened my grip. It wasn't too bad and I glided onto the platform. My heart was racing and I hurried over to Matt to check on him. We had made the first one!
Each zipline got less scary as we got more comfortable and went along. They also got increasingly 'bigger' and more exciting. The wife of another couple in our group was very afraid of heights and was pushing through like a champ. They had signed up for level 1, and when it was over the husband talked her into upgrading to level 2! There is a spot on level 1 where there is a camera that takes your photo. Thank goodness, because we didn't take one after Matt's phone was a casualty of the rafting trip the day before!
The group got smaller as some were done after level 1, making it quicker and less crowded. Level 2: The Flight Pattern tour started with an awesome double zip-line at the top of a tower. Matt and I got to 'race' each other across the creek and the line ends on the ground/hill of the other side. This was beautiful and one of my favorites!
Some of the ziplines on this level are 1000 feet long and 200 feet high! Matt and are were not fans of the sky bridges though. They were actually pretty tough work, but beautiful views. Level 3 offered awesome ziplines, Big Daddy and Big Daddy 2, going 1500 feet at 60 mph and 200 feet high.
We made it to level 4 and were the only people out of our group who braved the Predator and finally the Screaming Eagle, which is half a mile long and speeds of 70 mph! This was a breathtaking ride over the creek from a 12 story tower. My adrenaline was definitely pumping! There is the Flight of the Falcon you can do where you 'superman' across. Matt and I said we might try that one next time lol. I was very proud of us for making it all the way through!
We got the keys and checked into our treehouse on the other side of the property! You guys, this was amazing! You walk over a bridge and the tree house is a circle room with a king bed, 2 person jacuzzi tub, gas fireplace, microwave, mini-fridge, tv and bathroom with small shower. I have to say the back porch was my favorite part! It was in the middle of the trees with a view down below of the creek. You could watch others ziplining by!
We cleaned up and headed back to the lodge for dinner (I pre-ordered). Our appetizer was pita and asiago cheese with prosciutto. Our reservationist suggested the package for lodging, adventure and dinner. It also included a salad and dessert (that we saved for later). Matt had the Surf & Turf (venison tenderloin medallions topped with scallop scampi) and I had the Roasted Lamb Chops (seared & roasted, topped with chimichurri and feta crumbles). Everything was scrumptious as we dined again on the tree terrace. We had the awesome view of where we had just zoomed around all day. (Silly pics).
That night there were fireflies everywhere right off of our porch! The house does sway when you walk since it's suspended in the air. We loved the entire experience at Banning Mills and will absolutely be back. (It's only a 4.5 hour drive from home). There is even a little zip lining course for ages 4-9 & 9-11, so we will drag Jax with us next time!
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