All I Wanna Do Is Have Some Fun! This Week's Fast Five!

 This is that time of year when my birthday is coming up and I get that urge to do something a little nutty.  Here are some amazing play time activities for young ones and adults alike.  Yes, I've done a couple of these.

1.    Long Tom Toboggan Ride, Misty Mountain on the Panorama Route, South Africa.  This is quite a ride.  1.7 kilometers long, down the side of a mountain going potentially 45 miles an hour on a monorail.  This is like a mountain coaster on steroids.  It's the longest ride of its kind in Africa.  It costs about $20 per ride.  

This one I haven't done, simply because I've never been to South Africa.  Here's the thing.  People will say it isn't safe.  The company says it's meticulously maintained.  Use your own brand of caution.  There's no way to promise that people won't get hurt on such a thing.  Use you best judgement.  Nothing is perfect.

That being said, there are other things at Misty Mountain.  They have tours, hiking, scooters, lodging and more.  It's a great stop in the middle of the beautiful Panorama Route.

https://www.longtomtoboggan.co.za/toboggan.html  

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RuIn83CQyp4   

https://www.mistymountain.co.za/activities.html   

https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/rhenosterhoek/long-tom-toboggan-at-misty-mountain-61818781/  

http://www.melanievanzyl.com/adventures/an-adventurers-guide-to-the-panorama-route   

2.    The Canopy Tour, Rainforest Adventures, St. Lucia.  Yes, I did this one.  This place is fabulous.  We drove there on our own, but it might have been wise to take a tour out of Marigot Bay, the north end of the island or Castries.  The driving is a bit athletic.  

Starting at about $60 per person, depending on the package you get, you can have a great time flying through the rainforest.  They give instructions and some training on the ground at a low flying test site before you take the cable car up to the top.  You always have a guide with you and it is so much fun.  Sightseeing plus adventure all in one.  I really enjoyed it a lot.  

It takes about two hours to do the whole thing, and there are 16 platforms and 8 different zip lines.  There's a lot to see as you're flying around up there.  If you're going to St. Maarten, or Costa Rica; check into the same company there!

https://rainforestadventure.com/#   

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g8843287-d2267862-Reviews-Rainforest_Adventures_St_Lucia-Rodney_Bay_Gros_Islet_Quarter_St_Lucia.html  

http://www.ouredventures.com/activities-3/rainforest-adventures-in-st-lucia-251650   

https://stlucia.org/en/itinerary-nature-rainforest-adventure/   

https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Lucia/St-Lucia-Aerial-Tram-and-Rainforest-Tour/d38-5189STAT   

3.    The Cata-monster Dual Zipline, Catamount Ski Resort, Massachusetts.   New England ski resorts are always looking for something to have for people to do year round.  Zip Lines have been a big one and they don't come bigger than the Cata-monster.  It's just over a mile long and goes up to 55 miles per hour.  It's the longest dual zip line in the United States.  It takes almost two hours to do the whole experience.  You have a safety and fitting sessions, then you take the chair lift up to the starting point.  You do the other zip lines and then you strap in to the Cata-monster and take the mile or so ride down the mountain.

Yes, I did this one and it was absolutely thrilling!  Prices start at $99 per person, with it being more on the weekends.  There are also other activities at Catamount in the summer like hiking, biking and so on.  There are also some events on weekends in the summer.  I had a great time at this one, and it's really not that scary.

https://catamountski.com/summer/catamonster-zip-tour  

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47899-d2227163-Reviews-Catamount_Aerial_Adventure_Park-Hillsdale_New_York.html   

https://columbiacountytourism.org/business/catamount-ski-area/   

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/things-to-do/2021/09/wheres-the-longest-zipline-in-the-us-youve-never-seen-new-york-like-this-video.html   

https://www.expedia.com/Catamount-Aerial-Adventure-Park-Hillsdale.d553248621532664791.Vacation-Attraction?semcid=US.UB.GOOGLE.DL-DSA-c-EN.PACKAGE&semdtl=a114123493019.b1124072454063.g1aud-2051518675148:dsa-1392933267286.e1c.m1CjwKCAjw7p_UBhBlEiwAhpIs7wGrDiZmhAsXLlxGC_kCvAGwKyFlIXADizf3xF77Luy4ynTIpFzEXxoCTtQQAvD_BwE.r1.c1.j19003419.k1.d1660685802137.h1.i1.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14123493019&gbraid=0AAAAACTxZ9bIooOTT_4InOfzKA5nrVUgQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw7p_UBhBlEiwAhpIs7wGrDiZmhAsXLlxGC_kCvAGwKyFlIXADizf3xF77Luy4ynTIpFzEXxoCTtQQAvD_BwE   

4.    The High Flyer, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Connecticut.  It's right nearby, but no, I haven't done this...yet.  I plan to actually.  I just haven't gotten there.  This is something to add to your concert and gambling trip.  Foxwoods is known for having a lot of different things to do.  It's quite the playground, largely for adults, but you can bring the kids too.  This is just that one more thing after gambling, a show, good food, shopping, go karts, and so much more.

It's dubbed the only rooftop zipline in America.  It's located in the middle of it all at the Fox Tower Hotel.  You start 350 feet up and take off.  Four people can ride at one time as they have four zip lines.  That's a lot.  It goes for about a mile, and up to 60 miles per hour.  There's a training session and safety before you go and the whole experience lasts at least an hour.  Prices start at $65 per person. and it looks like a lot of fun.  There's a lot to do at Foxwoods; I even hear they opened a Great Wolf Lodge.  

https://foxwoodshighflyer.com/    

https://foxwoods.com/activity/highflyer-zipline   

https://ctvisit.com/listings/highflyer-zipline-foxwoods-resort-casino  

https://thisismystic.com/to-do/recreation/highflyer-zipline-at-foxwoods/   

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g33831-d14141254-HighFlyer_Zipline_at_Foxwoods-Mashantucket_Mystic_Country_Connecticut.html   

5.    The Tobotronc Mountain Coaster, Andorra.  I couldn't write a post like this without mentioning this one.  It's on by bucket list.  We've all seen mountain coasters and alpine coasters and whatever you wish to call them.  This one is simply the longest one in the world.

This Alpine Coaster goes 3.3 miles (5.3 km; 1.7 km up and the rest not) down 400 feet of elevation drop through the La Rabassa Forest.  It winds, it glides, and the views are fabulous along the way.  The speed?  That's up to you.  Mountain Coasters are self regulated by the rider.

Starting at roughly $50 per person, you can buy a package.  I'm not sure that you can just buy a ticket for a ride on the Tobotronc.  There are other activities at Naturland and they all look fun.  Prices go up as you add more activities, but most of them include a ride on Tobotronc.

https://web.naturland.ad/en    

https://web.naturland.ad/en/activities/tobotronc  

 

https://visitandorra.com/en/nature--sports/tobotronc-at-naturland/   

https://www.themeparkjames.co.uk/theme-parks/europe/andorra/naturland/rides/tobotronc/   

https://evendo.com/locations/andorra/sant-julia-de-loria/landmark/tobotronc   

There you have it.  Just in case you were looking for some cool rides to enjoy the outdoors.  There's nothing quite like flying through the trees or gliding down a mountain.  There's nothing wrong with a little adrenaline rush.

If you'd like to see what I'm doing at the current time, check out my YouTube Channel, Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon.  That's me!

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2026  

Never stop adventuring and for God's sake, never act your age!  It's just not fun!  Thanks for joining me!  Follow for more, and subscribe to the YouTube Channel for more on New York City & the world!

Giving You Some Thought Provoking Concepts On This Week's Fast Five!

 Sometimes things just blow my mind.  It's that simple.  Here are five concepts involving travel, because that's what I do, that might make you ponder the way you look at certain things.  Quick!  Let's go!

1.    The Gimmelwald Honesty Shop, Gimmelwald, Switzerland.  This was one of the most amazing places I'd ever seen when I saw it in 2013.  That was a long time ago.  There was a tiny shop in a large building in a tiny village on the edge of a cliff where you could take a gondola down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  That village had amazing views, it was quiet, and no one was home in this shop.  You were supposed to go in, pick out your merchandise, and leave the proper amount of money before taking your things away with you.  I'm not joking.  Sound crazy?  That couldn't work you say.

Here it is 13 years later and not only has the shop worked out; it's expanded.  It's still in the same building, but now it takes up more of the building.  Think about that.  No one mans this store.  No one ever has.  Just when you think that society is going down the tubes, here's a shop in the middle of nowhere on a cliff in Switzerland that begs to differ.  Honesty is still a thing.

https://www.honestyshop.com/about-us/   

https://www.facebook.com/TheHonestyShop/   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwyPEFC4Tsk    

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DTiL-FUkxg-/   

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/gimmelwald/   

2.    The Isles of Scilly, UK.  What can I say about this?  It's a getaway for Brits.  That's a start.  It's off the southern tip of the UK from Cornwall.  You can get there in any number of ways, air or ferry or whatever.  Cruises do stop there.  There's a whole archipelago, and only a little over 2,000 residents.  Why visit?

This is a spot of subtropic wonder off the coast of England.  England is known for it's gloomy weather and rainy days.  These islands tend to be warmer, sunnier, full of beaches and activities, including outdoor and even spas.  It's kind of like visiting the Azores of Portugal, but the Pound is the currency and everyone speaks English.  It's kind of advanced tourism, because it's not big on the tourism radar, but it's worth it for the getaway that leaves you somewhere in the UK that doesn't feel like the UK at all.

https://www.visitislesofscilly.com/   

https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/   

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/historic-sites-of-scilly/   

https://duchyofcornwall.org/estate/isles-of-scilly/   

https://www.islesofscillyholiday.co.uk/travel/   

3.    The Bunkers of Cornwall, England, UK.  While we're talking about southern UK, let's talk bunkers.  This is something to ponder.  Cornwall is not just a town but a district of the UK.  During WWII, they played an active role there in monitoring and even disrupting communications amongst adversaries.  There are at least 15 to 20 of these bunkers in the area still today.  They were telegraphy stations during the war.

Some of these are private homes.  Some are holiday rentals.  Some are little museums.  Some are just there.  The Veryan Bunkers and the tunnels at PK Porthcurno are some of the most popular visiting spots.  There is a National Trust Organization and some local groups in the area that can help you with which ones to visit and how to get to them and that kind of thing.  It's just that little something in a quiet area that you'd probably not be aware of and it was a key operation during World War II.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/carne-and-pendower/wartime-bunker-on-nare-head   

https://www.cornishsecrets.co.uk/guide/cornwalls-underground-attractions-to-visit/    

https://hostunusual.com/property/the-bunker/   

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwalls-cold-war-nuclear-bunker-6531422   

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pl7sq0Ej_wk    

4.    What is a coolcation?  This is something to ponder.  Summer is travel time, and beaches fill up and droughts happen worldwide, and I don't know what to make of Florida and Arizona in the summer.  Do you have to go someplace and endure ridiculous heat and humidity because it's summer?  People do this every summer, and it's ridiculous.

There are plenty of places that you can go that aren't going to be that hot.  Two of my favorites are Iceland and the Swiss Alps.  There's so much to do, the scenery is something you'll never forget and believe it or not; people mostly speak English.  What I do when I'm looking to go somewhere in the summer, which is rare for me anyway, is look at the climate that they typically have in a location throughout the year and then if that looks doable, I look at the current predictions for the time I intend to travel there.

You don't necessarily have to run to the opposite end of the planet to find some cooler weather for your summer trip.  You will find that there are some great places all around you.  Normally, if you go to mountainous areas, you'll find a little cooler weather.  If you do travel internationally, visit Canada, Norway, Iceland, the UK, or something like that.  If in the United States, I would say check out the Rocky Mountains or the Cascades or the Sierra Nevadas.  The Upper peninsula of Michigan is normally a nice area.  Normally, but not always, you have to check, the Pacific Northwest.  Alaska tends to make that list, but closer to Denali and that area. 

This is something that takes some research, but there's no reason to go to Florida in the summer.  There are options, and they are worth the research and planning.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-is-coolcation-best-places-in-europe   

https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/coolcation/   

https://www.azureroad.io/how-to-plan-a-coolcation-in-a-warming-world/   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQEQp58BJCA   

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2025/06/17/the-coolcation-trend-is-heating-up-and-the-numbers-prove-it/   

5.    Here's a big ponder; what kind of hotel do you need?  I can tell you all day about the great places I've stayed and you might think I'm crazy.  Everyone is a bit different.  There are all kinds of accommodations out there for all kinds of tastes.

You might travel on a budget and light and stay at a hostel.  Some people might want to camp and take road trips.  Some folks like the flexibility of stopping at motels.  Some people like historic hotels.  Some folks like Air BnB or VRBO for that living space.  Some people might want a hotel with options for a suite.  Some want a vacation home, and some want to go to an all inclusive resort.  Some people would rather take a cruise.  There are so many options.  You can rent a yacht and drive it yourself if you want in some places.

There's no wrong choice.  You do you.  Just remember that you need to look into it.  That's why I call it a ponder.  Do some self exploration on the web to figure out what you really want for your accommodations, because it can make or break a trip.

https://www.expedia.com/   

https://www.cruises.com/   

https://www.hotels.com/  

https://www.historichotels.org/us  

https://www.recreation.gov/   

That's my ponders for you.  I say never travel before doing some planning.  

If you'd like to see what I'm doing right now, check out my YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2026

Explore those unique places and never lose faith in your fellow inhabitants on this beautiful planet.  Just when you think it's all going downhill, you'll find that something that renews your faith in people.  You'll see where war led to creativity, and you'll find that spot that you really never thought existed.  If you take the time to ponder what you want to do, where you want to stay, and how you want to travel; you'll have a great time!  Enjoy!