The King of the High Wire

Nik Wallenda is from a family that has been walking on tight ropes since 200 years ago .He is the 7th generation of the Flying Wallendas.  Many of his family have fallen to their death, including his beloved grandfather.  He says that is who he thinks about when he puts on these astounding performances that take your breath away.

Many say it's a hoax and dismiss his acts of performance and courage. They have not seen this man in action, I have. We will suddenly hear that Nik had permission to cross between two streets in downtown Sarasota without much notice. We flew there as fast as we could and watched with amazement as he did what he does for a living. He thrills people by putting his life on the line (literally!)

As generations before him have done, he is carrying the legacy of Ringling Brother's Barnum and Bailey Circus. Down here they kind of take him for granted,but I always watch when I see them practicing their magic. They use no tethers and nets as they swing on the trapezes, and neither do the high wire walkers.

When I heard he was going to attempt to cross the Grand Canyon I said to myself "no way in hell!" If you've seen it you know what I mean. He wasn't given permission to cross it and I breathed a sigh of relief . I had underestimated him though, he crossed something called the little Grand Canyon. It is almost the same size, but does not  have the same rules of not impairing the parks peaceful atmosphere.

I hope you got to see it, it was even televised. Not for the fainthearted, believe me! I had to peek through my fingers as he steadied himself with a pole, an unexpected wind had started to blow. he was praying as he got his footing. He was walking 1500 feet in the air , with no net to catch him if he fell. It took him an excruciating 22 minutes and 52 seconds to cross. He played to the audience by doing some back walks toward the end. When he got to the other side he knelt and kissed the ground, and I could breathe again.