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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW OIT president stepping down ... RVTD debuts emergency ride home program ... Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says he's looking for work ... OIT president stepping down ... RVTD debuts emergency ride home program ... Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says he's looking for work ... Zip, with a little extra Gold Hill adventure course includes lines for those in wheelchairs When Lindsey Rice-Meilicke rode her first zip line in Maui last year, she couldn't help but notice it was something her husband wouldn't have been able to enjoy with her. Comment By TERESA RISTOW MailTribune.com By TERESA RISTOW Posted Jul. 16, 2011 at 12:10 AM Updated Jul 16, 2011 at 3:10 AM By TERESA RISTOW Posted Jul. 16, 2011 at 12:10 AM Updated Jul 16, 2011 at 3:10 AM » Social News When Lindsey Rice-Meilicke rode her first zip line in Maui last year, she couldn't help but notice it was something her husband wouldn't have been able to enjoy with her. Jason Meilicke was paralyzed from the waist down after breaking his back in a four-wheeling accident when he was a senior in high school. "I noticed it just wasn't something a person with a disability could do," said Rice-Meilicke. The lifelong Rogue Valley residents set out to build their own zip line course on their property in Gold Hill, one that would be accessible for as many people as possible, including those in wheelchairs. Now, 17 months later, the Meilickes' course — Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure — opens to the public today. Rice-Meilicke said her husband has never let his paralysis prevent him from leading a normal life, and he worked on all-terrain vehicles and other equipment to landscape the zip line park and handle maintenance. "He's never let it slow him down," said Rice-Meilicke. Situated on the couple's 80-plus-acre property in a wooded area above Gold Hill, Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure has five zip lines, four of which are accessible to those in wheelchairs who still have use of their hands and arms. Guests meet a shuttle driver in Gold Hill, and are taken up to the Meilickes' private property for tours. The course isn't approved according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, but is considered ADA-friendly, with the Meilickes accommodating guests to the best of their ability. The Association for Challenge Course Technology doesn't keep statistics on how many challenge courses are ADA-friendly, but Rice-Meilicke says she thinks such courses are unusual. "Our builders and trainers said it was rare," said Rice-Meilicke, who adds isn't feasible for most canopy and treetop tours to cater to those in wheelchairs. The Meilickes worked with the owners of Get-A-Grip Adventures, a national consulting company, who trained their zip line guides. "All the other tours we work with would probably not be able to accommodate someone in a wheelchair," said co-owner Lori Pingle. "It's a very rare occurrence," said Pingle. "I think it's a very cool part of the course." Pingle said what is most unique about the accommodations at Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure is that guests with disabilities not only can ride the zip lines, but do it in a group with others who don't have disabilities. "They can be part of the same tour and watch their friends and family," said Pingle. "It's a really neat addition to their course." At Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure, the guides use ATVs to transport those with disabilities between zip line platforms. "People must have use of their hands and arms," said Rice-Meilicke, "but I've tried to make our park as friendly as possible." Other guests will take short hikes between each zip line. The complete tour includes 2,700 feet of zip lines and lasts three to four hours. Another interesting feature of the Meilickes' property is it's the site of a historic gold mine. The Braden Mine was once one of the largest gold mining claims in Southern Oregon, producing more that $300,000 in gold in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Rice-Meilicke says with today's gold prices this would have transferred to nearly $25 million. Rice-Meilicke said after purchasing the property 10 years ago, she and her husband learned there was a mine somewhere on the land, and started searching. "We couldn't find it for a while, and everyone just got poison oak," Rice-Meilicke said. Eventually, a tunnel to the mine was found, covered with a pile of dirt. Rice-Meilicke continued to research the history of her property and the Gold Hill area, with plans to incorporate the information into her zip line tours. The mine was never depleted and the gold is still exists, Rice-Meilicke believes, but for now, the family plans to focus its energy on the new business, and have no plans to extract the gold. "It's not that we aren't curious or interested," Rice-Meilicke said, "but right now that's just not part of the plan." The park opened to the public Saturday, with tours costing $88 and up, with some discounts available for groups and for those who like "Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure" on Facebook. Those with disabilities should notify park management when booking a tour. For more information about the Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure or to reserve a tour, visit www.rvzipline.com . Teresa Ristow is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach her at teresa.ristow @gmail.com. By TERESA RISTOW MailTribune.com By TERESA RISTOW Posted Jul. 16, 2011 at 12:10 AM Updated Jul 16, 2011 at 3:10 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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