I was nervous. Even though I had been looking forward to this adventure for weeks, I wondered if I had what it took. Sitting in the resting area, I looked around to see if I could spot anyone that might be a member of the small twelve member team.

The room was full of people. After closer observation, I realized that most of the people in the room were over sixty and largely out of shape. I took a relaxing breath. Even though I had no experience at all, I knew that I could keep up with these men with their large beer bellies and flabby bodies. Assured that I could do anything that these men could do, I slid down into a confident position.

It seemed like an eternity passed while I waited for the opening call. I took advantage of the time to check my supplies: a large sports bottle of spring water, a pair of cotton gloves and four double A batteries. They were all in order. I could not find anyone else with the same supplies. I wondered if I was even in the correct location. Yet, this is where the loud speaker had directed me.

Finally, a ranger walked to the middle room. He looked like a well conditioned Marine Drill Sergeant with the body of a weight lifter and the quickness of a large cat. Standing tall, there was no doubt that he could climb hand over hand in or out of any hole. My heart felt the terror again. It did not matter. I was in as good shape as the old men. At least, I would not be the slowest.

"Lower Level Adventure team, step forward and follow me."

I did not respond immediately to his instructions. Instead, I watched one by one as the members of the team emerge from the rest of the crowd and fell in line behind the ranger. None of the overweight men steped forward. They sat and watched. My heart skipped a beat. I stood and joined the back of the line.

The Ranger led us to the launching area, a small room with its own private elevator. The group made a giant circle. One by one we examined each other. We were the ones that were willing to go places that no one else was prepared to go. We were the best of the best. We were the elite.

As I evaluated the other members of the team, I realized that not one of them was overweight. They were all young and in excellent shape. My fear returned. Would I be good enough to fit in this team? Would I be able to keep up?

The Ranger called out our names in a crisp military fashion. I answered in the best "Yes Ranger Sir" that I could manage. He smiled at me.

"Relax son, " he said. "Sir is enough."

As each name was called, he handed us a release form.

I scanned it quickly. It released the institution and Ranger from all liability of damages such as broken bones, or even death. It was a standard form with the standard disclaimers. Looking at the Ranger supplied equipment, I saw a stiff rope along with the hard helmets. If there was a need for a safety rope, then I knew that the adventure was not going to be easy. Maybe the disclaimers were serious.

I smiled. I decided right there and then. I was going to do this adventure. This was what I wanted for so long. There was no better way to decide if I had what it took but to try. If I ended up dangling over a bottomless pit while the team held me, then so be it. I signed the form and returned it.

After all the forms were back, the Ranger sounded out.

"Grab a helmet and suit up gang. I want those helmets on your head flat. None of this sissy stuff about your hair. Now move."

We all jumped to the equipment and grabbed a helmet. Everyone else seem to know how to insert the batteries. In moments, they had the batteries inserted and were strapping the helmets on. I was still looking at the lamp on the front of the hard hat. It was cool. Not only would it shine a light where I was looking, but it was adjustable. I could point it wherever I wanted.

I saw that there was a place to load the batteries in a little red container at the back of the helmet. When I found the container, I breathed a sigh of relief. It had a diagram showing how the batteries should be inserted. Within seconds, I had the batteries in place, and the helmet flat on my head. Pulling the straps tight, I stood at attention.

"Check out your lights. All lights ON"

I almost giggled. Now he tells me. He waits until I get my helmet tied on, and then tells me to turn my light on. What did he think that I could do an out of body experience and look over the top of my helmet for the switch?

I watched a teenager beside me turn a switch behind the light bulb. His light came on right away. I felt the top of my helmet for the switch, but to no avail.

The Ranger reached over and turned my switch. My light came on and spotlighted the far wall.

"Thank you Sir"

The Ranger smiled. It was nice to see him smile. It made me feel comforted.

"Everyone sound off, "the Ranger yelled.

Starting at the far end, each member yelled out one at a time. I checked that my bottled water was in one pocket and my camera with a brand new roll of film was in the other. I tugged at my cotton gloves to make sure that they were snug. I was not sure about these gloves. After all, if I was going to have to depend on my grip, I didn't know if I wanted gloves between me and my lifeline. However, these people were the experts.

I did a checklist in my head. My equipment was ready. My body was ready. My mind was scared to death. I decided that fear was not going to rob me of this adventure. So my mind was as ready as it was going to be. I was ready.

As soon as my team mate to my left sounded off, I added my response.

"Ready, Sir"

Picking up the coil of rope, the Ranger took off with the team in tow. Following him into the crowded elevator, it was tight. Body against body, it was hard to fill ones lungs all the way.

The Ranger smiled. I did not know if I liked that smile or not. I did remember that one of the adventures qualification was the ability to survive in very close places for extended periods of time.

The high speed elevator took us to seven hundred and fifty feet in a matter of seconds. It did not take long before we were standing along a railing looking down into a pit with a small dark hole at the very bottom.

"Okay gang that is where we are going," the Ranger said.

He pointed to the small dark hole at the bottom of the pit. He threw the end of the rope down into the pit and nodded his satisfaction that the rope had stretched out in an orderly manner.

"We are going to rappel down the pit. One at a time and use your safety calls."

When I saw where the Ranger was opening the railing, it became clear that the order of the line had become reversed. My little trick of hanging out at the back of the line had backfired. Now, because I was last, I was now first. I had to be the first one of the team down the rope. Fear again filled my body. My stomach felt like it was doing somersault.

I watched the Ranger connect to the rope and sound off.

"On Rope"

It had been so long since I had rappelled. Yet, I was going to do this. I watched the Ranger closely and tried to remember how it worked.

"Off Rope," the Ranger yelled.

It was my turn. I stepped to edge of the cliff and connected.

"On Rope," I yelled.

I looked straight ahead and saw her. The next team mate waiting for the rope was the prettiest lady that I have ever seen in my life. I don't know how I missed those big beautiful brown eyes earlier. Surely, I would have seen her earlier in the launch room. Or maybe she was just an angel for this place and this time.

Either way one look into her eyes, and I felt peace. It was the deep feeling of well being that raced through my veins and slowed my heart. Those eyes were without fear and without judgment. They seemed to love me and fill me with confidence.

I don't know what happened next. Maybe it was the need to impress the girl or my own body recognizing the hours and hours of ROTC training, but suddenly I knew how to rappel. I knew exactly how the rope would move and how it would hold me.

I felt the familiar feeling of the rope as it laid against my hip. It brought back memories and comfort of ages gone bye. I spread my legs to shoulder width to get a solid stance and paused. I let my eyes lock onto hers and slowly leaned backward over the pit. Her eyes held mine. Her lips smiled.

I smiled back. Pushing myself into midair, I let the rope slide. My body fell through the air descending into the darkness of the pit below. It was such a glorious feeling to once again fly through the air. Each time that the rope brought me back to the cliff, I pushed off again to drop even further.

It was almost disappointing when I hit the bottom.
Disconnecting, I yelled my victory cry to the heavens above

"Off Rope"

The Ranger smiled at me.

"Good job son."

I smiled.

No longer did fear rule my mind. Excitement and confidence had buried all self doubt. I knew that I could do what was required for this adventure and do it well. Ahead of me, rooms and rooms of precious cave formations awaited me. Nature's hidden treasures that she had buried deep within her bowels. Very few people had ever experienced the wonders that I was going to experience. I knew that I was going to have the time of my life.

I was not disappointed.