Zipping along at 93

Helen Bartholomew, 93, knows the secret to longevity; living life to its fullest. To the amazement of the staff at The Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours in Ocala, Helen zipped the entire course including the longest, highest, fastest zip in Florida. “As you progress through the course, the zip lines get even bigger, longer and faster and we expected that she would want to stop. We were very wrong!” stated Traci Walker, the company’s president.
Helen was accompanied on the tour by her daughter, Dr. Carol Bartholomew of Physicians Health Center in Ocala, who previously tried the zip line, and family friends Dana and Dan Sauro. Dr. Carol, as she is affectionately known in the community, stated that, “She was determined to do it and there was no talking her out of it.”
After several practice runs at the facilities ground school, her guides felt she was ready to go. After the first zip, there was no stopping her. “She is very light so she needed a little assistance on some of the slower zips,” said Kyle Depuy, the lead guide on the tour “but she did really great.”
“She is an inspiration to us all, to accomplish such a feat at 93 is nothing short of incredible” said Walker.
The Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours’ course includes nine zip lines, two rope bridges and ends with a rappel. Since opening their doors in November, the zip line is already rated No. 1 on Trip Advisor and will soon offer night zips by moonlight. The zip line is located at 8045 N.W. Gainesville Road in Ocala and reservations can be made online (www.ZipTheCanyons.com) or by calling 352-351-9477.
On the car ride home Helen was asked what she liked best about the day and Helen replied “I overcame courage after courage.”
 

Helen Bartholomew, 93, is all decked out in her equipment at her zip line ride.

Helen Bartholomew rides the zip line.