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.