I was well aware that one of the things I'd experience in Redding, California was cliff jumping. You know, finding some obscure location and jumping off three stories of slimy rock wall into the abyss of a raging waterfall and it's tundra-tempered waters. Of course.
I don't know why this is a thing for Californians (or in any place with waterfalls for that matter). It's as if cliff jumping is a sport: How many dangerous shapes can you make with your body before impact? That's what that is. Crazy people.
But for some reason, my brother and I decided to throw caution to the wind and do it. The water was a crisp -578'F (just kidding. Maybe 60'F.) and we were aching for adventure. I guess. So, let me start from the beginning.
This was our second day in Redding, CA--freshly moved from West Texas (where waterfalls don't exist). Taran and I were invited to this grand quest by our cousin, and we knew we'd be going with several "experienced" people we didn't even know, But they were from Bethel, so what's the harm, right? Haha...ha.
We traveled east into the mountains for about half an hour until we came to this really obscure lot by the highway. Following our trusted group of Christian strangers, we delved into a tunnel of trees and spiked vines and mud below our feet. We hurled over rocks and balanced over the fallen beams of trees across the creak. Where were we possibly going? I had no idea.
Until the waterfall came into sight. A beautiful, magnificent, raging water monster waiting to ensnare our company in it's frost-bitten fangs of DOOM.
Of course the manliest men went up first to show off their mad experience and anti-gravitational skills. My brother Taran followed thereafter, and upon seeing him climb the most impossible-looking cliff I've ever seen, I found my own courage.
"I SHALL GO," I exclaimed, having already adjusted my now-blue toes in the waters. "If you come with me," I quickly added, for my brother was my only source of courage left.
And so it was that I followed Taran up two logs stuck between the cliff in a perfect ladder-like position, and began my ascent on the cliff face. Now I'm being perfectly honest here: the cliff was slimy because water constantly flowed down it--and it was jagged like the face of death. It was not in the least bit pleasant. Taran had to pull me up to the top with his sheer strength because I couldn't find holding without plummeting into the arms of Jesus.
But alas! I made it to the top and shuffled my way to the jumping point of the cliff next to the waterfall. Other people watched and affirmed to me how great of a decision it was. I looked down and my knees buckled. I literally hadn't felt that much fear in my entire life, so I turned to the wise Bethel Schoolers and asked, "Does someone know a quick scripture that could encourage me right now?"
"Yeah," said one guy sitting on a rock. "And Jesus wept. Now jump!"
...Bless that boy's soul for his ill-placed comic relief.
I counted to three and jumped with my brother at my side.
My friends, I had never felt such a raw form of gravity before in my life. I mean raw as in--not from turning in a car or tripping on my shoe laces. It was simply from falling 35 feet. I made not a noise. I clenched my nose. My stomach flew into my pounding chest. I crashed into the freezing waters at such an alarming speed that my awkward I-Have-No-Idea-What-I'm-Doing position (which was a horrible position. I suggest asking someone how to jump before you actually...jump) as I fell actually spanked me right on my bum.
I remember seeing the light as the water beneath me slowed my descent, and I swam up vigorously.
When I broke the water and released my breath, the initial shock of having my bum spanked by 3 stories of gravity and 60'F water made me hyperventilate briefly. I think I was crying and laughing at the same time. My poor little bum...
Moral of the story is: Ask how to jump. Not for a scripture.
And Jesus wept? C'mon, guy.
So yeah. The experience is now my initiation into bible school with three huge bruises on my left leg to remind me how funny and horrifying my experience was :D I encourage everyone to get out and do something you've never done before, no matter the risk (except, you know...death), so that you can add those memories to you (because I will never forget this one)!
And that makes for a fine life! And a bruised bum!
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