Douglas resident Chris Lynn went to Red Lodge, Montana, to celebrate his mother’s 100th birthday in April. Imagine his surprise when his brother sent him a video of their mother enjoying a belated birthday present last weekend.
The video showed Marklyn Lynn ziplining high above the forest floor at Montana Whitewater and Yellowstone Zipline in Gardiner to celebrate a century of life.
And she was grinning ear-to-ear the whole time. In fact, when she was done, she asked to turn around and do it again.
Who knew this sweet little lady who’s lived in The Crossings assisted living center in Laurel, Montana, for the past 15 years was such an adrenaline junkie? In fact, it was the center that made the adventure happen after hearing it was on her bucket list.
“I didn’t hear about it until after the fact when my brother sent me the video of her going down the line," Chris told Cowboy State Daily. "You could tell she had a great time.”
Mother Nature
Lynn has enjoyed a lifetime of outdoor adventure in the Rocky Mountain region. Chris said his parents were constantly taking trips until his father passed away at age 94.
“We used to go backpacking a lot when my dad was alive,” Chris said. “I remember climbing long peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park when I was a kid. They were always hiking and camping and stuff like that.”
Marklyn has since moved into The Crossings, an assisted living facility in Laurel, Montana. Her family regularly visits her and made a trip to celebrate her 100th birthday April 2.
Even now, Chris said his mother enjoys spending time outdoors.
“She has a walker now, of course, but she still gets out to walk the grounds now and again, as long as the weather’s good,” he said.
Soaring Centenarian
Chris said The Crossing’s staff suggested that Marklyn celebrate a century with a ziplining trip. She enthusiastically embraced the idea, calling it a “bucket list item,” despite her sons’ initial apprehension.
“She talked about it a few months ago,” he said. “My older brother advised her against it, but she can do what she wants to at 100 years old. She’s her own woman.”
Montana Whitewater Rafting and Yellowstone Zipline got an email about fulfilling Marklyn’s bucket list wish. Operations manager Melaine West said the entire staff was “super excited” about having Marklyn, who would be their oldest customer to ride a zipline.
“This is why Montana Whitewater exists,” she said. “We are here to provide access to people for outdoor activities that wouldn't have that access otherwise. We're here to provide experiences for folks, so we were all excited when the email came through.”
Montana Whitewater coordinated with The Crossings so Marklyn and one of her friends could make the trip to the zipline course and get in line on the line. It was a first for her and everyone else.
“She’s the oldest person we’ve ever had on our ziplines, for sure,” West said.
The Crossings assisting living resident Marklyn Lynn turned 100 this past spring, so as a late birthday presnent the facility arranged for her to check off her last bucket list item — to go ziplining. (The Crossings via Facebook) 
The Crossings assisting living resident Marklyn Lynn turned 100 this past spring, so as a late birthday presnent the facility arranged for her to check off her last bucket list item — to go ziplining. (The Crossings via Facebook) 
The Crossings assisting living resident Marklyn Lynn turned 100 this past spring, so as a late birthday presnent the facility arranged for her to check off her last bucket list item — to go ziplining. Here she shares a hug and gives a kiss to ziplining attendant Cody. (The Crossings via Facebook) 
The Crossings assisting living resident Marklyn Lynn turned 100 this past spring, so as a late birthday presnent the facility arranged for her to check off her last bucket list item — to go ziplining. (The Crossings via Facebook) 
The Crossings assisting living resident Marklyn Lynn turned 100 this past spring, so as a late birthday presnent the facility arranged for her to check off her last bucket list item — to go ziplining. (The Crossings via Facebook)
A Bucket List Experience
West said certain accommodations were needed to ensure Marklyn had a safe and exciting day of ziplining. One of those was the constant attention of zipline manager Cody Rogers.
“As soon as I heard about Marklyn’s wish, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to make that happen for her,” he said. “If they can get her here, I will do it. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was prepared for anything.”
Rogers planned a course where Marklyn wouldn’t have to climb all the rope bridges and ladders on the zipline course, but one that would also ensure she reached the longest zipline. The most treacherous part of the experience was navigating the gravel parking lot.
Otherwise, Montana Whitewater’s equipment was safe and snug enough to ensure Marklyn’s safety.
“She definitely had more physical interaction with our guides to get up to the platform, but we didn't necessarily need to use any more equipment for her,” West said.
When she reached the platform, Marklyn braced for the ride of a lifetime. She rode tandem with Rogers and departed the platform to the rousing cheers and enthusiasm of everyone there.
Again!
When Marklyn and Rogers reached the end of the zipline, she immediately wanted to go again.
“She said, ‘That’s it? Well, shoot, can we do it again? Can we go backward? I want to go again,’” Rogers said.
“The first thing I heard her say was, ‘I thought that would be longer,’” said West. “But it was clear she had a great time. All smiles. Everyone was amazing and super happy.”
In a video about her adventure posted by The Crossings, Marklyn couldn’t stop smiling when talking about her day of ziplining.
“I just love adventure, and why not?” she said. “Yeah, it was awesome. I had seen it on television and I assumed it would last a little bit longer.”
Rogers said he’s taken several people on bucket list rides at Montana Whitewater and Yellowstone Zipline. Marklyn’s the oldest person he’s ever guided, but that’s not the only thing about her that will stand out in his memory.
“As soon as she got to the course, she immediately had the biggest smile on her face,” he said. “She was a trooper, and so excited to be there. That’s why we do whatever it takes to get bucket listers on the course.”
Chris was grateful The Crossings and Montana Whitewater collaborated to get his mother her ziplining trip. For her, it was the ultimate thrill of a long lifetime.
“She had a great time, and it was great she got to do that,” he said.
That’s the point, Marklyn said in the video. It’s not about age, it’s about living.
“I just do things for the moment,” she said. “You never know when you wake up in the morning what the end of the day’s going to be like.”
Who knows, there might be another adventure on the horizon for the 100-year-old. It seems she has a crush on one of the ziplining attendants named Cody.
“I really liked that guy,” she said on the video in response to seeing a couple of photos of Cody hugging her and getting a kiss in return. “It was the most fun ever. I loved it.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
