Recent Posts

Our Epic Playdate in the Redwood Trees

This post is brought to you by The New Santa Fe from Hyundai.

Last month we had such an amazing experience climbing redwood trees as part of Hyundai’s Epic Playdate Campaign. The idea behind it is you can get out and have really cool experiences with your family beyond your regular routine and comfort zone. It was actually Liz‘s idea to climb the redwood trees and I somehow got roped into it. Don’t get me wrong, I like nature and a little adventure. But I prefer a nice hike to adrenaline-heavy activities. Nonetheless I somehow found myself climbing up 75 feet up in the air and ziplining from tree to tree in the Redwood canopy. Before we started they suited up the kids and had them climb poles and ladders. Moses loved it and climbed all the way to the top. It was surprisingly satisfying to see him be so brave and feel proud. After the kids got their fill it was our turn.  The climb was my least favorite part. I was really shaking as I climbed and although logically I knew I was safe I was terrified and my instinct kept telling me to go back down. I finally got up to the platform and I tied into the zipline. From there I had to put my hands on the pully and step off the platform. I tried not to think about it too much and just go! It sounds like a simple thing to zipline but my adrenaline was pumping and I don’t often feel terrified like that. I felt so alive. After the first few times I started to get the hang of it and really enjoy it. Soon I was looking around and waving to people. It was so fun. I was a little relieved when I repelled down and my feet were firmly on the ground. It was such a cool and inspiring experience. On the drive back to San Francisco we made a list of a bunch of cool things we want to do this summer with our family. Things like: go whale watching, sleep in a treehouse, charter a sailboat and sail down the coast, go sea kayaking to the islands in the bay. There are so many cool things in our backyard that we’ve never experienced. We’re so motivated to get out and explore. They made this beautiful video of our experience (and show me looking terrified and exhilarated as I’m flying through the air.) I’m so glad to have this reminder of this experience.

A special thanks to FM and Hyundai and the video crew: David Crowther and Casey Peterson, it was such an amazing weekend. Thank you! Photos by Jordan Pay.

Epic Playdate in the Redwoods from Jordan Ferney on Vimeo.

  1. samantha hahn

    May 1, 2013

    your little one’s face in the last one, while he’s looking up, is priceless. He’s like “holy cow, I’m going up there?!!!”

  2. heather

    May 1, 2013

    Love this peek into your weekend. I could zipline at any height without giving it much thought but throwing a dinner party gives me cold sweats – so interesting 🙂

  3. Hali

    May 1, 2013

    Having kids isn’t a prerequisite for having an epic play date, right? This looks like so much fun! Such an inspiring video, I want to grab my friend’s kids and drive them from LA up to the redwoods right now!

  4. Karen

    May 1, 2013

    Thanks for sharing your adventure. This video put a big smile on my face.

  5. Meg

    May 1, 2013

    Looks like so much fun!
    I want to do this!

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

  6. Robin

    May 1, 2013

    So Awesome. Love it, and loved what both of you said.

  7. PARIS BEE kids blog

    May 1, 2013

    Just in awe of this experience! w-o-w!

    xoxo PARIS BEE kids blog

  8. kelly

    May 1, 2013

    mind saying where this adventure took place? the “redwoods” could be anywhere from santa cruz to redding. thanks.

  9. Karen

    May 1, 2013

    That’s so cool. Where was this?

      • jordan
      • May 2, 2013

      There are lots of places to zipline in redwood trees. We did ours in Arcata.

  10. Rachel Hagen

    May 1, 2013

    Beautiful commercial!! You look gorgeous in this!
    What a nice film to have for your family too!

  11. My Love Wedding Ring

    May 2, 2013

    This looks like it was fantastic fun!! Its the things that memories are made of 🙂

  12. Julia

    May 2, 2013

    Nice! You’re wearing make up/lipstick…!! Unthinkable in Europe for an outing like this.

  13. Kristin

    May 2, 2013

    wow! so sweet:) I totally agree that getting in to nature is one of the most satisfying experiences we can give our kids! Great reminder as spring is finally hitting the midwest and summer is on the way.

  14. Lisette Wolter-McKinley

    May 2, 2013

    Looks like a blast! I love how you two ladies have your red lipstick on. When I am outdoors hiking and camping, I never look as glamorous.

  15. Shawna Andreasen

    May 2, 2013

    Oh Jordan I love this!! I already comented on Liz’s blog post about this adventure telling her how much I loved seeing an outdoor adventure pop up on your blogs! I’ve been following you two for a while because of all the beautifully delicious things you post about but what a joy to see you post about something that I’m so passionate about. I’m going to share your adventure with my readers over at Nature For Kids!

  16. Kayleigh

    May 2, 2013

    This is such a wonderful post and what an awesome adventure/experience! I would love participating an a outdoor adventure like this!

    http://notesofinspires.wordpress.com

  17. Shannon

    May 2, 2013

    What an awesome idea! Such a cool experience for you all. I’m inspired to go do it myself. Maybe for my birthday in June…

Comments are Closed

More Recent Posts