New county zip-line course on track |
February 21, 2012 |
The
good news is that Idaho Canopy Tours and Zipline
course anticipates its grand opening later this
summer, 2012.
The tour will have course elements that are
unique in the U.S., making this an exciting,
one-of-a-kind adventure!
The better news is that a squealing, pinwheel
waving insurance advertising shill ... a pig
named Maxwell ... has introduced the world to a
new kind of fun. We'll just have to wait a
little longer until the best zip-line tour in
the country is up and running.
Since receiving their special use permit from
the county last year, Idaho Canopy Tours has
mapped out Phase One of the canopy and zipline
course. In keeping with their philosophy of
"think local/buy local/hire local," they have
retained the services of Boundary County
resident and certified arborist Michael
Richardson to help design, build and maintain
the course.
"We’ve identified some amazing and huge trees
that will hold guests at least 60 feet up from
the forest floor," owner Lisa Robbe said. "We
completed additional state applications,
received the 'go-ahead' from Idaho Fish and
Game, and passed the state licensing exam."
After attending the premier industry conference
in Boston earlier this month, with nearly 1,000
atendees, Robbe said she is excited to start
their spring construction season, and add
Boundary County to the list of places where this
exciting past-time is enjoyed.
Amazingly, zip-lining has gained national media
attention thanks to a Geico Insurance ad
campaign featuring Maxwell, an annoying pig who
says "wee wee wee!" all the way home as he
joyously holds a pinwheel out the window of a
car or zips down a zip line ... (if you haven't
seen it yet, the video is
here).
"I've been getting calls from around the country
lately about the course county planning and
zoning approved, and whether it's really going
to happen," said county zoning administrator
Mike Weland. "Lisa did an amazing job at the
hearing, and earned the unanimous approval of
the planning and zoning commission despite many
concerns that were raised by neighbors through
the public hearing process. This is one of the
only applications I can remember in my dozen
years as county zoning administrator where even
people who once adamantly opposed the idea are
now wondering when and if it's going to happen.
Lisa had no way of knowing Geico was going to
feature a zip-lining pig, but for her, I think,
the timing couldn't be better ... the comments
I'm hearing now are more along the lines of 'why
isn't this open yet?'"
For more information, questions or to book a
Boundary County zip-line event when all is
ready, call Lisa at (208) 660-2519 or email
lisarobbe@gmail.com.
You might want to contact Geico, too ... just to
ask if Maxwell is interested in riding the best
new zip-line in the world! |
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