Things that surprised me about Ft. Knox Kentucky

I did not know a body could sweat THAT MUCH just standing still.  I have lived in a humid climate.  It made Hawaii feel like the desert.

Apparently (from all the safety briefings) there are a lot of "get you's" in the woods: Poison ivy, black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, snakes and wasps. I don't believe any of this as I only saw a couple of wasps.

Katydids are LOUD.  REALLY REALLY LOUD.  And oddly, they sound exactly like the smoke monster from LOST.  I was freaked out a couple of times.  The fact that you never see them only hear them adds to the feeling of being freaked out.  I kept looking for a large cloud of smoke and  John Locke.

A wet bulb reading is something I never want to experience again.  Especially not a black flag wet bulb reading.  http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/uvaheatline/heat-wbgt.cfm  FYI we did not follow the precautions on this website...

98 degrees with a humidity of 80% feels more like 103 degrees.  There was a surprising lack of flying insects related to the incredible humidity.

There was also a surprisingly large number of butterflies of all types, especially some beautiful black and blue colored ones.  They were everywhere and on the last day appeared to be having butterfly races during the graduation ceremony.  It was a lovely break from the heat and stress of the challenging courses we were on.

 Speaking of challenges, this is the first little rappel they have you do, nice easy little walk down an incline. Note the lack of fear in my eyes as I high five the Lieutenant.

Ok maybe a little fear but not too much.

Here is what you might call the look of sheer terror, right before I prepared to rappel off the 51 foot tower.  Notice how far I am leaning towards the tower, lol.  The idea is to lean away from the tower...

 I am also gripping that rope as if my life depends in it.  You are not supposed to grip the rope, you are supposed to hold your fingers in an "O" shape and let the rope slide through it.  Try telling that to someone else.  I'm GRIPPING THAT ROPE!

And here I am not so gracefully attempting to make my way down.

This would be my husband response to my conquering my fears :)

Here, I am (believe it or not) making my second jump off of the tower.  Yes I said jump.  This side of the tower has no wall, just a ledge. It was actually easier and I am a bit more relaxed as the picture shows...until I had to back up and off the wall :D

Will I do it again?  Unlikely.  Am I glad I did it? Yes :)  Now I know if I have to rappel off a high building I can, at a minimum, lower myself down to the ground without dying.  :P

I would have to say tho, as far as things that surprise me,  the butterflies win hands down.