Izy's Out of Standard challenge today at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads asks us to write about an exotic holiday destination, with a catch. It must be a place where others go, but I would not.
As it happens, this has been on the Canadian TV network, CBC, twice. Both times I had to close my eyes while my husband watched that wild and woolly Newfoundlander, Rick Mercer, climb BC's 9000-foot Mount Nimbus, crossing a swinging suspension bridge at a mere 8050 feet.
It scared the wits out of me. Both times. I don't care if my husband asks me to sprinkle his ashes from the top of a mountain, from a hang glider, from a parachute, or from the top of the CN Tower, it ain't gonna happen.
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| Rick Mercer, right, with his guide. Contemplating the bridge on the way to the top. |
above this ghastly chasm
I'll just sit down and perish here
from a lack of food, and a surfeit of fear
![]() |
| After a successful crossing, Mercer smiles for the camera. He only fell once. |
at the moment when Mercer fell
between the boards that form the bridge
a thousand storeys from hell
of course he knew that he was safe
and knew that he wouldn't die
he was wearing a harness and line
but 'twas nearly the end of I
safe at home in my chair I sat
trying to catch my breath...
there's nothing Kiplingesque about that
to jest at such height with death*
![]() |
At the summit, looking down at
CBC and Mercer Report photos
|
* ref. Rudyard Kipling, Ballad of East and West



Too funny! And I agree totally, I'd be sitting down to perish right next to you! The Kipling is a good fit for this Mercer stunt.
ReplyDeletea good chuckle, Kay. I like the captions you put on the photos, too. it only takes *one* fall from there - and you'll have no other! ~
ReplyDeleteStrapped or not strapped, I could never do that. My fear of heights would have had me in a fetal position just thinking about it. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWowzers! I'm with you, kiddo. Aint EVER gonna happen!
ReplyDeletetotes in agreement with the heights. "Because it's there"...is never reason enough, at least for this toad. Thanks for the chuckle this evening Kay and viva la
ReplyDeleteI am not afraid of heights but I do have a healthy respect for them - and no way I'm crossing that bridge either.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteStrewth! In me
The Adventuress
says 'yes'
- but,
the vertigo
says 'no'!!
YAM xx
This is so clever!
ReplyDeleteNice poem ! I can't understand people who play like this with their life. After all we only have one !
ReplyDeleteI don't even like being at the top of a ladder! Yes, I agree - even the IMAX theaters are too much for me.
ReplyDeleteLove the poetry .. love this best:
ReplyDeleteI don't care if my husband asks me to sprinkle his ashes from the top of a mountain, from a hang glider, from a parachute, or from the top of the CN Tower, it ain't gonna happen.
Huge smiles.
oh good lord, i feel queasy just reading this. i have a heights thing, especially for walking on things i can see through. ARGH.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more--you'd have to knock me out, tie me up,and carry me up there and then I'd just sit and starve to death, as you indicate. Laughing at your unwillingness to disperse your husband's remains to the winds. I'm with you all the way.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is tops!
ReplyDeleteI love the view there but am afraid of heights. Guess am one of those who "vacation" from home type of people :)
ReplyDeleteCan I post part of this on my blog if I post a reference to this website?
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I worked in the mountains and in helicopters all through my twenties and I never had any fear of heights but looking at this almost made my poop my pants. eeeeek
ReplyDeleteCool spot you found KAy and ya I'll pass also.
This is just the sort of crazy stunt that my son would LOVE to do!
ReplyDeleteWasn't that a moment!
ReplyDeleteI would die a thousand deaths at just the thought I was to take one step out there...l so agree with your words...I am playing writing catch up. :)
ReplyDelete