Victoria Falls is terrifying. This is what I’m thinking as I stand next to it. I grew up so close to Niagara Falls that I couldn’t even get carsick on the way there. It still freaks my freak thinking about what would happen if I fell in the Niagara River too close to be saved in time. There’s a story of a little boy who fell in once. No, not the boy that was saved by Superman on Clark and Lois’ honeymoon. A different boy. This little boy, as little boys do, didn’t weigh much. The power of the water stumbling over the edge chucked him past the base of the falls. A heavier person would have hit the rocks below. He was pulled to safety. Cue happy ending music. Then there’s most everyone else who’s flowed past Niagara Falls. If you aren’t in a barrel, or a little boy then you aren’t in safe company.
This water fall in southern Africa makes Niagara Falls look like a lazy river at a water park. Sun-bleached inner tubes not included. Victoria Falls is twice the height and three times the ugly. It’s Niagara Falls with a migraine. But that’s its attitude. Its complexion is like your first kiss. Frightening and beautiful. Thank you, may I have another?
If you fall in Victoria Falls you are a snowball and you know what that makes your chances.
So let’s get up close and take some pictures, shall we?
I’m walking down a path across the chasm. I’m opposite the water fall. You can’t get close to the falls from here but you get the best panoramic view. There’s a wall of trees and brush blocking my view. The path runs right through it. I’ve got to get these trees out of my way. Look down to your right and you’ll see a chain running from stone to stone creating a barrier between me and the plant life. It’s only 8 inches high but it looks to be doing a fine job.
Then it stops for a few feet before picking back up. There’s a break in the trees. In the place where the chain and trees aren’t sits a new path. This path is a hard right turn straight down to a creamy grass covered pad at the edge of the chasm. No trees down there. I could take a picture from here but I’m getting trees on the right and left of my frame. That won’t happen if I walk down this path. It’s a little steep but it’s well-worn. Looks like everybody does this.
There’s something I’m forgetting that’s about to become crucial. Powerful waterfalls create mist. Mist makes things like grass and dirt slick.
I’m now on my back sliding toward the edge.
I am going to die. This is not how I thought it would happen.
There’s a scream from above. My friend Sunny sees me slip and she let’s it fly. Her scream crosses the canyon and catapults back by the force of the falling water. It meets me three feet from the edge.
Perhaps flip-flops aren’t appropriate for this type of work.
I pull myself up and begin rubbing the mud off my butt. I look above to discover a landing enveloped by guard rails. There’s Sunny. From there the rest of my group takes in the grandeur. It’s the perfect place to snap a photo without encumbrance. Standing next to Sunny is my wife. She doesn’t look surprised.
Sometimes there’s a safer way to accomplish the same thing. Show a little patience. Avoid the detour. Sometimes the path well-worn isn’t actually the safe play. You don’t know who went before you and what they encountered when they arrived. Sometimes you don’t really know what you’re getting into. Sometimes it’s not worth the risk.
But sometimes you’ve got to find out for yourself. Sometimes the difficulty level increases but so does the reward. I went up to that landing after taking my photos down on the clearing. It was nice up there but it wasn’t comparable to being inches from eternity with nothing but mist in between.
Sometimes it’s good to keep a dangerous distance. Just make sure you’re wearing the proper footwear.
