Even after Alexis McKinley's sister was bitten by a copperhead snake in the Moonville Tunnel under Highway 50 and was rushed to the emergency room, she and her sister continued to play there.
Our parents tell us not to go there
but we do. McKinley, an Ohio University sophomore studying Long Term Health Administration and a graduate of Athens High School said. It's just something to do.
Sasha Milliken, a freshman studying pre-med and philosophy and also a graduate of Athens High School, understands McKinley's love for exciting activities.
We don't have any big hangout spots like malls or arcades or whatever kids in big cities have. We often like to hang out in the more natured areas Milliken said.
Some of Milliken's favorite spots include Stroud's Run State Park, Old Man's Cave and Radar Hill. However, she is always looking for new and exciting places to explore.
The other day she and some friends found a 3-foot by 2-foot tunnel under the former tuberculosis ward at The Ridges and decided to explore, Milliken said, adding that they didn't have the proper lighting at the time, but soon hope to explore it.
Milliken pointed out that she and her friends are extremely careful. Our parents don't care because we are so careful. Also most of my friends' parents grew up in Athens
and they understand the entertainment dynamic
she said.
While Milliken and her friends are careful in their quest for fun and adventure, some, like Patrick Norway, a sophomore studying accounting and a graduate of Nelsonville-York High School, are not worried about safety.
The bigger the risk
the bigger the fun
Norway said. We might as well do something stupid and have fun!
Norway, who comes up with ideas for fun when he is bored, frequents the Moonville Tunnel to hike, jumps off cliffs and jumps off the bridge in Nelsonville, a 30-foot drop to the water.
Norway said he can not get enough despite his prior injuries, such as snapping his lower leg in three places, sustaining five head concussions and witnessing his brother snap his elbow off.
We're adrenaline junkies. We've got to have that rush
Norway said. This is how we were raised. Our parents did the same things.
While their escapades may be dangerous, Capt. Tom Pyle of the Athens City Police Department doesn't get many calls about these activities.
There are always going to be those thrill seekers. Pyle said.
Pyle recalled one particular incident of a teen repelling off of a parking garage roof in the middle of the night. The rope broke and he fell into the flower bed, where he laid for hours before someone found him.
If we were to receive a call about an activity like this
we would respond even if it wasn't illegal. We would tell him he was not allowed to be there. Pile said.
J. Wallace, chief of the Nelsonville Police Department, agreed that it is not a big problem.
It's just a different kind of fun. It's probably more dangerous to go to a mall in Cleveland or Columbus where you could get shot. Wallace said.
However, McKinley, Milliken and Norway agree - they won't let the risk of injury stop them from having fun.
You've got to be creative in a place like this
Norway said. In this little town
it's go big or go home.
