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The First Step is a Doozie

Are you brave enough to step off a bridge spanning the 486 foot deep canyon that Evil Knievel attempted to rocket himself across in 1974?

Me? Hell no.

For the individuals that come from all corners of the world to legally base jump off the Perrine Bridge over the Snake River Gorge in Twin Falls, Idaho the answer is Woo hoo! Lets go! And they do. Jumper after jumper strides across the bridge to the middle with their tiny little parachute packs, steps over the railing….and jumps.

Me? I am very content to stand on the canyon rim and take photos.

Perrine Bridge over the Snake River Gorge.
Step One: Step over the railing and throw yourself off a perfectly good bridge
Step Two: Reach back and pull your parachute cord
Step Three: Pray it opens
Step Four: Glide
Step Five: Enjoy
Step Six: Stick the landing
All in 22 seconds!
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September 8, 1974

I was 14, and like every teen age boy in America, was glued to the TV! Evel Knievel was going to jump the Snake River Canyon in a rocket powered motorcycle! Rocket powered! History has shown Evel Knievel to be a deeply flawed man, like all of us, but during the early 70’s he was an American hero, at a time when America desperately needed heroes. The jump was a bust on that day, and only the earthen ramp can still be seen, but for a period of time many a kid jumped, and crashed, their Stingray bikes on a homemade wooden ramp due to Evel Knievel! (before bike helmets had been invented!)