1 . When I first heard about bungee jumping, I thought it was just another crazy fashion that people did for excitement. I said that I would do it if given a chance, a chance I would never get. But then I heard about a jump arranged on November 18 and I had to try it.

The site was the Blue River Dam platform, more than 200 feet above the ground. The setup was simple: two harnesses (背带)and several bungee ropes.

There are two methods to jump — the swan dive and the backward fall. The swan dive involves a jump forward and away from the platform. Then you count to two and hold the shoulder straps (皮带) to protect your face. The backward fall requires your hands to be across your chest on the shoulder straps, and you jump away from the platform backwards. It’s the safest way. And it is emotionally easier if you don’t like looking down from a great height; for this reason I chose the backward fall.

But, I was still not convinced about ropes. A man handed me a piece of the stuff. My friend and I tried to break it but we failed. The rope could not break. And if one did, there were three more there just like it. I knew that to do this I had to find the strength inside, because no one else was able to help me. After a few seconds of struggle I jumped. The experience was beyond words. And there was a misunderstanding that the end of the fall produced a painful bounce (反弹) effect. Truly, there was a bounce, but it was not painful, at least not until the next day.

2 . The first tip for a good day of ice fishing is to wear the right clothes. You should dress in layers. Wear 2 or 3 shirts, so you can take off a layer when you are warm. Wear a face mask, a warm hat with earflaps over your ears, and warm gloves and boots or shoes.

The second tip is to stay warm. Some people put up cloth tents when they go ice fishing. Some people own small ice houses where they can stay warm. You can use a small heater inside the tent or outside on the ice. Be sure to take a hot drink like hot chocolate. You should move around to stay warm. Some people take ice skates.

The third tip is to check the ice. Look at it carefully. The ice must be 4 or more inches thick. This is the ice rule: “Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky.” Thick ice is safe for ice fishing. Thin ice is dangerous.

The fourth tip is to take the right tools. You need to make a hole in the ice with an ice drill (钻). Then make the hole bigger with a cutting tool, like an ax or a knife. You need to carry your bait in a bait bottle, use worms or small fish for bait. You need a chair to sit on. Take a folding chair so you can carry it easily. Be sure to take your fish hooks (钩) and fishing rod (杆)! Pull all your tools on a small case. Take your cell phone. You might need to call for help.

The fifth tip is to have a great time!