Nick Wallenda, 7th generation highwire walker (don't confuse him with Wallender) has just crossed the main part of Niagara falls ...wearing ELKSKIN soled shoes that his mother made him!!! I mention the Wallenda family in The Birdskin Shoes. The family are renowned for terrifying stunts without the use of the net. The cable was 2" wide and 1/3 mile long, and the spray made it very difficult to blink, he was reported as saying this morning. In addition the length of the cable made it impossible to stop it swaying so he had to deal with a moving cable in a brisk wind, I tell you the man is part winged-god.
http://www.examiner.com/article/niagra-falls-tightrope-walk-a-success-for-nik-wallenda-video
Yay! I'v e been a fan(admirer?) of them for years and just watched the video. I think I need strong coffee now!
ReplyDeleteHaving written a novel about a boy who wears bird skin shoes and becomes a tight rope walker it was a bit of a twilight zone moment to read about Nik Wallenda and his elk skin shoes! I love the idea that there are still people challenging themselves in this way to complete the most amazing feat of courage - feet of courage even!
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